School, Soccer & Birthdays!

School has begun! 

Gino has started his last year at Grace Preschool, hard to believe he will be in K next year.

 

Always fun to be in school with your buddy!

Big day in our house, Giada will be at school ALL day. 3:00 seems like it takes forever to arrive, Gino must ask me 10x a day if it is time to go pick her up yet; he misses his buddy.  She was so sweet to want photos with all of us before school that morning.
 
So we gradually chopped a few inches off Giada's hair to make sure she really wanted short hair.  She kept asking for it, so we really chopped it. So far she loves it.  I love it since it is so much easier to comb. She has such thick hair which is very new to me. She now ONLY ever wants to wear headbands, but that is easy and she can do it herself. I am quickly realizing the days of me being able to guide her on her hair or clothing is long gone.

 Lorenzo is catching up to the size of his buddy Drew.  They boys have had fun hanging out; AKA grabbing each others face and hair, while the girls play soccer. Giada has loved playing soccer this season.  She has quite a few of her best buddies,  and school friends on the team.  Coach Garrett has done a great job with the kids!

 Yeah! Lorezno got to meet Sara at the Paso Robles Olive Oil Festival.

 While Giada is at school we have a few adventures.  We try not to tell her about all of them, or she feels like she is missing out.  Ice cream and silly faces with cousin Stella!

 Mom, don't worry just a few bubbles snuck out!

 Big boy still has LOTS of smiles all day long.

 Somehow we missed the Avansino girls parties and Frannie's was way back in April!
 Happy 2nd Birthday Clara!

 Super fun when you show up with a matching swimsuit as your buddy!

 American Girl Pizza Party for Frannie's Birthday!

 Cookie Decorating consisted of frosting with a side of sprinkles!

Over the summer, Gino did a little soccer too! He needed a little more encouragement to get on the field but this season was better than the last.  He runs all around talking about soccer and then just wants to watch when the games come around.

 

Loves giving Lorenzo hugs even if Lorenzo is sometimes unsure about it!

Mastered the Bumbo chair, and liked the assistance of sitting upright.

 We got a couple visits in with cousin Em before she headed off to Germany.

 Yum, peas! So far he hasn't really spit food out how the other kids did.  He makes a funny face for the first bite and then eats it up.  He also doesn't care if it is warmed up and prefers it cold.  Makes it easy for me!  Eat up little man.

Preschool, Visits w/friends, Sac Zoo, Mothers Day & the 29-4!

Another year has gone by for Giada at preschool. She continues to love Grace, and we always enjoy open house. This year she gave herself spikey red hair and tons of accessories! 

Sac visit with Dub and Red; per the usual, tons of laughs! The kids had a blast playing together, especially freeze dance & trampoline. Brookyln got after it saying bye to Gino; it was so adorable.

 St Mary's Olive Oil Festival. Always a good event. Mike brought the kids out and they loved the Kids Zone - games, face painting, water play, plants to garden with and a bonus it was all in the shade. It was SO hot that day; Jeanne and I felt like we were in a Sauna under that canopy.  

 Happy Mothers Day! It is a funny holiday; you want to see your mom, your mother in law, sis in law, and now it's a holiday for me too. Although none of the moms should have to do all the work that day! So we may have found a great compromise. We went to the lake, all brought a small contribution and had a nice brunch for a couple hours. It was relaxing and nice to see everyone.  

 Giada of course had a blast. Lizard catching and fishing!

Dentist time again! G is getting so brave, she said " I don't even need you in the room mom"

 Happy Birthday to me! Breakfast with my littles at my parents and I enjoyed a nice lunch and dinner out as well.  Happy 29-4 to me! 

 Also Happy 2nd Anniversary to Matt and Steph. My mom took the kids out to Oak Farms where they got married to get Matt and Steph some wine. The kids enjoyed the adventure; fun place to roam around and picnic. 

Last week when we had Stella we decided to go to the Sacramento Zoo. Heather and I were outnumbered 5-2; but the kids were all super cooperative and had a blast! 

Feeding the giraffes is always a highlight.

Stella is now walking, but last week she was so close. Giada loves to help her!

 Big fun this weekend to visit with the Kanters before they head back north. The weather was beautiful and the kids spent hours in the pool, only to get out for a few minutes for snow cones. Thanks for a good time Jenny & Aaron. See you on the next visit!