Best Friends Reunited

We were so blessed to have our friends from Virginia in KC for a visit. Isabella & Mary picked up right where the left off. They had a great time being best buds. The exchanged best friend bracelets, necklaces, skirts and even matching mugs so they can have a tea party even though they will be in different states. They had lots of fun being look-alikes and even did their hair the same. 6.29.11

Boy bonding

Best friends reunited. The boys had a great time playing together. Here are some pictures of Dominic, Jude and Leo playing. 6.29.11

Papa & Dominic

Dominic woke in the morning to find that a cuddly critter in his bed. A sweet smelling little skunk (that has yet to be named despite my attempts for his name to be Pepe). After the excitement of finding a stuffed animal in his bed one night Dominic began his not so subtle campaign to get another critter in his bed the next morning. Papa didn't let him down, a little Siamese cat, now named Krypto (like our real cat) found its way into Dominic's arms the next morning. Now his other cat, Snowy has a friend. Thanks Papa for giving Dominic another reason to smile. His response "Papa I love these new pets as much as I love you....and that is a LOT!!!" 6.27.11

Grandparent Visit

It has been 6 months since we have seen Grandma Margie and Papa Paoletti. We had such a lovely visit while they were here for Isabella's birthday party. Here is a picture with the beautiful flowers Grandma got in honor of Bella's "Music in the Garden" party. 6.27.11

Our own Garden Fairy

Isabella got a new night gown for her birthday. It seemed to fit into her birthday theme being covered in bright flowers. She decided to become a "garden fairy" herself and we took this pictures with the lovely flowers grandma Margie bought. Isn't she beautiful? 6.26.11

Happy 8th Birthday Isabella

This year Isabella was very torn as to what the theme should be for her party. In the end she decided she wanted to have it be a combination of music and flowers and she themed it "Music in the Garden." Quite poetic for an 8 year old. Here are some pictures of her cake that she designed herself (brought to fruition by her doting mother). Her Grandma Margie surprised her with a garden fairy the night before her party. She was not in the original cake design but Isabella was thrilled by the edition to the cake. We thought it all tied together nicely. The "music" part of the cake is in the second layer: music notes make with flowers. 6.26.11

Front porch building workshop

Our neighbor was getting rid of some wood that came from an old dresser and Isabella asked if she could have it. The kids then asked if they could use their tools to build something. After about 30 minutes I looked out to see what they were constructing and I was totally amazed that they had drawn up "blue prints" to the cat house they wanted to build. It will have a dangling string in the middle for the cats to play with (that is what Dominic is drilling the hole for). And they are going to make an address plate so that cats will know it is their house. All with a hammer, some small nails and some team work. Needless to say I am pretty proud of what they could do all on their own. I am interested in seeing this "attic" they keep telling me about. I will post new photos of the completed project. 6.24.11

Music on the Go

Isabella loves to play the piano. Here is a picture of here enjoying the lovely weather and making beautiful music. 6.22.11

Civil War Reenactment Booneville Mo

My mom and Michael took the kids to see a 150th anniversary civil war reenactment. It was a bit warm but the kids really enjoyed seeing the soldiers and the canons. Isabella came home as a real southern bell with her own fan and parasol and Dominic came home armed with a union officers sword. I am sure the civil war will have a different meaning to them as we study history in the future. Thanks to my mom for making this happen and for giving them memories they will never forget! 6.18.11

End of the Year Obstacle Course

To celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer I came up with an obstacle course for the kids. It involved riding bikes through cones, riding scooters up hill, running, jumping through sprinklers, climbing fences, crawling under obstacles, eating marshmallows and popping balloons. The end result was a lot of fun. A finishing touch was throwing water balloons at targets we made on the concrete and having a little cookout. I am sure this will be an annual event. 6.14.11

Electrifying

The kids got a big kick out of the electricity ball at the Magic House in St. Louis. 6.14.11

Little Track Stars

We had our awards banquet for Metro Lazers. Here are some pictures of Isabella with her 8 & under team and Dominic with his gold metal he won for the 50yd dash. 6.14.11

Pizza Delivery

My little pizza man.


Magic House St. Louis-6.6.11

My first grandchild

Isabella took a job at the Ob clinic and she helped in filling out birth certificates, delivering babies, and taking care of newborns. While she was there she had her own baby "Hannah", who knew I would be such a young grandma! 6.6.11

For the love of Reading

Over the past year Isabella has been devouring books. This girl really does love to read. She was so super excited when she saw the stairs leading up to the Magic House library was made of some of her favorite books. "Little Women", "Swiss Family Robinson" and "Charlottes Web"