Gianna's Last Day of School

Today marked Gianna's last day of pre-school.

Sept 2010

When Gianna started school in September, she wasn't fully potty-trained and had just moved from our bedroom to Gemma's room in her own bed. She loved her first day of school, but there were a couple of days she wasn't too sure about going. However, by the end of the month she was fully potty-trained and loving school.

May 17, 2011

I was so nervous sending her to school last fall. I knew she would thrive since she is such a social and friendly little girl, but I had no idea just how much she would grow! Now, Gianna knows her alphabet, is starting to write her name and draws people with faces. She loves school and looks forward to each Tuesday and Thursday to see her teachers and her friends.

I am so proud of my little girl!

Picnic

Gianna decided to eat al-fresco today. Nothing fancy, just some chicken fingers and macoroni and cheese.
But everything tastes better when you eat outside on a beautiful spring day!

Preview

The girls had pictures tonight for dance. Here is a preview!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day didn't turn out exactly as planned.

David had a flight to catch at 1:30, (Navy) so we were going to have breakfast and then head to the airport. However, the plan changed when Gianna woke us up at 6am complaining of a tummy ache. While David was taking care of the little one I was dealing with a full blown migraine.

David ended up on the couch snuggling Gianna and I was laying in bed wishing the damn birds singing outside would shut-up.

I finally got out of bed around 10am and took a shower. I still had a throbbing headache, but was able to tolerate light.

We decided to go to breakfast - which by the time we arrived was lunch. Gemma gave me a beautiful card that she made for me and made me cry.

Spencer gave also gave me a plant and a sweet card. Gianna wasn't feeling so well and fell asleep in David's arms.

After the restaurant we left for the airport. Once we were back at home, I let the kids play Wii and took an hour nap. By 4pm, I finally felt better!

First Holy Communion

I wasn't able to edit or crop any photos.

Today was a very big day for our family; Gemma and Spencer made their First Holy Communion!

Here are the children before we left for church.

And here is the family at the church. We arrived early and decided to take advantage! If you look closely at Gianna, you'll see she brought Sleeping Beauty and insisted she be in the photo!
Here is the group photo with Father Kevin and Sister Joan. Only 13 children made their First Communion on Saturday, but there are actually 47 children who will make the sacrament over the next four masses!

I took a few photos of the children making the procession into church, but I didn't use a flash and they didn't turn out so well. However, I used the flash on this one! Gemma was one of four children that was asked to bring the gifts into church. She was carrying the Holy Water.
I love this picture! This was right after Spencer drank the wine. I was just surprised he didn't make a face. I had told the children it was OK to drink the wine - or even to just put the cup up to their lips and pretend to sip it. I guess Spencer decided to just go for it! ; )
Grandpa, Nona and the kids after Mass. Spencer was so hot during Mass, he couldn't wait to take off his jacket.

Gemma with her Godparents.

Spencer and Judy, his Godmother. John was his Godfather.

Since we chose the Saturday afternoon Mass, we invited everyone to our house to celebrate. The children couldn't get out of their dress clothes fast enough. We had a wonderful time and were so glad to celebrate this special moment with our families!

Lunch With Daddy

We finally had a nice spring day today, so Gianna and I decided to meet David for lunch in the park. After we finished eating lunch, we decided to take advantage of the nice, but windy, weather.
Gianna rode her scooter.
Then she chased after the birds. She couldn't understand why they kept flying away from her. I think it could have had something to do with her running at them and yelling "Come here birdie!".
Then we found some of the Peanut statues and decided to pose with them.
It was only an hour lunch, but it was a nice hour to spend with two of my favorite people!

WTF

No picture - sorry mom.

I had to send the kids to school today in their WINTER COATS!

IT'S MAY 2ND!

Mother Nature, please let spring come to us......

82

daddy and me in puerto rico - circa 1978

Happy 82nd birthday daddy.

I love you.

Crazy Hair Day

Today, the children's school deemed it "Crazy Hair Day". Actually, it was the student council....

Here was my attempt at "crazy hair".
Both my photography and hair dressing skills are lacking.
I spiked Spencer's hair with gel and then spray-painted his faux-hawk orange.
Gemma wanted a bun - which was easy. Then she wanted extra clips - no problem.
The tricky part was adding the pencils. And then I added orange strips.....pretty crazy!

Dentist - Take Three

You can click here for take one and here for take two.

They say that "three times is a charm" and I think that may be true for Gianna and the dentist.
This morning Gianna went to the dentist and had all of her teeth counted and cleaned!!!!!!
She may have had some incentive though....I had promised Gianna an ice cream cone if she had all of her teeth cleaned. (She only managed four teeth at her last appointment). David and I don't normally bribe our kids, but desperate times call for desperate measures. (I mention it here and here.)
Here is the happy patient after her cleaning, looking at the loot she picked from the treasure box.

A promise is a promise!

My happy little girl looking a little crazy with her "ginormous" ice cream cone! I'm hoping our next visit we're able to do without promising any extra treats! : )