5/12 /08

No More Training Wheels!

Carlo has been doing really well with riding his 2 wheeler with training wheels. Both Carl and I noticed that he was zooming around and keeping up with the other kids riding their bikes with 2 wheels. Well, one afternoon I saw Carl taking off the training wheels per Carlo's request. I have to admit I was a little skepical about whether he could do it or not. In about 20 minutes and only 2 pushes he was off and running! He hasn't looked back since. He tries to be Mr. DareDevil now so we have to keep an eye on him but we are so proud of his determination to do something. And now we can all ride bikes together!

" Look at me mommy"

Learning how to stop and push off has been hard but he is doing it!

5/11/08

New Pals

Oliver and Jonesy (our friends Becca and Travers dog) have just recently started a friendship. Jonesy had broken his leg over the winter as a puppy so he had not had much exposure to other dogs. Well Oliver and Jonesy hit it off and just adore each other. Our other friends Tracy and Adam across the street have Marley who is about 120 lbs and plays with Oliver regularly. Today was the first day they all played together and had so much fun! The dogs played all morning and were so well behaved.

Jonesy giving Oliver kisses.

Just taking a break.

The 3 pups having a blast!

5/11/08

Sophia's Actual Birthday/ Mother's Day

Well Sophia's birthday this year fell on Mother's Day. I can not believe she is 2 years old. Where has the time gone? She is growing up so fast and becoming so much fun! She pretends to read and almost seems to have her own language but is getting so much better at communicating with everyone. Now don't get me wrong she is definately acting 2 but she is so sweet and has such a fearless nature! She truely has an amazing spirit.

The day started with me being able to sleep in! Wow that was the best present ever! Then I was greeted by the kids and Carl with cards, a coffee from my favorite place and a HUGE bag of Laffy Taffy (one of my favorite candies) . The kids were so excited and I got so many hugs and kisses which is another great present. As you may or may not know Sophia can be a little stingy with kisses and hugs so I reveled in them. Later, Carl made breakfast of yummy pancakes for the mom's (my friend Becca and I) and the kids. Then we opened Sophia's presents and Daddy put together her new Dora bike. She was so excited but so were the other older kids so they hepled Carl put it together. Even in the smallest setting on the bike, Sophia's toes just touch the pedals. I think she'll catch on quick. She especially loved the noises it made so she can let everyone know she is coming! To top the day off the weather was just gorgeous, about 70 degrees and sunny. Unfortunately I had to work that evening but nothing could put a damper on how great the day was.

Sophia all smiles on her birthday!

Sophia with one of her doll's crowns.

Sophia catching bubbles. Our friend Tracy was blowing bubbles for her.

Tracy showing Sophia how to blow bubbles.

Daddy putting the Dora bike together.

Taking the new bike for a test run.

Testing out all the cool sounds.

A little push from Daddy.

5/9/08

Sophia's 2nd Birthday Party

Carl and I decided that we would just have a small get together with all of our pizza night friends and have a birthday party for Sophia. She was so excited about the "Disney Princess" theme. We just did hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill and had a princess birthday cake for the birthday girl. I think her favorite part was the cake and the icing of course! There weren't any party games but the kids had a great time playing outside until it was time to eat. She got to open presents and play with all of her favorite pals!

The Birthday Girl on her "Princess Bike"

All the kids had a ball with the wagon;

running up and down the driveway.

A little pre-dinner music.

Carlo and Addison trying to play

Happy Birthday!

Now I don't think this little car is meant for

2 people...

Sophia and McKayla

Daddy the chef of the evening!

Everyone having a little bite to eat.

Sophia and Addison

Sophia waiting patiently for her princess

cake.

The Princess cake.

"Princess cake!"

"Oh yeah, I've been waiting for this all day!"

"Mmmm, blue icing is so good!"

Carlo and Allie having some cake.

Sophia opening her presents.

Carlo just had to help Sophia but she

didn't seem to mind.

And there she is ladies and gentleman!

5/6/08

Enjoying another beautiful day outside!

Carlo has really been into being outside and doing the things his friends are doing. He has been riding his bike and scooter a lot but he really has learned very quickly to rollerskate. Leila and Silvia across the street love to rollerskate too, so Carlo enjoys hanging out when they are playing. He is very cautious but getting better every time he tries. I am so proud of him for continuing to try something even when he has fallen. As for Sophia, she did not have any outside toys to play on like the big kids so we recently got her a princess scooter. The wheels light up and it has a basket. She calls it her "princess bike" She has amazed me daily when she rides her scooter because she actually does it like the big kids! I am glad that my kids love to be outside and enjoy the weather. Most of all it makes me very happy to be able to spend time with them when they are learning to do all these fun things!

Silvia, Leila and Carlo rollerskating

Carlo and Leila

I just thought this was the cutest thing ever!

Daddy doing some yard work.

Sophia trying to keep up with the

big kids on her scooter.

5/2/08

Pizza/Grilling Night at the Mazzarelli's

It was our turn to host pizza night but everyone wanted to continue the grilling because we have had such ideal grilling weather. So that evening we partied outside in the driveway with 2 grills and a small fire pit. It ended up being a fairly cool evening but having the fire there was such a nice treat. And the kids loved the fact that they could roast marshmellows! We have such fun with our pizza night friends we usually end up not wanting the evening to end and it ends up being a late night for the kids (and us!). The friends we have made here have helped make Bangor, ME our home. Pizza nights are loud and a bit crazy at times but it is so nice continuing to get to know the friends we have made and growing as a "Little City" family.

Sophia and McKayla
hamming it up!

Tracy testing out the cozy fire.

Carl and the kids eyeing up the food.

McKayla testing out her marshmellow.

Sophia unsure about a marshmellow on a stick!

Everyone around the fire having marshmellows.

Travers got stuck with putting them on the sticks for the kids!

Hannah and Allie trying to make

the perfect marshmellow.

Carlo and Addison multi-tasking

with 2 and 3 marshmellows on the stick!

4/21

Rocky or Sophia?

In 2 days Sophia had managed to cut her upper lip and nose when she fell on the concrete outside, and cut her cheek on the dishwasher. I debated whether the cut on her cheek needed stitches but it was not as deep as it looked initially. She really is a trooper as you can see in the pictures below. Luckily she still has her baby teeth! Well I'm sure someday she will have words with me about her inherited lack of grace from yours truely! The worst part was that she had a runny nose and when I wiped her nose it hurt the cuts on her nose. Anyhow they ended up healing nicely but she may have a scar on her cheek to remember her little spill by!

The red spot on her forehead is a stamp from

gymnastics class, not another boo boo!

That's one tough chick!