Road Trip

After speaking to Jules about getting away for a bit after the holidays - we decided on an in-door water park.  Not as luxurious as FL, but certainly more economical.  So after much back and forth conversations with our sign language teacher (who has frequented this park) - she even called after I book the resort 5 days later to tell me of a great deal and we called up and saved $120(!!).  So the morning of 1/31 - we packed up Daddy's truck and headed on what we thought was a 3 hour road trip - only to find out it was more like 2 hours 20 min. (no traffic). 

The below photo lasted about 15 minutes :-) 

(thank you Mary Pope Osborne for your fabulous tree house audio books).

The inside of the water park was always 84 degrees...... and you could not escape the water (though why would you want to choosing to go to a water park).

Just as much as Matteo did, Chloe May enjoyed Daddy's undivided attention and the water.

Not sure why we are snacking in our goggles and birthday suits, but we are :-)

And at 8:00 the children all gathered in the hotel lobby for a song and dance by the large (3 floors high) clock tower and animals that surround it and a nighttime story by the staff and violet the Wolf.

And with that, goodnight.

Storytime

I signed Daddy up for mystery reader at Matteo's school today - and told him for days that the kids were going to "eat him up", etc.  Of course I wanted to frighten Daddy - all along knowing what a grand time he would have.  Sure enough - Daddy loved going in, reading to our friends and is looking forward to going back.  

Packing!

Started packing today...... the swimsuits are out!! It may not be warm where we are going, but we are going to be warm!  Check back for mid-week for updates!  The excitement is building.

Missing Matteo

Matteo's second week at ice skating brings happy news - he has advanced to Beginner I - which is for children ages 6-12.  Great job Matteo - though I do admit that back at home, we do miss you.

 

Finally, it's great living where we do because of all the activities we enjoy, but sometimes, it's just nice to get in the car and after a bit of a drive arrive at Grandma & Nanny's door and that is exactly what we did today!  Visit our grandparents.  A lovely evening indeed and we arrived home with a new food pantry that Poppi built (photos to come in the coming weeks).

Rain rain

While Matteo enjoy putting dirt in the road to float downstream,

Chloe May enjoyed using her umbrella to keep her dry from the rain.

Chloe's time!

Enjoyed a library class for our Chloe May today - - and saw some familiar faces.  Hoping next year to sign Chloe May up for storytime at the library.

Taxes

As is customary, the tax man cometh.

Mailbox II

Back in place with some cement to add that extra touch.

 

Thanks Daddy.

Sleigh riding

With yesterday's 5 inches of snow that fell and tomorrow's 50+ rainy degrees, Jules & Matteo enjoyed many many hours of sleigh riding today.  We were considering going to the local school or park where the hills are steeper, however, decided against venturing out as Mommy is feeling very home-like ever since New Years.  So back down to the neighbors we went.  And to make it fun I suggested Matteo try sleigh riding standing up - a semi-snowboarding version.  Below is our fun filled results - with Chloe May joining in on the fun as well (though on her bottom).

 

first significant snow

The first significant snow of the season had us changing our weekend plans.  Instead of going upstate, we opted to stay home and enjoy the snow right in our own backyard!  Matteo was geared up and ready to go out at 6:58 AM (no mistake in that time) - and Chloe May and Daddy soon followed at 7:30 AM (yes, they got to sleep in).

Matteo also enjoyed his first outdoor skating lesson.  Recall last year he took 12 lessons, this year we signed him up for 6 - and we'll see how it goes.  I anticipate great things, as Matteo is one of two children in his class (could it get any better?).

And other than breakfast and lunch, Matteo enjoyed playing outside until 4:30 PM. The snowfall averaged about 5 inches, just perfect so that we didn't lose Chloe May in it :-) and, as always, a great time by all.

first snow..no matter how little

No matter how minute the snowflake or the time inwhich it fell, if it fell and our eye spyed same, you know we are out there catching it on our tongues :-)





And while Daddy & Matteo enjoyed a viewing of Beauty & the Beast, Chloe May & Mama enjoyed a girl playdate with none other than our gal pay Rory!  A tea party, some care bear fun - - and in all the excitement, not a single photo!  That's okay because when Chloe was all chatty at the dinner table telling daddy about her playdate, I'm sure another will be in the future.  

Learning to read

Matteo loves working in his workbooks that Grandma sends.



And on occasion teaching Chloe May  his sight words.

 
After viewing this video, I"m pretty sure he doesn't have a future in teaching due to his lack of patience.   But i do love how he plays with her hair and Chloe doesn't mind - this does occur daily.  

Off to work

I wonder if all fish get this much attention, we certainly love Clarice.

And this happens about 2x a year (if that), Daddy getting all dressed up and going to a meeting.  He says he looks like a giant in this self-taken picture, which I think is fine, because you probably don't notice the naked legs behind him :-)

Dressing up

Having off from school today due to MLK day, we decided to break out the dress up clothes and well, dress up!

While Chloe May found one outfit and was settled, it took Matteo a few turns of trying oufits on,

before he finally settled on this ALL DAY!! 

With the exception of our daily walk, we enjoyed a day at home, quiet and loving it!  Three cheers to reconnecting as a family and not having anywhere to go or anything to do!

Make your own pizza

A first for Matteo - today we attended a Make Your Own Pizza B-day Party!

Complete with apron and chef's hat.

Flattening out the pizza - and of course you know Chloe May was included in the festivities.

This party included a pizza toss and pin the pepperoni on the pizza.

The atmosphere was relaxed and the party even ran over 45 minutes and no one said anything!  A great time by all and it helped to add to the fun of our relaxing 4 day weekend. 

Happy 5th Birthday to our Friend Tyler.

Tin Foil crowns

Wanting to be like Harry Potter (not sure how he knows who that is) - Jules made Matteo a crown out of tin foil.

So you know Little Sister too needed one!

And we bid au-revoir to Daddy who's leaving today to go and help Uncle Rocco work on his house - he'll be back Monday.

...feeling sad

....just feeling sad over w hat I woke up to yesterday.  Sure it was just a mailbox, but Jules & I picked it out, installed it and, well, we really liked it.  I guess I find it hard to believe that even kids/young adults can be so mean.  And I have to wonder where their parents are.

Mailbox

With some recent crime spree on the surrounding streets two weeks back (knocking down mailboxes) - I wasn't all too surprised to open the shades this morning and find ours knocked down.

I was however sad.  Our lawn looks empty and my heart heavy that someone could be so mean spirited.

Change

This year Jules & I have been experiencing change.  Change in whom we spend our time with, change in where we spend the holidays and other changes that we cannot discuss :O.  So in that spirit, we (me) decided to change up the living room. 

And after 7 years, I do say I like it. 

And as the saying goes, change is good.

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.  ~Author Unknown

Belated....

Our friends came over and spent the day for a belated Happy Birthday celebration.



With the Florida-like temps outside, we were all to happy to spend some time outside with our pogo stick, sidewalk chalk and just soccer ball.  A fun time by all.

But before our post-birthday celebration, Matteo & Daddy took to the ice for a second week in a row - and seeing as though Matteo enjoys ice skating again, I signed him up for lessons, which commence in another 2 weeks.  Be sure to check back for some of those photos!

Lastly low to mid 60's January 7th - someone pinch me - I"m loving the not so chilly temps!

To me

........and so it was a very Happy Birthday.

tea for 4

We broke out the good china today for a real tea party.

Add caption

I do see us enjoying many a more tea parties over the course of the winter.

And one for the "this sucks list" - signed Matteo up for Kindergarten today - it was bound to happen.  I guess I am just one of those moms who enjoys having their children home.  As we say when we are reading and have to use the potty "hit the pause button" - SOMEONE HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON on this moment in life!!!!  Too precious.

Lastly, Happy Birthday to our Darling Grandma.  We love you so!

A helping hand

Here's to hoping our **ahem** new Clarice is doing more than handstand :-I

And I love a little sibling love - - what a way to start 2012!!

 

Lastly, Happy Birthday to our Dear Poppi. 

brr......

Baby it's cold outside.......here's to hoping you have someone warm to snuggle up with inside :-)

Murphy's Law

Matteo kept saying that Clarice was doing a handstand all day......

I mean every time we sat down or passed the table, he would tell me....

I should have known....... Daddy's away and well Murphy's Law..... all I have to say is.... thanks Sarah.

2012

What a way to start the New Year:::



smiling.

And in other (good move news) - Daddy has asked me to renew our wedding vows with him this year  - our 10 year wedding anniversary year.  How romantic. :-)