Thanksgiving/Christmas catch up

I haven't written in a while, and I feel so behind. I'm trying to figure out how to start a summary here. First we (as usual) went upstate for Thanksgiving. I made my decision that next year I'm going to stay home :) and keep myself happy. We have VERY busy weekends that have including The Natural History Museum, Central Park plays, Sports Time, and all that fun stuff!! Its rare for us to stay home on weekends, really. I am always doing something with them.
Anthony is taking up a storm! I had my first heartbreak last night when he said to me "Mommy, stay home". I wasn't sure I heard him right and he indeed repeated himself except this time added "from work" to it...."Mommy, stay home from work". MY HEART CRUSHED!! I know he's too young to understand, but that still does not stop my heart from breaking. He also told this past weekend "I want to kiss you mommy", "my school is really open Mommy, really". He has taking off this past month and I'm so very proud of him.

Paulie is the most sweetest, loving kid...ever. He is having some speech problems but has improved some in the past two months. And loves working with tools and remotes. He got the big dinosaur from Santa and LOVED it!! His favorites word are: "Mommy", "wake up Daddy", "get out of my room", Rocky (Roxy). He is full of hugs for Mommy and makes me so Happy.

More to come...

Cleaning and Much needed haircuts!

The boys needed haircuts badly so after cleaning my house we got dressed and went. As usual they were none to thrilled. Well I guess you can say the buzzer is what they hate most. Anthony told the hairdresser very seriously "no touch hair" it's mine. we then went to eat at Pipers Kilt...NEVER AGAIN!! just because they have booster seats doesn't make them "kid friendly" and this place certainly wasn't! I took the boys to target, mommy needed some stuff and the kids got to pick one toy each. It's the first time they picked out different toys and when we got home, respected them as such. Anthony said "here Paulie here's your truck". And when Paulie saw Anthony's cars he said look Mommy ehh-ehh's cars! I couldn't believe it! no fights!
Sunday Daddy got to babysit while Mommy went to cousin Juliette's shower - until they came back and crashed and started running around..."we're outta here" Good weekend.

Neice Nephew's weekend

Saturday - Its was my neices 13th Birthday and Nephew's 15th (I still can't believe it) and we went up to my brothers for the party! the boys had a ball running around playing football, baseball, soccer and hanging out in Jacob's room. Anthony is really coming along speech wise and talking up a storm! It's funny because the big kids forget they were ever little and get rather annoyed when the little ones make some noise. I love it and laugh and remind them all the time, how, in their words "annoying" they were.
Sunday we went to Tibbetts Park and had another great time playing in the Park.

Halloween weekend

The mad dash home for Mommy, get the kids dressed, fed & out the door for our annual trick-or-Treating at Joey's. The kids had a great time and this was the first Halloween that I believe they knew what was going on - it was really adorable. they ran with the little buckets and screaming "trick or treat" and racked up on Candy that evil mommy hid as soon as we got home. I'm sure next this won't be as easy. Had a ball this year.
Saturday we had Nico & Tori's B-day party and the boys played football with the big boys and rode their Big Wheels and hung out with Jacob & Hailey.
Sunday we decided to take the kids to the dinner for lunch and then went to Tibbetts Park - it was a great fall day and I again had a great time watching the boys play. For the first time - Anthony claimed his Mommy. Another boy at the party gave me a hug and here comes Anthony "No--thats my Mommy" How sweet is he? I'm sucking this up before he starts with- Mom drop me off at the corner so my friends can't see you.
Pics to follow

Fall Weekend

We had a crazy weekend as usual. We went to Uncle's suprise B-day party Friday night and then up early on Saturday and went to the mall on Saturday with the boys - they love those cars and cheap 1 second .50 rides. The boys are really developing a sense if imagination - and its so fun to watch. On Sunday we went to Battery Park City (great park there) and played in the playground ran in the park and had a super day! we then went to Edo's on Pelham and had Japanese Hibachi. Paulie (my wild twin) LOVED it. Anthony well..not so amused by the fancy fire building skills - you can almost see Paulie's devilish look (smile) and Anthony's scared face in the photo. The boys are doing great with Potty training.

Halloween Party and Anthony's Horrible Accident

We had what started as a great fall weekend. Saturday we went shopping to get new boots, sneakers and stuff and then went to what Anthony calls "Daddy's big Park" for some strange reason he thinks his father built this park...wonder where he got this idea from? The kids played for hours here and I was in awee of their communication skills with other kids - I could really watch them all day. One example is 3 kids where in the tube and one says "we're driving" Paulie and Anthony respond at the same time "No-No my Mommy and Daddy drive" Anthony is constantly telling Paulie "Over here Paudee". Just love em!!
Sunday we went to another Park and was doom day! Anthony fell and hit his face on a wood box. he got a major bruise on his face and gave me a silent cry/scream (any parent knows this one) and shook - I grabbed him as fast as I could (although it felt like hours to get to him) and ran him to my car. I was ready to go the ER but pulled myself together and put an ice pack on him (yes I had one in the car) and cleaned it with water and then put Neosporin on it (yes I had that too) gave him a lollipop, a little Motrin and he was better. I'm still numb and can't breathe, seriously cried myself to sleep. Thank God I had Paul with me because I don't know how I would of handled this alone with Paulie still in the Park. Paul also made me feel a little better by saying thank God he didn't break his nose or need stitches. Its going to take me a while to get over this one - maybe never.
The boys had Victoria & Christopher's Halloween party that I wasn't sure if we should still go to. I gave it some time and Anthony really pulled foward, so we went. He really played fantastic as if nothing ever happened and had a great time. CLICK HERE FOR PICS.

Pumpkin Picking and Carnival!

The past 2 weeks have been exciting for the boys we love fall in New York! And last week we went to Central Park and Columbus Avenue Street Fairs. the boys had fun walking along and checking out the sitituation on the street. Saturday we went to the carnival in Eastchester and of course the kids had a blast. They really hate when the ride is over but are at a good stage where we just move on to the next with no crying. Last year was rough. Pop-Pop is having yet another heart surgery so we went to see him and give him hugs and eat pasta!

We also went to White Post Farms again - me and the kids LOVE this place. It was designed perfectly to accomodate the crowd of people. The boys waited nicely for their turn on activities and Paulie even said "babies out please" when he next in line - it was adorable. The kids picked out their own pumpkins and were SO excited to take them home. Love Pony rides too! The weekend was really a crazy busy one - but we had a ball. CLICK HERE for pics

Rainy Weekend!

The weekend was a bit dreary and since the days of sitting at home watching a movie are completly gone I took the kids to the palisades mall. We had a good time on the merry-go-round and bought some new toys. If a new toy comes in - one comes out! The boys have a lot of toys and I refuse to have a playroom full of neglected toys. When I bring something out I put away a month or so ago, they act like its brand new all over again. It works!
The camera memory card is full and since Paul refuses to delete - we have no pictures from our adorable weekend. Mommy's buying a new fancy camera - yeah! a mommy toy for once!

A Short Mother's Note...

The weekend was running around with the kids as usual. I lay down with Paulie (only because Anthony doesn't need me to - at all) everynight before he goes to bed for about 10 min. I don't mind and my motto is - It won't be long before he wants nothing to do with me, in a way, right now I have control and before you know it, well I just won't.
When I do - he snuggles up next to me and I pretend to be sleeping to trick him into closing his eyes. I open one eye to see what's going on and he takes his lovie and runs it on my cheek and nose (like he does to himself) and says in a whispering voice "night, night mommy--sleep ight mommy" and does a second snuggle. He thinks he put me to sleep! These are the little things that keep me going - I simply could not live a day without my kids! Although I would love a weekend getaway - I'm not sure I would be able to breathe.

The Boy's First Day of Nursery School!!

September 9th was the boys first day of Nursery school and I was VERY excited for them (and nervous at the same time). We have been telling them about this for a month now, hoping they wouldn't look like a deer in the headlights, when the time came.

It went great! and there are only 6 kids in the class - so even betta! They walked in said hi and started playing. The first day was only an hour and next week it will start to 2 hours. I stayed inside with them for 30 minutes and then stepped into another room for the other 30, the boys didn't worry or cry one bit without me ot Mimi. Although Anthony didn't want to sit for his last two minutes and didn't like when the teacher asked him to - told her no-no. And got upset when she insisted. He then was asking for Mommy, Daddy. click here for the pictures

Labor Day Weekend - 2008

We were due for a visit upstate so we packed up and left Saturday morning. My crazy mother-in-law has a Hummer, HHR, Tractors, 4 wheelers and golf carts. There are also a lot of animals like: horses, goats, roosters, cows etc.. basically a little boys paradise - or - at least my boys.

Click here are some pics

So we bbq and soaked up all the fresh mountain air for the weekend. The boys were so excited with all the trucks they didn't want to go to sleep. So the next night we took them for drive to put them to bed - yup it worked!!

I came to the realization this weekend that the boys pretty much get whatever they want - and stepped out of my shoes for a moment to see the reaction of them when they didn't. I also realized that because, for the past couple of months their speech wasn't the greatest (getting much better now) that I basically would ask them if they wanted something constantly and pretty when I got a Yeessss - I gave it to them. Now I have to start telling them what's going to happen and what's not. Otherwise....well any parent knows... little horns appear on the head. This is one of the moments when its rough to have two at the same age.

Summer's End....

We had our last beach run this past Sunday and, as sad as I am - I'm ready for the boys to start Nursery School. We had a great summer and loads of fun on the beach almost every weekend. The boys are talking more and more and are really funny kids. Unbelievable how much I love them. I think its a good age for the boys to start socializing with other kids (I should say an easier age to take them out now) and I'm really excited for them.

Here are our last beach photo's - I will proably put together an 08 Summer album soon.

Summer Potty Training

The time has come to start potty training. Miriam (our Au Pair) and I discussed how we would approach it and we went with wearing nothing but underwear at home and pull ups when we go out. Anthony has been very successful and has had couple of acidents BUT a lot of pee-pee on the potty and a couple of poops. When I'm out with them I'm constantly asking "pee-pee guys??" and Anthony actually came to me (without me asking) holding his pee and said "Moommmmy Peeeee" we were at he Park (with no bathrooms) and GASP...I let him pee on the grass - I know trashy - but what was I to do? and he got a kick out of it. It worked and we didn't have an acident. Paul and I are going to find a portable potty. Paulie is making Pee on the Potty however whenever we ask him he always tells us "No-No". So he's a quarter of the way there. We are still working hard at this and hopefully will have major progress soon. Then of course we have to work on having no Diapers all night.

When I say "we" I mean Miriam and myself - Paul has not been active at helping with this. Miriam has been a HUGE help and really deserves a lot of credit here as I'm at work all day she really has spent a lot of time with this.

A spoiled parents weekend & Dad's 66th Birthday!

We had some babysitting time coming to us between my mother and Mimi and we took full advantage of it...

Friday (08/08) we had dinner with our friends Lyle & Elke on Arthur Avenue and the next day woke up with the boys had breakfast and headed to the beach alone. The first 2 hours were VERY strange for me (ridden with guilt!) it took a bit for me to get use to actually doing nothing and try to relax convincing myself this will probably be another year for this to happen - so I rolled with it eventually and had a great day of swimming in the ocean. then went to Dad's got ready and took him out for dinner. He repeatedly told me that he would of rathered me bring the boys and bbq at his house, but I insisted on this. And it was fantastic! and I got to eat a hot dinner 2 days in row! a very spoiled parents weekend. click here for pictures

Sunday we took the boys Toy's R' Us (the guilt of time off) and bought some new toys and had a great day with them and the Saxon Woods pool in White Plains. They played in the pool for a bit and then the park part for the rest of the day.

Little Monkey's and Daddy's Time Out!

The boys are climbing everywhere! and Paulie decided to take my storage containers and make himself a mountain. He hasn't yet picked up his Father's carpenter skills and it wasn't very stable so Daddy took it away - Paulie got VERY upset with this and slammed the upstairs gate then came downstairs to try and tell me what transpired. When his father followed he said "noooooo-noooo" and pointed for him to go upstairs. Daddy said "can I come down"? he firmly said "noooo". I was shocked and not sure what he ment so I asked him, "can Daddy come down"? he again said "nooo", should "Mommy put Daddy in time out"? "yeessssss" I asked him "where"? and he pointed to the steps. ummm - I thought about and decided what the hell! Daddy get on the step and think about yourself. Next time your going to have to help Paulie build his mountain!

We went to the pool at the Ardsley club again and the boys had great time with Victoria & Christopher - they are the sweetest kids! Paulie had a good time in the kiddie pool and Anthony took one spill and decided the pool wasn't for him. Next year the kids are taking swimming lessons.

Big Boy Beds and Gilgo with the Cassaro's!

The boys are in the toddler beds and it's going very well. On Sunday we set it up and I explained them that the baby beds are going bye! bye! and their now going to have "Big Boy Beds"! when the kids saw it - they were SO happy. Screaming "BIG BOY BEDS"!! The boys are actually staying in their own beds for past 3 nights (since we set it up) and I'm thrilled. I also told them that lovies can not come out of the big beds or the baby beds will come back. After a couple of explanations - it worked! Although the lovies were never allowed downstairs - they are now to stay put in the beds.

We had another gorgeous Saturday - so as usual we hit the beach! Christopher & Victoria came with us and the kids had a ball! Its still taking Paulie a couple of hours to warm up to the sand but after seeing the other kids he tries to like it - he's a pool kid and thats it. Victoria brought her tents and the boys loved it. Click here for Photo's

Anthony is really a toy glom - however - lately he has been thinking of Paulie. We went to Toys R Us and (of course) the boys wanted more cars to add to their already 1,000 car collection. And Anthony picked out a pack for him and then said to me "Paulie too"! So he picked one out for him and then ran down the isle screaming "Paaauuullieee! look! for you!!!" I was soo proud of him. And now he makes sure everything he has for himself - he has for Paudie (As he calls him) i.e: ices, juice, slippers, toys, etc.

Sean's brief stop home/Beach weekend - and Park fight

Sean completed Boot camp! he stopped home for one day before heading to South Carolina for full duty - before then leaving on a ship. I couldn't be more proud of him! he had some hysterical stories about camp and I now have no doubt that he made the right decision for himself. Its amazing but we managed to get all my brothers together and go out for dinner. Andrew I have to say is a handful!! but in the end we managed and had a great time. I wish Sean and Jessica the best of luck and I'm going to miss my baby brother. Click here for pictures

We enjoyed Gilgo beach on Sunday and the Camacho's joined us for our annual beach trip. Again and all day affair. But the boys really enjoy it - therefore so do we! I forgot my camera and could kick myself.

On Thursday I came home from work and Anthony came running to me (as usual) saying Maaammaa! I looked at his face and he had some pretty deep scratches on him. I didn't want to scare him by screaming OMG! so I gave a quick kiss and looked firmly at Mimi (our Au Pair). She explained to me that he was in the park and wanted to play with a 4 year old kids truck well the boy wasn't happy and scratched Anthony's face. Anthony indeed hit back but - this whole incident took 5 years off my life. My first reaction (who ever knows me - knows this) was to take down his mother. I first calmed myself down - and then - sat him down and asked him "did a boy hit you in the park today? "yeah" Did you hit him back? "yeah" are you okay? "yesss". I then explained that if someone hits you - you are to hit back hard and quick. Then I sat Paulie down and explained that if anyone hits your brother - you are to hit them too! My cousin who is a teacher advised me against this - but I stand my ground on this one - I really don't care - at all. Its how I was taught.

The Boys first trip to Yankee Stadium!!

On Saturday we took the boys to the beach with the Griffin family - Paulie is still really disturbed by Sand - Anthony got really into it this time, but not until seeing Mark & Andrew playing in it. Amazing the impact kids have on each other - mommy & daddy playing in the sand means nothing. It was a long day 11am-6 pm - but the kids had a great time. We even went for dinner afterwoods at The Surfside - yum! pics here

On Sunday Uncle Ricky came to town from FLA and asked if we could take the kids to Yankee stadium for the MLB celebrity all star game - I at first was hesitant...the crowd, the heat, their only two. But we all agreed that if didn't work out we would leave immediatly. Well it was quite the opposite - actually cool, not crowded and the stadium was filled with kids and the staff was very accommodating and nice to kids (not usual). it was only 5 innings and it went quick. The kids had a good time - but are still too young for this - the blimp was much more interesting to them! click here for pics. The boys absolutley LOVE Uncle Rick - He had Anthony and Paulie cracking up with his acts and dancing - so much so that Anthony is chanting Uncle Ricky! Uncle Ricky! I hate to pick favorites but....

The Great Escape!!

I can't say I haven't been warned - however it has happened...the boys escaped their crips! Anthony accomplished this first and two days later Paulie caught on and now their both out! Paulie has been waking up at about 2 am for the past couple of days and after 3 days of it we got tired and just put him in our bed with us - simply so we could sleep (completely broke one of the rules I said I would never do). So the first day Anthony escaped Paulie was in our bed. Mimi our Au Pair wakes up very early by choice and was in the kitchen at 6:30 am and along comes Anthony (completely scared the crap out her) and is saying "Paudee?, Paudee?"
unbeknownst to Mimi Paulie was in our bed. Paul went to put Paulie back in bed and when he say Anthony not in his crib - just thought Mimi came up and got him. SO - when Mimi went back upstairs Paulie was back his crip and this confused Anthony! finally I got up and spoke to Mimi and we figured out what happened - The gate is now ALWAYS closed upstairs. Poor kids was just looking for his brother!
Okay now their both out and its a task getting them to bed. it takes about 6x of in and out and then finally they get tired of it and go to sleep.
The other night I heard them on the monitor saying Boo-Boo, Boo-Boo. So right away I think one of them got hurt - I run upstairs only to find Athony moved the diaper box so he could get on the dresser and took his Band-Aid's off the dresser and he and Paulie were playing them all over the room! Madonna mia!!
Anthony speech has improved much - he's on a roll. Paulie is slightly stuck and were working on it. Anthony also needs to improve his sharing skills everything is "Mine, Mine"! he also seems to like to con Paulie if, Paulie has something Anthony wants he comes over with a replacement toy for Paulie and says here! Paulie takes it and Anthony gets what he wants. priceless!

Water Weekend!

The boys are fascinated with boats and lucky for them their Uncle Tony owns one! Although when they see them they scream "Big Boat"! they have never been on one and I wasn't sure how they would react - in the waters near Orchard beach they put on a firework show the week before July 4th - its a 15 min cruise so if things didn't go well we could easily turn around and go home - silly me. I was telling them all day that we're going on a boat and Pauling was telling me "car, car" as if saying lets go! When we pulled into the marina the boys went nuts with excitement! the cruise went well and the kids just loved it! when we stopped - they said - "again-again! the show was nice and we had a good time.

We also went to the Ardsley Pool club with Victoria and Christopher and the boys went in the kiddie pool - Paulie loves the pool and Anthony loves the beach - I have to figure this one out. It really didn't take the Yanni boys much time to get in trouble (no big suprise here) they were happy and running around a tree on the grass and this apparently is against the rules - so "the old lady" came screaming at them. I personally thought it was a little extreme - but we have to follow the rules. So I bribed them to stop with Ice's - there ALL TIME favorite. click here for pictures.