Soccer, Haircuts and Celebrations

Since I haven't posted much lately and haven't posted any pictures, I thought I would pile a a few into one post. We have been busy around here ... soccer games every Saturday ... refinishing furniture ... haircuts and visitors. The girls are having so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa!Striking a pose before her last week's game

L posing for a before picture of the dining set D and just refinished ...

No, D didn't take an after picture yet! Maybe the next post.

Playing outside ...

Everyone was enjoying the nice weather

My mom made cupcakes for an early birthday celebration for me.

The girls loved helping blow out the candles.

We're Still Alive

We are still alive - just busy getting ready for Grandma and Grandpa's visit. They arrive on Saturday and there are tons of things we need to get done beforehand. In addition my office is moving down the road (so I have been packing at work) and we just seem to always have so much craziness in our normal busy lives. I feel like we have been going nonstop lately ... we are looking forward a a few days off next week and of course time with Grandma and Grandpa. I promise I will try to take some pictures and post them later this week or early next week ... I have been slacking in the picture taking department! Sorry!

Veteran's Day

I wanted to take the time to thank all of our family and friends who have served and continue to serve (thanks Uncle Lee!) in the US military. It is an important day to thank those who have served and remember the sacrifices made by those who have served and are no longer with us. Thank you for you service, we truly appreciate all that you have done for our country and our family.

Halloween 2009

So hear are some pictures of Nemo and Little Red Riding Hood. If Nemo looks familiar to you it is because L wore it a couple years ago. S absolutely loved being Nemo. She kept patting his face (her belly) and would say "Neeeemo" to tell everyone who she was dressed as. We borrowed L's costume from our neighbor. This was a very affordable Halloween for the Donatellis - $5 that I spent on tights and a t-shirt for Bia, both of whic she can wear this winter! The girls had a blast trick or treating with our neighbors and have enjoyed eating the candy. Although truth be told I have eaten a lot more than them! Ugh - time to get to the gym! Hope you all had a nice Halloween!

Aunt E - L hasn't mastered the fake smile yet ..

Chatty's Godfather

Chatty's Godfather, Uncle Greg, is in town from Austin. Unfortunately it is because his father passed away last weekend. It's been a difficult week for him but when he heard Chatty had a soccer game, he wanted to come see her play. She was so excited to play for Uncle Greg. He and I cheered her on (D was on the field coaching) - she played tough and ran hard, but alas no goals this week. We did get some cute pics of Uncle Greg and the girls ....

Mother of the Year

Saturday was L's second soccer game. She was pretty excited for it. Before the game we discussed how we have to follow through and not stop when we get close to the goal. During the first half I thought it was going to be a repeat of last week. She kicked it towards the goal but rather than following through (as we discussed all morning) and actually scoring the goal herself she let the defender get it and he (accidentally) kicked it in the goal. So she got an assist and credit for the actual goal. After the game she comes running over and says Mom "I scored a goal!" I looked at her and said "The one from the first half that went off the other team's player?" "No mom I scored another one and you weren't even paying attention!" I hate to admit it but she is right. I was chatting away with a couple of the other moms and watching S and completely missed her goal. To top it off neither D or I remembered to bring the camera so I have no photographic evidence. I guess I just lost my shot at the Mother of the Year award (again)!

More soccer picutres courtesy of Pop-pa -

Not sure what she is saying here - loves to talk with her hands

Photos from the almost goal .....

All alone .. watch her go ...

One last person to beat ....

Then she stops and does some type of hop as she waits for the goalie to pick it up ...

Soccer Anyone?

Saturday was L's first soccer game of the season. She did pretty well - almost had a goal - she got the ball and dribbled it ball down to the goal (it was just her and the goalie) and stopped. I think she was afraid she was going to kick the goalie. Later I told her to keep kicking it until it is in the goal - no stopping! The next time she went in she asked to be goalie. She did ok but she is a much better offensive player because she is taller and faster than a lot of her teammates. I tried to encourage her to play more offense ... so we will see. Below are some pictures ...

Posing in the net for Mom

Waiting to make a big save

S just chilled while L was playing - it was sooo hot that day!

I finally got her to smile for me

We went to Dave & Buster's the other night and a machine was broken so L got 206 tickets!

S and Daddy driving the race car!

L & S both loved the Daytona race cars!

Wedding Fun

Yesterday D, L and I attended a wedding for a good friend of mine. She used to work for me (I hired her for her first job out of college). Since then we have both left that company and now work for the same company, but different divisions. Anyway we have stayed good friends and it was great to be there for her special day. Below are some pics (in no particular order) ....

L Dancing with the Bride ... L loves to dance!

Drinking Sparkling Cider for the toast

Patiently waiting for the reception to start

Daddy and his big girl (btw-she has a jordan almond in her mouth)

Our family - minus S!

Mommy and he chatty girl!

Costumes and Kites

No final decisions on costumes yet. Currently S wants to be Nemo (fortunate for us she fits in L's old Nemo costume). But as with most 2 year olds this is subject to change on a daily basis. Our neighbor offered her daughter's Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) costume for L to wear. The thing is L has never seen the movie and has no idea who Dorothy is. Plus D and I don't really like the movie (yes I know it is a classic and most people love it but we don't). My neighbor says she also has a red cape that she can wear over it to go as Little Red Riding Hood. I asked L if she knew who Little Red Riding Hood was and she proceeded to tell me the story. So at this point we are leaning towards that option. D is all for this option as it means $0 spent on their costumes this year! Being the bargain hunter he is, D even suggested giving S L's old bike for Christmas this year. I vetoed that one immediately! We had a good weekend, other than our football teams losing on Saturday. But the Phillies won last night so that was a bright spot for the sports teams. A few pictures of the girls playing outside yesterday.

It's blurry - but such a great smile I couldn't resist posting it

Not wanting to share with Nina

Dressing up with the neighbor's stuff

Run like the wind ... flying a kite

After a a great kite flight and showing her love for her Phillies!

The Leader of the Pack

Last week I had a day off and volunteered in L's classroom. Since I wasn't going to work L was able to ride the bus to school. She was super excited (as was S who packed a backpack with her blankies, puppy and monkey to take sissy to the bus stop). So we get to the bus stop and L patiently waits for JR (neighbor across the street) to get there. He gets there and shortly afterwards the bus pulls up. All the kids get in line to get on and the following happens:

The afternoon bus (the only one L had ridden up until last week) is #122, but apparently the morning one is #119. I didn't even look at the numbers, knowing all my neighbors' kids who ride the bus everyday (including JR) were getting on and going to the same school as L. A frantic L yells, "JR this isn't our bus, our bus is #119, this is #122, we can't get on" and pulls JR away from the bus. JR looks a little bewildered but says "OK" and follows L's lead. I calmly assured L this was the correct bus and told her and JR to get on. As I am leaving the bus stop I am relaying the story to my neighbor and she says "Oh she will make a great wife - already giving directions and telling the boys what to do." Then another neighbor (a husband) says "Yep and like a good husband JR followed right along!" Then when I get to school L's (fabulous) Kindergarten teacher tells me how much she enjoys having L in her class and what a natural leader she is. I was thinking to myself, if only you saw her in action at the bus stop this morning! Besides saying great things about my kid, her teacher has the patience of a saint. God bless her, she is amazing with those kids! We are very lucky to have her! Let's hope L doesn't continue to practice her leadership (aka Miss Bossy Pants) skills with her little sister! S follows along for a little while, but definitely has her own agenda!

Is it Really Fall???

It has been so hot here for so long .... but finally this weekend the weather cooled down a bit. Yes we get excited when the highs are in the high 80's to low 90's. The evenings cooled off enough for me to wear a sweatshirt! Yeah! Needless to say we spent a lot of time playing outside with the neighbors this weekend. Below are a few pictures ... D took them and they are almost all of S. I think L was too busy riding her bike, scooter or just running around.

I think she may have more skills at soccer than her big sis ... time will tell

Her little mischievous look!

Time for a ride in the wagon

Ready for batting practice! She needs a Phillies cap!

D took this while she was napping on Saturday! So sweet!

Proof that she sleeps with lots of things!