Calendar Boy!

At school all of the children receive jobs (i.e. line leader, fish feeder, etc.).  Matteo tells me he is the electrician - he has to turn the lights on and off then entering and leaving a room (as they rotate rooms and are the only class there during that given period of time).

At home Matteo is not only the electrician, but he is also the calendar boy - which means he has to write the daily (or when I remember) number on the calender. 




I believe this fun task helps to reinforce Matteo's numbers.

First haircut

That's right you read my blog title correct!!  Chloe May received her first haircut today.  You see the past few days when I comb her hair at night she wines or whimpers because of the knots - so even though long hair is cute on little girls, smiling faces is even cuter I think!

Voila! 

and for those wondering...the marble was back again today!

Kisses!

Once again, a marble my friends. A marble provided hours (honest) of entertainment.



I hope Santa leaves one for your 5+ little one (otherwise it could be a choking hazard).

And coming home from school to find the house decorated, Matteo will stop under the misseltoe and call out that he needs a kiss - today Chloe May was more than happy to obligue.

fog

Waking up to the fog this morning

could have been a bit spooky...

but with Matteo & Chloe May blowing bubbles in the yard in their pj's ....

the scene was anything but!

And a special thanks to Matteo - I doubt he knew how overwhelmed I was getting with Christmas right around the corner and many people asking what they can get two kids who have ENOUGH - - so today a marble kept Matteo busy for what must have been 2-3 hours!

The simplicity of a marble  - thank you Matteo!

And last of all, speaking of Santa, don't believe Daddy when he says Mommy needs new socks, mine are just fine!

 

Baby it's NOT cold out!

Feeling like a Floridian these past two days, we have taken to picnicking again!



In addition to countless hours of leaf raking, garage cleaning, painting the numbers on our house, putting away the bbq grill, powerwashing the shed - and yes Daddy has been off work since Wednesday AM!

Thanksgiving

When searching for the meaning of "Thanksgiving" - one of the responses that came up was 

"Spontaneous responses to things that enrich your life."

Clearly there is no hesitation:

 

 

and Grandma's favorite song this Holiday.

 

 

Pie-fect!

After helping Matteo's class in school today, I came home to make 3 pumpkin pies and one apple crisp all for our celebratory feast tomorrow.

After making an Indian headband in school, of course Chloe May had to come home and make one all her own.  And while doing so, Matteo decided to publish a book - an Indian book dealing with hot cereal and wind storms.

Cards done

Dare I say, our Christmas cards are done!

Santa's list and snuggling

Matteo had been asking for a few days to write his list to Santa - today he took great care in doing so.

After I put the kids in bed, I heard Chloe ask Matteo about 3 or 4 times if he wanted to snuggle.  Finally I heard Matteo say "fine come up" - - and so I ask, can you find two kids in the below picture?

Birds

Lest I forget, a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.

Family sunday

It was such a busy week I forgot to mention we are going to be redoing our bedroom - which desperately needs a makeover.

We started by moving our highhats - so now we have now have 10 holes in the ceiling, but only 6 lights - clearly we are going to be spackling and painting in the coming weeks!

After some- what else - leaf raking - Matteo and Chloe worked on building with the magnets - Matteo is starting to teach Chloe May how to use the magnets as well.

 

With little phone usage and virtually no computer day and the warmer temps, it was a wonderful family day!  We hope you enjoy the festive week. 

Playdate!

Our friends had so much fun here last week that their Mommies asked if they could come back and spend Saturday with us as well.  So after the dishwasher man came (yes, we are on a first name basis), and we spent 2+ hours raking leaves, our friends/cousins arrived.  

After some free play, I delighted everyone by taking out the playdoh.

 

The smiles say it all.

And of course then we drew - Matteo loves copying the girls by what they draw (and I love seeing the illustrator in him as well).

and of course by the end of the night, the sillies came out!

I have a feeling our friends are going to be spending many more winter weekends here - which is only fair as we practically live at Marisa's house in the summer!  Bonus is we love and enjoy them.

So long Reege

yes, we cried. Matteo & Mommy that is. From 9-10 AM - I'm not kidding, mainly Matteo but Mommy a bit too - cried.  He's funny! You don't get that unscripted humor much anymore. So many people are either 1) politically correct; or 2) off color, but man Regis, you are just plain funny!

And so Daddy surprised me with signs to hold for when Regis walked out (Daddy often used to make me signs when we were first married and we would sit and watch Regis together at night  holding our signs).



Thanks Daddy - it was a fitting ending

When I tell you Matteo was upset, he was.  Though I tried to downplay it - - so when Regis was over I let him watch his new favorite show - that has a really catchy jingle that Matteo goes around the house singing.  Which makes me realize, I hope Matteo is like Charlie Sheen's character (WAIT I'M NOT DONE) on Two and a half Men - the one who writes the catchy jingles. 

(can you see how red his eyes are).

And yes Chloe indeed it was an exhausting morning!

 

We love you Reege! 

Babysitting

Babysitting our friend Elissa today has never been easier - she slept in the garage for 2 hours - pretty much arrived sleeping and only awoke when her Mom arrived to pick her up!  Come back any time Elissa!

We were then treated to our friends staying for some homework and dinner - great company and always fun.

Lastly we are solemn as we prepare to say goodbye to Regis tomorrow - Matteo seems to be taking his "moving on" especially hard - having cried 2-3 times over it today.  It was fun watching Regis dial the phone occasionally Matteo wasn't it - he will be missed.  On that note, please DO NOT call between 9 AM and 10 AM EST tomorrow - we will not be answering the phone.

C O M M E N T S

The best part of getting dressed up today -

big brother enjoys doing all the tieing of ribbons.

And Holla Holla to Me - I HAVE COMMENTS on my blog (sorry they took so long for me to publish I didn't know I had to).

Well Colleen, Aunt Lois, Amy (when you can find your password) - glad we entertain, amuse and provoke comments in you. Though dare I say I still think it is just Jules dressing up in various dresses and writing the comments. Or perhaps you need something to put you all to sleep at night :-) Anyway thanks for the uplifting, positive comments, always fun to read.

pigtails

I am absolutely in LOVE with putting Chloe May in pigtails!  Love it.  And she seems to enjoy it as well.

Having two sisters and many girlfriends you would think I had a way with hair - but no such luck.  It took a few sessions of watching Ms. Marisa do this to Chloe's hair for me to learn how - - I hope to learn how to braid as well for the future.  But for now pigtails it is!

And special thanks to Daddy for putting the lights in my tree - - Daddy always lights up my day.

 

Lastly, shame on you Hope & Max - very poor sportsmanship on DWTS.  It was for fun and dare I say you were very disrespectful to the judges. 

school picture

G O R G E O U S 

 

. . . and he has a personality to match.

One of Matteo's friends mothers came up to me and told me (based on the class picture) just how handsome and photogenic he is - a lovely compliment indeed to receive.

Hoping your day is full of smiles and laughter.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

With yesterday's celebration, Daddy unforutnatley didn't get to work until past 8 PM - but he still had deadlines to meet - so to work he went.  So when 6:30 AM rolled around, not sure if Daddy was all that thrilled to be getting the birthday wake- singing accompanied by hugs and kisses, but always a sport Daddy played along. 

After that an owl outside too was hooting for Daddy's birthday - which was very interesting to all of us.

And while a celebration was in store, I knew we had some work to do - so leaf duty we were on starting at 7:45 AM (sorry neighbors!).

Indeed we were busy.

Coming in for a late breakfast at 11:30 - brought Grandma and Gramps soon after - and you know Matteo & Chloe May are always tickled pink for Grandma.

Later our friends Ally & Elissa stopped by  - with the best gifts for Daddy - homemade.

Soon after another set of friends  - bearing some frozen soup and tea for Daddy - also just in time to sing and celebrate

 

 and wouldn't you know 36 candles later we indeed again singing to our Daddy.

We thank God for the Gift of Daddy - Jules - a man who is simple- yet wise, funny - yet reserved. 

Special thanks for all those who stopped by, sent a card, phoned or emailed - it was lovely of you all.

Birthday celebration I

Why all dressed up Dolly?

Because Nanny & Poppi are in town!!! Also Uncle Rocco & Little Rocco too!

Why the get-together???  All to celebrate Daddy's 35th birthday a day early - splendid!!  Bring on the candles :-)  I got up at 4:30 AM to peel and cook the pumpkin bread I promised Daddy for this birthday - as well as some crumb cake and apple crisp - all of which was enjoyed by our visitors big and small.

Matteo enjoyed piecing together a 100 piece puzzle with Nanny & Uncle Rocco.

The wine never stopped flowing and the conversation was always light and easy - just the way we love it.

Cousins/children/friends playing together - can there be any greater gift or joy?

At the end of the night, Daddy was indeed Happy - and he certainly deserved it!

Curtains

Wanting to recognize the little boy that Matteo is becoming - no longer a baby or toddler, I decided to spruce up his room (and Chloe's room) with some new curtains.

 The look magnificent against the Japanese maple outside his room that we are starting  to decorate for Christmas.

Delayed gifts

Having purchased a new vacuum from Kohls yesterday - much to my dismay (yes I resist change and if I could would live on the prairie!) I - completely unexpectedly - fell in instant love with it.  It didn't fall over on the kids like the last one did, didnt smell like the rug was burning, was lightweight, etc. etc. So naturally I cleaned for over 3 hours this morning - moving beds, vacuuming in corners, even the cobwebs are gone.

Well during this cleaning frenzy the kids were more than super great!  I gave them their Easter presents from their cousins - which they were more than happy to receive.

Amy made Matteo this great book when he was 3 years old for this birthday - - he just received it today Amy and LOVES IT! 

So the kids spent the morning putting stickers on their sticker books and drawing pictures in the books as well.

Below is a picture of Amy & Katelyn - whom Matteo talks about very much "Katelyn and ....what's her mama's name?"  Amy Dear you have never looked so tall - - your legs are gorgeous :-) 

At the end of the day we all snuggled on the couch and read some books (which I received last year from Nanny ...and of course was saving... Note to reader: i have a tendency to save things).  The kids each sat on their pillows and snuggled under another blanket from Auntie - even putting Chloe May to sleep.

The kids never left their pjs today - played with a new hotwheels track Matteo received for his birthday - spent well over 3 hours with stickers and drawing - it was that kind of day ::::::: PERFECT.