Sofia's first and last day of 2nd grade

It is amazing how quickly this year flew by. Sofia had a fantastic year, did really well in school and even tried something new, basketball, and loved it! She is reading up a storm, learned cursive and it's actually better than her print and continues to enjoy Girl Scouts, ballet and piano. She loved her 2nd grade teacher so much and she has said repeatedly how much she will miss her. We are so fortunate to have great teachers at our school that our kids just love and enjoy seeing each day.

When did she get so big?

oh, what a weekend!

This past weekend couldn't have gotten more fun. Last day of Kindergarten and the closing ceremony was full of smiles and even some tears (on my part listening to my little girl deliver her line perfectly and watching her accept her Kindergarten certificate. When did she get so big?!

My girl loved her teachers this year! Sofia's same teachers two years ago.

Then it was ballet, ballet, ballet around the house. Rehearsals on Saturday and recitals on Sunday. I'm getting great at making those ballet buns.

Nonna and Nonno came up from Maryland for the shows.

My loves after Sofia's recital...that's right the girls did not perform at the same show. We were there all afternoon. But it was worth it.

Zia Paola, Uncle Danny and kids came to the shows too! A little taste of what might be in store for them one day.

La Famiglia

Someone loves the camera. Of course they all do since it's constantly out and in their faces. But he can now say "cheese!"

love this face

I know two little girls that will not be happy once they see their organized crayons have fallen into their baby brother's hands. Thankfully they will get over it quickly once he gives them a hug or smiles at them. When I did walk into this scene, he was trying to put them back into their boxes though...the boxes were ripped and not staying together anymore but he was trying. In his defense, I think he knew he did something he shouldn't have.

It's the little things...

my girls have their ballet recital this coming weekend and we are very excited around the house this week. i will admit to loving walking down our hallway to this image...their costumes hanging on either side of their super hero capes. i think that speaks wonders for my girls...dainty little ballerinas on the one hand and fierce (pink clad caped heros) on the other.

and thankful for good friends this week...these flowers totally brightened my mood! sometimes it's so easy to get bogged down and whether it's a text, phone call or a surprise visit (the goodies were a huge plus), they can do wonders to your mood. i love my friends. 

Longwood Gardens with SCJN

Mario and I had so much fun meeting up with the 2nd graders last week at the field trip to Longwood Gardens. We couldn't have asked for better weather to walk around the beautiful landscape and check out everything there is to see. About 40 kids broke into groups and listened to a tour guide for part of the field trip, had a scavenger hunt and then were free to walk with their group on the grounds before lunch as a group and then back on the bus.

We loved being there with Sofia who came to stroll Mario a little and then ran off with her group. Loved seeing my girl enjoy the day so much!

And this guy...he had fun too.

these two...

This photo was taken last summer in Teramo, Abruzzo and I love it. These two are so happy to be going back to Italy this summer and can not wait. I'm just so happy that they enjoy it so much and look forward to going back there each summer. Of course, if you ask them some of their favorite things about being in Italy, they'll tell you they eat gelato every day. I think it's a pretty good reason to love Italy. Gelato is very tasty.