Annemarie's Birthday Dinner

Annemarie's birthday happened to fall on a Saturday this year, so we told her she could pick a place for everyone to go to dinner. She chose Cheescake Factory (for the 2nd year) which we are more than happy with (gone are the days of Chuck E. Cheese-thank goodness!). So, we all treked over to Riverside for dinner. The best part was that Greg was visiting from Wisconsin so he was able to come to dinner with us. It was so nice to see him--the girls were sooo excited to see Greggie--and Mia eventually warmed to him!!

Mia's Silly Face

My first baby girl......

and my second baby girl!!

Mia has never wanted to even consider getting her face painted. But, at school one day, her teacher decided to apint everyone's face and Mia hopped right into line! Her teacher asked her what she wanted and all Mia would say is "Mommy", so, this is what she ended up with. LOVE IT!!

Mia has now moved into a Toddler bed. We had planned on moving her right into a twin bed, but the one I want (from IKEA!!) is going to have to wait until we can save a bit of $$. But, Mia was starting to hoist her leg up onto the side rail of the crib, so we had to do something!!

She's really happy in her bed, tries to jump on it every chance she gets and loves to run from the other side of the room and fly into her bed! She has gotten out of bed more than a few times, but we just march her right back to bed and now I think she's got the point. One time, I even caught her playing.....She's getting so big!

I love, love, love this picture!! I don't remember what day this was, but it was in the last few weeks. Mia had been saying she wanted to swim by herself, but refuses to wear floaties. So, Sis was able to find a floatey suit. We put it on her and tried to get her to kick around a bit--but now she refuses to let go of whoever has her! UGH!! Swimming lessons for sure for this one! But, she loves the water. She does look a bit over-prepared, what with the floatey suit, ear plugs, head band......

First Day of School

So, my sister took the three big girls back to school shopping. Everyone got new outfits (which they are wearing), shoes, backpacks, etc.... I love my sister for being such a great aunt! Which is evident in the selection of Annie's outfit. Now, Annie LOVES this outfit. But, it's probably a good thing that Aunt Cathy was with her to pick it out instead of Uptight-Mom..... It's cute and all, it's just that there seems to be A LOT of the pattern...kinda everywhere. But, like I said, Annie loves it and loves her Aunt Cathy for leting her get it. Luckily, Annemarie doesn't care anymore if I like her clothes, so as long as they're appropriate, I don't care....too much! What kills me is that with all the neon colors, skinny jeans, Vans, even leg warmers, it's like I'm reliving my youth. The music from the 80's I don't mind, but please don't bring back parachute pants!!

It's so hard for me to fathom sometimes that Christina and Samantha are in 8th grade! I remember the day they were born. Yes, I realize that makes me sound really old, but it's true!! Next year-HIGH SCHOOL!! Pray for Sis and Tony ;-) Annie is now in 5th grade with middle school just a year away! So as not to break from tradition, I cried on the first day of school, but at least this year, I was able to hold it together until I got home (which made Annie happy!). Luckily, Mia was home from preschool that day, so that helped!

A few days before school started, Christina and Samantha got new haircuts. Sami has some side-swept bangs. She likes her hair long and it looks really nice!

Christina's hair is especially different. She looks so much older and as beautiful as ever!

Alas, Annemarie did not get a haircut....and she's informed me that "even if I do get a haircut, I only want a trim, I like it parted down the middle and long because it's easier to put up in a ponytail when I'm running around chasing boys......." That's pretty much where she stopped--her dad was in the room!! ;-)

Random stuff

This is Christina at her blue belt test. She's doing incredibly well in Karate-she's focused, and quite disciplined-it seems to suit her!! She is also a blue belt now. I can't believe she's in 8th grade!!

This is what happens when Nic and Mia are hanging out....poor Mia!

The girls put Mia in the laundry basket with some blankets and a pillow. Mia decided this is her boat--and that she needed some "things" to go with her in her boat....

Looking back at the blog, I don't think there is one picture of just Scott and I. I like this one because my husband doesn't look like he's high! ;-) So, here ya go.....and yep, it's a smooshed face photo!!

This is Samantha after her first ballet recital. She did awesome (and looks beautiful, too!!) and has been advancing quickly through the different ballet classes at the studio.

This is Annie at her green belt test (a few months ago). I have a hard time getting a good picture of the girls when their at karate, but this one is only a little blurry! I think she was in the middle of one of her forms......She's now a blue belt!!

Lessons from the Table

(In coming back to my bog after so long, I noticed this draft that I had started when we were in Oklahoma--not sure why I didn't post it before, but I'm sharing it with you all now. Man, I miss my grandparents!)

Many of you know that my granpa was a very wise man and had a wealth of knowledge--even when we didn't want to hear it! Uncle Scott asked me to find/write a poem for Granpa's service. Well, Sis and I looked online for a poem and the ones we found were just too, well, just not right. So, I had been thinking a lot about all the things Granpa taught us over the years. When we would need to talk to Granpa, we would always find ourselves sitting at the kitchen table and talking (hence the title that Greg came up with). So, I asked everyone for some of the things that they leaned from Granpa and then I tried to put everything down. I thought I would share it with eveyone because, for those who may not have known my granpa...

We learned that all that’s at stake is your reputation….that we’re all doing better than we deserve….that when you’re young, the best gift is the jingly change from the grocery store.

We learned about death from going to see the bunnies at the cemetery….that someday you’ll be 40 anyway….the importance of the stock market in all our lives….and that his house was Luzetti’s House.

We learned that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing….that someday you’ll love each other….that we must be quick to think and slow to react….to raise our own children with the “sistent” sisters: Insistent, Consistent and Persistent.

We learned to lead, follow or get out of the way….that the man is the head of the house, but the woman is the neck….that each of us needs to have a one-, five- and ten-year plan….that you’re either part of the problem or part of the solution.

We learned to always listen for the snap….the true meaning of, “Wait until your father gets home”….to just do something you love because then you’ll never work a day in your life….that it’s more fun to start a project than to finish it.

We learned how to make picture frames….the importance of the 10-minute power nap….that no man is an island….how to create something beautiful from pieces of stained glass.

We learned that family is a benevolent monarchy….that the answer to any question is seven….and that the most important thing is to wait on God.

Now, you know I'm really procrastinating!

I posted the last batch of pictures realtively quickly so I decided to post a few more....homework and laundry awaits and I will get to it....in just a few minutes. ;-) Above is a picture of Mia from November, when we went to Scott's parents house for a visit. This is one of the CUTE winter jackets that Kay bought Mia for her birthday. Cute, cute.

And this is Mia at one of the many belt tests that we've gone to for Annie and Christina. (They are actually testing for their green belts tomorrow!) But, this is a good shot of her sprout--which isn't able to be done anymore--her hair is too long, not.

That's Annie all the way on the right getting a Language Arts Award at school. She's doing great in school, we're very proud. In May, she got the Math Award. She's also been chosen for lunch with the principal both this year and last year (for good citizenship). Just a little bragging on my part... :-)

And the Big-Annie-Smile in the dental chair. We went back to the same dentist we were seeing before we moved to Wisconsin. Annie, unfortunately, has my teeth--and a small jaw. Yep, braces are in her future, for sure!!

Annie's Band Performance

These are out of order. I've been spending the last few minutes trying to fix it and can't figure it out so whatever. I have homework waiting and it's the girls' first day of summer break. YAY!! So, sorry, but, you guys are smart-you can figure it out! ;-) (This one is supposed to go at the end, if yuo'd like to read ahead, it may make more sense...ugh.) Not surprisingly, Mia got very antsy and I finally took her outside to run through the big lawn in from of RHS. I tried to get a picture of her and finally snapped this one. Look familiar? Annemaire used to do this when she was little. If I call Mia's name, she will turn and say, "Huh?" and give me this look.....love her!

Annemarie had her end-of-the-year band performance a few weeks ago so we all packed in Clock Auditorium at Redlands High School. Above is the only picture I was able to get and of course yuo can just hear, "Mom, what?!?" Anyway, the band sounded really good and she played in the final piece so we were able to hear the middle school and high school bands, as well.

Needless to say, Mia was interested in the bands' performances for about 2.2 seconds. But, with Samantha and Christina there, too, she did ok for a while. A while ago, Mia started closing her eyes, for no apparent reason. Sometimes, she tries to walk around the house with her eyes closed.

This is her new face. She makes it when she takes a big bite or if the camera flashes. But, it's really cute! Mr. "A" directing the All-District Elementary School Band. Annemarie is in that see of faces, somewhere!

Heehee...

I don't know why, but if you Google images for T.S. Eliot (which I did for a PowerPoint presentation for school), this comes up. And I laugh everytime I see it, so I thought I'd share!

Update Time-FINALLY!

(Debbie, this post is for you, especially! It was great to see you... ;-) and thanks for all your prayers!) As it's been so long since I've blogged, I thought I would take a few minutes to do a REALLY quick update! The picture above was taken a few weeks ago at church. (Annie still doesn't mind dressing like her sister, but I'm sure that will change very soon!). Both girls are doing well. Annie is finishing up 4th grade, has joined Girl Scouts, and is now a purple belt in Karate (Hap Do Sool) and testing for her green belt next week! She's been seeing an allergist since September and he's been tinkering with her medication for her allergies and asthma. She's allergic to trees, grasses and flowers (many different kinds of each). She's not had any acute asthma attacks since being on her new inhaler, but her lung function is still low. She's also had a lot of breakthrough symptoms SOOO, she'll be starting allergy shots soon. ugh. Twice a week to start, then once a week, then moving towards once a month for maintenance during the winter. But, it will be nice for her to not feel so miserable. She's also just had another growth spurt and is the tallest in her class--again. Mia is also getting very tall--35 1/2 inches (and 32 pounds at 2 years, 8 months)! She's been discharged from gross/fine motor therapy but will probably stay in speech threapy for a bit still. Although, her speech has come such a long way in a relatively short time. She's putting together 4-word phrases and has even learned how to be sarcastic (a long-standing family tradition!). Her dad taught her to say, "Uh, nooo." Nice. She's doing great in school and has even started to talk there, as well (Mia pretty much keeps to herself at first. Like Annie, she takes a bit to warm up to her surroundings.) Mia had tubes put in her ears in February and just got the "all-clear" (tubes are clear and all the infection is finally gone!) a few weeks ago. We pray the tubes do there job and no more trips to Urgent Care!! I'm finishing up the spring quarter at Cal State-yah. I am not taking summer classes-I need a break and we have Church Camp, VBS, the State Youth Invasion, Sports Camp for the big girls (Christina, Samantha and Annie), etc....so I'll start my LAST year in September!! Yah-yah! Although, I will need to credential for a year after that, but at least I will have FINALLY finished my degree! Praise God!! Scott is working, working. He started a new job in October and is very happy with the new company. He's also started playing racquetball with some of the guys at work (and occasionally, Tony joins them). He's also keeping busy painting for friends and family--which he actually finds very relaxing, but whatever! ;-) That's the quick and dirty version...I'm off to school now--Shakespeare and Literary Theory await!! I will try to be better about posting--really I will!

This is Mia using her nebulizer (for asthma). At first, it was a nightmare getting her to use it, but once we put Dora/Wonder Pets/Diego on the tv, she's good. She'll even dance while ding her treatments!

This next picture is Mia and kay at one of the girls' Christmas program (hence the red, chapped Mia-cheeks). Kay loves Mia so much--and Mia loves her too, even if she's shy about telling Kay that!

And now, Mia with her vacuum (thanks to Nana and Papa!). Whenever I do the floors (and with the dog, that's OFTEN), Mia will get out her vacuum to help.

I Eat Paint!

Yes, we are still here....

So, I thought I would jump on real quick and add a couple photos (of Halloween and Christmas Eve) to let everyone know we are still here! I am in school full-time, Scott started a new job (as Manager of the Vista Paint store in San Bernardino), Annie is doing well in the 4th grade and Mia is doing great (albeit, prone to numerous ear infections and at least one cold per month, etc...). But, now that I have Internet on my desktop (where my pictures have been stranded for a few months), I am hoping to blog a little more regularly. And there is ALOT to blog! SO, please bear with me, and I will try to just pop on and put up what I have time for. For now, this will have to do.... homework awaits!!