Project Playground!

We have been considering getting a playground in our backyard for a while now.  But wow, are they expensive!  So after weeks of looking, we finally found one that looked like a good deal on craigslist.  It was in Titusville, so between Paul and my Dad they took it apart and transported it to our house.  The boys were sooo excited – but it would take a little time to get everything up and going.

Paul replaced the main posts and bottom of the structure.  The day he was ready to assemble his dad and Corey came over – it was not a 1 or 2 person job!!

The boys in the tree house while the walls and roof go up!

The twisty slide goes up!  This slide alone costs more than double what we paid for the swing set!

The big boys faces the first time they went down the slide. =)

Wow – so excited!

Luca had fun watching.

Daddy was still hard at work on the finishing touches to the club house.  The swing set part was next.

Finally the swing set portion was done and Paul started hanging up the swings.  The big boys were napping or I’m sure they would have been dying to get on.

Ah, ha!!!! Done!  Lots of hard work by Paul and the rest of our family.  We couldn’t wait to show the kids!

Luca got to be the first swing tester.  And it was his first time in a swing too.  He liked it!

Luca swinging for the first time.

When the boys woke up – it was straight to the swings!  They love their new swing set and club house.  Good job, Daddy!  I’m sure the kids will enjoy playing here for many years!

Little Memories…

These are just some pictures from the last few weeks of August.  Little moments and memories that if not “captured” in some way will someday be forgotten.  The everyday stuff that is ME right now.  I don’t want to forget them. They help me remember how blessed I am.

Matteo giving snuggles to Daddy after work.

Sebastian looking proud because he choose a healthy snack.

Luca’s “why is this camera always in my face” look.

A happy smile because I walked by…

Excited boy because he is beating his Lita at playing UNO.

Matteo guarding some of his treasures in the laundry basket.

Luca’s favorite place, snuggling with Mami and milk.  This image with each of my kids is one I hope I will always be able to remember…

A few random July photos

 

So these are just some random fun shots taken in July.  Enjoy!

Lots of Luca smiles at 2 months.

The boys after bath time.

Lita brings goodies back from Colombia.

Matteo was a bit fan of the candy.

Sebastian loves to work on tracing letters.

Matteo has been doing lots of cooking in his kitchen these days.

Luca is such a sweet little guy and likes to watch the action from his bouncy seat.

Day at Jetty Park.

Just stuff!

This month brought the last of Matteo's friend's birthday season. Happy birthday to Fiona!

And to Gabriel!

Matteo had been going through this "piling" phase as I called it. It was CRAZY. And a HUGE mess. Basically, he would pull toys from everywhere and collect them in places all over the house....the couch, under the table, every corner of the playroom. And if you even as much as moved something, let alone try to clean it up - he would wig out. Thankfully, we just had to put a complete stop to all of it and he took it relatively well. Now we are back to cleaning up our messes and things are much more manageable!

VIDEO - Matteo Piling
If video doesn't show below, click here to watch.)

We officially kicked off the summer with some water play and backyard picnic dinner a few weeks ago. The kids had a blast seeing some of the water toys we haven't played with since last season, even though it was still a bit too windy to be comfortable. We'll have to try again in a few weeks.

Grilling out for dinner time! They loved eating on the porch.

Sebastian and Lita set up the train table as an airport. Both boys have loved it!

Last week the boys helped me start sorting through some of the baby clothes, blankets, etc. When I showed him his baby blanket he snuggled up with it and said "that's amazing!" Now he is sleeping with it at night again. =)

Matteo found his baby blanket too (which he NEVER used or cared for!), and he was also excited about it. Just don't ask about the glasses. Silly kiddo.

Paul took apart and washed the car seats. The boys had fun sitting in them. Hard to believe our new little one will fit in these tiny seats!

Paul and I went out on a date last week to the Melting Pot. It was nice to spend time together before things get increasingly crazy at home! And here is another belly shot! Anytime now baby, we are ready for you!

Just around....

Abu and Sebastian take a break from playing to look at a family photo album.

"I have arrived - the world is mine!" Matteo thinks he owns the place (Gymboree) sometimes! So funny!

Zonked out after playing all day.

These play "Waffle Blocks" have finally resurfaced! They were hiding in my Dad's hanger - we never thought to ask him and just thought they had gotten lost somewhere! I had been wanting them for a while because I thought the kids would get a kick out of them. My Tio Mauricio gave them to me when I was three so I knew they'd be a hit. Sure enough! Hours of fun!

Sebastian in an airplane.

Having lunch at a "restaurant." I especially loved this set up because they were completely contained while they ate their food!

We have been wanting to get Sebastian a real bike for a while and finally, Titi Monica came across one that seemed just right (at least for a few more months!) at a garage sale for $5! Deal! Sebastian was SOOOO excited and did wonderfully!

On his first bike ride! Note Matteo in the background as we try to teach him to master the tricycle.

Uh-oh....first fall! Just a small scrape, but it took a lot of talking and explaining that this bike riding business is going to take some practice!

Matteo concentrating....

VIDEO - Bike Riding!
(If you don't see the video below, click here to watch.)

We recently had a family photo shoot a a local park with a new photographer. We haven't seen the photos yet, but I will be sure to link/post to them once she has them ready. The boys looked adorable in their matching outfits, which they will also wear for Easter. Can't wait to see how they turn out!

My big boy - almost four! Time flies!