oooops- It's been a while (4-02-2010)

It may have been a while.. but this was worth the wait!
Last FRiday (good Friday) I decided to take Bella to the nearby school yard to see if we could get her to learn to ride her bike without training wheels.

It was the start of the 3 day weekend, so I was prepared to spend a few hours each day until she got the hang of it. I wasn't going to give up and couldn't wait to cross this milestone with her.

SO... I take the training wheels off and we headed off to the playground. This area was the perfect place to practace. A lot of room, smooth concrete everywhere, and no one around to get in her way.

When we got there, I could feel the tension building in Bella. I knew she was nervous, but ... more than anything...

(the coolest part)

I could tell she trusted me.

She accepted that I would be right there and do all that I could to make sure she wouldn't get hurt, and that helped calm her down.

So, she hopped on immediately, and began to try and push herself along with out me.
"Slow down, kiddo!" I told her, as I ran up and explained that I would be holding her seat and guide her along as she began to try and use her own ability to find a balance.

I ran with her, letting go a little bit so she could feel what the bike would do, she shifted the weight back to center. Then stopped quicker than we began.

I explained to her that she was doing great, better than I had expected, and to let's try again.
She took a deep breathe "I can do this" she muttered under her breathe, and off we ran for a second time.

Almost immediately, I let go and she had her balance... I told her I was going to let her go, and off she went to 2 more peddling cycles before she stopped. She turned back and said "I think i got it." So I said "Jjust a second...", got out my iphone, and... well.. here ya go.




I had no idea this was going to happen so quick! Within 5 minutes after getting to this playground, she was off riding. I asked her how she was doing so well and she just replyed.

"I told myself I could do it, just believe in yourself, and I just DID!"

Great job, bunks.

I'm so PROUD of you!

letters to and from santa

Just wanted to record the letters between Santa and the girls. 12-01-2009
click on images to see them larger.
Enjoy!

My Special Vieves!

Tonight I was treated to a very special treat by Genevieve.

Let me start by saying that a few months ago, we were finally able to move Genevieve to a preschool closer to home, and one that is really known for it academic curriculum. Tonight was our first little treat as to just how special this great school is.

In Vivi's class, there is a student that has a hearing impairment. To help all the kids to communicate with each other better, all the kids in her pre-school have begun to learn some basic sign language. The other night at the dinner table, Vivi surprised us with a special song. She started singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", but was doing some hand gestures. Immediately, we realized that this was some of the sign language Vivi was learning. We were pretty impressed, and just continued to encourage her to do it again. Her shyness was so charming and endearing, we just wanted to see the realness of it over again.

Well, tonight after we had dinner and walked over to Ben and Jerry's to treat the girls to a little ice cream, we bumped into a fun group of people. I guess this group of people studying sign language and others who actually have hearing challenges, meet at this ice cream parlor for a fun gathering every Tues. night. One of the Girls came over and began conversing with Vivi in sign language and she kinda understood what this girl was saying. We then asked her to try out her song, and after a little encouragement (some of the strongest from her big sister Bella) she began to perform the song. It was so cute and the girl got a big kick out of it. THEN... Vivi stepped it up...

She got up the courage enough to go with her Mom in front of this big group of people there for this weekly gathering and perform it for them.

It was very cute and very special. She still had a little bit of that shyness which really added to the charm of the performance.

Congrats Vivi- that was a great job.

I am very proud of my girls for so many reasons, and this one fits in to some of the top examples. Thanks for making me a happy Dad.

Turkey Day's a coming-

The Girls are awesome troopers helping out with making the place setting markers AND helping cook up the brine.
YOU'RE THE BEST IN THE WORLD, GIRLS!

You make you Papa proud!

christmas stuff ALREADY!

1 1/2 weeks before Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff is already going up around the house.

Bella and Vivi got these at Michaels this weekend, so we thought, what the heck, let's put them up already.

I ALSO went outside and put up some hanging ornaments from the front tree- took too long, but that's why I started it already- have too much to do before Thanksgiving, and would really like to start off the day after Thanksgiving enjoying the Christmas season right away.

I'll load up more photos once I take them.

Some Halloween pics and Bellas KARATE TEST

Sorry- gonna keep this shorter than I'd like to- but at least it's something :0

Halloween was Fun... Awesome... Spoooooteeeee!

I wish I had taken night time pics of the house- hope to next year. Girls look cute though.

Vivi and Bella Strikin' a pose

Declan, Aubrey, Gemma, Bella

Josie and Vivi

Spooooteeee, Spooooteee

Josie, Vivi, Erin, Declan, Gemma, Bella, Cooper, and Ryan

Karate- Bella tested for her Purple belt tonight and passed with flying colors(no pun intended)
'CONGRATS BELLA'

Lolo was there to offer his never ending support for Bella.

"Strike!-Strike!-Strike!"

Bowing and getting their Belts with PRIDE.

Proud Bella with Sensei Marcello.

YAY! Vivi and Bella with their proud Lolo.

Rent

After a long wait we finally took Bella to see her first REAL musical... RENT.

Although we knew it would be too adult in it's subject matter for her, I think she really enjoyed hearing some of her favorite tunes LIVE!

Here's a pic

Oh yeah- and here's a quick pic of the backyard set up for halloween- Hopefully Lynn will blog about that a little more in the next few days.