Days with the Dorans

 So years ago we went and cleaned up on Earth Day and it seemed we should do it again (and start to make it a yearly thing I hope). We were at Z's soccer game and I noticed a ton of trash by the road so we went home, got some bags and gloves and headed back to the fields to do some clean up! We filled up three giant bags of trash, carried some things that were too big for our bags and I even found a buck (see... it pays to clean up). Walking back and seeing the difference we made really felt good! Our trash wouldn't even all fit in the trash can at the park where we were!  After we were done, the kids got some serious squirts of hand sanitizer and then they played on the playground. If nothing else, the Doran kids better NEVER litter (since they know what a mess it truly makes).

I'm such a bad mom! Last year Z didn't have a party at all because April is so crazy. We actually did have one this year (he only picked five friends to come). I was amazed we found a day that had nothing going on, but we did! The Drapal cousins came and Joe had a friend too. We had the party at a nearby pool. We aren't allowed to take pictures there but I pretended I was playing Panda Pop on my phone and snapped a few. So sneaky!! I didn't feel bad about it because we were the ONLY people in the pool which was really sweet!  After the pool time, we headed in the room for cake, ice cream and presents (they ate pizza quick before going swimming). The boys were having so much fun and having a party not at my house is so stress free, I loved it! You may be wondering why I started this by talking about what a horrible mom I am... Well I thought I had lost ALL of my Z party pictures but thankfully my mom found some. I really need to start blogging quickly so I...

 As I mentioned, April 16th was a busy day. Z got a bike from my folks and Joe, Al and I went on a bike ride with him while Seany stayed back with Jeff.  Wow! Did we get a surprise when we got back!!!  Sean's training wheels were off and he was riding a bike!  His first go was much like Z's... just got on and went. The only thing that was tricky for him was braking so Al helped him out with that. Since then, he's been a riding machine! We have been on tons of rides and he even rides around our house (in the yard). I love how much he loves to ride!

What a day April 16th was!!  It was Z's birthday, Seany's first game, Ali's competition and Zach's game (sadly I missed Z's game). I was able to get to Sean's game with Al in hair and make-up. The good news was her competition was around the corner from Seany's game so we got to see that and then my dad ran her over for stretch and I got there in plenty of time to see her dance and then some! Sadly Al's studio has a policy that if you are at an overnight camp you can only dance in one piece on a competition weekend.  I guess they've had bad experiences where dancers have gotten sick at camps and then came back and got everyone else sick. The number Al's understudy went in for was tap which meant she danced Jazz.  They did GREAT! Platinum, first over all and a special award where they all got to go on stage to receive it. (that's Al to the right of the girl in the pink shirt above). To be honest, I don't recall all the awards t...

Sean told us, "Now that I am six, I am ready to play soccer!" And he wasn't kidding!  We signed him up and he was VERY excited to play (though a bit disappointed there are no goalies!). His first practice was hysterical but NOTHING compared to his first game (where I may or may not have peed my pants a little...). So it was a HUGE surprise to us that Seany is actually a pretty good baller.  He was fast and aggressive and VERY much into the game.  He cheered on his friends and was so much fun to watch! And when I say fun... I mean, this first game of his was I think my FAVORITE game EVER. Including games of all our kids, games I played in, games I've watched of professional teams... When the other team scored, Sean was upset. Yes... that's him dropping to his knees and his coach reminding him to get up and keep trying. He did that~ but then he bumped heads with a teammate pretty hard and had to come off the field for some TLC. Once I got him to stop ...

Zach's 9th birthday was a busy one (as it always is... SPRING!). Thankfully we were able to do presents before we headed to soccer and then (for me and Al) dance. My folks were able to swing by for dinner and they got Z a bigger bike (which he needed). I went on a bike ride with my THREE Bigs and when we got back, Seany was riding on two wheels! I'd say Zach's 9th birthday was a memorable one.  I love that kid! Although he claims he'll always be 7 (since Papa wanted to freeze him at that age), it is fine to be nine and that is one FINE boy I have! Love you, Goose!

"The Odd Couple" Al's bunk below and Sarah's on top. This made me laugh!  Al was so excited and happy to go to camp. I was just thinking how far she's come with her anxiety. I don't know if I wrote about it here but she had some pretty sever anxiety and is a bit of a perfectionist (to put it mildly). She's done SO well though and I'm so proud of her. Even packing for camp the night before, Al was cool as a cucumber! The morning was great too! Al and twin Sarah were bunk mates and I took them to the school to drop them off. It was then that Al's anxiety hit and she didn't want me to leave (it was bad). Much like when they were younger I assured her she was safe and loved and would have a great time and just like then... I was right!  I was blessed that Sarah's folks were keeping me updated through texts and pictures.  Sarah's dad was a chaperone there and her mom went up regularly to be with them so I had my spies up there ...

How do I ever begin to write about a full week in one post?? Since I'm going back and recapping~ I'm just going to do the highlights (though there were so many). Again we went to Myrtle Beach with Nana & Papa but this year we were excited that Uncle Dan and his fam could join us too! I love vacations like this because they are so laid back! I walked every morning with Steph. Jeff and I played Phase 10 almost every day. I finished a book and started a new one. We played games with the fam. We visited the ocean and pool every day and of course the cousins had a blast just playing. We went out for a yummy meal each day and of course did an annual mini-golf trip. I think all the grown-ups (but Danny and I) got holes in one. We ALL had a great time though! The show we took in this year was Medieval Times.  Jeff and I liked the Pirate Show from last year better, but the kids loved this show (it was good). Maddy got a special sash from a knight and the Littles got l...