Happy Birthday, Drew!

Today, my Drew turned 5 years old. It is so hard to believe that five years have gone by since his birth. He was the hardest to deliver of my 3-coming in at 9 pounds 1 ounce. He had an especially large head (still does!), and his arm was stuck as well. I am told from Andy that between he and my OB, I was about 30 seconds away from having a C-section. Luckily, he found his way out, and is a complete joy! Drew is very bright-sometimes too much so for his own good, and stubborn, but he also has a heart of gold and a winning smile. I love you Drewsie! Happy Birthday!


This is Drew's cake. He asked for a Yoshi cake (Yoshi is one of Super Mario's pals). The inside is marble with vanilla icing. I think it turned out pretty well-and he loved it, so that is what counts!

GREAT CONTEST!

The girls over at SITS have another great contest going on! This week, they are giving away a $100 Target Gift Card! Head on over there, leave them some comment love, and tell them I sent you!

Happy 4th...and an Embarrasing Moment! (Friday's Foto Finish Fiesta)

This picture is a handful of my nieces and nephews, and Peter (whose head is turned-oh well!) tailgating at the Brewers Game. Many chose to sit in the back of our van to eat. We really had a perfect day-lower 70's and sunny! Great day for fun!



I am the first in the line-up here (except Michael was on Andy's lap taking the picture). We took up the entire row minus 2 seats. We really had a blast! The Brewers smashed the Pirates 9-1!



Now for the embarrassing moment. As you can see, I am standing with my niece, Anne, and we are dancing...guess who was on the Jumbotron at the park? You guessed it-we were! I was so mortified! I looked up, saw us, put my hand over my mouth and immediately sat down. This was the picture Andy shot when he saw I was on the big screen!

Baking Day!

We are going to the Milwaukee Brewers game tomorrow for the 4th of July. It is most of my family- my brother, Frank, his wife, Lydia and several of his 8 kids; my sister Mary, her husband, John and 6 of her 7 kids; my sister Margaret, her husband, Paul and their 2, and of course my brood. Sadly missed will be my brother, Sal, his wife, Susan, and their 5. I am really excited to go and tailgate, and see everyone!

My assigned task for the tailgate is dessert. I am making a pan of toll house cookie bars, and cupcakes. If I feel ambitious and go all out baking th cupcakes, I will post a picture of them. Hope you all have a wonderful 4th!

New Rick CD!!!

It's called Venus in Overdrive, and what I have heard so far is FABULOUS!

You can check out his MySpace page here to hear more.

I've been tagged!

For the first time, I have been tagged thanks to Gramma 2 Many at Yes, They Are All Mine.

Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who who tagged you.
2. Post rules on your blog.
3. Share 6 unimportant things about yourself
4. Tag 5 other bloggers to participate.


OK, so let's see if I can come up with 6 unimportant things about myself:
1. I wear glasses.
2. My favorite dessert is tiramisu.
3. I love my mini-van.
4. I hate cleaning.
5. I love seeing all of my clean laundry folded in neat piles, one for each member of my family.
6. I hate when my husband puts away said piles before I can finish folding everything.

I am tagging:
Sue at Susie's Homemade
Amy at Escape to Thought
Karen at McQuestionable Musings
Jaci at Ravings of a Mad Housewife
Shawna at Airing Dirty Laundry

I just hope they all play along!!!

Comfort Food

Last night, was a night of Comfort Food in many ways. I met up with my friends Lisa, Sydney and Michelle for some good Chinese food, and a fun night of conversation over the book we just read, Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs. If you are looking for a light summer read, then this book is for you!

The past week has been a rough one, and I am glad that I had the comfort of my friends to help through this difficult time. I want to thank those of you who have left comments on my blog offering prayers and support. In particular, I want to thank Candid Carrie who emailed me personally with ideas of how to support the family of the little girl who died, as well as writing her own story in her blog. She is an amazing woman that I feel blessed to have met in the bloggy world!

And the Award Goes to:

Ravings of a Mad Housewife has given me an award! It is my first! Thanks so much, Jaci! I am flattered that you thought of me!

Now I get to pass it onto 5 people that I think are worthy. Here are the rules:

If you already have the award just accept and that's all you have to do.
1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.
4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Show these rules.

Now for the fun! Here are my winners:
1. Diapers and Deadlines: Musings of a Media Mom In addition to being one of my best friends in real life, Syd is a fabulous writer with great perspective on being a working Mom.

2. American in Norway I love Tressa's writing, and her stories of being an American living in Norway!

3. Escape to Thought I found Amy's blog on Nablopomo, and I was immediately hooked! She is a Rick Springfield fan, like I am!

4. Yes They are All Mine This is a great blog by a Grandma of a big family! It is one of my favorites!

5. Susie's Homemade This blog is by my friend, Sue. We went to high school together, and is still one of my best friends. She is working on starting up her own ETSY business. Check out her yummy treats!

Still reeling!

Last night, many of the families from our church/school community gathered to pray for the sister of Drew's classmate who drowned over the weekend. Naliah's family was there as well as the family who had hosted the party. My heart has been breaking over this. The funeral will be later this week. We are in the process of setting up a schedule of meals to be taken over to the family as well as setting up a fund to help cover the family's costs. Please continue to pray for them.

Hug Your Children!

Yesterday we attended a pool party given by one of the families that has a daughter in my Drew's class. They have done this for each of their daughters, inviting each student's entire family every summer. It was a lot of fun to see many of the kids from Drew's class and their families. When we arrived, storms were passing through, and we thought we would be spending the entire time indoors. The rain relented, and the kids were able to have a good time.

I would like to say that this story has a happy ending. Shortly after we left, the younger sister of one of Drew's classmates was found at the bottom of the pool. She was 3. They attempted to resuscitate her for 1 1/2 hours to no avail.

Initially, I thought I was going to write something about pool safety, but you know, nothing could have prevented this tragedy. Her Mom was so vigilant the entire time we were there. The family who hosted the party were also vigilant about having all of the kids watched. There were adults both inside and outside the pool. When this happened, everyone was done swimming. She had slipped away. She was found by the hosts' 10 year old daughter.

So, I write this with great sadness. This week, we will be attending the funeral of a 3 year-old girl who was taken home to Jesus much before her time. Please keep the families involved in your prayers. Please hug your children and tell them you love them because life is just too short.

Don't Throw the Sand!

We purchased a sandbox (and lid-no community litter box for us!), and have been trying to teach Michael not to throw the sand.

"No, Michael! Don't throw the sand!"

Think he's learning?

Friday's Foto Finish Fiesta

I decided to participate in Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Finish Fiesta. The above picture was taken of my Michael (not quite 3) on our adventure to the water park this week. He had just finished the jaunt down a 2 story tube slide in a play structure at the water park. We had a great time this week on our mini-vacation!

Long day, more tomorrow.

Until then, have a good night.

Pictures from the Waterpark

Michael was happiest wrapped in a towel watching his brothers!

Peter LOVED all of the slides!

Drew did too!

Things I Learned at the Waterpark

I am back from my three day trek to the water park. I thought I would share some things that I learned while I was there.

First and foremost-there are a lot of women out there who are wearing the WRONG type of swimsuit. Trust me, ladies, I am not sitting here saying that I look all that great in my suit. I need to lose weight, but at least I am wearing something that covers up my worst areas. Yes, ladies, I am wearing the dreaded skirt suit, but at least things are covered. Please, please, please if you need to lose a few, do not wear a bikini. Also, please make sure that the leg on the suit is cut in a way so as not to show that dreaded FAT ROLL. You all know what I am talking about. One more thing, and this goes for men and women, wearing a t-shirt into the pool does not cover up things, it emphasizes them. I am sorry if I strike a nerve with this, but surely, you understand.

Secondly, do not perch on a tube in the wave pool thinking you will not go under a wave. I thought I would not go under the wave. Guess what? I went under!

Lastly, don't expect to have any rest while you are there. The days were spent chasing kids, and having a lot of fun. The nights? Well, I spent the first night sleeping with my oldest and youngest, and the second night, I again slept with my youngest between my husband and I. Let's just say that I have a permanent footprint on my backside.

Seriously, though, we had a good time, and I am glad we went. Now I just need to rest from my "vacation!"

Go on, go have some fun!

You are seeing this message because I am currently with Andy and my boys at the water park! Check back in tomorrow for pictures of our adventure!

100th Post-almost

Here it is-100 things about me in honor of my 100th post!

1. I have always wanted to be a wife and mother.
2. I have 3 sons: Peter, 8, Drew, almost 5, and Michael, almost 3.
3. Andy and I will be married 12 years in December.
4. I am the youngest of 5 children.
5. There are 25 grandchildren on my side of the family.
6. When I was young, I wanted to be a doctor (until my brother, Sal, started telling stories from his anatomy classes).
7. I am a practicing Roman Catholic.
8. Although I am of Italian, Polish and German descent, I identify with the Italian culture the most.
9. I lived in Rome, Italy, for a semester of my sophomore year in college.
10. I am extremely conservative.
11. I was co-chair of my university’s chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas my senior year of college.
12. My favorite color is purple.
13. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
14. I have a master’s degree in special education.
15. I taught Deaf Ed for 5 years until I started my family.
16. I scored high enough on the Mensa practice test to qualify.
17. My love for my husband is beyond words, as is my love for my boys.
18. Family is everything to me-just ask. I can talk about them FOREVER, and will do anything for them as well!
19. I love to read, and was reading at age 4.
20. My siblings often call me, “Mom’s clone”.
21. My mother was truly one of my best friends.
22. I recently learned to crochet, and am totally addicted to it.
23. I work from home as an online teacher and an SAT essay scorer.
24. I have 4 godchildren.
25. In my free time, I love to read, crochet, and blog.
26. I went to Minneapolis for my honeymoon.
27. Andy proposed after dating 4 months, and we were married a year later.
28. I love going out for Mexican food!
29. I love to bake.
30. I have recently taken up cake decorating-and LOVE it!
31. I love watching Food Network.
32. I LOVE watching Guiding Light!
33. I get paid to write a weekly recap for Guiding Light.
34. I love being from a big, Italian family!
35. I love being the baby of the family.
36. My siblings mean the world to me.
37. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss my parents.
38. Mommy wars drive me crazy. Women need to support each other, not tear each other down.
39. I was a part of my best friend from high school marrying my husband’s cousin.
40. I still love listening to Rick Springfield.
41. I had the lead in the play, “Damn Yankees” in high school.
42. I went to an all-girl Catholic high school which is now closed because the all-boy school near us went co-ed (and I am still bitter about it!).
43. I love watching the Green Bay Packers.
44. I hate watching the Chicago Bears-except when the Packers beat them (sorry, Syd!).
45. One of my favorite classes in college was Adolescent Psychology. Our teacher made us watch “Beverly Hills, 90210”.
46. I suffered from an eating disorder in high school and college.
47. The best musical I have ever seen was The Lion King.
48. I am addicted to Goodreads.
49. My first car was a 1981 Mercury Capri that my brother gave me when I graduated from college in 1992.
50. I am the proud owner of a Toyota Sienna. I love my mini-van (and the fact that I can separate my boys in it).
51. I was an RA in college.
52. Both of my parents died from cancer (or complications of it), and I really hate the disease.
53. My dad taught me how to swim. What this actually means is that I can’t swim.
54. I love Chinese food.
55. I hate spicy food.
56. When I lived in Rome, Pope John Paul II laid hands on me and blessed me.
57. I am not happy about either of the presidential candidates this year. I will still vote because it is my civic duty, but I won’t be thrilled about it.
58. I love listening to 80’s music.
59. I will have 2 sons playing soccer this fall. Couple that with my new mini-van (see #50), and I guess you can call me a soccer mom.
60. My Goodreads “to-read” list is out of control, and I have no intention of stopping how big it gets.
61. I want to be a supervisor at my current teaching job.
62. I toy with the idea of finishing my regular ed license and teaching at my sons’ school once they are all in school.
63. I used to be a high school Forensics coach.
64. This fall, I am starting up a middle school Forensics program at my sons’ school.
65. I love watching old movies.
66. I hardly ever go to movies. They have become too expensive, and if I have to choose between dinner and a movie with my husband, I will pick dinner.
67. I love watching reality TV. Amazing Race and American Idol are my favorites.
68. I love watching Ugly Betty.
69. I don’t like being put under general anesthesia. When I had knee surgery in 1998, I opted to have a spinal rather than be put under.
70. I don’t like excessive amounts of pain, and opted to have an epidural with all three of my sons.
71. I went to college in Texas. My siblings and I all attended the University of Dallas. I now have six nieces and nephews who have either graduated from there or are currently attending.
72. I am blessed with very generous, caring in-laws.
73. My first hobby was embroidery which eventually morphed into counted cross-stitch.
74. My husband is a great father!
75. My husband is also a great gardener and photographer.
76. I started to learn how to use sign language at age 8, and am still pretty good at it.
77. I taught my son, Drew, how to sign, and he communicated as a toddler very well with it.
78. Unfortunately, Michael didn’t want me to sign to him. He would slap my hands away and say, “No, Mama!”
79. My Dad was a permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church, and our son, Peter, was baptized by him.
80. I used to drive a Jetta (1995), and the body style looked just like a BMW. I was often asked if I was driving a BMW.
81. I have naturally curly hair that I hate to straighten myself, but love the way it looks when it is straight.
82. I have stood up in 3 weddings (4 if you count my own).
83. I love cooking-especially Italian food!
84. We thought Michael was a girl from the ultrasound until he was born (5 months).
85. When we told our OB we named him Michael John, he thought we named him after our OB, and we didn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise. Our OB still asks about his namesake at my annual appointment.
86. Our son, Peter is named Peter James after my dad, Peter, and my father-in-law, James.
87. Our son, Drew is named after Andrew, my husband and Thomas, a priest who is very close to our family.
88. Michael’s name is the flip of our godson, John, who is John Michael.
89. I would love to name a daughter Alexandra, after my Mom, but Andy wants to use it for a middle name. I still say that is why I have all boys right now.
90. I have some really awesome friends who have supported me through some really difficult times (you know who you are).
91. I love going to waterparks! We are going to one this week!
92. My favorite vacation was to Mackinac Island with my husband before our boys were born.
93. Andy used this trip as a visual image with my labor for our son, Peter, and I had to tell him to stop.
94. My favorite drink is a margarita (half strawberry/half regular).
95. My favorite dessert is tiramisu.
96. I used to love Max and Ruby on Nick Jr. until Michael wanted to watch it all the time!
97. Peter used to ask me kiss his boo-boos, including one on his hienie! (And, no, I didn’t kiss that one-no butt kissing for me!)
98. The best pieces of advice I ever got were from my husband, “Communication is the key to any relationship,” and “Take the advice of those most important to you and ignore the rest.”
99. I believe my most important job in life is to raise my boys into strong, faith-filled men.
100. I am really glad I compiled this list (thanks, Sydney), but I am glad to be done!

A Contest!!!!

SITS is sponsoring a contest and they are giving away a bounce house!!! For more information, click here!

OK, I know that technically this is my 100th post-you are still going to have to wait until tomorrow for my list!

Tomorrow...

So, tomorrow I will write my 100th post! It is amazing that I have written on here that many times. I am a little stressed out about it, though! When Sydney wrote her 100th post, she wrote 100 things about herself. It was really interesting, and I found out things about her that I didn't know. At the time, she challenged me to do the same. I am trying, but so far I am only at 56. I just am not that interesting!

So, if you feel so inclined, check back, and see the train wreck that is 100 things about me.

It's Emmy Night!

No, not the gala that happens for prime time TV in September. It is the Daytime Emmy's! I love this telecast. I look forward to it every year. This year, my soap, Guiding Light, is up for several awards including best soap, which they also won last year.

In honor of the Emmy's, I thought I would post links to a couple of my favorite moments from years past. My all-time favorite Emmy moment happened in 2006. Rick Springfield opened the show! That year he had made a reappearance to General Hospital as Noah Drake, and they asked him to perform at the awards show. As I am a true Rick Springfield FANATIC, this was one of the great moments in Daytime Emmy history. Please check it out here.

One of my other favorite moments happened in 2003. The show put together a group of actors from all of the soaps to sing love songs. Some of it is good, some painful! My favorites are Ron Raines (Alan Spaulding, Guiding Light), and Ricky Paull Goldin (Formerly of Guiding Light, now on All My Children). You can check that out here. They aren't necessarily the best singers, but it was a lot of fun to watch!

So, tonight, I will be tuned in to see what happens at the awards! I am really looking forward to it!