Week 4

Sunday, Jan. 16th
Sunday was one of those days that literally every hour was accounted for. I don't like those kind of days. We had games and birthday parties and sleepovers. One stop was to Ninny and Papa's for a little celebration in honor of the 3 Colombos' birthdays. My father-in-law celebrated the BIG 6-0 this year! Jon and Annie joined us via Skype. C3 played in the annual Coach's Game. I only had about 20 minutes to watch, but he looked good. Of course I missed it, but he scored the game winning goal and scored another on a penalty shot. The crowd went wild!

He's #6 in the maroon jersey, wearing white helmet.

Monday, Jan. 17th

The kids have been wanting to see Elmo videos on youtube. I think their top two favorites are 'Elmo and his ducks' and 'Elmo lullaby with Ricky Gervais'.

Tuesday, Jan. 18th

More winter weather. So, instead of a VERY busy day, we stayed in and we stayed warm.

Wednesday, Jan. 19th

An icy winter wonderland.

Thursday, Jan. 20th

Rocco wanted a bowl of cereal, one of his favorites. I was just so struck how big he is getting! The boy can sit up at the counter and eat a bowl of cereal...just like the big kids.

Friday, Jan. 21st

Creative Maddy made hats for the boys. Surprisingly enough, C4 didn't want to wear one.

Saturday, Jan. 22nd

Lisa sent this picture from her phone. Trevor spent the night at their house and wasted no time hitting the dress up bin. He's flexing his muscles to prove his masculinity!

Colombo Turns 12!

So cliche, but it just simply seems impossible to have a child who is 12. He was a dream come true as a baby. All I ever wanted in life was to be a wife and mother. He was a surprise. We had planned on waiting 5 or so years before kids. We were just a year and a half into our then rocky marriage, in a ton of debt, and generally just not ready when we found out I was pregnant. It did not take long for the initial shock to wear off and the excitement to set in. With our 20/20 hindsight, we can see that Colombo DiSalvatore IV definitely came in God's perfect timing.

He was such a wonderful baby and we really have just enjoyed him more and more as the years quickly pass. He is responsible, respectful, trustworthy, witty, fun to be with, tender, instinctive, smart, athletic, a leader, wise beyond his years. In our biased summation, just a dream kid.

Both Colombo and I truly enjoy time with him. He no longer 'needs' us for things like baths and kissing boo-boos, but it's been a fun adventure over the last year especially to watch our relationship change. We can joke. We can cast each other a look from across the room and know what the other is thinking.

To say he changed our lives is just an understatement. He's an amazing kid and we're continually grateful to God for loaning him to us and entrusting his care to us.

On his birthday, we celebrated with his birthday buddy, my sister, Lisa, born on the same day. By happenstance, we figured out that our family's plan to go to Outback after church for his birthday was also their family's plan for hers. So, we all went together.

We tucked the rowdy little guys down at the end of the table. As long as the bread kept coming we were good.

The staff came out and did their traditional Outback birthday diddy, but that did not suffice the little kids, so we also sang 'Happy Birthday.'

The next night he had his sleepover party. Four 12 year old boys stayed over and every single one stayed awake ALL night. They watched movies, played games, acted very goofy, but were really good. The most work I did was throw pizza to them on paper plates and serve ice cream cake. When the boys left the next morning, C4 dragged himself upstairs and slept from 10:30am until we woke him up at 4:30pm.

Colombo, Noah G., Isaac L., Trevor (who thought he was 12), Justin W., Kevin S., and Luke F.(who didn't stay over)

My Son

You have always been so special

In all the things you've said and done.

I am so very proud of you

simply because you are my son.

Winter Wonderland

As I sit here ready to publish this post, we are getting even MORE winter weather. I don't mind, though. It seems like once a week or so some or all activities are cancelled due to the weather. That is fine with me. Today the boys' Lego engineering class and our field trip to the CT Science Center got postponed. My 'busy' day has changed to a day of staying indoors and watching Ricky Gervais sing Elmo a lullaby on youtube with with all 5 kids snuggling on me. Ahhh.

Last week we got hit hard! Twenty-seven inches of new snow on top of the 4 or 6 that we already had is a lot of snow!!! The kids spent hours in it. Madison and Nathanael dug a tunnel through one of the big banks.

1.13.11

Even Trevor was a tough guy in it! He kept up with the big kids and stayed out just as long.

The next day, I took the kids out to my Dad's and met most of the cousins for sledding, cookies, and hot chocolate. Thanks to Lisa, there are plenty of great pictures!
1.14.11

Rocco's only successful run:

Did he like it?

Aiden went again and again and again with this much expression.

Rocco was much happier inside. (Like his Mama!)