Adjusting Every Day.....

Most of my posts focus on pictures of the kids and all the great times we have together as a family. I love working on our blog so that I can look back and remember the great times we share together. However, I think I just might start writing about a few of our "tough" times too! I also need to remember these times - when I look back and read about them, they will probably be funny (then, not now!) and I can also remember that somehow, I "survived."

Soooo, I will begin by venting about the very stressful day I had yesterday. I recently went back to work after being off all summer. At the beginning of my summer, I was trying to adjust to being home all day. Well, now it seems like I'm trying to re-adjust and trying to desperately multi-task all my different roles: mother, wife, teacher, etc. I was exhausted when I got home from work yesterday and not one of my daughters seemed to take that into consideration! :) Analisa is DEFINITELY entering the teenage years and her attitude can take a toll on me. She was truly upset that one of her 3 year old sisters took a bite out of a mango she had been eyeballing (yes, I said a mango!). She wanted that mango so bad, but would not eat it! Ridiculous?? ABSOLUTELY! So, while I'm dealing with the mango situation, I begin to tell the twins that it is time for their bath. Lily proceeds to take her clothes off. Layla, on the other hand, begins to kick and scream and throws herself on the floor. Since Lily had no clothes on and was ready for her bath, I thought I would grab her first. Well, while I was dealing with Layla, naked Lily was standing in the corner and trying to pee! I was at my wits end! Not to mention, I had loads of laundry to wash/fold, dinner still to make, and the list goes on and on and on..........

Somehow, the twins were bathed, Analisa ate the mango, and things were back to normal. When Freddy got home, I vented to him for some time. While talking with Freddy, I realized that when the twins were born, I was physically exhausted. Now, I am not only physically exhausted, but mentally exhausted as well. They can talk now, they want to bargain, they want me to know that they have a "voice"......and the whining (oh the whining!!) is endless. And their older sister is doing the same thing.....when does it end?!

Still, I can't imagine life differently. Somehow, we all made it through a crazy evening. Each child was happy and playful toward the end of the night and they each went to bed peacefully. And, things were better today...... :) I love this pic of the girls - not exactly "picture perfect", but sums up "craziness."

My birthday!

I celebrated my 34th birthday over the weekend. It was one of the best birthday weekends I have ever had! Freddy and I had a perfect date night on Friday night. Freddy arranged for a driver and we were picked up 7:00pm to get the evening started! First, we went to the bar at the Rokerij and then moved over to Coup des Tartes for dinner. It was our first time at Coup des Tartes and it was AMAZING! We both had so much fun spending some alone time together. I love you, Freddy, so very much and just love when we have time to hang out. We have so much fun together....you truly are my best friend! :)

Saturday we headed over to Paula's for a family lunch. The food was great (chicken salad, lots of fruit, and of course wine!!) and so was the company - Jenny, DJ, Dominick, Luca, Paula, Pat, Aunt Rosella and of course Freddy and the girls! The kids swam all afternoon and then we had a delicious birthday cake that Jenny made for me!! Sooo good!!!! :)Afterwards, we headed to my parents house for more yummy food and cake!!! Homemade tacos, carrot cake . . .wow! We were even able to squeeze in some time for Boggle at my parents house! I lost my title though! Freddy is the new "Boggler".....! It was a great day....

Sunday I had a big celebration with my friends!! What an amazing time!!!! My great friend Colleen organized this event and it was just perfect! There were about 18 girls at Postino's ready to help me celebrate!!!! We drank tons of wine, and had lots of time to talk and catch up - it was great to see so many of my good friends there! Afterwards, a few of us girls decided it was a MUST to go see New Kids on the Block!! LOL! I guess that's what happens after too much vino! So, we went to Dodge Theatre, purchased our tickets, and danced the night away!!

I had such a great, perfect weekend. Thank you to all of my friends and family that helped me celebrate the big "34" in such a great way - I love you all! And thank you soooo much to my wonderful husband for making sure that my birthday weekend was nothing less than perfect. I love you! :)

Analisa . . .

A few months ago, Analisa had mentioned that she would like to start taking boxing classes. My first thought was that she must be joking! Well, she continued to ask and I finally started to try to locate a gym that teaches young kids how to box. I found a great trainer and she has been training with him for a couple of months now....she absolutely loves it!

When I picked her up from boxing today, her trainer, Chris, spoke with me for a bit. He told me that Analisa is a very fast learner and has great talent...and, he cannot believe how hard she can hit! Apparently, she can hit harder than some of the boys that Chris trains! LOL! Chris would like to enter Analisa into the "Silver Match" boxing competition in a few months! She could have her first boxing match as early as November or December of this year!!! If things go well, we could be traveling to California or Nevada for her to participate in other matches! I can't believe the next step is to purchase an amateur boxing license for her!!

I'm really very excited to see what her future has in store. I am proud of her dedication (she has not missed one class yet!) and think she has found a sport that she truly loves. We are all very excited and proud of her! :)