A certain 4-year-old crashed our date night this evening and we loved it. Clients of mine recommended Chuck's in Burbank this past week and it was awesome. We feasted on Seafood gumbo, Gourmet Mac'n'Cheese, Brisket, Shrimp Po'boy and an everything chocolate chip cookie. Yum!
Earlier this month, we headed down to St. Louis to visit with our DiTore cousins. They just welcomed Baby Margot into the family and we hadn't been down for a visit since just before they were about to welcome Baby Dexter (who is now THREE!) Needless to say it was a long overdue visit.
We had the BEST time. We were only in from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, but we packed in tons of fun + bonding--Clark, Lola + Dexter, especially. They were like the 3 Amigos. The whole weekend was like one big playdate. They all got along perfectly--not one argument or refusal to share. And that's saying ALOT for their age group, ha!
Baby Margot is so adorable. We loved snuggling her. Clark + Dexter were so sweet + loving--had we not already had an adorable boy of our own, I might have taken one of them home with me! We can't wait to head down for another visit sometime soon. It's an easy drive...you've got to love that! Our Subaru has been good to us...we actually hit 55555 on the odometer on the way down!
Enjoy the pics! We hit the Science Center, Tower Grove Park + the Gateway Arch...
We sent Lola off to Pre-K this morning! We're so excited for her to begin another year at Noonan Elementary Academy. It's hard to believe she'll be in Kindergarten this time next year. She looks like such a big girl, compared to her first day of Nursery school last fall. We are so proud of our girl and can't wait to see all she accomplishes this year!
Here she is rockin' her NEA tartan jumper, complete with new headband and school shoes from Nonna + Papa.
She hid one of her Brave triplets in her backpack.
Every now and then, a band comes along that just speaks to you. You'll hear a song, and you'll connect with it. But then you find a band, and every word sung, every chord strum, every beat drum...speaks.
Renee shared Mumford & Sons with us earlier this year. Their music is gorgeous. The sound stirs something in the soul and the lyrics speak so much truth. They are not a "christian" band but their poetic lines scream of Catholic imagery. The struggle of the soul for salvation, the grace of forgiveness, the beauty and rawness of love and the truth that we are made in His likeness.
These 4 Gentlemen out of London have gathered quite a following since their debut album was released last September. Those who love them, as was evident from the mix in attendance this weekend, was from all ages and stages. Everyone from people like us with some miles and years on us, to those just embarking on the great journey, kids like my cousin Jessica, who actually quoted the band in her Salutatorian address this past May.
Even though they are quite young of a band, they were happy to share the wealth of the gathering with some of their own favorite bands--they selected 4 cities in the U.S. (one being Montery, CA!), one in Ireland (Galway, where we renewed our vows), England & Australia. They invited everyone to set up camp for the weekend and get into the culture of these smaller towns dotted across the globe, to meet the people, eat their food, buy their wares. It was incredible.
We left the children in the great care of Grammy and headed 2 hours west for the weekend. It was perfect. Made all the better by the great company of friends.
We went and played at our buddy Mateo's house this evening and had a BLAST! We couldn't make it to Mateo's party last month, but his Mommy was sweet enough to save a treat bag for Lola. Guess what the theme was?!
I'll never forget the first time I saw Lola master a Melissa + Doug chunky puzzle. She was 11 months old and we were in Florida visiting Nonna + Papa. We were speechless and it was just the beginning of her accomplishing many more puzzles.
I couldn't wait to see Johnny do it one day too. It takes hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills we hoped he'd have. With her, it wasn't a matter of "if" she'd do things, but "when". With him, we prayed for "when's". Would they happen? I feel like we are at a point where we can say...YES. They WILL happen. And they ARE happening. Everytime we turn around, Johnny is picking up a new skill, trying to say a new word, climb a new mountain. He may have had a rougher, slow start, but we'll be damned if our boy isn't making up for lost time.
My friend Tiffany is quite an incredible photographer. Like me, she feel in love with the lens just capturing special moments her family shared. Her skills in both her eye for detail/moments and editing AMAZE me. I'm so proud of her!
She captured some incredible images from Lola's 4th Birthday Party. I will treasure these forever. As a mother, it's rare that we are in front of the camera. But when we are, it's wonderful. These are the moments that make it ALL worth it...
CLICK HERE to see the album. FYI, Lola looks a tad mad in some of them--because her cousin got a little too excited and blew her candles out before she got a chance. We re-lit them and she got her wish. But I'm glad she captured her "oh-so-Lola" expression!
We went to the TP library yesterday afternoon after naps to check out the "Jim Gill's Family Room" tour. Johnny worked the room like a pro, impressing everyone with his outgoing personality and stellar dance moves. Mama's rhythm and Daddy's dashing good looks and it's no doubt he's going to be quite popular with the ladies. He's already quite the flirt. I'm going to keep him as mine for as long as I can!!!
He's just clapping to the beat in this clip...warming up to the first song!
Lola received her very first Electra bike from Grammy as a special 4th birthday gift. She is IN LOVE with riding it. While Johnny had speech therapy at home yesterday, we went outside for the hour and rode to the park, played and then rode back. Well, I walked. I'm still not 100% on letting her bike without me walking near her. Soon enough. Every now and then she needs a little "push" she says. Her strong legs are working well--and getting quite a work out :)
Hydrating at the park before it was time to hit the monkey bars & slides.
We celebrated Lola's 4th Birthday party this morning in Mimi's backyard with, oh, about 20 kids! It was crazy and fun and she is a very blessed little girl to have such great friends in her life. Mom, Sue and all my "mom" friends were a great help in making the day go smoothly. We CRASHED this afternoon out of sheer exhaustion, but after a good rest, Lola was ready to celebrate with the love of her life...Daddy :) He came home from work and took his girl for her second showing of Brave. Brave was the "theme" of her party this year and it was perfect.
Mommy trying to get some pictures of her beautiful girl often does not go according to plan! Here she is sporting her gorgeous new dress from Nonna + Papa. When she opened it this morning, she said it looked like something Aurora would wear. I told her that actually, Nonna + Papa went to Disney World and placed a special order with Flora, Fauna + Merryweather for a birthday dress just like they made for Briar Rose's 16th Birthday. She totally bought it!
LOTS of water fun was had by all.
Lola is such a girly-girl but she can totally hang with the boys. Just one of the things we love about her. Parker + Preston are her two oldest boyfriends...she's added Aiden + MJ to the list.
Two Kurek boys...Cousin Caiden + Johnny.
Fat Boy Slim. Good God, I could eat him up he's so adorable.
Lola Rose is 4!
The Brave cake she dreamt of. Creative Cakes did a magnificent job, as usual. Yum!
Being serenade by friends. Wonder what she wished for :)
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