Stop and Smell the Roses

 "And

 I

 think

 to

 myself

 what

 a

wonderful

world"



Ava's turns Two.....Candy for everyone!!

A long overdue entry......but better late than never.

We celebrated Ava's 2nd birthday

March 2, 2012 with a Candyland theme.  Last year she was an innocent

ballerina with no idea what was going on....

fast forward to this year and she has already perfected the

I-just-did-something-I-wasn't-suppose-to-but-its-okay-because-it's-my-birthday look!!

Again....we like to consume entire weeks with birthday celebrations and this milestone would be no different.  We danced on the rock and celebrated spring coming early....

got dirty and looked to big brother Tyler for a helping hand.

And what celebration would be complete in New England without a

forecast change to snow the day before the party.  Enter Grandpy to the rescue

for a little pre-party sleding.

And as Tyler was distracted outside and Ava was taking a nap

Mommy had a chance to think about how things changed from this....

to this....

from this....

to this.....

and then I decided I had better pull myself together before guests started to arrive.

The big day was a success....starting with chocolate chip pancakes....

 a wardrobe change to a cute little dress that Meme bought her

(eventhough Mommy had a cute little birthday girl shirt ready for her.....

this was the outfit she had to have!)

 We even ordered a "simple" cake from a local bakery....candyland themed and totally chocolate...

it would have been awesome if my loving husband had just put it on the floor

when driving it home instead of tilted...on the front seat....just begging for disaster!!

Luckily it tasted fantastic and for a 2 year old who loves chocolate that's all that mattered...

 She opened gifts... 

 laughed with cousins....

and enjoyed every minute of her special day. 

Happy Birthday Ava!!

Superbowl Time!!

So I get a call from my Mom a few weeks ago that went something like this:

Mom: " So I just bought this groupon for a catered superbowl

party from some place in westborough, MA."

Me: "okay......."

Mom: "So who's going to have a party??"

And just like that, we were hosting this years Superbowl festivities.....

Ava was so excited she tried on many different outfits.

but after a visit from her cousin, who set her straight,

she decided on this little number...

and I am especially proud of her accent pieces (i.e. the giant slim jim and D-fence head piece)

The only problem was that her jersey was actually one of Tyler's

which left me running around at every store I could think of

to try to find him a Patriots jersey......the day of the superbowl.....

I would have settled for Patriots ANYTHING but everyone was sold out!!

So I found this outfit, tucked behind piles of toddler clothing....

after convincing my 3-year-old son that Diego was a much better quarterback than Tom Brady....

it was a big hit!!

And so we had the usual suspects over....ate way too much....and drank until it looked like the Patriots were actually playing well!!!

We also had some new visitors this year....

9 month old twin boys Ian and Connor Tobey, who fit right in!!

and after my kids polished off two chocolate cupcakes....and the sugar set in....

these two weren't the only ones looking for a way out !!

And because the game started at 6:30pm....most of our guests left before the game even began!!

Leaving Me, Joe and my parents to enjoy Madonna's half-time show....

and may I say that my mother's comments during her performance

made hosting the party totally worth it!!

Maybe next year Patriots.....maybe next year!!



It's snowing....

The kids were excited to have our first real snow of the season.....that is besides the snow

we had for Halloween!!

So we bundled you up in your snow gear.....well, for Tyler it was more like squeezed him

into his sized 18 month snow pants because Mom was convinced we wouldn't

be having any snow this season......and we headed out for

family sleding!!

 I'm pretty sure Ava ate her weight in snow......in this next picture it looks like she's standing at the bar

waiting for her next snow-mitten cocktail

Ava enjoyed her first solo sleding experience while Tyler mastered the art of throwing a snow ball.

Then Mommy realized she hadn't bundled herself up as well as the kids...

so we headed inside to warm up and

watch the Patriots win the playoffs....

Another great weekend.....see you Giant's fans at the superbowl!!!

Priceless

One hour car ride, 4 tolls and city traffic = $6.50 (and 2 lollipops)

Parking in the garage closest to our destination because it's freezing outside = $35.00

Lying about my kids age so I only have to pay for my ticket = $22.95

Two new family pets = $11.95

BEST SNACK LOCATION EVER, THE BOSTON AQUARIUM, = PRICELESS

Dashing thru the snow (okay, maybe not snow but flurries)

In a CRV too small

We can't fit all these toys

Presents big and small

Our family is so fun

The kids laugh all day long

Tyler Three and Ava One

"Jingle Bells" their favorite Song

soooooo.......

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

To Milford, we're on our way

For Christmas Eve with DiDi and Dup

and the Strazzulla side of the familaayyy...hey!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Our celebrating has just begun
Cousins having fun together
Making memories with everyone

We all eat way too much

The kids with all new toys

Doll houses, cars, trains and such

Filling the house with laughter and joy

Dup keeps Mom's wine glass full
she smiles all night long
Dad's sick and got a cold
and won't help Mom sing this song

SOOOOOHHHHHH.....

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

To Woodstock for Christmas Day

Christmas Morning at our house

To Meme and Grandpys, we're on our way...Hey!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Jingle all the way

Oh what fun two kids can be

On a Magical Christmas Day!!