Halloween Fun -

The boys are ready for all the Halloween fun they can take. Costumes, baking, candy, party and decorations are all just about as much excitement as we get around here. We are planning to be Snoopy (or BoBoo as we refer to him here) and Woodstock but neither boys likes wearing their costume at all so that will not last long. We got one photo of the two of them together all dressed up which should be captioned "who looks like the bigger dork you or me brother?" HA! Still we are excited about going to a party and trick or treating this weekend. Even if it is in our very smart pumpkin pajamas. HA!

Today was Alessandro's school party and it was so much fun. The Moms did a great job coming up with creative games (pass the pumpkin was precious), crafts, book and of course treats - hello cupcakes. Since little Nino was with me he also got to sit in on the fun with the big kids at the table and smash his cute little face into a frosted cupcake - at least he taste like vanilla when I snuggle him yummmm. So cute!

Looking forward to much more fun to report on later this weekend. Happy Halloween from our little pumpkins to yours. XOXO

Zoo Trip and News -

We had a great weekend last with Auntie Chrissy who kindly came out to save the day and entertain us while Daddy was out of town cheering on the second winded Terps (yippee). We had so much fun - we had a trip to the playground, McDonald's, and on Sunday even the zoo which is every one's favorite place ever. All and all it was a great time and so fun that the boys just love crawling all over and playing with Chrissy.

While we were at lunch at McDonald's we did play on the playground and had something interesting happen. Little Nino followed Alessandro right up into the land of play and seemed to not even look back. We were a little worried that we were going to have to climb up and get him until Alessandro appeared at the very top climbing across the bridge two stories up. We thought at first that he had ditched his much younger brother on the way up until we saw a little hand climbing up after him - YIKES Nino was all the way up there. After some coaching Alessandro helped him to the slide and he came right down with a smile on his face. That baby has no fear and will not stand for being left behind anywhere.

Chrissy and I also took the boys out for dinner - be it lazy Mexican but it was still lots of fun. The boys both seemed to eat well and like the excitement of dining out which David and I want to try more with them of course. Afterwards we did treat everyone to ice cream which was very well received as you will see in the photos.

Our zoo trip was the perfect way to spend a nice fall afternoon - we walked around Turttleback and loves seeing all the animals. Nino will NOT stay in the stroller anymore which is hard but he does get quite a work out running around and loving every minute of it. Of course we rode the train and saw all their favorites (monkeys, penguins, eagles, kangaroos and of course the farm animals up close and personal). This visit we were able to actually get into the pin with the goats and sheep which was very exciting. Taking hands on to an all new level of course.

This week has also been a tough one since we (or should I say poor Nino) has given up his beloved babas cold turkey. They kid is seriously in love with milk but will only drink it out of a bottle, so to avoid becoming the next bad parents a la Suri Cruise we have given this a go to give up. It has been hard and he is a little stinker in the morning and at nap time without it. If anyone has a good idea about how to better handle this we are certainly all ears. Until next time we are all well and wishing everyone a perfect fall. XOXO

All the news - Haircuts and Paint Projects -

It has been a great week with the boys. We went to the park a couple of times, got much needed hair cuts and did a special paint project. So much excitement. Today the boys painted their special animals that Aunt Jennifer sent them in their Halloween box. They really seemed to love painting and it was relatively disaster free with the mess. Little Nino especially was so cute with his little paint brush - somewhere my Papa (who loved ceramics) is smiling. Thanks Aunt Jennifer!!!! Alessandro continues to love school, reading and swimming and always has something fun to say. Antonio is really talking up a storm with new comments like "I do not know" and "mama tickle me." Nino is also really obsessed with lights these days (as I can hear him turning it on and off at the end of his nap reaching out from the crib). He also wants to turn on every light and points to fixtures everywhere. Hopefully this is more an inquisitive nature and not total OCD yet. We have decorated the house with all of Alessandro's pumpkin, ghost and bat (these were requested to hang upside down which shows he is getting it right) artwork. They love the decoration and the fact that we put their special pumpkins on the table. This weekend we are going to try on their costumes but am not holding out much hope since especially Nino hates all my costume shenanigans these days. Looking forward to a visit from Auntie Chrissy this weekend and just chillaxing - also am not teaching Sunday School this weekend which will be a joy just to be at church for a chance - not that being with the babes is not excitement enough. Happy Friday All!! XOXOXO

Touch a Truck Fun -

Touch a Truck was this past weekend and was amazing. As most of you know it is a Junior League fundraiser and something the boys look forward to from year to year. This time the Laterza boys were ready to attack all the fun and excited - poor little Nino a little too excited as he kept wanting to run off (making Daddy crazy). Alessandro seemed to really take in what was going on and was very patient even waiting in some pretty long lines (where Mommy was losing her cool). There was a school bus, excavator, mack truck, police K-9 trick (complete with K-9 officer Zango on board), mail truck, delivery truck, dump truck, cement mixer and our personal favorite the fire truck. In addition there were lots of other activities such as a little train that rode around all the fun (loved that), bounce houses and a cute little kozy car racetrack which of course we loved. ADL was not much interested in anything else but the trucks and after waiting enjoyed his time "driving." pushing all the buttons and of course beeping every horn. It was loud of course. Poor little Nino had to dash off early due to a little breakdown but Mommy and Alessandro stayed and got on every truck...... After all the fun Mommy headed back to T.A.T. for her shift which I think makes me quite cool - Mommy is working at Touch a Truck is near rock star status in this house. Next year is you want to plan a visit - suggest this weekend for sure -especially if you have little ones who want to experience their love for trucks. XOXO
P.S. the photo of ADL with the trucks and the train shows another favorite moment when "daddy's train" came through the station while we were looking at all the trucks - it doesn't get much better then this....

P.S.S. Thanks Evenly for the great sweaters - the obviously love them - so cute - :)

Pumpkin Patch Excitement -

We had such a great time at our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch - there is nothing quite like this to really get you into the mood of fall (and Halloween of course). Last year we did apple picking and a little wondering around but this year the boys were really into it. Almost upon arrival we had to ride the hayride all around the scenic property then at the end they drop you off in the middle of the pumpkin patch and you can pick whichever one you like. The boys really loved this and were very judicious in picking what they thought was the very best one. Of course we need some practice with things like putting down pumpkins easily and not running off into a field or in front of a tractor - ooops. After we picked pumpkins, the boys played in the pumpkin tunnel, played on a playground made of hay bales and lived it up in the country. Yes they were dirty and muddy to beat the band even though the weather was perfect. At the end of the day we browsed all the large and decorated pumpkins at the shop and all had a warm home made doughnut which the boys seemed to love almost as much as mom. The quote of the day was when we were riding the hay ride and Nino kept saying "toot toot" very loudly - he clearly thought we were on a train and it was really cute. Alessandro tells me that his favorite part was the hayride and seeing the barn but secretly think the doughnut might have been tops.... HA! XOXOXOXO