This week in photos -

The boys are well and loving the summer. Although it rains (and storms) almost everyday right now - we are loving the long days of summer. We are also preparing for the BIG beach trip which has the logistical planning of a small invasion (yes we are actually invading Isle of Palms shortly).

Daddy likes to make fun of this outfit asking ADL if he was going to meet "Uncle Teddy" for drinks at the island (Lord save us if he was)... The truth is ADL likes to pick out his own clothing ensembles these days and shows some true panache for his new found dandy style. Perhaps this is from Mama Boal?

Nino is getting really big and continues to sleep and eat well - He is in LOVE with cereal and applesauce and can not seem to get enough of either. This is really helping with the acid reflux that is not such a problem anymore which is great. Almost five months is really fun and we reminisce on how much he changes each day.

XOXO

This Weeks Masterpiece -

Yes this week we have yet another "masterpiece" from Art Class. This week we got to study Renoir and his impressionist floral paintings. Mostly ADL was excited that we were going to be painting again - so far we have little love for other mediums that are far less exciting. As you can see the work is primary paint based and applied with a trusty Q-tip for all the "detail work."

As a bonus this week - we talked about animal tracks and made this print of stamps of animal prints - which I think is also lovely, but am quite a loving critic to be sure.

XOXO

Daddy's Victory Garden -

As many of you know Daddy has a "victory garden" in our new yard. We are growing zucchini, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and eggplant for this season. Right now we have had excellent results with the zucchini especially. Here is a photo of some of the zucchini that we have yielded including some very large ones that were growing towards the back of one bush (see photo next to AHL).

Such a great lesson for the boys in nature and being thrifty these days. If you are nearby come by for some bread or a salad. If anyone has any new great recipes especially for zucchini please share... XOXO

TGIF -

We are very excited it is almost Friday.... This week we went to the library and the park while working on packing a box to send down early before our beach week (better to give the money to UPS then Continental right?). ADL is talking up a storm, new words include "almost," "mailman," "yellow," and my personal favorite "popcorn." We get excited with each new addition but they are coming fast and furiously. AHL is also making great strides and has tried applesauce along with his cereal this week - a very welcome delicious lip smacking addition to be sure. Also the little one continues strides of sleeping much better and has averaged over 10 hours at night this week which is fantastic. Sending all our love!

XOXOXO

Art Fans -

As you all know this summer is "Art Class" on Thursday and the very important "Art Show" where we show everyone there our natural talent...... This week we studied Picasso which was really fun since Aunt Deborah did a thesis on him and dragged me halfway around Spain looking at everything the man ever painted including door hinges. I am proud to say ADL did take to the lesson and is now saying some variation of the great man's name which is impressive. There is no need to send in any bids since this piece is already claimed by Deb - better luck next week Art Fans - XOXOX

P.S. The other drawing is by a man who does character drawings at the local farmer's market on Saturday - think it is rather the big guys likeness - especially since he was such a wiggle worm and did not "sit" very well. Oh well perhaps in ten years? HA!

Special Visit -

We were very thrilled to have our dear friends Charity and Ax stay with us this past week. Ax is eight months old and just the most perfect and happy baby. He is also very busy getting around everywhere quickly and getting ready to run (not just to walk). On Saturday we were also lucky to have Chrissy (or as we say now "Tissie" out to visit as well) which was heaven for all the boys of course. Charity had some meetings in the city so I called in the "big guns" our first babysitter in NJ Greg to help with the trio. What fun it is to be always so surrounded by men.... who would of ever thought how lucky I would be.... It was great to visit and to be reminded what a fun age this is to look forward to again with Nino. I am also looking forward to seeing Charity this Saturday in the city with the ladies for her birthday soiree.

Happy Birthday Auntie Charity!!!

XOXOXO

Summer Days -

Thanks for all the well wishes for summer. We are having a ball and enjoying our first summer in New Jersey. Here are some photos for the boys for everyone to enjoy! XOXO

Family Visit -

We have been lucky enough to have back to back visitors at the house. After Nonna left we had part of David's family from Alabama visit. The kids were fantastic and it was great to visit with some of our favorite big people (the board games themselves just rocked). We played miniature golf, soccer in the yard and walked around town (there was ice cream sandwiches at the downtown BBQ). How fun to visit with some of the best people in the world. Now we are just jealous they are going to the beach without us. XOXO

Deb's Brithday -

This week we surprised Deb with a trip to her house for her birthday. We had a lovely day and enjoyed seeing Sean's family and sharing a lovely lunch. The boys were pretty well behaved - especially since they did not nap all day. Deb was thrilled that we had Mom with us and everyone had a great time. Also Deb got lots of loot including clothing, spa items, a trip to the spa and tickets to see a famous architecture home (like going to Prada for the rest of us). Happy Birthday Aunt Deb!!!! XOXO

Nonna is Here -

Nonna is here for a nice long visit - a surprise to Aunt Deb for her birthday. We have had a lovely visit and love having her around. Nonna likes to sit outside with the boys and play with the trains in the basement. It is also fun that Nonna came into the airport because we love nothing more then a god trip to the airport. XOXO

Nino at 4 Months -

For all of you who are following the littlest one, he has just turned four months. Most say that time flies when you are having fun, but it also seems to be passing quickly when you are sleep deprived. In all seriousness we feel very blessed and can not believe how big the pistachio is. He is almost 15 pounds and is eating cereal already (hopefully helping with his bad case of acid reflux). Nino is also starting to roll over, is obsessed with these crazy things called his feet and is talking up a storm - especially charming at 5:00am... He is a good baby and is showing a lot of personality - soon he will be chasing after his brother and the old dog who fears for when the second is more mobile.

XOXO

Art Class -

This summer we have added an art class to our weekly enrichment routine. We love art class - although we refuse absolutely to wear a smock, so we wear our absolute worst clothing (please do not judge in the photos). Art class is spent with a quick welcome exercises of coloring or clay followed by circle time where we discuss an artist and their work. Then we do our major project then come back together for an "Art Show" to showcase every one's work and a story. So far ADL really likes art class and he seems to be quite creative (aka messy). Attached are some photos from the class where we studied Neiman and his painting of lions. We sent this work back to DC to be in the permanent collection of Nonna but am sure there is lots of other "greatness" to come. XOXO

Batman -

Yes while Mama Boal is here she has totally spoiled the boys. One of her best gifts was a pair of Superman PJs - yes they even have a cape which is a great improvement on the underoos of our youth right? Anyhow he wants to wear them every night - which means they will be worn out by late summer.... ADL can also say Batman and if you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up he will pat his chest and say "Batman." Yes I blame only my brother in law Sean for this one. XOXO

4th of July -

We had a lovely Fourth - not too much going on just some quiet BBQ and family fun. We did dress very patriotically and did some red, white and blue artwork which put us in the spirit. We did not go to any fireworks shows, as am completely obsessed by bedtime, but we did watch it on TV and were then treated to an informal fireworks presentation by the neighbors which was also fun. Happy 4th - XOXO

Day at the Zoo -

We took "Auntie Chrissy" to the zoo as part of her graduation present. We were so thrilled to spend the day with her and together at the Turtle Back Zoo. The zoo is made especially for children and has lots of fun exhibits for them. Alessandro saw penguins, bald eagles, black bears, kangaroos, monkeys and peacocks. He also got up close and personal with goats, pigs, rabbits, cows and horses at the petting zoo (David was a little nervous but all the livestock was properly inoculated), however ADL did get a little nervous about the pony ride and decided to put of riding "Shrek" the bucking bronco for another trip. Another big hit was the little antique train we rode on - which was really neat, but entertaining because Alessandro kept calling it Thomas - which makes sense since that is his life right now. So much fun - we can not wait to get back to the zoo - XOXO