Trapeze bar

I must warn you the below video does contain an toddler falling, however I should not have turned off the camera, because Chloe May got up and laughed and ran right to me - very happy and proud at how well she did her gymnastics.

Besides Chloe May's great moves on the trapeze bar downstairs, what I love is hearing Matteo's laughter.  

Haircut

Though I have told her repeatedly, Chloe May insists on wearing her sunglasses upside down.

And on this day when I went for a walk and trusted Matteo to stay home and cut out his shamrocks (his own project) quietly while I took Chloe May for a walk (Daddy was inside working) - Matteo decided to take matters into his own hands....his barbershop hands that is.  That's right, about 4-6 weeks ago a good number of times Matteo told me he wanted to cut  his own hair as a few other children in his class had done...some very noticeably :-)  So when I came back home, asked Jules how things went.... and then went to Matteo he burst out crying saying he wanted to experiment and cut his own hair (as we are very big into experiments presently).  He said he thought I would be upset, I wasn't, and rather than have our scheduled cold cereal for dinner, I would make him eat chicken soup (..thinking I am more upset over THAT comment than the hair).  Anyway I told him as long as he didn't do it again AND tell his sister what he had done we could forget it.  Kind of funny if you ask me, though Grandma assured me it was dangerous. 

Frosty reading

My heart is full of joy, so happy I was able to witness the below video.

And finally today we ventured up to Nanny & Poppi's house where we enjoyed not only Sunday dinner (which I helped to learn to prepare), but also, Poppi finished put the handles on our pantry (the garage one) and Jules fixed his mom's computer.  It was on this trip as well that Uncle Rocco taught Matteo how to play Chess - something Matteo has been wanting to learn for quite some time now.  Matteo's thirst for knowledge is so breathtaking to watch, I love it. 

Grandma

What a wonderful treat - today Grandma and Gramps came for a visit.

Chloe May enjoyed much one-on-one time with Gramps as He read to our Dolly.

 

Not to be outdone, Grandma read Matteo's b-day present Encyclopedia to him.

And of course you didn't think Grandma would come empty handed, did you?  She surprised us with the below stuffed animals which are a huge hit - as well as (thanks to Matteo's phone call not to bring candy, etc.)- many pounds of apples, oranges & grapes.  Our good sugar level is sure to be elevated this week thanks to Grandma and Gramps' generosity! 

And yes, goodbyes are always the hardest part of any visit - especially when the party is as wonderful as our Grandma and Gramps.

Love is abundent

If I live to be 100, 

I will never be able to get enough of Matteo & Chloe May's brother/sisterly love! 

Above pic Matteo is wearing Chloe May's coat and Chloe May is donning Matteo's shoes!

Frozen in time

I thought if I snapped my camera this simple moment might be frozen in time...

it didn't work, but I have a great memory :-)

And wanted to share a photo with you from yesterday of me & My Dolly!

I love it.

New New

Today being Ash Wednesday, we all enjoyed 8 AM Mass, as well as ashes on our forehead.  However once back in the pew after receiving her ashes, Chloe May started getting up.  I asked her what was wrong and she said "it hurts me."  So I asked her what hurt her and she continued to get pouty, etc.  So I again asked her what hurt her and she pointed to the ashes on her forehead.  Well needless to say they didn't last long.

After a few minutes she informed me to "take yours off"as well (I did not).  And so Jules & Matteo then went ice skating for two hours (second time this week) - and well what are Mommy & Chloe May to do but make some dinners to freeze and take photos of our dog Spotty.

What is smeared all over Chloe's face is the reminents of her PB&J sandwich - which I just had to memorialize because it was there for about 35 minutes - and I'm thinking "oh to be a kid because no way would a grown up 1) eat a sandwich in such a manner and 2) allow it to remain on their face for so long."  Loving seeing the happenings of those 6 and under!

And finally I took the below movie - again to memorialize - that "new new" is the new "it" word in our house.  That's right, the kids often call each other "new new", or an object or just say it to crack up laughing.  however don't be mistaken, given the right (or wrong setting) it can also make one (chloe - which is odd because she invented the word) break into tears.

 

Upon returning from ice skating I showed Matteo the above movie - which I don't find overly funny - and let me tell you if ever I saw him roll on the floor with laughter, it was now.  Reminded me of when he saw the smurfs.  His face was red and he was just laughing.  Two great memories with one simple action.