zone defense: August 2017

august 27th - caroline winer mixer 4

Now that we are in the 'burbs, we had the car almost fully packed before we went to bed. We woke the kids up at 3:30 and we were off to North Carolina. Alex went right back to sleep, but Gemma was hanging with Daddy until we hit Dover...mommy...also out. We did our usual meet at Sunset Grill to kick off the week with cocktails and wait until the house was ready. Long, but fun, first day and we are crossing our fingers for good weather.

august 26th - nomad night

It feels like fall already but we are still holding on to summer for dear life. Strolled to dinner at Nomad where Mommy got a custom manicure from Gemma.

august 25th - alex's last day

Our little buddy finished his last day at pre-school today. It is going to be weird not seeing his picture at the sign-in desk next week. He had a fun last day...it was costume day so he wore his superman cape. He brought his teachers presents and gave them all big hugs. Miss Danielle said, "it was truly a pleasure having Alex in class. He is such a polite and respectful boy. Please come back any time to visit." Alex says he's not upset...he's excited for kindergarten.

august 24th - namaste

Grandmom Burger came over for dinner tonight and a S'mores fire. Alex and Gemma put on a yoga show. Alex was showing us all the things they do at school.

august 23rd - near 'da beach

We broke to kids out of school early today to take them to the beach. Went to Point Pleasant for the first time to check out the rides that Alex and Gemma's cousins are always talking about...fun. Alex loved the bigger rides that he went on with Daddy. Gemma loved the candy shop. She also won the 'who has the biggest mouth contest.'

august 22nd - big day

Mommy is halfway through to seeing our new babes. Instead of nesting, we booked a trip to Disney. Gemma is going to be a great big sister.

august 21st - damn eclipse

The kids watched Moana this morning. Very educational flick about a girl navigating a boat using the stars. Fitting subject matter for this day of the solar eclipse. Has not been a solar eclipse passing over the US in a very long time and today was the day. It was actually very interesting to see everyone as obsessed with looking up as the typically are with looking down. Just focus on the shiny distraction...zombies. Alex and Gemma got to watch the whole thing go down on the computer at school so they didn't burn their eyeballs out...safety first.

august 20th - please don't go, summer

Spent what may be our last Sunday at the community pool. Gemma is apparently ready for fall, or she is just done with the heat since she lost a battle with an ice cream pop...big time. Alex had more success but his face was blue for six hours. We went out for a nice dinner outside at the new PJ's in Kingston.

august 19th - put a fire in that pit

Daddy made some chocolate chip pancakes this morning that were deserving of several awards. Alex and Daddy went to get some new soccer gear and Alex is a bit excited. Our first fire on the patio. Even though it was 120° outside, we were making s'mores. Barely had to melt the chocolate.

Mommy is starting to clear out the nursery and Alex found Daddy's favorite pair of glasses. What a difference 10 months vs. 5 years. Still cute.

august 18th - parents' night out

Mommy and Daddy went to dinner while Alex and Gemma got to stay at school for dinner and a movie. It rained so hard we almost had to pull off the road. Resulting sunset was worth the near-death experience. Gemma explained to us that we missed a rainbow and "we couldn't see it where we were because it was connected to the clouds at school."

august 17th - pm hooky from preschool

Thursday is always a big day in town because the farmers' market is buzzing in Hinds Plaza. Daddy had a lite afternoon so the kids were broken out of school early. Burgers at Witherspoon Grill and gelato at Dolceria. Dessert is about the only thing Alex and Gemma share without hesitation.

august 16th - humpday

Beeps and Grandpa are back from their vacation in Ireland and we put Beeps to work, making lasagana and meatballs for a Wednesday night dinner. The kids had a blast and made a huge mess, as usual. It was a great night to be outside playing soccer, digging in the damn red rocks, and eating some of Nonna's sauce. Alex and Gemma had some special ice cream and then tag teamed Daddy's dessert, which was gone before he got a bite.

august 15th - clearing our air space

After more than two years of Daddy complaining about the huge, mostly dead tree in our yard...it finally came down today. It was pouring sheets of rain but Tree Fellas brought it down. Finally!!! Good timing now that we have a fire pit, we are able to put the fallen tree to good use.

Alex wore his new socks today and got some furry feet. He thought it was so funny and giggled so hard he almost peed his pants.

august 14th - not chicken and corn again!

Making the best of a Monday. We had an al fresco dinner at Teresa's and burned some energy running around Palmer's Square.

august 13th - sunday funday

Bouncy houses, face painters, balloon animals, ice cream...awesome weather. We went to Peddler's Village today for the Peach festival and had an amazing day.

We started out with Alex helping Daddy clean and set up the drum set. Uncle Frank brought it over last night. Very exciting. The Peach Festival was a great way to spend a Sunday strolling around the village. We have not been there in over 10 years and it hasn't changed a bit. Alex loved it so much he said "I want to come back for the strawberry festival and the blueberry festival." Topped off the day with a nice outdoor dinner on the new patio.

august 12th - proud

Alex got some new sneakers yesterday and he only wears them around the house because he is saving them for kindergarten. He was really excited to show them to Uncle Frank tonight. Even wore them with his pajamas.

august 11th - the weekend...finally

An evening in town hanging out on a picnic blanket listening to jazz and having dinner. Alex got ice cream since he was being good...Gemma not so much. She did sit very patiently and wait for the band to get set up. "Are they gonna play music or what?"

august 10th - me next...me next

It is decided...mommy is definitely carrying a baby in her belly. Pool time after school and then dinner at Main Street to listen to music. Lots of aerial fun, smiles, and ice cream.

august 9th - our puppeteer

Alex made a puppet today at school. His teacher was very proud of his work, but most importantly the story he told with the puppet after he finished.

august 8th - squishing bellies

Alex taught Daddy a game that he and his buddy, Caleb, made up at school. Very creative and very random. He cuts out paper and Daddy draws. Blue is a trophy, 'J' is the winner, and orange blob is 'squishing belly.' Mommy tried to get in on the action but could not compete with Daddy's trophy illustrations.

august 7th - bath butts

august 6th - backyard living

Day 1 of enjoying our new outdoor living space. Even though it is not quite finished it was still awesome to be able to spend the day out on the patio. We even had lunch out there since we moved our table over. This evening, we went to Uncle Boogs' to celebrate Julia's birthday. Kids had lots of fun playing with all the kids.

august 5th - future track star

A free Saturday to sleep in (slightly) and get moving at our own leisure. Gemma dressed (up) herself for breakfast at Lillipies. Alex ran like Forest Gump on the track at the high school. Mommy took him over there to check it out and he just took off. He ran a whole mile and was still ready to run home with Daddy.

august 4th - emilia lucc

We went to Collingswood tonight to meet Drew's new baby sister. Lots of fun, ordered thai food takeout, and Emilia slept though everything. Gemma was so tired when we got home she slept through a car to countertop to potty to bed transfer.

august 3rd - gelato?...now?

Daddy is still on european time when gelato in the middle of the day makes sense. On our way home from school we stopped by Dolceria for a little sweetness.

august 2nd - sweet constellations

Daddy came home and Mommy headed out to DC for work...Nomad Night. Alex ate almost a whole pizza by himself. Gemma must have been saving room for dessert. She ordered 'the big dipper' by name when the waitress came by our table. Cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, nutella. Amazing.

august 1st - daddy's home

Daddy flew back from Brussels today and the first stop was to pick up the kids from school. They were both really excited...especially alex. Daddy brought back Alex a Netherlands soccer jersey and Gemma some dutch wooden shoe slippers. She HAD to wear them immediately. Daddy finally got to see the landscaping progress...awesome.

zone defense