Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Tomorrow is Grandma's birthday!
Today, we headed down to Grandma and Pop-pop's to celebrate. Originally, we were supposed to go for brunch but, sadly, that didn't pan out. We ended up going to one of our favorite restaurants, Forno's, for Portuguese food. It was delicious and the kids were incredibly good! We had such a nice time!
Happy Birthday Grandma! We Love You!!

Mommy, no pictures tonight, I'm pigging out!

Daddy working on keeping Nicholas occupied

The beginning of the feast...
Notice the barrette, it goes with some fabulous new black patent leather shoes. She just looked adorable today!!

My first attempt at tiers and fondant...not fabulous but pretty good, if I do say so myself!!
And it tasted good!!
(It was filled with raspberry filling and cannoli cream)

Aunt Jess, Addie and Pop-pop, dancing

Nicholas listening to someone's iPod and playing on Mommy's phone

Addie and Nicholas sharing some iPod time

The Birthday Girl and Addie

St. Clare's Walk for Breast Cancer

This morning the kids and I headed down to Rockaway for our 4th St. Clare's Walk for Breast Cancer! We've been walking in this benefit since before Nicholas was born. This year another teacher and I took a group of students from school and we all walked together! It was wonderful to see all the support for those who are battling breast cancer as well as those who care for them and those who have lost their battle.

When we began doing this walk, I think I was pregnant with Nicholas, there were maybe 250 people participating. This year there were over 1000!! It's an incredible sight to see this sea of different shades of pink all walking to support those who need it!

As always, Nicholas walked in memory of his Grandma Hilda Ella Wyckoff Stella. Addison walked in honor of her Great Grandpa Edward J. McGeary. Their strength is our motivation!

Hydrating before the walk began!

Addie was not feeling well this morning and after being awoken from a dead sleep at 6am, it took her some time to warm up and get in the spirit!

Mommy and Her Little Walkers!!

Hydrating Post- Walk!

Football, Ice Cream and Ambulances

We had a really nice but busy day today!!
I took the kids to work with me because there were a couple of activities happening on campus that I needed to be at. We stopped in at the annual convent sale and spent a little time with the sisters. Then we headed over to the football field for the first home game of the season. We enjoyed watching the game and stayed through the first half!

After football we headed down to Madison to meet Aunt Jen and Tommy for the afternoon. We got some ice cream and Italian Ices and enjoyed some time at the ice cream store. Then we walked around Madison for a bit. And finally we headed to the Ambulance Corps building where the kids got to explore the Ambulance. Nicholas LOVED it!! He loved checking out all the gadgets and seeing the back of the ambulance. It definitely pays to have good friend with interesting side "jobs" and interests!!

The kids had a great time and so did the moms!!

We rounded out the evening with dinner and play at grandma and pop-pop's!

Enjoying their treats at the Ice Cream Parlor

Addie and her ice

Nicholas and his shake

Checking out the inside of the ambulance

Ready to drive to the first emergency!!

Checking the radio

This is my favorite picture from the day!
Tommy and Addie hanging out on the back of the ambulance!

Carnival Craziness

Tonight we took the kids to what is most likely the last carnival of the season. One of the churches by us was holding a Carnival on the Mountain so we headed out after Pat picked up the kids at school.

Nicholas had a great time riding the rides and running around. Addison was too small to ride anything but the carousel, unfortunately. We stayed just long enough for Nicholas to ride all the rides he wanted to ride, twice, and Addison to get really cold! Fall is definitely here!! It was a nice night out and the kids had a good time, so the cold was totally worth it!

Daddy and Addie before we left. Addison dug out this hat and loved wearing it!

Driving the Cars

Riding the Flying Fire Engine

On the Dragon Roller Coaster

Daddy and Addie watching Nicholas driving the cars

Mommy and Addie on the Carousel

Going Green

A few weeks ago my dad bought an electric bike to help save on gas as well as take a further step towards going green. He works about 5 miles from home and on most days he rides his new bike to work.

The bike is not really a moped but it's also not just a bike. You can pedal the bike like a regular bike or you can run it off of battery power and the bike with do all the work. It's pretty cool! It's great for hills and when you're tired. Plus, it is battery powered so there's no need for gas or anything else like that! Definitely a step towards the greener side of life!! Who knows, maybe my dad is the next Ed Begley jr. and we'll have rain buckets and solar panels soon!!?!?

Today, we got to test out the bike while at grandma and pop-pop's house. Aunt Jessica was over and after dinner we headed outside so that everyone could try out the bike and see how it works. Nicholas and Addison loved sitting by and watching everyone ride around. If we had let them, they would have been all over riding it, too!!

Pop-pop showing the bike to Nicholas and Addison

A juice box must accompany every outside adventure

Addie wanted to test out the pedals to make sure they work correctly!

Watching the bike riding "festivities"

Grandma on the bike

Waiting for grandma to come back

Mommy flying by on the bike!

Parental Playdate

We made it through our first full week of school and had a great time doing it! It was tiring and by the end of the week, Happy Hour was welcomed with open arms, but everyone did great!! Nicholas and Addison have settled in really well at school and are enjoying their time there. Nicholas comes home talking of crafts and toys and friends. Addison almost always comes home in a different outfit which means she had a fabulous time!

Today, the kids and I had two playdates. One for them and one for me! We had lunch with Aunt Jen and Tommy and the kids enjoyed tons of time on the indoor playground at Burger King. Then we hit up Target for some goodies and big boy underpants for Nicholas. After our Target run, we spent the rest of the afternoon at Grandma and Pop-pop's. Pat came over after work and stayed with the kids for dinner while I went out to enjoy my own playdate!

I got to have a great girls' night out with Aunt Jen, Mizzy and Mizzy's friend Carly. We had a really nice dinner, some drinks and then did a little bar "hopping" before rounding out the evening with some pictures. It was a great night and a much needed break for all of us!!

Mizzy and Carly

Aunt Jen and I

Aunt Jen, Mizzy and Me

The Girls

*Just in case you were wondering, her name isn't really Mizzy. It's MaryLiz but that's a mouthful for Nicholas, Addison and Tommy to get out so Aunt Jen and MaryLiz came up with Mizzy. It has since stuck and it's pretty much what we call her!

It's All Greek To Me: A Week in Review

We are back in the swing of things here!

This week has been quite busy! Nicholas has just about completely mastered the potty! (THANK YOU GOD!) As a reward for that Grandma and Pop-pop got him his wish, A Brand New Wagon! Nicholas and Daddy put the wagon together the other night and tested it out right away.

We had a nice Labor Day. Had some friends over for a BBQ on Monday and enjoyed the last moments before we went back to school and work. Sadly, no pictures. We were too busy eating and drinking!

I started back to work this week and while it was nice to get back, it was HOT!! I could've dealt with another week off to let the weather cool down a bit!

The kids went back to school today and I had completely anticipated a really hard time for them. Luckily, I wasn't dropping them off! Pat said that they did GREAT! Gave him hugs and kisses and went right to playing! Who could ask for better?!? AND Nicholas didn't have a single accident while at school! GREAT!

Saturday we stayed in and awaited Hanna. Hanna ended up being nothing too big....lots of much needed rain and some wind. Thankfully, we kept our power and I didn't have to worry about coming up with activities to try in the dark!

Today, the kids and I went down to Grandma and Pop-pop's with goodies for them to wish them a Happy Grandparents' Day. Aunt Jessica also came over and all of us headed to a Greek Festival a few towns over. We had some delicious Greek food and enjoyed the Greek music. Addison especially loved the music...she danced and danced! Nicholas got to play on some inflatables and then we headed back to Grandma and Pop-pop's for some outside fun time. The kids drew on the driveway and played with Aunt Jessica while Grandma, Pop-pop and I watched and enjoyed some beverages. It was a great way to end hectic week!

Enjoy the pictures!!

Making his way through the inflatable obstacle course

Addie giving her big brother a hug just before we left the festival

"Decorating" the driveway

Taking a break from creating his masterpieces

Nicholas enjoying some ice cream at the festival

BRAIN FREEZE

Addie enjoying some ice cream, too!

Mommy and Nicholas at the Greek Festival

Aunt Jessica

Testing out the new wagon

The First Day of School
Addison wore shoes, don't worry!!
We don't put them on until we get to our destinations because she inevitably takes them off in the car and they can sometimes end up outside the car!!

Listening to the Greek Music

You can't see the other pigtail, but they were SO CUTE!

Dancing Queen!