Our New Pet

This morning was so relaxing! We had a pankcake breakfast, we played in the backyard, we had coffee on the patio, and then......the screaming began! Ok, so we found a spider, but this was no ordinary spider. She had spun a huge web above our shrub and she had another bug wrapped up in the web. Just as she was about to have her lunch, big bad Abel came along and ended her peaceful morning...after I got some pictures of course. Kind of scary!
At that point we decided to go to the front yard. Gianni played baseball in the street with mom and daddy is teaching Carmen how to ride her new bike (thanks papa!). This was all done in PJ's of course because on Sunday we are just lazy.

Abel worked the Cardinals game today and put in some overtime so it was just me and the kids all day. The Arizona heat is wearing everyone out! While I was making dinner I put the TV on for my two crazy and completely exhausted kids so that I could get a meal on the table. Next thing I know, I no longer see two head on the couch. I walk around the corner and they had snuggled up on the couch together. So cute!

I hope they always stay close.

Snip Snip

Tonight Carmen's hair was cut for the very first time. She did so great!

She was a little unsure of the washing part.

Once her hair was clean it was time to cut. She loved looking at herself in the mirror.

Carmen wants to wear her hair down but a good 2 inches needed to come off and we need to start training it to part to one side. Ana (my amazing hair girl) helped make the experience fun and pretty easy. Carmen is happy with her hair!

Spaghetti Dinner

Ok, I'm sorry it's been so long. Work is killer lately. I have never worked this hard in my life..and this is my 9th year teaching. In between the work, we have tried to have a little fun. Tonight we were invited to the Burgard's house. Caleb is in Gianni's class and his mom and I have taught together for years. Their youngest, Luke, is little bit older than Carmen but as you can see the two dined together and had a blast. Josh (Caleb's dad) made some amazing spaghetti! Haven't had spaghetti in like a year. It was delicious!

Gianni started golfing lessons again this month. Just for one month because baseball season is right around the corner.

Last weekend we went to California to visit Abel's family. Abel's sister Toni is pregnant and is due in late October. The family planned a surprise baby shower. That evening the immediate family went bowling. We had so much fun. It was nice to bowl, and eat, and talk and just relax. It was nice to put work, cleaning the house, laundry, and all of the other day to day things aside for a few days.

The best part about California is my neice Destiny! She is so cute. Destiny and Carmen are really getting along. They love to play! It's nice to have a cousin!

Labor Day Weekend

This Labor Day weekend was so nice. On Saturday, Justin and Rachel came over for dinner. I made some great Greek Turkey Burgers and Bobby Flay's Lemon Vinaigrette Potatoes. After dinner we created, printed, and assembled their wedding invitations. They came out very nice.

On Sunday we had Adam, Holly, and Sydney over.
We have not seen them in a long time due to Adam's new schedule. The kids played in the backyard until it was completely black out.

Today, we hit a Diamondbacks game! The game was very uneventful but the kids made it through almost the entire game. Not bad being that Carmen was skipping a nap (1:15pm game).

Of course really.....it is all about the food! Gianni actually watches the game. Carmen...hmmm..not so much. Two fly balls landed right by us. One seven seats to our right and one 4 rows behind us. Gianni takes off his hat and tries to catch the ball in his cap. Better start bringing our baseball gloves.

My little daughter consumed two entire hot dogs and a box of popcorn!

I don't think we had even turned on to 7th Ave yet and she was out!

Ok, I posted about Carmen's dance. Now it is time to brag about Gianni a little. Gianni has a chart that hangs on the back of our pantry door. He is reading the BOB Books. There are 12 books in a box. The goal is to check a book off as he reads it. But he has to read it completely on his own. Every page and every word. Tonight he finished the 12th book! I am so proud of him! Now we are on to the 2nd set.

This is an example of the 12th book. They get harder as you progress.

While I was making dinner tonight he said, "mommy..close your eyes. I am making a picture for you!" Then he presents me with the picture below. He spelled everything himself and wrote in his best handwriting. It isn't perfect but it was perfect to me because he did it alone.

I love both of my little buggboos. They are both talented in their own

little ways!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Ballet Slippers

Carmen started a new dance class at a dance academy today. She was very excited to get dressed up and see her friend Lola. We tried dance classes before at the YMCA for about three weeks and it was a disaster because she had to go in by herself. This was a much better experience because it is a parent child ballet/jazz combo class for 2-3 year olds.

We has a slight wardrobe malfunction. Her bow fell off her slipper! We will be sewing that back on before next week. Carmen did great at her class and had tons of fun. When we got in the car she said, "mommy, i am so tired." She fell asleep between 12:30 and 1pm and is still out. It's almost 4pm! The class wiped her out. She followed directions well and did all of the activities. Here are a few shots of our friend Lola and Carmen's bun.