Cabinets, Floors and Tile...Oh My!

Since we are not living in DG anymore, I am unable to do daily drive-bys of the house to keep tabs on the progress. So when we stopped by last weekend, we were pleasantly surprised at how things were mounting, and actually finishing, up!

Left to do on the outside is staining the ceiling and door, and landscaping.

Basement bar is taking shape. (The bricks behind the bar is a wine cellar).

Luca is testing out the coat cubbies in the mudroom...In just a few short years he'll be reaching the hooks without climbing on the bench :(

cabinets are in in the butlers pantry...

...and in the kitchen!!!

The wood floors are also in throughout the house, but they get stained next to last.

tiles are all in too! Here in the guest bath,

basement bath,

boys bath,

our bath (which is quickly turning into my favorite room of the house!

Team Bala

We all took a time out from our busy lives to celebrate a milestone...Papa's 70th birthday!

We all managed to make it to the Sox game on Friday night...even Chris and family!

Well, Chris, Carrie and kids weren't exactly "there" but we did all we could to include them!

My dad was in great spirits all night...especially when his name popped up on the scoreboard!...

And especially when the crowd cheered on this birthday boy (note the player's jersey he's wearing...apparently there's a new Sox player in town!)

Both boys had their MLB debut. Nico enjoyed cuddling on this cool evening.

and Luca enjoyed...well everything! (everything that is except singing "Go Cubs Go"!)
I think his highlight of the night was eating...ALL NIGHT LONG!

He learned a staple to baseball games...eating peanuts (and got a kick out of throwing the shells on the ground!)

He even got to try his hand at swinging the bat!

And scouts, take note, he might swing righty, but he definately throws lefty!

Hard to believe he had room left in his stomach for this entire bowl of ice cream!

Despite the Sox losing, the night was unforgetable!

Thanks Papa for this reason to celebrate!

YES Michigan!

We were in Michigan last weekend with Annie and Antonio, Joe and Courtney, and some additional guests...KIDS! Quite different than our Michigan trips of our past lives!

But don't get me wrong...some things never change!!!...

Joe was still fishing...

I was still hot tubbing...

Mike was still swimming...

everyone was eating...

The First of Firsts

On September 15 Luca had his VERY FIRST first day of school!
He was geared up! After visiting my classroom over the past 2 years, he was thrilled that it was his turn to go to school.

...and of course the room full of toys helped!

No tears (from either one of us!) when I left, and when I picked him up, he came running up to me and said "School was good, Mom! We played toys, we shared, I want to come back again!" (Always a sure sign he had fun when he says that!) The teachers all said he did great too...a good listener and a good sharer. You know you did something right when you send your child off for the first time and they are well behaved...That's my boy!

In case you are looking for us...

We're in Westchester!

We moved 2 weeks ago and are still digging out. Before you know it, it will be time to pack back up and do it all again!

Oral Fixations

Nico found his tongue! he can't seem to keep it inside his mouth for ANY amount of time!

Doing Italy Proud

You talkin' to me?
(tough guy)

Ahhhh! Fooled you!

Fugeddaboudit!

Paci Boys

Well, at least they have 1 thing in common!

The Calm Amidst The Storm

In the middle of all the packing and moving there was a sleeping baby.

Thank goodness!

(unfortunately it also meant that a horrible cold was to follow. But even with all the coughing, Nico still had a smile on his face.)

Have Potty Seat...Will Travel

For reasons unclear to me...

Luca dragged his potty seat into MY room to do his business! Better view? Smells better? Who knows...

Porta-Potty Training

Luca's favorite room in our new house seems to be the porta-potty. And ironically, he has to use it EVERY time we go visit the house. This has been silently designated as a *Dad's Job* (reason being is so Luca doesn't come even close to touching the insides. Dad holds him OVER the hole while he does his business. Maybe this adds to it's allure)