My parents, Gina and Natalie are leaving for Italy tomorrow. They are going to be gone for just over two weeks and I couldn't be more jealous! We needed to make a plan around Laura to make sure that she was well taken care of when they were gone. I suggested to my Mom that maybe Laura fly down and spend a few weeks with us! Laura has never flown alone. However, she is one of the most capable people I have ever met! When asked if she wanted to fly down here, she excitedly answered, "YES"!
My Mom, Gina, and Gracie drove Laura to the airport and were able to walk her to the gate. Laura showed tons of confidence while my Mom became a ball of nerves (I don't blame her!). Laura said goodbye, walked down the tarmac and off she went! I assured my Mom that I would call her the minute I saw Laura. Emily and I got there early and waited a few minutes. Soon, the plane landed and a few minutes later- Laura was here!
She walked out with complete confidence. I told her that we better call Mom as she was probably worried. Laura answered, "I already called her on the plane when we landed and told her I made it!" Awesome! Seriously, my sister Laura is awesome!
We got her luggage and headed back to the house ready to start a fun two week vacation for Laura! We couldn't be more thrilled to have my sister here. She's the best!
My friend Levie Tarantino and I are the Room Moms for AM Kindergarten this year. We are in the home stretch of the school year and one of our final assignments (aside from helping plan the Kindergarten graduation) is to plan Beach Day! Beach Day consists of all things beachy . . . well, aside from an actual beach! We provide the kids with a hotdog/watermelon lunch, shade from umbrellas, we play beachy tunes, they bring towels and relax with their friends, and kind of celebrate the end of the year!
I have been through this twice before, but never on the Room Mom side. It truly was precious to watch Matthew hang with his friends. He is just too sweet.
Since we are now bike riding fanatics, Emily and I went for a bike ride while the kids were in school. We were almost home when she made me stop. Mind you, we had already been bike riding for at least thirty minutes. She proceeded to get off her bike, walk over to a bench, and do push ups. My initial reaction was to be so proud! What a strong daughter I have! Then, I thought to myself, "What kind of three year old does this?" Like I've said before, I can't wait to see what the future has in store for Emily!
Today, we found ourselves with a clear schedule on a holiday! We decided to pack a picnic lunch and take a long bike ride to a park! We had so much fun! We realized that today, we can take real bike rides as a family! Emily was awesome and totally kept up with us. We did realize that she is ready for a bigger bike so put that on the to-do list!
We enjoyed a great picnic at Campbell park, the kids played on the toys and rolled around in the grass, we hit the ball around and played some games, rehydrated and biked back home. This whole 'family bike ride' thing just might become part of our weekly routines!
I am so grateful to have such awesome kids. We really are lucky. When we think of all of those that gave their lives so we can be free, it truly is overwhelming. Thank you to all that have served to protect our freedom and a special piece of gratitude to those that paid the ultimate price. Happy Memorial Day!
Matthew could be wearing a baseball helmet, a hood on a snowy day, or a cowboy hat and my heart would melt when looking at his sweet face. Those dimples, that hair, those eyes, the baby teeth. Put it all together and it is a recipe that causes me to melt . . . on or off the baseball field.
My kids love their cousins! We were so lucky to have Lani, Megan, Caitlin, Heavenly and Pascale over to spend the night! They arrived earlier this afternoon which provided us with much outdoor pool time, playing with bubbles, being creative with art supplies, and watching a few Disney movies! My kids were in pure heaven!
Of course, we had to go and get donuts (in our pajamas) in the morning, paint our nails, and have matching hair styles! Why? Why not! We can't wait to get together with the rest of the family today to celebrate a belated Mother's Day at Lake Vasona!
The Spring Fling at St. Christopher School is a musical event performed by the kids in grades 1-4th. This is Claire's last year singing so I was a bit sad going into it. It's kind of a right of passage for these 4th graders. Next year, she will join her brother in the BIG KID wing at our school and instead of participating in the Spring Fling, she will be in the audience.
The theme of this Spring Fling was Disney. Claire's class was assigned the song, "Under the Sea". They did a super great job! Matthew and Emily loved watching their big sissy up on stage! I, naturally, cried through most of it. Happy tears. So proud of my big 4th grader who is on the cusp of many exciting and big changes. We love you, Clairey! Great job today!
In Kindergarten, the kids learn the letters of the alphabet by associating them with letter people. Each week, they have two new letter people to meet and Matthew comes home with such enthusiasm about them! Letter people are letters with some kind of theme. For instance, when Claire was in Kindergarten she picked Ms. A, Achoooo!
Since the school year is almost over, the Kindergarten devotes an entire day to celebrate the Letter People! The kids just love it. They get to pick their favorite letter person and dress up like them. Matthew picked Mr. G, Gooey Gum! Needless to say, he was the hit of the class as he had REAL GUM (he liked to emphasize that it was indeed REAL) all over his shirt! To complete the look, he even had a REAL GUM watch!
I love Matthew. He truly enjoys the little things in life and you can see the joy he feels in his heart all over his sweet little face.
This morning I woke up to four beautiful smiling faces. What a way to start my day. A day that I feel honored to be a part of. Mother's Day. It's been a long road but here I am, celebrating my 12th Mother's Day. I couldn't have planned it any better. A slow morning with my four beautiful children and the man who made it all possible.
Starbucks sausage sandwiches, a deliciously large venti drip coffee, sweet gifts handmade from my babies, and a few treats from Damien and the kids. As customary, I received gift cards from the kids so we can all go on personalized dates!
We headed to Mass and then decided to grab sandwiches and head to Vasona Park. It was really so beautiful and perfect. We bought balls, frisbees, lawn chairs, music, and fresh cherries. It was divine. We played around for a while and then decided to go on the paddle boats.
We paddled for a long time (maybe a bit too long for the kids' legs), had some refreshing popsicles from the popsicle man, and then took a stroll along the water. I was overcome while watching my children play together. This is what I dreamed my life to be. And then, there's Damien. Since the day I met him- I knew he would be a wonderful father. Together, we made our dream of a big family . . . a reality.
We left the park and then went and got some sushi. My request! And then, somehow- we managed to go to Baskin and Robbins for some ice cream! I have never been so full, but happy.
Happy Mother's Day to all of the incredible mothers in my life. I am truly blessed.
We were lucky enough to have a nice Mother's Day luncheon with Damien's family. Usually we celebrate on the actual day, but this year- it worked out better for the family to celebrate a day earlier!
Claire had a soccer game but joined us shortly after. We shared a yummy lunch and just hung out and had fun! We got a couple great pictures which I know I will cherish forever. It was especially awesome to have all thirteen grandkids under one roof!
Tomorrow, we will celebrate Mother's Day as a little family. I think this will be my first Mother's Day where I am the only Mother being celebrated! Should be fun!
Today is my sister Gina's birthday! We are so lucky to have her down here in California with us to be able to celebrate her special days! Gina wanted to have a low-key birthday this year, so we did just that! We even got Emily out of the house two days post-op! Afterward, we headed to the mall where we went in search of cute clothes and matching dresses. Okay, maybe the dress thing was a joke but it was fun! We ended the night going to a movie together that was hands down the weirdest movie either of us has ever seen. Beyond the Pines. Don't see it and if you do- we warned you first! We will do something bigger for her this weekend but wanted to make sure she felt special on her special day!
I am so grateful to have a sister who just gets me. Someone who literally knows what I am thinking before I say a word. Someone who would love me the same if my life went down hill or if I won the lottery. Someone who loves me enough to answer my questions honestly and always give me the truth. Gina is an amazing auntie, friend, Yoshi player, Boggle champion, sister, and all around awesome person. We are so blessed to have her in our lives!
Today is the day! I'm sad that Emily has to endure this but so happy that going forward, she won't have to deal with her tonsils. She was a champ this morning. Woke up without any hassle and showed little fear while entering the hospital. I have told all three kids when they ask what will happen that the doctor is going to fix their mouth while they are sleeping. This worked on all of them. I never talked about how they would take them out or anything. I think this truly lessened their fears about the surgery.
Emily was admitted right away. We started the process of getting her into a hospital gown, getting her hospital bracelets on, and settling into a bed.
Emily brought her flamingo with her to keep her company. Her name is Flamingo Joseph. The nurse was so sweet and even made Flamingo Joseph a hospital I.D. bracelet! She got to color and relax for a bit which was nice.
Then they brought in the magic medicine. It tastes disgusting but works miracles. Just like the other two kids before her, Emily slowly started to slip into a relaxed state and started being silly. She was so funny. So funny.
The medicine has an amnesia-like quality which helps them leave their Mom and Dad for surgery relaxed and happy. And truly, they don't remember a thing when they get up! The worst part about it is the taste and unfortunately when you are prepping for surgery, they won't let you have any water to wash it down. Obviously, Emily thought it tasted nasty!
They brought Emily back to surgery on her gurney and she waved goodbye like she was being wheeled off to Disneyland or something. Damien had a few business calls to make in the hospital while I busied myself with finding a cup of coffee!
She wasn't in surgery too long. Just long enough to take out her tonsils and adenoids. The doctor said that both her HUGE! Poor baby! I went back to see her and she was having a hard time. Waking up from surgery is hard. So confused, so uncomfortable. We had to stay there and wait for her to transition the longest of the three kids. She just couldn't drink and the popsicles didn't sounds very good to her. Slowly but surely though, she came around. Lots of tears- which of course hurt my heart.
I got to hold her for a long time post surgery. She was most comfortable with me which made me feel so special. I wanted to do anything to make her feel better.
Emily fell asleep on the drive home and transitioned inside nicely. We made her a comfy bed, she got treats from her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and then watched a few movies. She really did well. Like I said, she was the hardest to transition after surgery but one of the easiest post surgery.
Now the challenge will be to hold her off all the foods that could scratch her tonsils as her appetite is now back in full swing. We are also loving her new high sweet voice! The tonsils really block the air that is necessary to speak so she has had garbled speech for a while. We think she sounds like a high pitched princess. Even Emily is trying to get used to her new voice!
We are so happy for you, Emily! Goodbye tonsils!!!
Enjoy this video of Emily completely loopy and affected by the medicine. She is so silly!
Can I get more of that medicine??
Clearly, the medicine is working! So sleepy!
Before surgery. The redness you see in her throat are
giant tonsils. You can't see the hangy-downy thing
in her mouth. Barely had any room back there to
breathe and swallow. So glad
they're gone!!!!!!!
