sweet baby mario luca

So, we're rolling all over the places, squealing, laughing, goo-goo-ga-ga-ing, and just such a little joy. Tomorrow he takes his first flight (not including last year when we went and I was pregnant) to Italy. Hoping for a smooth flight with him and the girls and can't wait to introduce him to all our family and friends!

Look out Italy, here we come!!!

my ladies and i...ready for another great summer abroad!

my prima ballerina

We celebrated Sofia's ballet recital last weekend and she had so much fun. One evening consisted of the rehearsal where I was able to take some pictures during their rehearsal and even videotape it. Here's my big girl watching the other classes rehearse:

On the ride to rehearsal she told me she had butterflies in her tummy. So cute. I think this picture you can definitely tell she was a little nervous.

But the day of the recital came and she said she wasn't as nervous anymore. Just like that! Here she is at the house just before leaving with Leandro who's in town for work. He wasn't able to make it to the recital but we made sure to get a picture of him and our little ballerina before he headed off to the airport.

Seconds before going backstage with the other ballerinas. She looked so beautiful!

Flowers! And great sister hugs! Olivia is her biggest fan and was so good for the two and a half hour show.

Nonna Lisa made it up for the recital with a family friend too!

La famiglia!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there but especially to mine. A hard-working family man who loves us very much. The girls keep pointing out all the houses for sale in the neighborhood "For Nonna Isa and Nonno Nicky to buy!" Love you so much and all you do for our family.

And a very Happy Father's day to Anthony, greatest husband and father to our 3 little monkeys. They are so blessed to have a wonderful, funny and devoted father! Love you Ant!

a little bit of this and that

We have had a lot going on lately, lots of fun stuff and in addition to everything, we're gearing up for our annual trip to the motherland. This is my mess that in the next two days I will fit into 1 suitcase and 3 carry-ons. Wish me luck.

Olivia went to a tea party birthday party and they made these adorable ladies' hat as a fun activity and favor.

Mario joined the girls in our nook via the highchair which he loves. He's not really eating food yet regularly but he loves sitting in there when we're all eating. Seems kind of cruel to eat in front of him, but we keep him occupied with toys. And he's always amused when the girls are in there with him.

Someone loves to be carried around on walks with daddy and the girls.

Waiting to pick up Sofia from school and these two sometimes share a nap. So sweet.

Almost 6 months old!

I think he's getting too big for his cradle, which is yes still in our room. He said he likes it in there with us! Still I think we may have to transition to the crib soon after we return from Italy. I'm going to be one sad mama!

Love my little man so much! 

Devon Horse Show

Last weekend we attended the Devon Horse Show for the first time as a family and we'll definitely be heading back in the future. The girls had so much fun looking at the horses, enjoying a couple rides and of course the carnival treats! Ok, mommy enjoyed the carnival treats too - I have a hard time saying no to funnel cake!

Poor Mario. I was eating the funnel cake over his head for a bit while he napped. Needless to say, he came home with some powdered sugar in his hair!

Then and Now

Where did this school year go to??? Above is the September picture of Olivia on her first day of preschool and below is our June picture on her last day. My little/big girl growing all too fast! 

Me hiding my belly behind my girls

In September she's off to Kindergarten!!!

my little dimple face

She takes the big sister role seriously and loves pulling out this shirt to wear. Also a fan of the webbed neon gloves that were a part of her sister's Halloween costume. Creative and her own little individual.

Love this sweet little face!

All she wants for summer are her two front teeth

The many faces of Sofia mia. Now these adorable face pictures are missing two very important things - her two front teeth. Which she lost in a matter of three days of one another. Why is she growing so fast?!?

One of her ponies had to make the tooth shot of course. 

Love this girl. About to complete her 1st grade year. Second grade sounds so old!!!

my boy

The little mister is five and a half months already. Seriously. Where is the time going?!? He's awesome. Everyone just loves him so much and the interaction between him and his older sisters is amazing. Even when there's nothing amazing going on, there is amazing stuff happening.

Just check out these feet. Which we all love and ooh and ahh over. This kid is going to think he has the world's best feet ever. Which he does.

Ok, enough talking about his feet. He can get sensitive about it sometimes.