Sweet Little Things & Terrible Twos??

Paulie and Anthony's playroom is finished and the the boys were running in circles with happiness and laughing hysterically. I also ran around the playroom with them and when I stopped along comes my little bosses pushing me around as if he were telling me - no you can't stop - keep running! Paulie has been for a while waving good-bye and says bye-bye to the movie credits when his shows are done. I came home from work and tried to sit on the couch to take off my work shoes and Anthony sort of comes behind me and starts pushing me like he wants me up, then he grabs my hand brings me to the snack cabinet and says ehhhh and points - "I want a cookie" Although their absolute favorite is when Daddy (at times only) brings home Dunkin Donut munchkins - their favorite - and they recononize the box now.
My boys are absolute camera hams - Uncle AJ (another ham) was showing Grammy pictures of himself on his digi camera and Anthony thought that Uncle was taking his picture so he's reapeatly saying "Cheeezzzee" over and over. AJ (or anyone who doesn't have kids) did not hear his little chant - I had to Chime in to Uncle - Take his pic already and make him happy!
I'm also getting alot of head shaking lately - and here's a funny twin story - one only shakes his head no and the other shakes his head yes - I think there working together, Its really really funny. At least they getting the yes and no thing now. Speaking of which I say to the boy "let's put on Jammies! I get Anthony/Paulie shaking NO and a hand throw. Oh the other day I asked Paulie if he had Poop in diapers and he shook his head Yes!! Paulie also insists I wear my slippers and he puts them on my feet - I am not allowed to take them off. Although the Boys refuse to wear theirs!

So the boys will be 2 on Feb 1st and I think - I now get somewhat of what terrible two's are - we went to Grammy's house the other day and it sort of was like "Paulie don't put that in the garbarge" "Anthony stop ripping Grammy's plant up & put back her little ceramic White House" "Paulie get out of the kiddie litter box" "Anthony don't knock that over" "wait where's Paulie?" - "Paulie mommy said No - do not roll the toliet paper off the hook" - having twins is can be very challenging where you have about a QUICK second to have discipline talk before you need to look up and find the other one. So this is something I need to work on. I refuse to be a Mom who's calling her kids names a hundred times and have them walking all over me - I will conquer this one somehow! I'll post the boys "in action' video shortly.

A Trip to China is Necessary!

So like I said in my last post - It's been Christmas everyday for the boys and last night I gave them a Fastlane Speed Track and like every other toy that's made - It's NOT simple to put together. Everytime I open a new toy - I think I actually get anxiety. I just want to round up my friends and our kids and get on a flight to China and barge in one of the Presidents office with a bunch of new toys and Mom's and say now watch this! as we try to pry the toys out of the box break the tape, undo all the Twistie's, and wait...some you now need a screwdriver for! and these plastic little peices that are attached to the twistie's. Now after 30 minutes of getting it out of the box lets try and put the toy together!! note to china: mark the peices on toys with a simple Part A, Part B, Part C, etc..
I need to have a focus group in China and have the makers and packers just watch! as our kids our so anxious to see what their new toy is and how frustrating it can be on parents to get the toy out of the box and put it together. And more importantly - while I'm there we'll have to discuss their paint sitituation too!
Now on a lighter note - the boys have been playing so cute together, they had a splashing war in the tub the other night and it was hysterical. Paulie would splash and stop and Anthony sort of said "oh yeah" watch this and Paulie would watch and then come back with another. This went on for about 7 minutes. The bathroom was a mess - but this one was well worth it.

Getting ready for Christmas

The past two weeks have been fun and some work. Paul decided to put a sliding glass door in the kids playroom and that turned into new skylight, new siding, new insulation, now its pretty major and the kids have had no playroom for about 5 weeks now. its been pretty trying for Miriam and myself - trying to keep the kids busy and entertained. So basically for the past two weeks they have been getting new toys to keep their minds off their playroom. Lots of new Trucks, Trains, Cars, movies, etc. Going to the park as much as possible. The boys have really been doing adorable stuff latley; like giving hugs and kisses, Anthony is shaking his no when he doesn't want to do something (I know that's not too adorable - but for now it is) when I'm vacuuming they run and get their little dirt devil and sort of follow behind me. Speaking of that - I'm considering a house cleaner - if anyone knows of one - please let me know. I'd like to retire from that event! They also know that lovies and binky's do not leave the crib and car. So when we get dressed in the moring - I tell them put lovees and binky's back to sleep - they throw them back into the cribs and run to me. Life with the Yanni boys have been a lot of fun lately and every weekend they show me something new. We went and got our X-mas tree and decorated the house this weekend - now as soon as that playroom is done (this Saturday) - things will be great!

Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving weekend we went to Grandma's house upstate and just ate and hung out in the mountains - with our Uncle Anthony and his girlfriend Gail and Miriam our Au Pair. I was sick and the boys had a cough so - it wasn't as much fun as it usually is - but still a very nice holiday weekend. here are some mountain photo's . We came home on Satuday and played at home and unpacked.

Sunday was a great day! in case any of my friends have never been to this place - I must make a major shout-out! The place is in Mt Kisco and called Bellizzi. For those of you who haven't been there - its an Italian pizzaria/restaurant SO VERY kid friendly. Parents can actually eat and watch the kids play in a very clean (at least this time) large play room. The food was very good and the menu is great! the kids meal are big and even come with fresh cut up grapes and tokens for the bigger kids to play with in the other game room. I will be back to this place a lot! LOVED IT!! here are some photo's - Gobble Gobble to this place. Hope all my friends and family had a great Thanksgiving!

Quiet Weekend - Finally!

So I am happy to say that this weekend was nice and quiet - no plans just go as we pleased. I spent Saturday with the boys while their daddy worked. I had a great day, we played, watched a movie (I almost think I can take them to a kid movie soon) and went to Grammy's and also hung out with Uncle Michael and Uncle Sean. We then went to AppleBee's to eat.
Sunday was family day and we went to Barnes and Noble book store and hung out in White Plains. Quiet but very nice weekend. Some special moments were the boys dancing. Although they have already started that a while ago - they are actually getting some rhythm! Whew! I thought since everything else is like their father that... oh I'm so glad - something finally like me!

Trying to keep things simple

This weekend was a bit nuts! Everytime I try to slow them down (for my own sanity) they, for some reason become more overwhelming. SO.... Friday night I took Paul to see Damon Waynes comedy show for his Birthday with Frank and Jen (Joey "Guns" mommy and daddy) and we ate at Ruby Foo's which was just ehh - but very close to the Beacon theather where the show was (again, trying to keep things simple). The show was HYSTERICAL - got home at midnight.
Saturday up early and play with the kids (Thank God - I really don't drink a lot anymore - alright! - I said anymore!). Paul and I decided to put on a movie other than Barney or Sesame Street and popped in the Disney movie "Cars" - well Paulie just LOVED it - Anthony too but, his attention span is a bit less than Paulie (as of now at least). Paulie just cuddled up with me as I remember I used to do with my Dad, It just made me feel great! and Anthony for the FIRST TIME in 21 months gave me a kiss - a couple of kisses!! it was a special day.
Grammy came over and we had an appt at Kiddie Kandids to try and get our Christmas Photo's out of the way - it was a NIGHTMARE! first Paulie wasn't in the mood and the photographer COMPLETELY SUCKED! 20 minutes into it I picked up and walked out - then after a moments thought, I decided, since the fat photographer runied my day I'd ruin hers. I asked Grammy and Brian to watch the kids for a minute AND went back to give her/them a good peice of my mind. Anyone who knows me... well picture it. It was a bitch enough to get the twins dressed in the shirt and ties and then that! I felt better after my "peice of mind" - thats what I call it. We then went to visit the boys Great Grandma and Great Grandpa - It was Great Grammy's birthday. We played in her living room and ate cookies - very cool.
Saturday night was Uncle Rob's Birthday, Grammy babysat (thank you Grammy!) and we went to Peter Luger's in Brooklyn for a 8:45 pm reservation (even after me practically begging my brother for earlier one - 8:45 it was-its his birthday). It was great steak. I was actually happier at the lounge next door having my glass of wine with my parents - oh yeah and watching my father/husband flirt with the cute blonde bartender as if he were 19 all over again - it was funny. Again home at 11:45pm.
Sunday morning we had a day at the Palisades mall in Nyack and it was okay. we thought they would want to walk around for a bit, but of course decided to run around in different directions and then found the play car/truck machines. In which they wanted to sit in all day. I have to ask why, why, why wouldn't they put a machine that accepts dollar bills on all machines??? its kind of frustrating when your kid sees it and practically leaps into it and then your searching for quarters. (these rides use to be a .25 - now there $1.25) so what are the chances that a parent has roll of quarters in their pocket? or 2.50 cents in quarters for that matter? no leave your kid(s) in the ride and walk away to the dollar change maching. Annoying and I had to vent. Anyway we went to Friday's for dinner and home to bathtime - then bed! ahhhhhhhhh.

Bathtime

So at bathtime last night Anthony just started jabbling away - it was SO adorable. It sounds like a mixture of Chinese, Italian & German. giba, goba, buca, buppa. He looks you straight in the eyes and then just starts talking for about a minute and half then pauses and starts again. I do believe he will be the first to start talking - other then animal sounds their not talking yet. I still think about what it's going to be like when they both start talking to me at the same time. In my heart I know; I will love it, however my Mommy friends tell me to get my pills ready! I remember when they were trying to walk and I said; I couldn't wait she firmly told me (A.C. that's you!) "What are you crazy! - you spend the first two years teaching them to walk and talk and the next 18 telling them to sit down and shut up"! I'm sure there all right - however I still can't wait for all these graduations! Love you Boys!

Great Weekend

So this weekend we had a great time - We got great haircuts from Little Stars and then It was our twin Uncle's (Andrew & Sean's ) 22nd Birthday and we went to Grammy's house to play and then went to dinner at Mardino's in Mt Kisco and met Uncle Sean's girlfriend Jessica - she was very pretty and nice. Our Uncle's argueed a bit and our Mommy has to have a family "sit down" with them. We then went to our friend Jordan Katz's house and played in the playroom with his train table and contruction trucks then Elke (Jordan's Mommy made us a fancy dinner (Chicken Fingers, Peas & Rice) finished with an assortment of delious fruit. She's the best!

Getting ready to Mangia!

Fall 2007

Fall has been wonderful. We started off fall by going to White Post Farms in Melvill LI, with Nanny & Pop Pop - Paul and Anthony just LOVED it. they fed the all the animals and went for a train ride (Anthony cried when it was over) and dinner at Bertucci's. We also went with Grammy to Uncle Sean's house in Huntington and ran around town and ate ice cream in a yummy Italian restaurant. Another weekend we went upstate to visit nanna and had a ball playing with our swingset and seeing the animals, both Paulie and Anthony love to imitate the cows and sheeps - we especially love riding in nanna's golf cart (designed as a 57' Chevy) We usually dine out on weekends with Mommy & Daddy and this fall have been to: Katz Deli, Nagoya Steak house & Carmine's in NYC. It was Cousin Ema's 1st Birthday so Mommy took us and Nanny & Pop Pop to the Hamptons and holy canoli's! we played with everytoy! Marky & Ema were soo nice to us and like always at Auntie Love's house we had an unbelievably great time! Another weekend we went and hung out with Joey "guns" Sabia and like always with him has lots of laughs - Joey took them for a very cool ride on his four wheeler. On Halloween (pics in link) we went with Joey "Guns" to Trick and Treat Anthony was a Lion and Paulie was a Tiger and Joey was Barney. The boys loved running up to the door and getting candy and Anthony was saying "Tree Tree" (Trick or Treat). It was a perfect day!

Summer 2007

Paul and Anthony had a fantastic Summer of 2007. What I thought would be a very difficult season, turned out to be absolutely great! The boys just started walking in Aruba (April 2007) which was a HUGE help for Mommy and Daddy. We started the summer with a Yanni family reunion at cousin Rosanna's house in Armonk - we ate lots, went swimming and had a ball! The first beach we went to was Overlook Beach in Babylon, NY and it was so family friendly, we absolutely loved it! it wasn't at all crowded and the beach was so clean! the boys we very hesitant to walk in the sand, but once they got by the shore they took off! Although Paulie was much happier sitting in his chair (Aunt Linda bought them) for a while. They loved watching Daddy, Brian and Danny play Frisbee, seeing the seagulls and watching the waves and snacking. We went almost every weekend in the summer. We can't ever forget our annual Gilgo Beach outing with the Camacho's - where the Boys had a ball with Gigi (their spanish abuela) looking at all the airplanes’ flying by. After that experience we had had to take the boys to the air show at Republic airport with Pop Pop. It was simply a great summer and Paul and I had so much fun with our little Poo, Poo & Doo Doo (our little nicknames for them- one day they will hate us for it). We also stumbled upon a great park in NYC near the circle line where there was a great floor sprinkler and cafe. Anthony LOVED running through the water and Paulie loved running around it - we all went to Little Italy and ate like Yanni’s do best! It truly was a fantastic summer!