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.

COOC, Giants, Snakes...oh my!

Calivirgin heads to the California Olive Oil Council Meetings (COOC)

Always a fun weekend in Monterey with our family and fellow olive oil producers/growers.

AND the new Frantoio won a GOLD! Great start to competition season!

While we were there it was Peter's birthday. We couldn't decide to celebrate on his USA or Australian birthday!? Happy Birthday Peter, always a pleasure to see you and thank you for the treats!  See you in a few months! 

 

While we were there, since it was where the Kerns got married, we decided we should renew their vows. I'm not sure we were as smooth as Mr. Noriega in the original wedding, but we did the best under the circumstances!  Congrats Nick and Nicole to many more years! I'm happy to step in as your dad, videographer, bridesmaid and witness anytime! xo 

Cousin Love!

 Frannie turns 4...or should I say Elsa! Check out that arm move people! Whenever she took a photo she made the perfect moves, it was hysterical and awesome!  Moni should be a professional party planner, no detail is left undone!  Great time, thanks for having us!

 

The kids had a tea party at lunchtime. Every other kid enjoyed drinking from their teacup and refilling as they go....my kid...he is eating his hot dog from the tea cup!

 

Despite her new thing of hiding from all my photos...she loved Elsa! Elsa read the Frozen story, made ice, sang and painted nails! Giada ran into preschool on Monday and said "you aren't going to believe this but I met Elsa yesterday and she painted my nails!"

And.... now it's just back to regular old mom doing it! :-)

  I have always loved Giada's eyelashes; one side never got any color. People rarely notice unless she is sleeping, but I hope she embraces it one day...and if not I guess there is always mascara!

 While we were at the COOC meeting, it was reptile day at the WOW museum. Our snake loving kids were in heaven! Thanks mom and Ran for the adventure! But before they left new shirts from Ran and Buddy.  Giada is all about the Peacock and its "shimmer"

 When we got home from our trip Gino wanted to cuddle and make faces!  Look at his sharp teeth!! This sweet guy is such a cuddle bug, I'll take it as long as he is willing!

Go Giants! So glad I could join in on the full day festivities before the game. Although they lost, a memorable time for sure. Lots of drinks, a rickshaw ride, bobble heads and new friends!

 

 The kids are big lately on pulling down things from our closet and coming downstairs.... "Mom do I look just like you!?"I mean I know I don't have the best fashion sense...and I am known to wear stripes, but with pj pants and heels??? Lookin good G!

 Best dog ever turned 9! Can hardly believe it and sure hope she has another 9 in her! I'm sorry we have rocked her world bringing the still crazy Belle into her life. One day I hope they will be friends too!

Gino's favorite thing to do in the office!

 Soccer is a wrap. The coach said Giada was most improved player! lol! I would have to agree, from the first few games of not even running on the field, to running and actually kicking the ball at the end...success! Too bad it always ends when she has gotten the hang of it!

 Team photo minus Giada .."I can't go over there the sun is in my eyes!" GEEZ!!

 While we were gone the kids went to a pancake breakfast at my old school Clements. Giada seemed excited to see where I went to Kindergarten since it is a hot topic these days!

 Checking out the yearbooks!