Friendships

Chloe May really enjoys her friend Elissa.

 

And in other news, Elissa's mama is due with baby no. 3 in mid-August - check back to hear the exciting news.

Lastly, our heater is fixed, too many hundreds of unexpected dollars later.  The plumber said it will last for 20+ years - check back then to see if he was accurate.

Grandparents day early

Taking a cold cold shower this morning to find no hot water solidified my decision to go and visit the kids grandparents today.

First we stopped by a 4-H Fair where we saw Uncle Rocco and visited with Nanny & Poppi.

 

Then we went to Grandma's for a dinner and a lovely visit with Gramps.

 Yes, Grandma is feeding Chloe May a scoop of ice cream and an ice cream bar - of which our Dolly has interest in neither.

 Then before heading back home (to still no hot water) we swung by Nanny's house where, as luck would have it, Daddy found a box of bottlerocks - of which Matteo was more than delighted to shoot off with him.

 

Matteo being blurry is no accident, this child was more than excited.

Snake!

Yesterday late afternoon, guess who made a new friend at library.

 

Yes Grandma, it is alive!

Completed!

Matteo enjoying the company of others - something I could never get tired of.

 

Ten days of swim lessons - mission completed!

Paddle boards

Always our Dolly.

Paddle boards were a big hit with Matteo and friends this summer.

 

Below a small video of what Matteo has been learning in class.

 

Beach fun continues

Their friendship continues to blossom.  It is lovely when mothers tell me they pull up and their sons are saying "I see Matteo, I see Matteo!" 

Chloe too enjoys the chilly water and the fun digging in the rocky sand.

 

Me on the other hand - I miss our friends heated pool ;-P  Love the beach, not so much the cold water temps.

Summer fun

I am just so in love with our days at the beach.

 

While I know Chloe May is to young to remember this - I pray Matteo will remember these lazy fun summer days.  

Playdate

With our new-found interest in Legos, our friends the E family were gracious enough to invite us over for a lego playdate. 

Chloe May had no interest in Legos when faced with all Rory's dolls - - below Rory is showing Chloe how to set up the swing for baby.

And a first for this family: TWISTER! 

Bottoms up!

Lastly though the weather started off in the morning a bit stormy, it was clear skies for our second (and final) week of swim lessons.  Matteo seems to have made some nice friends at the beach (friends we had previous) - as well as keep in touch with some playmates from class.

 

We count our Blessings to have such wonderful and healthy friendships in our life.

Sprinkler park

Knowing we still have a full 5 days of swim classes left, today I took the kids to a different beach - one that has a sprinkler park and lots of soft sand. 

But first, remember I told you of our new lego love?  Not exactly legos, but Mega blocks work just as well.

And while more mellow today at the beach, still enjoyed by all :-)

downtime

sometimes you just need a little downtime.  Happy to enjoy same today.

Waves

Yesterday at the beach the waves were so rough and numerous,  I could not help but take a movie.

It's really funny and a true testament to the character Matteo seems to have: adventurous and fun.

And this evening Matteo enjoyed his first Lego session at the library with his friends Caleb and Emma.  At the end Matteo was delighted, yet shy when Emma gave him a hug and a kiss :-)

And thus begins our love of Legos.

Mr. C

Music at a semi-local park today with our favorite children's storyteller - Mr. C (whom matteo is going to take camp with in a few weeks). 

Mr. C is nothing short of amazing with the children and his ability to hold their attention, as well as entertain them.

 

And yes, always the brother/sister photo.  And when inquired by Jules if I planned their outfit the answer is no.  Because if you know chloe, no one tells her what to wear :-)

 

And then off to swim lessons for another fun class.  We have met some friends whom we sit with on the beach daily now and often will stay at the beach for 4-4.5 hours a day.  Exhausting to say the least - but definitely worth it.   Everytime I am there, I hope that this is what Matteo will remember some day - lazy days at the beach filled with swimming, laughter and friends. 

Movie

And on the third day of swim lessons after hours at the beach, the kids enjoyed chips and a movie.

 

Special thanks to Mrs. E on the chip recommendation.

swim lessons

Swim lessons started today at the local beach.  We will be at this beach for the next 10 business days - weather permitting - for anywhere between 3-4 hours.

 

Jules usually stops by for an hour or two for a swim as well.

Hair

The name calling is very minimal - we can even go days without same, the pinching a little on Chloe's part, she does threaten to bite by chomping in the air on occasion, but what occurs painstakingly daily in our house is Matteo touching Chloe's hair.  No to be malicous, or hurt hair, but rather because he tells me how soft and fluffy it feels.  No arguing there.  However, this touching of the hair is like treading on thin ice - depending on her mood she either allows it or does not.  

But Matteo has a point, it is just so lovely to touch :-)

 

Uncle John

Jules' out-of-town Uncle came for a visit today with Jules' folks. 

Needless to say there was much Italian talk (of which I understand zero) - plenty of wine and some delicious Italian cooking courtesy of me :-) 

To keep our company entertained, in between courses Jules took Uncle John and family to the local smoke shop and the Italian grocery store.  No I could not make that up, but apparently a grand time was had by all.  Even at the end I convinced Chloe May to allow Uncle John to hold her and well, the proof is in the pudding :-)

We hope to see you again Uncle John.

Emma

Matteo's 6 week dream has come true - - he has waited heartbreakingly patient to have a playdate with a little girl Emma he met at his friend Caleb's birthday party and today - after some back and forth emails, Matteo's wish came true.  We met Emma for a 2+ hour play date at the library.  The two enjoyed puppets, ipads and of course blocks.  At the end even Chloe May had a little fun with Emma.

Cheers to new friends.

Acquarium

Never one to miss a beat, we had plans to meet our school friend Charlie (who could be mistaken for Matteo personality wise) at the local aquarium. 

 Everyone had a "buddy" and a great time was had by all.

Matteo was more than delighted to allow this conure to sit on his head in the bird room.

 And the ever so patient - except with his sister ironically - matteo went to great lengths to have this butterfly land on him.  This included standing still for no less than 3-4 minutes.

 

Matteo truly does melt my heart.  He is turning into such a fine boy, friend and brother.  Every now and then this dreaded Kindergarten enters my mind and as quickly as it does, I push it away, because while it may storm in, in early September it may not  have my July & August as well.  Matteo is very excited and while I think there will be a tear or two the first day from him, I have no doubt his love of school and thirst for knowledge is going to continue to shape him into the wonderful boy he has become thus far.

PS - we joined the aquarium, so if you wish to meet there, as Bob Barker used to say "come on down!"

Happy Birthday Kimmy

Daddy took off work yet again today so we could go and celebrate our cousin Kimmy's 5th (!) birthday.

Kimmy was good enough to open her pool up to us - of course which we enjoyed.

 

Daddy even took to breaking the pool rules - you are not allowed to jump on the board.

But all in good fun. 

And always the wonderful cousins pic (minus one cousin who came later to the party, Cousin Jesse).

 

Happy 5th Birthday Kimmy - I hope you enjoyed your princess globes and some colored nail polish.

And after we left, we visited Jules' parents house where Jules' out-of-town Uncle was visiting and, as always drank too much and stayed too late.  But a fun time was had by all as we got to enjoy Cousin Rocco's company.

Playdate on the Lane

Needing a change of scenery, our friends decided to come over to our place for a change.

With our kitty pool in full swing, as well as the ever so fun game of hide and seek tag (which I still remember playing from my own childhood), we enjoyed a long and lovely afternoon with our friends.

 This was the first time they ever enjoyed marshmallows via fire pit -

And the countdown has begun until we meet our new friend!  Stay tuned- Ms. Marisa's baby is due in August.  Ironically every time we see her (and granted she does look very pregnant), Matteo says "did you have your baby yet?"  - - oh life as seen through the eyes of babes.

R&R

Sometimes after all the company leaves and the fun dies down, you just need a little quiet time.  

Matteo enjoyed just that this morning taking to doing a 150 piece lenticular puzzle (even I cannot do this).

Chloe on the other hand, need not recharge, she just goes until she melts.

Reunion

Our friends Jen & Marisa invited us to their family reunion -

great friends, fun families, a bounce house and pool - - - what more can we ask?  Always enjoy a party.

And after unexpectedly being off since the last few days in June, tomorrow Daddy returns to work.  It's been a great 8-10 days Daddy, we certainly feel spoiled.

Bug collecting

Matteo is still loving the bug kit Grandma gave him.  He will spend half day outside just searching quietly for bugs - and then run and scream when he finds and captures them. 

 

I have yet to make a "no bug" rule for the house, but am contemplating same.

Car wash for free

With our clamming adventures yesterday, you know we had to come home and spend all the next morning cleaning the clams.

(Luckily I had some dishes to attend to).

And while Nanny & Poppi read their usual afternoon newspapers, Matteo enjoyed some time with our friend and neighbor  Patrick.

 

Lastly a very Happy Birthday to our Dear Gramps.  We are sure Grandma will treat you well.

Clamming with Nanny

What a way to start the day - swinging with his Grandfather. There are the moments to cherish Dear Matteo.

ANd a trip to the local beach had Nanny clamming of course...

 

 and Poppi sleeping.  

4th fun

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

As in the past, this year we started the day be taking in the local parade.

 We then cooled off (because baby it was hot) with a swim (brief as it was) in the neighbor's pool, followed by a good old bbq!

Of course we lit up the fire pit again.....

for some sparkler fun - courtesy of Daddy's client :-)  (and she pays on time too!).

Quad fun

Thanks Nanny & Poppi for bringing Little Rocco's quad for us to enjoy for the summer.  

 

And Nanny & Poppi are here to stay for a bit - oh what fun we are going to have.

Reading Rocket Matteo

Matteo seems to have exploded with his reading just these past few days.  My bosom is full of pride :-)

Did I mention the low tide at the beach?  Yes, we enjoyed it again today.