Chaos is memorable

The weekend continues with a Marine Corps Orchestra at Wolf Trap.  A BEAUTIFUL night for a picnic, music, fireworks.

Shane chillaxing

Drew Chilling with mom

Maybe on purpose, maybe by accident, there isn't a photo of the entire leadbetter family together.  Maybe that is because we are wearing matching t shirts,  Yup, the leadbetter clan was sporting Old Navy circa 2012 Flag shirts (to be worn again over the 4th of July)  But we were making the most of them tonight.  

So the funny thing about the next 2 photos is they were really 10 minutes apart.  We were sitting listening to the band, enjoying the beautiful night.  The boys were playing, the cheese, olives and prosecco were fabulous.  The night was beautiful.  Until folks stared leaving, early....  odd right?  Than we felt a rain drop, than we felt a million rain drops, all at once.  As if the skies opened without warning.  My motherhood was tested as I actually grabbed Shane and Drew before my phone (yes, I am shocked too) we fled to the nearest tent that was members only (and empty) so if you can imagine these 2 moms with 5 kids in tow managed to smooth our way into the tent. (for the time being)  The men were tasked with cleaning everything else up.  

I love this photo of Drew and Alexa - as dry as we could get at the moment.

We huddled in the tent and waited for the boys to come back.  It was POURING and the wind was whipping which made for quite a scene as the young ones worried about their dads.  

They joined us in the tent to slew of questions, did you grab the camera, shoes, phone, fransceso, max schnell....  they had the tough job!

We waited a bit until the mansoons subsided and searched for our car in the drizzle.  It was fun driving home and chatting about the excitement which was oddly not the cancelled fireworks.  We called Chris's folks who had opted not to join us that night - so they were home - dry.  My folks and sister's fam where up 'dry' playing Euchre.  This is what the car looked like when we pulled into the garage.  They were all a bit wet.  I was in charge of Drew.  I grabbed him quickly and went upstairs to change him wondering how he was going to tackle the other 2.  I heard them coming up the stairs and peak out to see the ultimate backpack.  Shane was clinging to the front while Nick was thrown on the back.  One strong husband!!  One funny photo in my mind =)

Memorial day was started in a sticky hot Soldier dedicated 5k,10k run in Brambleton followed by a few errands and ended at the neighborhood pool  We had such a fun family weekend.  I cant think of anything we didn't tackle.  I loved every part of everyone being together!  

Thank you for all those who have served our country as well as those serving today. 

Favorites from memorial day weekend

3 Day weekends are absolutely the best.  Its fun watching the facebook posts of all our traveling pals in Germany - but for this memorial day weekend we are staying close to home and enjoying the 3 days as a low key weekend together.

Saturday started with a BBQ at Burke Lake.  Chris Rick and I hit the trails to start off with a 4.5 mile run (perfect to make us smelly and sticky)  It was fabulous catching up with Rick who after 1 year of being deployed will see his family shortly and move them here.  I love how our paths keep crossing.  Barbara and Wyland staked out the picnic spot and enjoyed a simple day with the boys.  Our buddies the cavallo's joined us too - It seemed like the exact activities folks have been doing for memorial day for years.

Don't get too close...

Shane loves this hat and I love that he loves it!  Thanks Tate

The serious face

Four of the cutest dudes around!

Oh wait, we were missing one

This shirt is priceless in my opinion.  Rick is looking for one in the Adult size =)  Drew was starting to look sleepy so Chris poppped him in the stroller saying - its nap time.  Guess he was right

After all the food was gone it was time to hit the train.  This park was really huge - I remember Alexa asking if it really had a lake because she hadn't seen that part yet.  We spotted the lake while on the train ride.

All aboard!

So imagine - you are sticky and sweaty after a lakeside picnic, whats the next move?  Neighborhood pool!  You bet!  Summer here we come!

So how will this mother of 3 enjoy the pool this summer?  In the water!  Diane, don't you love the suit?  On Drew of course.

Needless to say, the boys slept good that night.

Can I love this guy enough?

I mean this photo says it all to me - cuddly cute guy and all he wants to do is hang out with mom, dad and his brothers.  That's it.  He happily gets schlepped everywhere, but when I pick him up, I get that big sloppy wet kiss that hopefully some day I will get a photo of because I always want to remember it.  I love you little little little man!

Are there underpants in our future?

There is hope on the horizon for my sweet 2 1/2 year old Shane Edward.  He is recently recovering from his first ear infection (I had no idea he had one as he spiked a fever twice and I sluffed it off as his body cooled off each day, but finally after a doctor appointment she said it had been there for a while - poor little trooper)  So after 6 days on axoicillian he really is a new man.  Even interested in potty training.

Lately he tells me 'something is coming out' which is usually too late - but a good sign in my book.  In the past 3 days something has come out INTO the potty.  I was holding out faith it would happen, but didn't realize it would be this soon.  I love his desire to be big =)

Here's his little video that Nick insisted I take - I love his matter of fact way of saying - 'I peed in the toilet,  in a manner that sounded like.....where else would I go?'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq_MLbN8aY4&list=UUVOS8rAoIkMr_viSR6tsaFw&index=1&feature=plcp

So Shane really is the big brother

I couldn't decide which one was better.  Thanks for a great day and I am glad your ear is feeling better little man.  Here's to No diapers this summer for you =)  Just in time for the pilgrimage to Maine!

Game on!!

Game # 3 for Nicolas Roy Leadbetter and he seems to be really enjoying it!  The Saturday morning routine fit well this time for the whole family to attend.  So here are a few photos for eagerly awaiting grandparents.

Huddle.

Look at the anticipation on Shane's face - Is he gonna get the ball?  Like Shane's ball selection?  Wrong one, but hey, he's 2 right?

Drew seems enthralled by the next play.

Here's why, Nick got the ball!  On a hand off, here he goes.

Almost off to the races.  He cleared the rest of the 'defenders' except this one final munchkin who swiped his flag steps from the end zone.

Nick felt great.  It was a great game and great morning - they lost, but I must admit - its nice that they kept score - winning and losing is a life skill and now is not a bad time to start. 

We went home to find ourselves glued to the couch in the most wonderful of relaxing afternoons.  We watched the crushing defeat of Bayren Munich to Chelsea in the UEFA Cup and nursed a small bug that traveled our home.  Nick did not take off his football Jersey.  I just read Farrah's blog about her Nephew competing at a combine in her area.  Its amazing to think that kids can become that dedicated and taht sucessful.  He was very successful that day and I believe he enjoyed every minute of his competition.  Although I doubt Nick will be entertaining a competion such as that in his junior year I hope his successes are a healthy stretch for him as well.

New friends - game for anything

One of the things that is truly the biggest reward when moving to a new place is finding the full family friends.  The ones where the kids can hang out, the moms have a great time and we can even throw the dads in too.  We recently got so fortunate with a family here in Brambleton.  I mention her (Alexa) in an earlier blog as I introduced myself at our gym when I over heard her speaking German to her 2 boys - Yes, you heard me right, 2 boys.  Get this, she is pregnant with her 3rd boy!!  Can you say - it was meant to be?!?!  you bet.  They are walking distance from us which is something I have only dreamed of in the past. 

Nick and Nico became the best of friends almost instantly - its amazing as a mom to watch kids just gel.  Luca and Shane are at the same bumbling pace in life and Drew cannot wait to meet his new playmate.  We have had several playdates during the week and now our weekend are often filled with them.  They are the kind of family that you really enjoying just being with.  So here are some of our adventures so far.

Frying pan park -

I was lucky to catch this peacock just in time.

Nick's first cow milking opportunity

Tractor racing---now who out there is channeling 'foot loose'?  Remember that tractor racing scene?  These tractors are stationary - Thank goodnesss

I love the shared enthusiasm in Nico and Nick's face.

Line em up boys

Here they go - off to find another adventure

This is a great shot Alexa too in our neighborhood on the way to Sweet Frog

These are a few great shots from today.  We went to Great Country Farms - a fun munchkin place about 40 minutes from home.  Our challenge was to fill these too buckets

Drew was in charge of the water bottle

Its a serious mission Mr Cutie

Nick and Nico were pretty good on the searching department

  - Luca and Shane were better in the consumption department

 They carted us out and back to the strawberry fields in these fun tractors.  We weighed our strawberries, but thankfully for Shane, we didn't have to weigh our bellies =)

Drew didn't have a fever today - but he was still a bit off.  He was just happy to be part of the team

And Catch a snooze here and there

The farm had lots of other fun activities, a rope maze, tube slide, rope swings, animals, bouncy pillows - here are our favorites (or the times I managed to pluck the camera out)

Chris and Shane stumbling through the rope maze

This place was awesome and SO RELAXING.  Its a Corn Sand Box.

Nick was buried by Nico and Luca in the corn

Later that night when changing Shane I thought we could start making our own corn sand box....  However those corn kernels were tossed =)

here is Me, Alexa and her buddy Alicia that was visiting this week from Germany.  She is pregnant with her 1st and its a girl.  Figures right?  Alexa enjoyed taking her shopping and buying all kind of little girl things.  All the mothers of boys

The more I think of our new friendship the more I am in awe of how 'complimentary' it is.  I had 2 children in Germany and Nick attended German Kindergarten.  Alexa has had all her children here in the states (They have lived in Texas, Michigan and CT - I was shocked when she wrote that to me in our email correspondence) 

Her family in still in Germany and she goes back to visit for long periods of time over the summer.  Matter of fact, she is about to make that trans Atlantic trip in June.  The one I still have nightmares about.  She will be very pregnant and with 2 kids.  Her bonus will be that Luca and Nico both have seats of their own which is pricier, but hopefully more comfortable for that shrinking lap size.

Now you ask, does Nick speak German to Nico?  Gosh, I wish.  I wonder if we met them 3 month previous if I could salvage his German.  But my shy guy Nick is self conscious of his German (as we all tend to be when speaking a non native language)  Alexa is so patient with him trying to pull out some pleasantries - Danke, Bitte, etc...  But Nick just blushes and resorts to English.  In his defense, he was the special friend in Pre-K this week.  One of his special days was to preform a talent.  As a 5 year old, he opted to count to 10 in German.  I guess that's something.

I am forever amazed and thankful at how friends walk into your life.