Once Upon A Dream

We have been busy doing the normal things all week. It has been difficult to find the time to update. Dave is away in Binghamton, so it is an all girls weekend! Today is Aunt Mandy's birthday and tomorrow is Aunt Lena and Uncle Tony's five year anniversary! We are going to be posting pictures in their honor today and tomorrow....so get prepared for some oldies but goodies. Here are a few pictures from the week that didn't make it to post until now! Gianna, Gillian, and Gabby after school one day(We call them the three G's). Gillian picking Gabby up from school. Gabby with her dance teacher, Miss Alli! Gabby with Iris Aviles from church. Enjoy!

Uncle Tim and Aunt Amanda both had birthday's in the past week. Uncle Tim turned 31 last Sunday, and Aunt Mandy turned 24, today! Here are four pictures from when they were little. Both in the same clown costume, and celebrating birthdays! How totally adorable!

Today is Aunt Lena and Uncle Tony's five year anniversary. It was such a great day that we decided to post some old pics! Happy Anniversary!

I had a laugh and a little tear yesterday when I realized that my children are city kids. Observe the look of shock, horror, and disgust when I put them in the grass for a picture. I would have loved this when I was a kid. They acted like they were submerged in nuclear waste.

We had a busy day yesterday. We took the girls to Willowbrook park for the seasonal opening of the carousel/Cinco de Mayo festivities. Later in the day we traveled over to New Jersey to go to a party for Ian Pizzolo who had his first communion. These pictures from the day include our cousins, Ian with Karyn, and Emma with Gabriella.

so....we just hung out in the backyard and neighborhood today. It was productive for us because we got all the outside toys cleaned. The girls had a blast...especially Gillian who got to really experience some new things like the beach. Dave really had to stay on top of her because she kept trying to run full force into the water.

We met some friends at the beach playground yesterday.....and mostly spent the whole day outside. We are loving this weather. Grammy and Aunt Mandy showed up to play, also!

We went to Snug Harbor today on Staten Island. It was so warm and beautiful that we only went to a few of the gardens. We skipped the museums so that we could stay outside. We stopped briefly at the Children's museum and took these pictures outside.

Then we walked around and saw this 911 memorial building and statue. The tulips were amazing.

We went to the Chinese Scholar Garden. The most beautiful spot in Snug Harbor! The girls loved it....really....despite the sad looks in this picture. They just didn't want to sit.

We also went through a tree arch that was nice and breezy. The last picture is Gabby as she leaves the hedge maze of the secret garden.....so cute!

We had a playdate with Ally on Friday. We did window markers and all kinds of fun things. Then we had lots of family over for lunch. We celebrated Aunt Lena's birthday.....with caramel turtle cheesecake...yum...In the evening Gabby went to the St. George theatre to see the Franklin show. It was a Daddy/Gabby date.

Isabella had her birthday party today....Hibachi style! Everyone had a great time watching the show, eating the food, and using their chopsticks. Gabby gave it a good try. Gillian ate from chopsticks for the first time, and she loved it. We also got to see our cousins, Ryan and Jaclyn. Isabella was a beautiful birthday girl! She will actually turn one on Thursday. Happy First Birthday, Bella! We love you!

We had a very relaxing Mother's Day at the Pizzolo household. We went to church this morning, had lunch in the backyard, and took a bike ride....the girls rode in their bike trailer that Meme and Papa got Gabby when she was Gillian's age. Now they can ride together and it is so much more fun. During our Mother's day picnic lunch in the backyard, Gabby was observing the adults in conversation and said, "Isn't it nice to have skin and faces and sit and talk". we agreed with a laugh. Gillian just said, "go", and "down", which pretty much sums up what she wants to do all the time. Gillian also got a birthday package in the mail from Grandpa Mike and Grandma Cathy. Gillian loved the hat, babydoll, and books.....XOXO

It is hard to believe that Gillian was born last year on Mother's Day. We can't believe that she is turning one tomorrow! She has grown so fast and accomplished so much.

Has a year gone by already? It seems like just a moment ago that Gillian was born. She has been such a happy easy baby....so time has gone very quickly. Here are some pictures from her birth and now...one year later! Happy Birthday Gilly-bean!

Gillian had an action packed day....She woke up and was reminding everyone that she was 1 today....Then there were birthday kisses, balloons, presents, spaghetti birthday dinner, ice cream cake....What more could a birthday girl want?

Gabby mustered all her creative juices and came up with this mermaid at the sand table today. She did pretty well with a little help. It was her idea to add the color in the face using flowers and leaves.

Gillian had a birthday party at Gymboree yesterday. Here is a video recap....She had a great time. She didn't love Elmo, but she liked the dancing, games, friends, and food! Ms. Fran did an excellent job as always....Stay tuned for the St. Marys party on Sun. May 27th.....
If anyone is in the area....stop by for some party fun! (4pm)...now - get ready to "Shake your Sillies!"

Aunt Nic, Tim, Meme, and Papa have been visiting. Gabby and Aunt Nicole used some Play Doh today. Gabby disguised herself as Uncle Steve (bearded face)....Gillian opened more presents.

Then....we were off to another Gymboree birthday party. This one was for our friend, Jaden, who turned one awhile ago! Happy Birthday, Jaden!

Lastly....here is Aunt Nicole and Meme...and Aunt Mandy and Uncle Steve!

We did about the "norm" today. We went to church....and Gillian fell into her typical dead sleep. She loves to sleep and normally still takes two naps. When we go to church, she gets too excited and can't calm down, so she just takes one nap. She is still her happy self, but she is fighting to keep her eyes open. The second we buckled her into her seat today and before we even left the parking lot.....she closed her eyes. After her nap, she took a bike ride with Gabby's sunglasses. Then we ate dinner at Amanda and Steve's house. She found the old bumbo in Aunt Mandy's prop collection. She thought it was funny and kept getting in and out of it. Gabby has been working on a project that has been taking some time. She collected about 100 rocks from the beaches that we visit on this side of the island. We cleaned them, painted them, and placed them in our tiny flower garden that we planted for Grammy. We hope Grammy likes them.....we do!

Bumping up and Down in my Little Red Wagon........

Sleeping Beauty (Gabby) woke up this morning ready to play outside all day long....
She and Gillian had a playdate with cousin, Isabella.....out back. They had fun in the sand...and sneaking up on Aunt Lena and Grammy....Later there was a nice walk to the beach...What a beautiful day!

Gabriella had a school picnic today. Ms. Roe asked the students what they would like to bring to eat and Gabriella said, "Doritos". She got to bring Doritos and grapes. The children all ate outside, and then they played games in the school yard. After Aunt Mandy visited at lunch time, the girls went for a swim. This was their first of this season, and it was still a little chilly. They loved it. While we were swimming, the UPS man showed up with a huge package for Gillian. Inside was a Disney Princess Ride-on Bike. Unfortunately, there was no name attached for sender. Did anyone send us this Bike? Gillian and Gabby both love it!

It was sweaty hot today. It wasn't even comfortable to go swimming because the pool water was so hot. The girls looked flushed, but we drank water and played outside anyway. Grammy stopped by and played beauty parlor. She is such a good sport. We really like her new look....What do you think?

We had another birthday party in St. Marys this weekend. Gillian and her friends and relatives had a great time. She had three highlights.....water balloons (one popped in her face), cake, and running after big kids.....Here is the video....because there are too many pictures to post!

Gabriella had her first pre-school graduation. We are so proud of her. She attended two half days every week this year. She had perfect attendance and learned how to write all of her upper and lower case letters. She also knows the sounds and is starting to read and write one vowel words. We are so happy with the progress that she made in 3 year old preschool. Ms. Roe was a wonderful teacher, and Ms. Liz was always around to help. We celebrated by going to Jeepers - an indoor playpark that Gabby loves. Grammy took us out to eat for dinner. Gabriella had a great year, and she can't wait to go to pre-kindergarten.

Anyone who knows Dave, knows how much he loves Star Wars. He has always looked forward to the day that he would complete his graduate program and become Master Dave Pizzolo (Family Joke). He completed his course work in December and walked the line today. All the poor graduates had to sweat a few hours more even though their paper work was complete because it was sunny, about 90 degrees... and very little breeze. Needless to say, the outdoor ceremony was beautiful and the speaker was our very own.... Mayor Mike Bloomberg! Congratulations to Daddy!