Pumpkin patch

As a ritual, this year we went to visit the pumpkin patch just like last year. 

I love how, the more the kids get older, the more are able to enjoy the surrounding. 

Specially Gabriel, he wasn't so overwhelmed and over stimulated as in the past. Indeed, he loved to play with the other children in the bouncy house! 

Michelle's favorite activity instead is the petting zoo. She spent almost all the time there with a bunny on her lap

You've figured by now that my kids are going as a ninja turtle and as Princess Merida (from the movie Brave) for Halloween, right? LOL

We did have lots of fun and me and hubby even let the children take a few shots of us 

More pictures of the day are available on my facebook page of course! Enjoy fall and the pumpkins!

First times

Sorry folks, ain't gonna share "those" first times, but wanted to share an awesome week end we had. 

Saturday after work we decided to hit the community pool like we do every night (when it's not raining that is) and I was very excited to see my son Gabriel swimming in deep waters and jumping too!! 

When we started going to the pool neither of my kids knew how to swim and while Michelle took about a week to master it, Gabriel took few months, but still I'm AMAZED by the progress he made!!! The dude didn't even want to get into water when he could touch with his tippy toes, just played safe in the kiddies part of the pool and now....he's a FISH and my daughter is a MERMAID. 

After the pool, we decided to go out for dinner. The kids wanted some fast food crappola while me and hubby wanted something nice. We ended up at Ruby Tuesday. 

 If you read my blog before, you probably read me saying that I would pay anything to see my son Gabriel eating a beef hamburger. $60 later, he decided to try the chop steak and found it delicious!!! That was a completely new food for him and with his sensory disorders is a huge step and the first time in 5 years!!!! WOOOHOOO. 

Sunday was another story. We woke up late but manage to catch the matinee at the theater to watch BRAVE. Can't wait for the DVD to come out as that is definitely a keeper! 

After that, we moved the fun to the bowling alley. We hadn't been bowling since Gabriel was 3 years old and my daughter just few months old, so it was definitely the first time for her.

Plus, I got to kick hubby's butt as I scored the most points.....and that's DEFINITELY a first! 

Also tried my very first Chobani yogurt...what can I say! I'm hooked! 

What amazing things you've done this past weekend?

Happy Memorial day.

Chillaxing with the kids at the pool, Hope you had a wonderful day too!

 

Going up....

....and going down!

>

Birthday presents

First thing first let me tell you that the parents night out went very well. Me and hubby went to eat to an Italian restaurant and then during our stroll to kill time, we ended up ice skating. Since was the first time for me, I only walked around the perimeter of the place, but I won't give up, I plan to go back and learn properly.
And so far, no catastrophe had to happen, YET.

Now, onto my birthday presents.
My nephews came to visit and I was greeted with a "care" bag with a sweet little card, 2 soap bars, an hair wrap and a bottle of bubble bath.

My dearest friend Kayla (The Eclectic Element) surprised me with the second card in a week that made me laugh out loud and my mother in law provided the cute fabric you can see above. I foresee a cute dress for a little somebody in my house.

We spent the day catching up and eating before I had to go to work.
We also set up a water slide in the back yard, but only my daughter and my youngest nephew obliged.

But the hit of the day was definitely a little kitty my MIL brought to play with Michelle. Too bad we couldn't keep it :(

Magic Sunday!

And today was the day after the 4th of July, the day to rest after all the eating and visiting and fireworks, and also a Sunday, the first day of the week before getting to work again.
My Sunday was magical today, I spent the afternoon in my back yard enjoying my kids and a swim pool.....It's amazing how much fun and laugh a hose and a water poodle can do!!!
Sorry, no pictures!!! We had too much fun spraying the water everywhere and my camera is not water proof!
But I hope I added a fun memory in my kids virtual album of fun time together :)

I hope all my readers had a safe and fun 4th of July and a magical day after, just like us!

And before I live I'd like to point out the Jingerbella giveaway again, 'cause I forgot to say in my last post the she's giving away earrings AND a matching pendant!!!!

Also, use the new buttons ad in the left column of my blog to enter the giveaway (don't forget to visit Etsyitup blog for the change to win $15 gift certificate for my shop) and check out new sales :)
Until next time......

My first Halloween in America!!

As a foreign Italian, I never understood all the fuss about Halloween......I could understand kids wearing a costume, but I never got it the Halloween decoration, the Halloween food....hey people it's not Xmas, shessh!!

But yesterday there I was, putting costumes on my kids, a little Superman and a sweet ballerina. !nd for the first time in their lives and in mine we decided to go trick or treat for the neighbourhood. Still in my Italian close mind I thought it wouldn't take more that 5 minutes.....Instead we had so much fun, my kids' eyes where wide open for the surprise when they understood that saying "trick or treat" will make the candies go into their baskets....LOL

Well, I get it now. It's a big fuss, 'cause everybody go in the streets with the flash light showing their costumes, saying happy Halloween to semi-strangers and hand out candy to sweet little heads.

I get it, really!

And I love it, seriously!

I don't know if when it was time to go home who was more upset, me or my kids......and next year I'll be doing it again!!