Sunday, September 23, 2012

My Favorite Time of Year

Late September to late November has always been my favorite time of year. Back east I loved it because of the autumn leaves. In Arizona, the weather does cool down and you can enjoy the yard and all of our outside activities. Baseball season for Gianni, hanging out with the family outside, Cardinals football games, Carmen's birthday, Halloween and Thanksgiving are some of the reasons why I love this time of year. 

To get out and celebrate the weather not being completely miserable, the kids decided to buy skateboards and give it a try. It was hilarious to watch.




This past Saturday, Gianni had his first baseball game of the season. He played so well. He scored a run every time at he was at bat! He is seriously killing the ball when he wants to. While on third base about to run home, the ball was hit near him and he stayed because he knew that he was not forced to run. Great read on the situation! Out in the field he played left field and made some great plays to third base. He also played second base, which is a tough spot because he stands between 1st and 2nd, and has to know when to get the ball or let another player grab it.

The games this year are 1 hour and 20 minutes so the girls do their best to occupy themselves.


Here is Gianni coming in from scoring.
Look at that swing!
Here he is playing catcher! Papa says he looks like a catcher!
Although we have been busy with baseball, tennis, and school events,  we all miss Nonna and Papa! Here is a picture of them that I didn't get a chance to post from when they were here.
Today we stayed in and baked some cookies and watched football. Two more weeks of school and then we are on Fall Break! We all hope it goes fast.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

We're all alive! Don't worry!

Well, I guess it has been a long time! Wow, over a month since I have posted anything! We have all been crazy busy and we are really experiencing some changes to our world. First, I started my new job as a Student Advisor. I like the job, but it is a major adjustment. Longer hours, unpredictable days, and lots of running around. I have an office instead of a classroom, but I am barely in it! It is taking me time to make the shift from teacher to administrator but I am doing my best. I am missing all of my girls and that is another adjustment I have had to make. I am having to get to know a new job, a new school, and new people. 

Abel was sent to New Mexico during the second week of school. For a week I was super mom while he was gone. This past week he was super dad as my schedule got crazy!

We try to find time to enjoy time together as much as possible when we are not working and the kids are not in school. Carmen learned how to ride with no training wheels. Abel is the best at teaching kids how to ride a bike. He makes it look so easy.

Here is video of the first time she took off. I don't know how he got her to do it but he did.

The first day of school was three weeks ago. Gianni is in second grade and he is doing an amazing job with his behavior and school work. Carmen is in her second year of preschool.


An exciting day - THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Nonna and Papa came at the end of the first week of school. They have watched the kids take tennis lessons, we have gone swimming, they went to paint pottery, they had sleep overs, and we reinstated the tradition of Saturday night at Papa's. The weather was soooo hot the first week they were here (115 degrees). So, we tried to fry and egg on the sidewalk. No success!
We have been having fun with Nonna and Papa but what always amazes us is how helpful they are when they are here. They pick kids up from school, babysit, load and stock my freezer, fridge, and pantry, and they are always putting gas in my car. We love that they help out, but more than anything we love spending time with them.





Family fun at Nonna and Papa's pool!

Tonight Carmen was in a performance of The Wizard of Oz. She was a Little Munchkin. When she walked down the stairs and I took this picture, all I could think of is me when I was little. She has my childhood body, stance, and she dances just like I did.

 I think this is my favorite picture of the summer. Look at my beautiful family and how lucky I am. We have crazy lives between baseball, tennis, dance, work, and school, but it a moment like this that you hang onto forever. My husband has been absolutely amazing lately. Today before the dance recital I had to work. I left at 6:50 this morning to work an event at my school and I was there all day. When I came home the backyard was clean, laundry was done, and the entire house was cleaned and mopped. He has been so understanding of this new transition in my career. I think things will slow down but it is going to take me some time to adjust. I hope that my friends and family can continue to be supportive and understanding because lately I feel like they have been put on the back burner. 

Ok, back to the recital. Back stage Carmen got to take a picture with her old dance teacher. This teacher was with her for the first 4 shows she ever did. This was show number 5 and she has a new teacher.


Second line is her name!

She did so great! There is a part where she is just bouncing up and down but that is because Dorothy is dancing in front of the munchkins. Check out the video! She is the 3rd girl from the right!


After the show it was flowers from Daddy and Gianni as usual. Then it was time to snap a pic with Sophia. They did so great! Off for ice cream with Nonna and Papa.
On the way home Carmen said, "Mommy and Daddy, I just wish I could be on stage EVERYDAY!" She absolutely loves it. I am not a crazy dance mom. She loves the shows the most. 

Tomorrow is a going to be a great day with Nonna and Papa. We are going to a Diamondbacks game. 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Summer is coming to an end : (

 Summer is coming to an end soon and we have been trying to enjoy it as much as possible and get prepared for back to school season at the same time. We recently discovered at Gianni's check up that the child needs glasses. He wears them everywhere and even has asked to sleep in them!

The kids began swim lessons last week. These are pictures from the first day. Carmen did so well that they bumped her up to Gianni's level so now they are in the same class together. Side breathing, arms, and legs at the same time has been a struggle for her but she is doing very well with the big kids. 


  
 This past weekend we packed our swimming suits...and pj's and headed to Arizona Grand Resort. They have a water park with slides, wave pool, lazy river and much more but it is for guests only. So we decided to do a little staycation! So we have had no rain in Arizona and of course...gloomy all weekend with on and off storms, but it was actually nice because it wasn't too hot! The kids had so much fun and we were wet all weekend long. 






 The best part about the resort is how family friendly it is, especially in the evening. When 6pm hits, they have a DJ that does a family dance party with kid friendly music. Carmen was brave enough to get up there but brother stayed in the water and played water volleyball for hours. 
Video of Carmen dancing:

The resort is so pretty at night!





 Swimming at night is the coolest!



  At 8pm they do a movie in the pool. You float in your tube or just wrap up in a towel and lay on a chair as you watch the movie under the stars. The kids loved it!
 Lastly, we have 6 new additions to report into our family. 
 Above is Spots
 Above are "Stripes" and there are four of them. We can't tell them apart so we call them all Stripes.
 Gianni allowed Carmen to name this pretty orange one and his name is Van. These 6 fish joined Yellow, Smooth, and Tiny on Sunday night. Our three glowfish we very pleased to make new friends. Gianni does a great job of taking care of them and cleaning the tank.