Lorenzo Thinks Sliding on his Face is Funny

Tia and Isabella in Reno

Tia got to be an auntie to baby Isabella for 3 weeks. Anna says she was a natural and we can see that from the photos. Now she is now an auntie to 2 neices and 1 nephew.

 

 

 

 

Summer July 2009

It has been a hot and fun summer in Seattle. Lorenzo and Veronica are doing well. Both kids missed me while I was gone but not too much, now they seem to prefer their papi much more which is fine by me.

Strange Bedfellows

I think there comes a time in everyone’s life in which they become obsessed with something: the ZONE diet perhaps, Elmo, colonics, Sex and the City, Duran Duran or caramel macchiatos. Never in my life would I have believed that my 1 ½ year old would become totally infatuated with brushes, brooms, sponges and mops. Maybe it’s the scrubby, scruffy, bristly texture that he loves or maybe his first job will be that of a maintenance man.

This child of mine will forgo playing at the park just to stand and stare at a park ranger change the light bulbs on park lamps because he has a broom in the back of his truck. At a birthday party last week, he stared and stared at the push broom and net that the pool gal uses to keep leaves and debris from getting into the pool. We cajoled and distracted him away from said push broom enough to get him to play a bit but when the party was over and the broom had to be locked up, the tears that fell from his eyes were tremendous. It was like his long lost love just got up and walked away.

We have no qualms about letting him walk around with an item he enjoys. Every trip to the grocery store ended with a new acquisition, the latest and greatest being a pack of two scouring sponges. Once in a while he asks to go to bed with household items like cups, BBQ tongs, mops and even the Swiffer dry mop, to this we lay our feet down, well sort of. We had to lay our feet down after he asked to take a super long ‘dryer vent’ cleaning brush to bed. He folded and twisted it so much that the bristle end broke away from the handle end. In the morning, it looked as if he had gotten in a fight with a black hedgehog or he got into my box of super long fake eyelashes. Our housekeeper gave us a few strange looks before asking us what those black bristles were. She semi-laughed at the explanation, she also semi-shrugged too.

Ti'a's Photography Camp

Tia enrolled for black and white photography camp about 2 weeks ago and I am late in getting the photos up. On the last day of class she mounted 2 of her favorite photos and presented them to the class. They were a self portrait and another one of Lorenzo on a swing. Both were awesome!

 

 

 

Lorezon finds some Ribes/Currants

Lorenzo is super cute in these photos. While at a park about 2 weeks ago, we spotted some currant bushes and both kids migrated to the ripe, red berries. They were sun-warmed and sweet. Yummy! Now if we can get a piece of chocolate torte to go with them.

 

 

 

 

Summer Fun 1

We have been having a super fun summer. Our biggest accomplishment is that Veronica is completely potty trained. She has been out of diapers for about a month now, 2 years and 8 months. I am so proud of her. She uses her portable potty when we are out and about without a clean restroom but I love the fact she does not fight me when it is time to 'try' to use the toilet. She is super agreeable and gets with the program before we head out of the house and every 2 hours or so. I could not have asked for a more cooperative child. I thank my lucky stars. I hope Lorenzo get the hang of it just as quick when the time comes for him.

Speaking of Lorenzo, he is growing really quickly. His shoe size is already 6.5 and his is about 30 pounds. His speech is coming along really nicely and we understand him more and more each day: (a short list of what he can say)

hi/bye mamma/papi
ciao
more
cacca
cracker
mint
water
ice
nanna
nai nai=milk
auntie
ball
milk
eat
fork/spoon/knife
brush

Soon he will be speaking in full sentences and we cannot wait. I am really excited to hear what this little guy has on his mind. Both kids love their auntie Tia and adore the fact she is a human pillow, chew toy and punching bag. I think they are going to have the best summer of their lives this year, esp. b/c their nonna is coming from Italy to see them.

The kids love playing at auntie Kentra's house. The pick the blueberries, strawberries and get naked in the backyard with the sprinkler.

Veronica got a new scooter from her papi, she is getting the hang of it and riding slowly but I bet she will speed it up soon.

Doesn't she look like a 4 year old in this photo. She has been loving the warm weather and all the play dates she has with her friends.

Veronica is a baby chick in this photo. We're at the zoo and she is getting ready to hatch out of the egg.

Summer means lots of ice cream for the kids and lots of Popsicles to keep cool. It's a fun treat but super messy. I have had to spray the stroller off with a hose twice already.

Veronica is a sweaty kid, she overheats easily and when that happens all her clothes come off.

Lorenzo is very skilled at using a spoon, fork and knife but no so skilled in getting a Popsicle into his mouth before it melts.