Happy 60th PopPop!

This weekend, we celebrated, Italian style, my father-in-laws 60th birthday. It was such a blast- anytime you spend 6+ hours eating swimming, laughing, etc, it's fun! PopPop was kind enough to share some of his spotlight with Alden, and we celebrated him turning 2. It was a great weekend!!

3 generations


All 3 grandkids playing with their gifts from Aunt Connie


Vincent was a HUGE hit- wrestling and tickling all 3 kids- and they LOVED him! Hard to believe he's going to college in a few weeks....


The cousins deciding the best way to get me wet...

PopPop LOVES his tie that has the 3 grandkids pics on it.

Vincent helping build with Alden's new legos

Helping PopPop blow out the candles

Helping Poppy eat both slices of ice cream cake- yum!

Awesome Parenting Moment

I am obviously an amazing parent (LOL!). Alden was having a melt down this morning and he put himself in Time Out until he calmed down!! These moments don't happen often, so I want to celebrate them when they DO happen!! Maybe this is happening because he's a mature 2- I can hope, right?!? Love you buddy!!

Home Birthday Celebration

Today, as it is the official birth day of Alden, we had a little celebration. His birthday party is on Wed (pics and post to come once it happens) and he will also celebrate with his PopPop in NY over the weekend. Whew!

It all started this morning with the traditional Dunkin Donut complete with candles!!


Yum! He LOVES his food- especially anything with chocolate!!


After fun at the beach (pics to come- thanks Allison for taking some pics!!), a quick naptime, and then on to GIFTS!!


Roar! He loves his dinosaur and football from Kuda and Anesu.


SO excited about this airplane and construction DVDs from Nate!


Yay! His own non-girly airplane!!


The best part- rice-crispy "cake"!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Alden!!

Alden Peter Perreca
Weight: 25lbs (he's been sick this week and is down from 30lbs a few weeks ago....)
Height: 32"
Passions: Airplanes, girls (Madelyn, Hannah, Avery and older women with gray hair), anything with wheels, eating, splashing in the pool, shoveling on the beach, jumping on his bed
Favorite Passtimes: Playing with his Matchbox cars, flirting with women, eating, looking cute
Most Commonly Used Words: Mama, Dadden (Dad), Addie, Anna, Avery, Grayson, Madelyn, Food!, AIRPLANE!, beach, banana, ice cream, bye-bye, vroooooooom, uh-oh, mine, share, shoes, more please, thank-you, car, truck, motorcycle
Favorite Entertainment: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Thomas the Train, reading books with Mommy, music that has a strong beat to dance to, playing with and sometimes teasing, Addie, flirting with Madelyn and Hannah and tormenting Avery.

He has grown so much since last year- this slide show is just a summary of this past year. What a blessing he is- and continues to be!!

Fun in the Park

The kids earned free Dairy Queen ice cream, so the other night, we got their ice cream and went to the park to enjoy it! There aren't many perks to Al's job of having to work late (11pm), but being able to enjoy an evening in the park is a way we keep ourselves busy!

Enjoying the chocolate icecream before running around!


Showing me how much he liked his ice cream!


Such a happy girl!!


My girl-watcher- these boys were catching the caterpillars in the park, and were discussing them- and she just stood there and listened to them- so cute!


Mr. Dare-Devil

Call for Help!

This morning, I read this:
Proverbs 5:12- 14, & 23 "And you say, "How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof! I have not listened to the voice of my teacher, nor inclined my ear to my instructors! I was almost in utter ruin in the midst of the assembly and congregation...He will die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray."

It is amazing how God gives you words you need to hear when you need to hear them. I have been struggling with how to best parent my 2 kids who are totally different and unique yet often frighteningly similar. Trying to just "go with my gut" has lead to more stress and strife. Reading these words this morning showed me why- I need to seek out wisdom from those who have gone before me, who have experience with raising godly children. After all, my heart is desperately wicked, who can know it? Thus, I need help and am not afraid to ask for it!!

I love my kids and want to raise them to be the best that God wants them to be- and I need a little help in this area! If you know of any good books to read, please post a comment here or email me- I'm all ears!!

Kid Funnies

Here are a few funnies from the kids this week....

We were running errands when one of those freak summer storms caught us in the car, needing to get into another store....
Addie: Mommy! We are soaping wet (meaning soaking wet)!!

Addie borrowed a baby car seat from her friend Avery (just like a real one, just smaller). She insisted that Gooey (her new favorite doll) sleep IN the car seat next to her pillow.....
Me: Why does this need to be in the bed with you?
Addie: Gooey has reflux, Mommy. She NEEDS to sleep in her carrier!!

Alden is obsessed with airplanes. ANY time we hear or see one he screams "HAIR PAINE!!! HAIR PAIN!!!!!!" point off in the directions of it. He loves pictures of them both on TV, paper, online, etc. Due to this deep love of airplanes, his upcoming birthday party will be airplaned themed. I can't believe he's going to be 2.....

He also loves to copy Addie- both in her actions and what she says. His vocabulary is literally exploding!! Newest words- ice cream cone, umbrella, books, coffee, shower, cup, Kierke, Anna, Avery, Dadden (which I think is the cutest ever nickname for Daddy!), boat, motorcycle, phone, movie, waffle. Amazing how quickly he is growing-up!