Week 21

Monday, May 21st

Tuesday, May 22nd
Trevor and Rocco share a bed.  Some nights they are asleep before their heads hit their pillows.  Some nights they quietly talk, giggle, maybe even look at a book.  And then there is the very rare occasion when it seems more like a party than bedtime.

On this night I had 'heard' the party going on, but was ignoring it in hopes that they would eventually chill.  This was the scene about an hour later when things had finally settled and I went to check on them.

Wednesday, May 23rd
Madison's team practiced in the rain for 45 minutes.  Renna and I waited in the car.  When it started with heavy downpours, the coach let them go.  Ten minutes later the sun was shining.

Thursday, May 24th
A delightful night out with friends.  An unbelievable meal at Burton's, my first try at Pinkberry, and a free therapy session with 3 of the most incredible women that I know.

Friday, May 25th
Madison begged me to paint Renna's toes.  I finally caved.  I had a 60-second dry polish and she wrapped her little piggies around Maddy's finger.  Super quick and totally adorable!!!!  She's received many compliments.  Everyone loves them.

That brings us right up to Memorial Day weekend, which I will post in pieces since we had a full, full weekend of family, friends, and food.

My Newest Nephew

We went to Boston today to meet our new nephew.  This is Milo Francis DiSalvatore.  

He was born yesterday, May 28th at 4:38pm.  He weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 19 inches.  He's got brown hair, long fingers, and is just as sweet as can be!!!

His parents seem smitten and for us, it's just so cool to see Nicky in the role of father.

Beautiful family!

Nicky's song:

"Let Milo open the door.  Let Milo open the door.  Let Milo open the door to your heart"

Milo makes 13 nieces and nephews for me.

Week 20

Posting this kinda late.  Like a week late.  I've got lots of other posting to do...like birthdays and birth days.  

Monday, May 14th

Currently Rocco's best friends.

Trevor John's been sportin' these bracelets for a few weeks.  He made the beaded one during the week of Passion.  He's my only right-handed kid right now.  Maybe Renna will be too?

Tuesday, May 15th
Renna's enjoying her new friends.  She spends lots of time staring them down and occasionally batting one and making it move, which always startles her.

Still not sure who took this video.  I think Trevor, but the camera seems to be very still for a 5 year old.

Day 10 of this bruise.

Madison and her endless list of how to have fun with the little guys.  This is Rocco at the dentist.

Wednesday, May 16th
Renna in her little ballerina outfit from a friend.

And the shoes to match.

Thursday, May 17th
Sweet Rocco sportin' the buzz cut.

We made it to Daddy's hockey game.  A very rare treat.  His men's league plays long after the kids go to bed, so neither they nor I ever get to go.  BUT, they made it to the championship and the game was at 8:00, so we went.  Colombo's still got it!  He looked great on the ice.  So fun to see him out there.  In the end they lost by 2.

He's in the #12 white jersey with a yellow helmet.

Friday, May 18th

Date Night.  Long time comin'.  As in at least 3 months!  Colombo gave me tickets to Lady Antebellum for Mother's Day.  Mom and Russ came to babysit.  We went to dinner and had awesome seats center stage about 18 rows back.  Darius Rutger (aka Hootie) opened.  He was just as great!

Saturday, May 19th

Nicky, Katie, Gramma, and Bobbi all came to the sunny soccer field for the morning.

Sunday, May 20th
Little Miss all dressed up for Madison's competition team party.

Mother's Day

I had a beautiful Mother's Day; one for the books!  Perfect weather and a day of togetherness!! It's fun now that the kids are getting older.  The burden of making it special does not fall on Colombo alone.  Each year the kids pitch in and help more to make it special.  They plan ahead, think of things that make me smile, create their own cards, and even help with my household chores on that day.

This year began with the treat of sleep.  With a newborn in the house, sleep is, indeed, a treat.  Renna woke at 6:30am so Colombo took her downstairs and I slept until 8am.  I peeked my head out to see if it was 'safe' for me to come down and I was instructed to wait upstairs.  I enjoyed an hour to myself reading my Bible.  

Then came the troops, bounding into my bedroom with big smiles, giggles, cards, secrets of the day, flowers, and breakfast in bed.

Trevor made the card.  He said he added the dots 'cause he knows I like dots.

I read each one of their sweet cards, each kid very excited for my reaction to their heartfelt work. I was blessed by each one.

Trevor did a little improv for his.

Nathanael wrote on the outside of his, "There is only one thing to say when it comes to you..."

On the inside, "Mom, thank you for always being there for me.  You are so loving and no matter what you still love me.  You are awesome."  Love? (hint-Fano)

Madison's getting good on the computer.  She even dug up a picture of us from when she was about 8 months old.

Then I read Colombo's letter, which brought me to tears.

It was beautiful and eloquent, full of blessing, admiration, and gratitude.  What a gift!  An excerpt:

"Our children will be firmly planted and prepared to grow into adulthood because of your love and devotion.  You've labored day and night to give them all they need and teach them the way.  They will have fond memories of our home and the traditions you've established.  They will comprehend God's unconditional love because they've experienced it from you."

It's ironic that I feel inadequate nearly every day.

He also gave me a Willow Tree 'mother' figurine and tickets to Lady Antebellum.  That will be extra special since it's been over 3 months since we went on a date.

The crew quickly moved into let's-get-packed-up-and-out-of-the-house mode.  They gave me one job- wear green.  I discovered I do not own much green.  Then we were off on an adventure to Mystic Seaport.

We started by buying a family membership since it was cheaper than day passes for us all.  It'll be fun to use again over the next year.  A beautiful place to spend the day with the kids.

We found a shady spot on a tree and near the water to eat our picnic lunch.  

Colombo called his mom who was out of state.

Colombo didn't miss a detail and brought everything that everyone liked.  He joked that he blew all the savings I save in one year at BJ's with just one shopping trip to Highland Park!  Ha!

We walked around, going in and out of the historic buildings.  Somewhere along the way my camera battery died.  Total bummer, but Colombo got some on his phone.

The oldest 3 caught a make-a-banjo workshop.

The little guys stayed busy on the boats and Renna slept in the Moby the whole time we were there.

Before we left, we even boarded a boat and the kids went below deck to check it out.

From there we drove to charming downtown Mystic for ice cream at the Drawbridge Ice Cream Co.

The kids got see the bridge go up while there.  Then back in the van for a ride to Hampton where I grew up to see my Mom.  We met her and Lisa and her family at the elementary school park for a picnic.  Cousins+Gramma+playground=FUN.  Actually the entire day was FUN.  The kids kept saying, "This is more like Kids' Day.  We're getting to do all the fun things we like."

Thanks for the pictures, Lisa.

This is ME...I'm so very, very blessed.

One of my most treasured notes of the day was made by Trevor in class at church.  It was a punch out heart for kids to fill in the blanks:

To:_______Amy_______

From:_____Trevor______

I'm glad God made you my Mom.