Days with the Dorans

 Sean's "real" birthday fell during the week this year and of course during the week is not good for us Dorans... Ali had tumbling, then Z had soccer and Ali had tap later (mix in piano practice and homework)...  The first time the 6 of us were all together was 9:00 pm, but we HAD to do candles and singing for Seany.  Instead of cake, Jeff picked up some cupcakes that were put together to make a football.  Thank goodness that, for Sean, cake and ice cream are the priorities for birthdays (he didn't ask about presents at all)! I did take a video of him from his first day and his 1,460th day.  You can see it by clicking HERE. Of course he did get some presents.  With everyone's busy lives and schedules, we just had my folks and the Drapals come over.  Jeff's family wasn't able to make it so we planned everything pretty much last minute (which is very much our style).  I know that next year I MUST be better (I'm already telling myself that fo...

It's hard to believe that four years ago today Zach was born! On one hand, I can't believe he's four already! On the other, I can't remember my life before he was in it! We had a busy day which started with going out to breakfast, field clean-up for Joe, a friend's birthday party for Ali and then a mini-celebration for Z. We were going to do something bigger (with more family) but many of our family and friends are in the same crazy season that we are and it was hard to organize something- and as it is, every day can feel like a party in our house (just minus the cake and balloons). Z wanted to go to CJs (a local brewery we frequent) for pizza, but since we JUST had pizza we opted for something different and took the gang (and my folks) to Red Lobster. The kids loved looking at the fish tanks and lobsters, but the biggest hit was the rolls. Z just licked the top of them and I think that Sean ate about four! The boys were quite chatty with the waitstaff t...

I'm going to miss three! I sometimes wish that I could freeze time and keep everything the way it is - the way it feels in this moment- PERFECT! Ali Jane is now four and I can hardly believe it! She is so special to me- the day I learned I was having her, we buried my sweet Auntie Irene. Little did I know as I said goodbye to an amazing woman, another would soon enter my life! We didn't plan Ali Jane - she was the best kind of present- but I do feel badly for having her a few days after the excitement of Christmas. Jeff's family couldn't make her party because they all came down with the flu, but we had a nice gathering anyway. My family, the Harts, Melanie and Auntie Jodi and Randy were all able to help celebrate our darling Al! Daddy got her her very own guitar so she could rock out with the fellas! She did a great job and looked so cute in her new digs- fit only for a princess! (Hmmm... why isn't Joe on drums?) In the video we are singin...