Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet Francesca!

On March 14th, we celebrated Francesca's third birthday. She had been anxiously anticipating the events in her honor (detailed below). We hope her birthday was special!! Francesca has become an energetic, fun and caring little girl. She loves to sing and dance (Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift are favorites). She is very smart (special thanks to her time spent with Miss Kathy) and knows her colors, numbers and alphabet. She can now even recognize most letters. She tries her best to stay out of trouble and if she finds herself there she "didn't mean to". We look forward to seeing what this year brings for her :)

Due to our crazy February, we decided to break things up a bit and have a party at the Forrest's with Cassie Lou and Kenzie also celebrating important milestones. The highlight from the festivities there was the loss of power for a couple of hours. It was also our first opportunity to meet Paityn Jay Elaine. She is a sweet baby girl and I think all of our children could easily get use to having a baby around again (hee hee!) They all loved to kiss her and touch her and, quite frankly, would have gladly brought her home with us. Despite my best efforts, she was returned to her mama at the end of the night. We had so much fun at the party. Francesca even asked when she woke up the next day if she could go back because "Aunt Donna's is sooo fun!".
The following Saturday, we celebrated with the Pisciotti's at our house. Francesca was happy to share her party with her dear friend Alysia who celebrated her 13th birthday on March 26th. One of highlights of the party was the JB cake that they both enjoyed. We also had asked guests to share special memories of Papa (Grandpa Pisciotti) as Francesca continued to ask that he be in attendance. I know someday she will very much appreciate the items given to her in this regard. Special thanks to everyone for their extra efforts here!

The February to be forgotten...

Although I would like to think it would be that easy...to just forget everything that happened during the month...it is , of course, something I will never forget. On Saturday, February 6, TJ woke up from his nap with a fever. By Sunday morning, as the fevers continued, I returned to the pediatrician's office with him (which we had visited the previous weekend as well) to learn he had an ear infection (again). They placed him on an antibiotic (again). As we progressed through the week, he didn't seem to be getting much better and his mood was terrible. He was irritable and inconsolable. On Thursday afternoon, February 11th, we returned to the pediatricians office after days of fever and crankiness. She sent us to the ER - - - and while I don't mean to cut this story short, the two weeks that followed were unimaginable for any parent. The amount of doctors and testing and unforgettable moments were surreal. We were hospitalized that evening for about a week only to return the day after we got home as a result of a stomach virus (which prevented TJ from keeping his antibiotics down). However, alas on February 25 we returned home with our little boy. He was a bit weak but ready to be a little devil again :) Very special thanks to all of our family and friends who visited, brought dinner, took care of kids, sent emails/texts, and just simply prayed for the return to good health. And to my dearest TJ, welcome home Buddy!!

Special Gifts

While the kids received many nice things for Christmas that have kept them quite busy through the winter months, I wanted to share a few pictures of some things that I don't know how we ever functioned without!

Our first attempt at making brownies with the "perfect brownie pan"!!!

DVD player for the Jeep - this is ingenious! All of the kids just love it :)

And what would we do without a foot long lollipop! I didn't get a picture but after they had their baths (after enjoying the treat), TJ found another piece of the sucker and went in Francesca's room and drooled it ALL OVER her white comforter - Thank you Forrest family :)

Just some winter fun!!!

New Beginnings

After spending a special year with Gramma P., the twins began their new daycare (aka school) program on Monday, February 1. They are in a room with 2 other boys and 2 other girls and also have 2 teachers - as well as a really nice playground (toddler height) right off their room. The facility is also one of the few NYS certified 'green' programs. TJ and Ella seem to be adjusting fine - with the exception of missing some extra lovin' and extra snacks from Gramma. They are learning to eat and sleep when guided to (otherwise they miss the eat and sleep time!). They have each had a turn at crying when mommy leaves, so tomorrow I expect all smiles! We have been told it is the best place for their educational development, so I'm also expecting 'little einsteins' by age three. We are looking forward to watching them grow through this program and of course, thank Gramma for her extra special care!

Calling all princesses...

Special thanks to Gramma P. for buying us tickets for Christmas to enjoy Disney Princesses on Ice!! We had great seats and the look on Francesca's face was PRICELESS. It makes me look forward to all of those moments we have yet to experience! She loved every minute of the show and still talks about it daily (weeks after). What a great evening we had!