Designer Claire Strikes Again!

Every once in a while- I will be minding my own business when one of my kids will come in to see me outfitted in a crazy costume designed by Claire.  She loves to dress willing participants up and this time- both Matthew and Emily obliged!  Before Emily was born, Matthew was dressed up in every princess costume Claire owned at one time or another.  It is nice to see that she still includes Matthew but now she loves dressing up her little sister!

I love how beautifully ridiculous they look!  I know that I will look back longingly at these photos.  Their childlike innocence is so bright in these pictures.  I have to remember to take this all in, breathe in every last breath of this very special time in MY life.  Yes, they are growing by leaps and bounds every day- but I too, am moving forward in my role as their Mom.  These days are so precious and I want to look back knowing I lived in the moment and appreciated it all.

Mr. Matthew

Matthew is a lifesaver.  He has made my life so easy, so manageable, so wonderful.  Since the moment he was born- he has been easy.  The only real challenge I have faced with him was his fitful sleeping from birth until two years old.  However, I can't blame that all on him as my poor sleep training and continuous sleep spoiling didn't help matters.  He is just a go with the flow type of kid. 

Matthew has a hot/cold feeling toward school.  Usually cold when I drop him off, and a tepid warm when I pick him up.  He just wants to stay home with me!  What more would you want from your child?  I think that next year, he will enjoy preschool more.  Craving Independence more and enjoying the social/educational aspect of it.  For now, I love that he wants to stay in his cocoon until he is ready to blossom.  Somehow, the idea of forcing him to become more independent or more happy away from home feels wrong.  Best to follow my instincts on this one.  He will enjoy being away from me one day.  For now- I am going to enjoy that he needs his Mama and the comforts of home.

Since Matthew turned four, he has gained some speed in the sassy department.  Potty talk galore, experimenting with language (saying 'Dad, you're a liar!' even though he doesn't know what liar means), talking back more and more while also using more sophisticated/slang language that keeps us on his toes.  As I have mentioned before, Matthew has really taken a liking to video games.  It is kind of scary to see how addicted a four year old brain can get to gaming!  There are game stations, iPads, iPhones, Nintendo DS systems at their disposal!  Damien and I make a real effort to limit his access to these things.  On a normal day, he gets fifteen minutes and that's it! 

I can't wait for summer to get here.  I think that Matthew is going to love having all of his siblings around him.  He adores Michael and Claire.  Even though Emily does pester Matthew a lot- he is the best brother to her.  He talks to her in this over enunciated sweet voice that just melts our hearts.  He makes sure she is okay and gets what she needs.  Matthew is such an amazing kid.  I am one lucky Mommy, for sure.

SomeBunny's Excited for Easter!

I put out the Easter decorations today and Emily was beside herself.  I found her curled up in one of my chairs with all of the bunnies I had assembled on a side table.  She figured out if she squeezed the ducky- it quacked.  She just loves them and won't let them go!  I snapped a few pictures before she ran away with her new found friends.  Classic.

Emily= Cute Trouble

When people ask me about Emily's disposition- I tell them she is a love.  I mean that in the sincerest of ways.  She is so affectionate to those she loves.  She is always giving kisses, hugs, wanting people to stay, crying when they leave.  Emily is compassionate for those who are upset and if someone gets hurt- she is the first one on the scene to offer support.  Yes, a large part of her is full of the best of intentions.  The other part of her is full of something entirely different!

Being my fourth child- Emily was brought into a world of siblings who are capable, active, and who move non-stop.  It didn't take long for her to throw her infancy aside to try and be more like a big kid!  If the big kids don't use it- she doesn't want it.  I have a one and a half year old who drinks from a glass, not a sippy cup.  My baby only poops in the toilet, not in a diaper.  She also goes pee about 70% of the time in the toilet, too.  I put a diaper on her but every time I turn around- I see the sweetest bare buns running past me.  Big kids don't wear diapers!  Emily sits in a chair at dinner.  The high chair is a thing of the past.  Even the little booster chair we have at her seat will be short lived.  She just wants to sit like a big girl- and will sit better if she is not strapped in!  Emily thinks it is appropriate to climb up the ladder and onto the top bunk.  We don't even let Matthew do that!  She is sneaky like you can't believe.  If I say, 'Emily, please don't touch that."  She will gladly sit there and not touch what I told her not to touch but patiently waits until the coast is clear to get her hands all over the forbidden object!  She has eaten Desitin and even drank bubbles the other day (which resulted in vomit ten minutes later).  She climbs on the counters, steals toys from her siblings, gives the occasional smack just for no reason and plays with Daddy's computer even though she knows that is is against the rules.

Yes, Miss Emily is busy . . . all . . .of . . .the . . .time.  While she is tough sometimes- I have to say she is the biggest LOVE!!!  Sometimes I feel bad admitting to her wrongs.  I know that she is just curious and wants to try everything.  It is almost like her wrongs are right!  She wants to catch up to the other kids and knows that it just isn't possible.  Instead, she pushes the boundaries which I set for her to just get a little closer to them.  If I were a baby, I wouldn't want to be left in the dust and subjected to baby-ish things, either.  But because I am her Mommy, I have to work diligently to make sure she is safe and understand that I set rules for very real reasons.

Oh, Emily.  You crack us up.  Sometimes it is hard not to laugh at you when you so boldly defy the rules that we all have to live by.  My cheeks are permanently sore from biting them so much!  I know that if I laugh at your antics, it just encourages you.  Your brother Michael is the worst at this!  He thinks you are the funniest thing in the world.  When you don't listen or when you talk back to me- he can't contain his laughter.  Because of this, you two have created some bond over your stubbornness.  You'll do something you shouldn't and then look to him and laugh which sends him doubling over in hysterical laughter.  You two.  My bookends.  Your other siblings also think you are ridiculously funny.  You love to hang out with Claire but don't bug her too much.  Matthew, on the other hand, is your consummate target.  Thank goodness he is so patient with you!

With each passing day, you are getting smarter and are becoming less rebellious.  Although you are a handful at times, I love you so much and LOVE the LOVE you give me all day, every day.

Saint Joseph's Day 2011

Finally, the celebration we have been waiting for is here!  Happy St. Joseph's Day to my Dad and Michael!  While preparations for this event started the day after last year's event- much of the manual labor started last night as we arrived at the church hall ready to get things set up!  When St. Joseph's Day first started- thirty-five people gathered for a fun Italian feast in my parents house.  Last year- we thought we had reached the peak of our capabilities when 250 people attended the party.  This year, we knocked it out of the park when there were a projected 430 people coming to St. Joseph's Day! 

Holy Family just built a brand new, beautiful social hall across the pathway from the church.  In previous years, there was a plan for how to set up tables, lights, and decorations because we had done it in the old social hall for years.  This year, not only did we have more people coming- but we had to pull in all off in a new facility.  The thing we were worried about with the new facility was making the event feel as Italian, quaint, and down home like we had done in the old hall.  The biggest question was how were we going to string the lights?  This was tough because the new facility was so much taller and we couldn't tape things to the wall.  We (okay, actually Damien)  figured that with umbrellas in the tables- we would be able to create a grid of lights that would still hang over the guests and feel festive.

Set up was pretty grueling but we managed to pull it off.  We just hoped when we showed up the next morning that all of the lights wouldn't have fallen and been laying on the ground.  Good news- the lights stayed put and the room looked amazing!  A great group of friends and volunteers showed up early this morning to set up all the tables. It is a huge task to get the room ready for the evening so all the help was helpful!

While my sisters and I were busy setting up- we were also busy choreographing a dance to the song Sisters (from the movie White Christmas).  Every year after people eat dinner- there are a lot of fun things that happen at St. Joseph's Day.  One of them is a skit that is always centered around Cicci (my Dad's alter ego who owns an Italian restaurant).  Well, this year- my Dad decided it would be funny if all of his daughters sang and danced to a song.  Um.  Yeah.  Really funny.  I do love a good time but this was a little daunting.  Not only was I unsure that we would have the time to come up with a dance worthy of being watched by 400, but how in the heck do you dance to the song Sisters?

Natalie and I found ourselves home in the afternoon.  We stared at each other until it was nearly impossible to not get up and start choreographing the dance.  At first it was tough but then we got on a roll!  Between stupid moves we called birdie circle, charlie chaplin, karate, flip kick, fake fight, shimmy shimmy, and a few more that I refuse to mention because they are so ridiculous- we had a pretty snazzy dance on our hands!  Once we had the dance ready, Gina came over to my Mom's after she finished work.  Step by step, we worked her through this dance that was growing funnier by the second!  Then Jill came home from work and we did the same.  When it was just Nat and me doing the dance it was funny- but to see all of our reflections in my Mom's bay window was just too much to handle.  Pure hilarity! 

We danced the dance over and over, trying to work out the kinks.  We quickly realized that we couldn't put Gina next to Natalie because they make each other giggle.  It is a legitimate problem!  So we split the line Jill, Natalie, Lisa and Gina.  When my parents saw it for the first time, they were laughing so hard that we heard breathy laughing from my Dad (a sure sign he loves something) and saw flared nostrils and heard deep cackles from my Mom.  We weren't sure how the audience would react to our dance but our family thought it was hysterical!  We also decided that we had to act dorky and not cool because you couldn't dance this silly song and be cool at the same time!  My Mom made us these hideously dorky headbands that were perfect.  Let the show begin!

The party started and it was spectacular to see the huge number of people arriving!  The food that they brought smelled amazing, the silent auction was being hit up and was instantly successful, and people- all dressed in their red shirts, looked amazing.  The mingling lasts a while until my Dad summons everyone to their designated Italian themed table (i.e. Frank Sinatra table).  My Dad does a great job of thanking everyone for coming and also reminds everyone that although we are going to have tons of fun tonight- we are here to change lives across the globe.  This has been a tough year for some of our good family friends and my Dad brought us all to tears when he dedicated the night to Diana Sciola.  Diana was a wonderful friend of Gina's and their family has meant a lot to us over the years.  It was a somber moment that turned beautiful when my Dad called up to Diana and asked everyone to toast to her.  Bellisimo.

Once people ate, I knew the skit was coming.  Suddenly- the bravado I held earlier in the day had dissipated and I kept thinking, What in the heck had I gotten myself into??  Michael was part of the skit, too.  He wore his mobster suit and we drew black eyebrows and a mustache on him.  He looked the part for sure!  The music started playing which meant Cicci was supposed to start the show.  He called for his daughters which was a cue to raise a screen which revealed the kitchen to the party.  In character, we were hitting each other with baguettes and screaming at each other.  When we realized the crowd saw us- we acted like little angels (all staged).

He brought us out and then told the whole crowd that we has having the worst time marrying off his daughters!  He offered a man named Pauli, who was a patron of the restaurant, ownership of Cicci's Restaurant if he would marry one of his daughters.  Then Cicci told Pauli that we would perform a dance for him so he could have an easier time choosing.  Laura, who didn't dance with us, was folding towels at a table next to the stage the whole time.  We started dancing and pulled it off!  It went great!  After the song- Cicci asked Pauli which daughter he wanted to marry.  We were all saying, Pick me!  Please, pick me!!!  He surveyed us all and then told Cicci that his daughters were crazy but one in particular was the one for him.  After a few seconds, he walked over to Laura and said he would marry her.  The place went crazy and Laura loved it!!!  I was still trying to stay in character but I had tears in my eyes watching the joy this brought Laura.  She is truly the best. 

The night came to a wonderful close.  People had the best time- like they do every year.  My family had such a great experience and I loved that my kids were able to see how you can be creative in finding ways to help the less fortunate.  I am proud to report, that with all of the hours and countless dedication put into this party (most of it by my Dad, Mom, Gina, and Natalie)- we raised $19,000 for the people of Malawi.   They now have the money they so desperately need to build a grain silo that will keep their food safe year round while protecting it from the elements.  How wonderful that we can actually change the lives of others across the world while having a fabulous night.    Simply Amazing.

A Great Trip Home

We were really excited to fly up here to see my family.  We were even more excited that our entire family could attend St. Joseph's Day!!!  But before we could do that, we had some other things we needed to accomplish.  The kids were beyond excited to see their cousin, Kyle.  Matthew was especially excited to see him and made sure we brought him some gifts.  We bought Kyle and Matthew matching shirts and also bought them both Batman characters.  I wondered if Matthew worked the system to swindle a few gifts for himself!

Beyond spending time with my parents, sisters, and Kyle- I really wanted to make sure that we saw my Grandma.  The weekend was pretty jam packed with events for St. Joseph's Day so I made sure we visited her on one of our first days there!  Grandma wasn't feeling great and wasn't sure she wanted visitors but I was thrilled when she decided we could come over!  Gina, Natalie, my kids, and I went to the market to get her some flowers and found these deliciously cute bird cookies and had to get them for her.  My Grandma loves birds so these were perfect.  Grandma loved them and absolutely loved our visit.  The kids were pretty well behaved and showed her some of their tricks.  My Grandma is amazing.  I am one lucky Granddaughter.

One other fun thing we got to do was see my nephew/godson Kyle in his first ever baseball parade!  He looked so adorable!!!  Matthew (who has been told that kids don't play sports until Kindergarten- mostly because we can't handle another sports schedule in our life right now) wondered why Kyle (and two hundred other kids) were wearing baseball uniforms.  We jokingly told him that it was a giant Halloween parade!  He laughed and we did, too.  Kyle loved having his cousins there and I was happy we could support him and show him how proud of him we were!

The weekend was not dull.  We did a lot of hanging out, a lot of laughing, a lot of chasing Emily ALL over the house, enjoyed the beautiful weather, ate way too much and managed to just have a wonderful, wonderful trip.  Can't wait for St. Joseph's Day tomorrow!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Top o the mornin to ya!  It's St. Patrick's Day!!!  We flew up last night to Kirkland and woke up today to a beautiful, sunshiney day!  Damien's special St. Patty's plans were to get up extra early, drive to Portland for work (three hour drive) and then drive back and be here before dinner.  Fun stuff! 

The kids and I had a lazy morning and after much relaxing, coffee (me), and cartoons (them)- we all got dressed in our special green clothes!  Auntie Nannie and I decided that we should take a long walk down to Metropolitan Market for some yummy lunch! 

At first, the kids were mad that we actually had to walk somewhere but after a few minutes- they were having a blast!  Michael even did an Irish jig on the way which was documented on video.  It was hilarious.  The Olympic Mountains were so beautiful peaking over Lake Washington while the combinations of the bright sun with the crisp air was amazing.

While we were at lunch (it is a gourmet deli with so many selections) we decided that we should probably make corned beef and hash for dinner.  Honestly- it is not my favorite but I do like it.  We had it at Marlene's birthday party so I was a little 'corned beefed' out.  We bought the beef, potatoes, and even found a loaf of potato bread!

Damien rolled in exhausted just before dinner was served.  Poor guy.  He is such a trooper in these situations.  Dinner turned out to be really good.  My Dad and Damien LOVED it.  Happy St. Patrick's day to all you leprechauns out there!

The Acadam-E Awards

We tried to come up with a creative way to celebrate Marlene's birthday.  We went back and forth with different ideas and finally my sister-in-law, Lani came up with a great idea!  She suggested we theme Marlene's birthday using the Oscar theme.  That is where the Academ-E awards came to life!

Damien and I woke up early this morning in downtown San Jose, rushed home, dressed the kids, and then headed north to set up for the big birthday party.  Marlene knew that we were doing something creative at the house for her- but she didn't know what it was. 

Leading up to the party- everyone had certain roles or responsibilities they had to fulfill.  As a team, we all came together and made one awesome party for Damien's Mom!  Teresa was in charge of making a backdrop for the front of the 'stage' and when we all saw it today- we couldn't even believe that she was able to make something so amazing!  Lani ordered an awesome sign and got E a great Academ-E Awards cake, Jocelyn and Mark were in charge of getting a lot of the cute touches, decorations, and slideshow in order, while Damien and I were in charge of the script and some other touches, too. 

I don't think anyone thought the party was going to be as great as it turned out.  We had high hopes but we didn't know if it would work until it started!  Marlene came down the stairs from her room to see the whole family dressed up in formal wear.  As she descended in her own gown, the kids snapped pictures from the paparazzi line and asked her questions on the red carpet.  Marlene loved it!

Then we sat down for the Academ-E Awards and the magic kept happening.  The plan was to have eight awards and for the winner to be Marlene every time.  She thought it was hilarious.  When Damien and I wrote the script- we incorporated all the family members and funny stories that involved them in the categories.  People were cracking up!  It was just perfect.

All in all, I think this was one of Marlene's most memorable birthdays ever.  She never stopped smiling the WHOLE party.  It was so wonderful to see her so truly touched.  Happy Birthday Marlene!

Golden Circle with The Doobie Brothers

I have a wonderful friend at Santa Clara University who invites me and Damien to join them at the Golden Circle every year.  This is the party that I used to help plan when I worked at the University and it is Santa Clara's biggest fund raiser.  This year, The Doobie Brothers were the entertainment which didn't have me chomping at the bit to see them- but peaked my interest a little.  Damien and I looked at their hits online and although we didn't know many, we knew a few which we knew would carry us through the night!  Plus, the vibe of that party, everyone in black tie and ready for a night of fun, is enough to draw me there anyway!

My sister-in-law Heather agreed to watch the kids and give us a night away for a staycation in downtown San Jose!  Done and done!  We got to the Fairmont a bit early so we would be able to check in and get some lunch downtown.  Of course we had four other events that morning so we were rushing and a little stressed (the life of having four kids with activities).  But that didn't stop us!

Once we were all dressed up (such a luxury to do when kids aren't tugging on you and interrupting the beautification process) we headed down to the lobby to take a shuttle over to the Center for the Performing Arts.  Immediately, we saw many people we knew and were engaged in wonderful conversations until the show started.

I must say- The Doobie Brothers surpassed any expectations I had set for them (which weren't many- but still!).  They really rocked it out and had the whole audience dancing in their seats and engaged!  Afterward- we walked back to the Fairmont and enjoyed the cocktail hour followed by a delicious dinner.  We danced for hours to the three different bands, which were playing in three separate rooms.  It was a wonderful night and I was glad to get out with Damien and enjoy him to the fullest!

Michael and The Brewers

Michael has really been looking forward to baseball season.  He had such a positive experience last year which helped carry his enthusiasm for the game into this season.  You gotta love good coaches who make kids excited about the game!  This year- Michael had to tryout to make it onto a team in Major AA.  Last year in Major A, it was coach pitch and you could request friends to be on your team.  NOT SO FAST . . . this year.  The teams are randomly generated in a draft and Michael was drafted to The Brewers!

I think most of the boys wanted to be drafted onto the Giants this year after their World Series win last year!  Once Michael got over the fact that he would have to root for the SF Giants rather than being on a team called the Giants, he was excited.  Even more exciting for him (and for me) is that he got my #15!  #15 was always my preferred number in sports and the kids know this.  Whenever they get #15 or #14 (Damien's favorite) they are excited!

This year, the games are all kid pitched, as opposed to machine or coach pitched.  It really makes the player at bat have to learn a lot about pitch selection.  This year, the boys can strike out and after three outs- that side of the inning is over.  No more pity strikes or second chances for Michael and his teammates.  They have made it to the big leagues where real baseball rules apply! 

Michael has been doing really well and it is always a joy of mine to watch him so focused out there.  He played catcher the other game and picked off a guy stealing second!  Awesome!  I love it because he is such a gamer.  He knows where the outs are, he loves to tag people out, and gets so pumped up when his team succeeds!  This year, he is working on swinging through pitches rather than just trying to make contact.  That's hard to do when you are worried about striking out.  He has also pitched a game or two which to date- has made me the most nervous in all of our kids athletic endeavors. 

I am loving baseball season and can't wait to see Michael develop this year.  The kids love going to watch his games which is welcome relief to both me and Damien.  We can actually watch the game rather than hold babies and chase them around!  Emily seems to be the most excited but she also doesn't know the freedom Matthew and Claire have.  I have such great memories of playing in the dirt and in trees at my siblings softball games.  I know someday, Emily will want to wander off and play with the other kids.

I think it's fair to say that Emily is Michael's biggest fan.  She loves seeing him out there and goes over and says hi when he is in the dugout.  After the game, she runs to him like he is America's Hero!  It is so awesome!  Again, I think these two share a special bond.  Here's to hoping Michael and Brewers continue to have fun and enjoy the season!  Go Michael!  Go Brewers!

My Daughters

Claire and Emily are really starting to hang out more.  It is so sweet.  In the beginning, Claire only played the nurturing role to Emily.  As I have mentioned in previous posts- she was kind of the second Mommy of sorts. Emily has always taken great comfort in the presence of Claire.  For me, it is how I always dreamed it to be.  Claire + Sister = Love.

Now that Emily is turning more and more into a 'big girl' she wants to actually play with Claire.  Claire loves it because she is no longer able to bribe Matthew to play Littlest Pet Shop with her.  When I am stressed or need Claire to watch Emily for five minutes- Claire gladly invites Emily into her room to play.  Emily, so excited by the invitation, skips with Claire into her room and they close the door.  It brings me peace and makes the house a little quieter which is just what I need sometimes.

Emily is happiest when all of her siblings are home.  However, she is most grounded when her Clairey is with her.  If I get mad at Emily or she gets in trouble- she runs right to Claire and mumbles what happened to her.  Claire is so good at comforting her and then saying, 'I know you are upset but you can't stand on the stool.  You will get a big owie and Mommy only got mad because she loves you and doesn't want you to get hurt.'  Really?  Sometimes it's as if I programmed Claire to say the very perfect thing.  Claire is so wonderful.

Life is good when you see these two together.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for my girls.