olivia picked me flowers

And not just any flowers, wild camomilla flowers too. She is so sweet.

Enjoying Mother Nature

A quick trip this past weekend to enjoy the great outdoors. We lucked out with some good weather and the kids loved being out and about. A break to get away and relax. 

A little stick and bread fishing for the kids...oddly enough, no fish were caught. 

Grateful for little moments to breathe in fresh air and appreciate Nature. 

Looking up

Looking up at the moon. 

all about balance

Perfecting his balance on his balance bike so he "can get a bike with pedals like the girls" Love this little man so much and love watching him on his bike. With his fireman rain boots no less. 

The sweetest place on Earth!

Kids first trip to Hershey Park! We surprised them with a day trip and they were SO excited once we arrived. Perfect weather, no long lines and lots and lots of smiles. And sugar.

We brought a life-size friend home with us too. Yay. That "Yay" should be read with a very sarcastic undertone.

After rides and more rides, we toured the Hershey Museum which was very fun too. A short ride through the history and making of chocolate followed by a visit to the gift shop. Chocolate for mommy! I mean for everyone.

Happy Kids! They had a great day and Mario already asked when we're going back!

flowers, flowers everywhere

when a dreary, rainy week has you feeling blue...bring the sunshine and colors in! 

Father/Daughter Dance 2018

Another Father/Daughter dance in the books! Girls were so excited to dress up, get some flowers and put on a little makeup (very little makeup). The school does a nice job of getting them excited for the event and they always come home with smiles and very tired. 

I asked them not to smile for a photo and they listened! 

Of course, the sillies got the better of them two minutes later.

I ask for a nice smile and I get silly faces ALL.THE.TIME. I ask to leave it until the end and I get one good one first, but no. One of them always has to throw in some silly face every time.

And then they listen. Of course, this is after threats and bribes. 

Turning 9

My Olivia bella turns 9 today. Looking through the thousands of photos and it's so difficult to choose my favorites. Each day with Olivia brings something new. 

The sweetest and happiest baby girl. Her character shown through the very minute she came into this world, our world. Calm, gentle disposition and loving personality. She loved Sofia from the very beginning, rarely taking her eyes off of her and quickly becoming her shadow.

Playful, funny, thoughtful. This girl lights up the room with her giggle and curious nature.

I used to say that Olivia was the best of both worlds. One of my favorite memories is her running around outside in her tu-tu and kicking a soccer ball around the backyard.

She's determined, rarely gives up and loves learning new things. Whether she wants to bake in the kitchen, water the flowers outside, learn a new game or get creative and messy with her hands.

She is a very good big sister. Is a little mommy to her brother. She likes having fun with him but is also quick to put him in his place.

She's so sweet. A bundle of hugs and kisses rolled into a caring little girl.

The second I got to hold her, she was just so content. So happy just being here. Seeing what there is to see, loving life.

And we're so happy she's here too. I love you Olivia Maria.

Our first Mother's Tea!

This morning I was invited to a tea. A very special kind of tea party for preschoolers and their mommy's. There were songs, poems and a prayer. There was, of course, tea. And my little man. So special to have celebrated his and mine first school Mother's Tea together. 

just keep wishing

raindrops keep falling on my head

Love these two. Just like I would imagine life with a sister would be. Good times, not so good times and then truly spectacular times. Like this one that I peeked upon over the weekend.

Rainy moments, sisterly love. Does it get any better than this?

One special day, one special dress

One dress, three girls. One special day for all of us and are common bond will be this dress. This dress that my Nonna picked out for me 32 years ago for my First Holy Communion, bought in her hometown and me so giddy with happiness to wear it. Fast forward to 2016 and my firstborn wears it for her Holy Communion. We made slight modifications to the dress and she look incredible in it, fit perfectly. Now two years later and my second little girl celebrates her Holy Communion and when asked if she would like to make changes to it for her big day "no, I want it just like Sofia's"