Sunday, May 13, 2007

Rachel's cousins from Illinois


We went to Aldridge Gardens yesterday with Suzette, Rachel, Michael and their relatives. There was music in the gardens and we sat in the shade. Her relatives are from Peoria, Il... What a small world. I mentioned I had relatives who live in Morton.

Todd had to work for a few hours, so he missed the excitement. When he got home he made a nice mothers day dinner for me though. We hung out on the porch and just relaxed. It was pretty nice.




























Dylan wanted to tell his grandmas happy grandma day too. We love you and can't wait to see you in a few weeks.



Friday, May 11, 2007

Swing batter batter, swing....


Last night we went to see Chase and Robert's baseball game. Right before we got in the car, we told Dylan we were going to see Robert. He started walking up the driveway to his house. Then he said Robert. Todd and I were so proud. This is the first time he said his name. When we got there we saw Gene right away and sat by him. Later Julia came and sat by Dylan. He really warmed up to her and played hi-five with her throughout the night.

Of course its not a baseball game without fries right? Todd got burgers, fries and popcorn. Dylan and I ate all of the popcorn.. yummy

Chase's team won last night, but Robert's team won the last time. Either way, it is so fun to watch and they all did such a great job. Chase did an excellent job pitching. Man, he sure can throw fast. I wish I could throw the ball like him. Dylan liked to see them play. After the game we went over to say hi to Diane (Chase's mom). Her parents are in town from Mobile, so we met them too. The game got over around 9-ish and we went home. Of course, Dylan had so much fun he fell asleep on the way home. I'm sure he was having happy dreams about baseball.

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Happy National Teachers Week

Dylan helped pick out some flowers today for his teachers at school. I think they were very excited about it. Dylan actually handed Jessica her flowers. What a good boy huh? Its so nice that I haven't killed my roses. They are actually in full bloom and I just love them. I may also have to pick some for myself too =) This year I may have to plant some yellow ones too. Those are my favorite.

Welcome back from New York


Denny and Maxine went on a bus trip to New York with Joe and Corienne. I can't wait to hear all their interesting stories. Todd talked to them the other night and it sounded like they were having a great time and meeting a lot of new friends.

Funny Mothers Day Cartoons


Mothers day

As Mother’s Day approaches, I thought it would be fun to spend this week honoring exactly what we are - mothers…moms…mommies.

You know, I have so many amazing memories of my mom. She is truly one of the closest friends I have. We have been through it all - a childhood where she taught me right from wrong, taught me to tie my shoes, to play nice, and to be my own person, the teen years where she guided me through peer pressure, heartbreak, and everything else that came along. Along with the 20 questions she would always ask when I came home. I always hated that, but it was her way of showing me how she cared. Jason always got a kick out of that. She dealt with me always being on the phone and never being around. Then there was college, when I was trying to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up and to pick a major, she was there for me. I still remember when I told her that I was switching my major from Nursing to Business. That was such a tough decision, but it was the best decision I made and she helped me through it. Marriage - she is always there to listen and give advice. And now, I am a mom and she is a grandma. I never thought how much that would change my life. I think I talk to her more now than I ever have and I treasure the moments we get to see eachother. She guides me even more today than I ever imagined. Her support, her advice, her love - it all helps me daily as I learn and grow with Dylan. What more can I say? I love her!

Monday, May 7, 2007

This month

At the daycare this month, the kids are learning oval, blue, H h, and the number 8. The vocabulary words are car, truck, airplane, helicopter, boat, water, sky, and cloud. Dylan can say blue, car, and water pretty good, but I can't understand the others very clear. Its kind of funny though because his room is a transportation theme, so he is always pointing at everything on the wall.

Dylan is alway fascinated with bubbles. This morning he woke up and the first thing he said was bubbles and then he went back to sleep. It was so cute.

Below is a picture of Dylan's most recent artwork.

Lazy weekend


This weekend was pretty relaxing for us. Both Todd and I were exhausted from the week, so we needed the rest. We watched My Super Ex-girlfriend on Friday night, which I thought it was pretty funny.

Saturday, Dylan got a haircut and he looks like a big boy now. He did really good sitting in the chair too, which I was shocked. I wish I had some pictures, because he just kept on looking at himself in the mirror wondering what the lady was doing to him. He got a sucker for being such a good boy too, so I think he liked that. Afterwards, we went shopping and met up with Suzette and Rachel. We found some good deals. We both were looking for some chairs for our lego tables, and we found some that were on clearance. They work pretty good and they are perfect height for the kids. I got two and she got two.



I found the base at the garage sale.
Luckily Todd is pretty handy. He added the legs and the chairs just went with it... yippee.

I'm now looking for a mesh bag for the middle to hold the legos.
Does anyone know where I can get one?


We also decided to go clothes shopping at the mall. I was looking for some shorts, but I couldn't find any that I really liked, go figure. Suzette found some cute ones that look great on her though. I found a few shirts that were cute, so we both had good shopping days.

After shopping we decided to go out for dinner. Well, that was a mistake. Dylan would not sit in the highchair at all. He was kind of fussy and was grabbing at everything.
Rachel also bumped her head, so she wasn't happy. Luckily the people around us had kids too, so they could relate. Suzette and I just got our dinners boxed up and then we went home.


On Sunday Todd decided he needed to get a lawn mower since his riding mower is getting some work done and would not be fixed for another three weeks. He ended up getting a John Deer one, he just loves it.



Dylan also had a fun time in the sprinkler. At first he didn't know what to think. Once I went through it with him, he liked it a lot better. After that, we went on the swing. Dylan just loves being outside.







Just one more time... I love the wind in my hair

Monday, April 30, 2007

Congrats Lino and Stacy

They had a baby boy on Thursday 4/26/07 at 6:08 pm

Joseph Pasquale DeCristofaro
7lbs 11oz.
20.5 in. long

Saturday, April 28, 2007

sooo tired

Dylan fell asleep on his daddy... how peaceful

Busy Saturday


Rachel & Suzette, Katrina & Laci, and Dylan & me.


Today was a very busy day for us. Dylan and I went on the March of Dimes walk of Amarica walk with our friends, Suzette & Rachel, and Katrina, Laci & Scott. It was a 5 mile walk, but we actually only did 4.5 miles. I thought that was pretty good with all the kids. They did so well and all of them stayed in their strollers. Can you believe it?

After the walk, everyone met at the park and had hot dogs, chips, and drinks. We also listened to the music, and watched the clowns interact with everyone. Dylan just gave them a funny expression and didn't know if he knew what to think of them.


Look, its a funny man with lots of makeup. Mommy- who is that?



Nice lunch Dylan... how are those chips?

Laci is enjoying her crackers










Rachel is having fun being in the open area


The kids were waiting patiently to get their faces painted. After waiting in line, the clowns had to close down, so they couldn't get them done. They were nice and gave each of the kids clown noses though. Dylan thought it was a ball and of course tore it apart.


After all the excitement, Suzette and I decided to go bargain shopping. We went to the Bargain Carousel that was being held to benefit charities in the area. Dylan got a lot of fun things for practically nothing. Yeah, I'm a sucker for bargains and he sure is a lucky boy. Dylan got some clothes, winter jacket for him to grow into, fire truck, police car, little people crane and quarry, legos table base, activity center, and a blue lawn chair.





We are so happy with the activity center. There are so many neat things that they thought of.




Rachel also got some fun things. She got some books, basketball game, kitchen set, lego table, pillow, shoes, and a pink lawn chair. We had to call the guys to come and help us with all the stuff. Michael and Todd looked around and couldn't believe how much stuff we had accumulated.

When we got home, I gave Dylan a bath. He desperately needed one, he literally was covered from head to toe with dirt. He sure is all boy. Suzette also brought over some Chicago style pizza for dinner too. YUMMY.... It was seriously one of the best pizzas I've ever had. It is tied with my favorite from Happy Joes- canadian bacon and saurkraut.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Splish Splash I was taking a bath...

Suzette, Michael and Rachel came over tonight. We went for a walk and then decided to give the kids a bath. Rachel and Dylan enjoyed splashing eachother and then throwing their toys out of the tub. It was pretty fun to watch. They play so well together.


My friend Suzette had fun singing with the kids and catching the toys they tossed at her.




They enjoyed dumping water on their heads.

Check out our fun hair.... they just love the bubbles

They also liked the bath toys


Todd made us all dinner (barbeque chicken, corn and rolls). We watched Grey's Anatomy and sat and chatted for awhile. It was a fun night.

Messy me


Dylan is such a mess. He just finished eating his yogurt or should I say finished wearing it. Then, after he ate his yogurt he threw his applesauce at the kitchen door and let his pears splash all over the countertops and the cabinets. What a joy to clean huh? I must say, dinner time is always entertaining. He is just so lucky he is a sweet little boy.

Shhh baby sleeping

Oh how peaceful he looks... earlier today he was a terror. I hope he is having sweet dreams.

Lately, Dylan has been falling asleep early. Typically after he is done eating, he watches some tv with us and the falls asleep with his blanket and bear. The bad thing is, he has been waking up in the middle of the night. I think its due to his earache and also teething though. Fun times let me tell you....

Happy Anniversary Amanda and Jason

Happy Anniversary Amanda and Jason! We wish you many more happy years together.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Parents job description

PARENT - Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way,
I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an,often chaotic environment.

Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!

Travel expenses not reimbursed.

Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life.

Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,until someone needs $5.

Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.

Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.

Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.

Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.

Must be willing to be indispensable one minute,an embarrassment the next.

Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.

Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.

Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately.

On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.

A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.

When you die, you give them whatever is left.

The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Under the weather

Dylan woke up on Monday with his eyes swollen and pasted shut. Poor little man. I called the doctor because I thought it was pink eye. They were able to get him in the morning and said sure enough it was pink eye, plus he has an ear infection. We picked up his eye drops and antibiotic and Dylan was a really good patient.

Later that afternoon he looked much better, so we played outside. Man oh man does he like to stay outside. We were out there until dark and then he ate a little and had a bath.



Look at my swollen eyes... I'm a tough little boy though

Lazy Sunday

On Sunday we went on a stroller ride with Suzette & Rachel, and Kelly & Jesse. We took the kids to the park and they played very well together. I think Dylan was excited to wear his fun sandals.


Dylan

Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers

Gavin

Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers