Blue Hens Football

So, Daniel gets all of the Living Social and Groupon emails about all of the deals they have around us. One of the deals was 4 tickets for a University of Delaware Blue Hens football game for ridiculously cheap....so he bought them of course. Today was the game! We were going to tailgate before the game but it has rained A LOT lately and we were worried that the fields we've seen people park in before would be extremely mucky and gross. Maybe next time we'll tailgate--if there is a next time!

I think this is the first time that ALL 4 kids were actually smiling AND looking at me for a picture. 

The kids all seemed to have a good time in the beginning....then they started to be less interested in the game (if they ever really were interested in the game!) and more interested in being silly kids in the stands. At halftime Daniel and I decided to go buy treats for the boys to hopefully "buy" us a little more time. As we were getting ready to go back to our seats the Rubinsteins caught up with us and said they were heading out..we were hopeful that the boys would settle down a little bit and we could finish up the game (since we were good parents and bought them candy). They got whiny and restless. Jacob would ask "how much longer? Is it time to go yet?" and I'd say "Look, there's only 9 minutes left on the clock and then we'll go." Poor kid had no clue that football minutes are considerably longer than real minutes! Anyways, with one minute left to go we heard Zach say "I gotta go pee!" Anyone that knows Zach knows that when he says he needs to go, he really needs to go. We grabbed our stuff and made our way down the gazillion steps to the bathroom. Zach went and then raced out to tell me he had peed on the wall and the floor. Daniel described it as a trough with a flowing water fountain type thing that had water flowing down...all for them to pee in. Anyways, the "pee trough" made the whole game worthwhile to my kids. Oh to be a little boy.

We all had a pretty good time. The Blue Hens won so I figure Newark was a pretty happy place to be this afternoon....Newark, DE is nothing at all like Blacksburg, VA on gameday. We're super excited to get to go to a Virginia Tech game in a few weeks!

and, lucky us...Daniel's good friend, Scott, (well, he's my friend too I guess!) was shooting some footage of an old war re-enactment fairly close to our house so he's hanging out with us for the night. Normally we only get to see him for our kids' birthday parties (because he's an awesome friend like that) and maybe one or two other times a year so it's nice to be able to see him without having a pinata involved.

Our silly game day pictures:

 I just had my little point and shoot camera...and apparently was focusing on the field instead of my kids.

 Not a great picture but he was being so lovey dovey and sweet. And nope, I have absolutely no make up on...it was so stinkin' humid it would've been a disaster anyway!

 And Zach...well, he was roaring at the camera.

 I can't remember what they were yelling right around this time but they all actually looked like they were paying attention to the game...for all of 2 seconds.

Daniel said that my arms were too short to take the picture. pffffft.

Daniel documented the boys at the game.....

I heart Brad Paisley.

What a fun night! I must say, I love Brad Paisley.. he's a favorite of mine..and after tonight, I think I love him more. (Don't worry hubby...he's taken. and so am I. Just in case Brad's looking at my blog and is getting crazy ideas. ha ha ha ha. yep, I know, I'm weird.) But seriously, Blake Shelton and Jarrod Neimann (who I thought I had never heard of but it turns out I knew and liked most of his songs!) were also very good! Blake told a story about his family members listening to songs and he sang parts of all the songs....Play that Funky Music, Angel is the Centerfold, and My Prerogative. I wish I would've taken a video but I don't think I could've held the camera up that long!

Our tickets said the concert started at 4..Daniel was looking up information on rain cancellations for the show (because it was at an outdoor arena...and it was raining) and read something about Brad Paisley not taking the stage til 9. We figured that couldn't be right... it was. Granted, we got lost on the way (even with the GPS) and didn't get there until 5.........they wouldn't let people in until about 5:30 because of something about the rain...even though our seats were under a pavillion where the stage was (yep, Daniel splurged and bought us actual seats so we didn't have to stand on the lawn). 3 other little groups took the stage at 6 and were done by 6:45... then nearly 30 minutes later the actual concert that we thought we were going to see at 4 started. (yes, we planned to miss the opening act.)

There were some empty seats next to us so somehow, the event staff was picking random people to be moved up under the pavillion- Lucky us. I'm sort of thinking they were picking the drunkest, most obnoxious people possible. Megan had the aisle seat..I was next to her...there was an extremely drunk girl next to me, her kid, another kid, and her super wasted boyfriend/husband/guy she was with. We could've gotten past the super drunkness of them if they wouldn't have insisted on leaving the aisle every 10 minutes! Talk about irritating! The only thing that made it slightly better was that when the girl left for something, Brad left the stage and started walking through the crowd (okay, it happened two separate times..both times the drunk girl was gone)...he was not really anywhere near us (other than being on our side of the arena) but when she got back her boyfriend told her he was "right there!!" and pointed to the aisle right next to Megan. 

We were both sort of puzzled when Brad (yeah, we're on a first name basis) started to sing "Remind Me," his duet with Carrie Underwood...because she totally appeared on stage. TOTALLY. Everybody was screaming out of excitement. I decided I was going to tell people she was really there...then we figured we'd google it. She was totally a hologram. Either way, it was pretty flippin' awesome. Technology amazes me. (Nope, it doesn't take much to make me happy... just a hologram of Carrie Underwood singing Remind Me with Brad Paisley..in concert. That's it!)

Obviously, I had a wonderful time..I took a few pictures but only had my little camera which takes awful night time pictures but I gave it my best shot! A few videos too which also sort of suck..but because it couldn't focus on anything. If you hear loud screaming during the videos it's not me...it's the drunk chic next to me.

Megan and I before the concert. (should I mention it took us 4 attempts to get this shot?? nah)

Blake Shelton!

Blake Shelton singing part of his song, Honeybee (which is one of my favorites!).

Brad Paisley!!! (and yes, there's someone dressed up as him with a HUGE Brad Paisley mask on)

Brad singing a song with Blake.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood singing "Remind Me." (yes, I know, it's super blurry. the smallish shiny blob to the right is Carrie Underwood...or her hologram. I'm still telling myself it was her.)

I know it's been awhile....

I know it's been about a week since I've posted.....but be sure that I'll post either late late late tonight or sometime tomorrow about the BRAD PAISLEY concert that Megan and I are going to tonight!! I'm so excited I could pee!

It's going to be sooooooooooo much fun!

a relaxing day..

What a great day!! Megan and I left the guys to deal with the kids today and went to a really nice salon/spa in Penns Grove, NJ. It was actually thanks to our hubbies who got us the spa package that we got to go! We each had a Swedish massage, facial, and time in the sauna. It was my first of everything and I loved it all…but probably loved the facial more than anything. I’ll definitely be a returning customer! It was the relaxing day that we both needed!

Neither of us were hungry for dinner thanks to our super late but delicious lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse (YUM!) so the guys decided a firepit to toast hot dogs and marshmallows was in order. Last time we did the firepit at their house so it was sort of our turn. For some reason I decided the guys deserved steaks so while at the grocery store I picked them up a couple of super tasty ones. They were definitely appreciative and yes, they cooked their steaks over the firepit (instead of on the grill!).

Anyways, of course I had to get my camera out.. :-)

Zach and Connor toasting their hot dogs.. Zach didn’t let his “cook” for very long and insisted it was done even though it was still cold. When I suggested he toast it longer he told me he liked them cold. That might have something to do with why it took him SO long to eat it!

Jacob working on his.

Zach being silly.

Big bite!!

Abby being adorable-as always.

Connor being a goofball.

Jake taking a bite even though he had a mouthful.

Bedtime!!

 I finally finished Jake's birthday invitation too! Hopefully I'll get them in the mail on Monday! 

Here's a preview:

Happy 30th Birthday hubby!!

Daniel’s officially old now that he’s hit 30; makes me happy to be in my twenties for another two years.

I went to the store this morning (and you wouldn’t believe how many people are actually at the grocery store on a Sunday morning at 7am!) with Zach (in his pajamas and crocs) to get stuff to make Daniel a yummy breakfast as well as groceries that we needed.. somehow Zach convinced me that we needed to buy Cookie Crisp cereal for daddy as well as donuts for all of us. He also somehow convinced me that the cereal he bought for daddy needed to be opened up in the car while he rode in his brother’s carseat. Instead of me fixing Daniel breakfast he ended up having Zach’s leftover cookie crisp and a donut (but since he’s off tomorrow I might make him breakfast then!).

We picked apples at a local orchard. We had to ride on a wagon to get to where the apple picking was and though the woman sitting next to me was very nice, I’m pretty sure she was wearing a nightgown with a pair of shorts. . . and tennis shoes.

Highlights from our day:

 Aren’t those the cutest little tushies? 

 My little sweetheart.

Riding on the wagon…actually, we were still sitting at this point waiting for everyone to get on. Before the wagon started chugging along, both boys were sitting on Daniel’s lap.

3 of my 4 favorite guys
(my daddy is my other favorite!).

Zach had one apple in his bag and was on a mission to get more!

I thought this was the funniest face!
They were honeycrisp apples. … . so juicy and crispy and sweet! 

Notice the drip down his chin from his apple?

Can you tell how big the apple is? Soooooo tasty!

Picking apples together!

Zach picking a “really tall” apple. The apple trees are dwarf trees so there really aren’t many apples that are high up. We have a picture of Jacob like this when he was maybe 14 months old in CT where the trees were definitely not dwarf trees --- Daniel thought we needed one of Zach.

Check out my apple!

Jacob insisted on Daniel picking him up for a tall one too.

YUM!

Look mom, no hands!

Daniel and Zachy.

Zach…eating his 3^rd apple!!!!

mmmm….cake!

Notice Daniel stealing a taste of the whipped cream while we sang happy birthday to him.

It took all 3 of them to blow out the candles! 

(and yes, that is my totally awful, outdated kitchen in the background...

we're hoping to totally renovate it next summer!)

And of course, he enjoyed his cake. 

I asked Daniel where he thought we’d be 30 years from now…I got no response!! I said “Do you think we’ll have grandbabies 30 years from now?” So of course, he says to Jacob “Jake, are you going to have kids when you grow up???” Jake’s response “Nope, I’m going to be a construction site man.” I’m glad my kid has big dreams. 

Zach's 1st Dentist Appointment!

With our meltdowns this morning you would've thought it was Monday instead of Friday!!

Zach woke up around 2am extremely upset! I finally got him to calm down enough to understand what he was saying "I don't want to wear training undies!" I told him after I picked him up from preschool on Thursday that if he had any other accidents I was going to make him wear training undies to school on Tuesday. He did tinkle at school on Thursday like a good boy but just before it was time to go home he had an accident. He just doesn't want to tell his teachers that he needs to pee! They told me it had just happened and that the little ones always have accidents the first few weeks of school. It made me feel better but it's driving me nuts! Back to 2am, it took nearly 15 minutes to get him to calm down enough to lay him back down..except that when I laid him down in his bed he started up again! UGH!! Needless to say, I just took him into my room and he went to sleep fine. Daniel was out of town so I just plopped him down on his side and didn't have to fight anyone for my own space!

The boys somehow managed to sleep til 7am! woo-hoo! And I thought we'd have a good Friday morning....until Jake said something to Zach about not going to preschool today...then the meltdowns started again! Zach was so upset that he wasn't going to school today with Jacob! I reminded him he had a dentist appointment this morning to get his teeth cleaned and that made him smile. Yes, my children are weird just like me and really enjoy going to the dentist. They also love brushing their teeth (almost as much as I do).

Zach did great at his dentist appointment.

Zach with Dr. Annone. He thought she was the coolest person ever for cleaning his teeth.

He bit down on Mr. Thirsty at one point and then it was more of a game to him because he didn't want to unclench his teeth from it! They finally got him to let go of it and he was all smiles at them! Little stinker!

Boys sure can be a handful....but they can be so loving and sweet to each other too.

 They sure do love each other!!

Tomorrow's agenda: Get to Lowe's when they open to get our blow in insulation and insulate our attic...before it gets hot up there! 

I read this insanely funny blog today..if you have time and don't mind minimal language you'll laugh your butt off!

Back to school!

 The boys with our neighbors at Preschool. 

I'm totally redoing this picture either on Thursday or next week when it's not raining out and I can maybe get their attention enough for smiles....and maybe not have people standing in the background too!! I'm such a pain when it comes to pictures!

 I told them I'd take a silly picture of them...

 Eager to start their day!

 My little tater tot.. not sure how in the world he's old enough to be in Preschool!!

Jake was obviously less than interested at looking at the camera..or really paying attention to the crazy lady trying to hug him!

Jacob started his 2nd year of Preschool today and Zach started his very first day! They were both very excited but Zach was a little apprehensive..he started the day off by saying he didn't want to go to preschool. He happily sat his cute little tush down on the carpet when I dropped both of them off and was absolutely fine! I think I was expecting more emotion from him than I got!! I must say, I felt lonely getting back in the car by myself..and driving home, alone. I got teary-eyed for a few minutes and then got home and began doing laundry...and watched shows that I had DVR'd that I would normally wait until naptime to watch! I did leave a few minutes earlier than necessary to pick them up...I guess I missed them! I think they were just as happy to see me at noon as I was to see them!

We also had soccer tonight. Last week was supposed to be our last week but because of the hurricane it was postponed until this week (the field that they play at was super swampy). There is rain in the forecast everyday for this week so instead of playing on the field, we're playing in a big room at the municipal building. Well, it seems like a big room until you fill it with the teams, the teams that are supposed to play a game after our kids play, the teams that are currently still playing even though we should've started already, and everyone's parents/siblings/family members. With the soccer "field" outlined with masking tape in the middle with cones around it the room seemed quite small!! Our shortened game still seemed to last forever in there...I'm sure tomorrow will be just as wonderful.

We've been busy with more house stuff...I guess the house "stuff" list is never ending when the house is 60+ years old and hasn't ever really had anything done to it. Our last "weekend" project is insulating the attic. Daniel decided that the blow in insulation was the best choice for us but he had to pry up about 40 (give or take a few) pieces of plywood (not full sheets...they were maybe half of a full sheet each..still, a lot!!) and then had to build up the "attic floor" (I have no clue what it's called) so we won't lose a lot of storage space..and so one day we'll be able to put central air in the house and won't have too many issues. Needless to say, the temperature went back up over the weekend so it got way too hot to be working up there for any length of time. I kept checking on him to make sure he was still okay up there and to try to convince him to stop. He worked as long as he could on it and got almost all of the platform built. We're hoping to get it totally finished this weekend coming up (well, I guess he's hoping to get it finished on Saturday so he can enjoy his birthday on Sunday!!). I'm getting a new light in my staircase too which I'm thrilled about...it's just a huge pain in the butt! The first one we got broke during installation (and a $169 light should not break while it's being hung!) and I'll have to take a little drive to get to another store that has any in stock. Fingers crossed for better luck the second time around!

Other than that, life is boring! We'll see how Zach does tomorrow when we take Jacob to Preschool but Zach has to leave with me! (Jake is going Mon-Fri in the mornings but Zach only goes Tues & Thurs mornings.)

I asked them to put their arms around each other and this is what I got!

Hopefully I'll get back into posting everyday!