Once Upon A Dream

Gabby had her first swimming lesson today. She loved it, and she can't wait to go back again. She was so tiny, that she had a hard time touching the floor of the pool in the shallow end. She was excited to find out that she knew a girl in her swim class that she had met in the neighborhood...Anna. Her teacher's name was Mitchell....and she proclaimed to us in the van on the way home that she "really" likes boy teachers. hahaha

We played at Gabby and Gillian's school playground this morning and in the playroom while waiting for lunch. Gillian loves the moonsand.

We started the summer reading program (Got the bug for reading?) at the library today. Every Wednesday, there are activities, stories, songs, and crafts. We used to go to the programs in Staten Island, and we are happy that we were able to find some down the street from us at our new library. There was a class for Gillian (24-36 months), and a class for Gabby (3-5yrs). It was a lot of fun and very convenient for taking out books. You can see Gillian trying to do her picture/photo pose. She stands this way everytime she says cheese.

This was a cute movie.....but doesn't Wall E remind you of Number 5 from that 80's movie...Short Circuit?

Before we started the 4th of July celebration, we had the neighbors, James and Becca, over for some Bonzai slide fun! Gillian was really getting into it this time. She usually only likes to use the slide when it's dry, but she was braving the cold water today.

We went to a town next to ours for some fireworks on the 4th of July. The girls had a great time all day long. We made 4th of July cupcakes, and Gabby created this picture for the 4th of July blog entry. The girls got to sit in the fire truck later in the evening when we went to the celebration. Most of all, they just liked running around with all the other kids while the grown ups watched the fireworks.

One thing that the girls used to love to do when we lived in Staten Island was to visit the Jeepers over in New Jersey. Gabby has really been missing it, so we found one that is only a few miles from our house. This one even has a rollar coaster inside. Gillian didn't love it so much. It was very fast and After the rollar coaster, she didn't want to go on anything but the slide.

Our great neighbors, Carol and Barry, took us to a great little amusement park that is right in our own backyard. Most of the rides were great for little ones, and there were no lines or admission fees. I am sure we will be going back to this fun place many times.

We picked wild flowers from our out of control lawn today.....and...let me introduce you to Gabriella's latest comedy sketch during bath time...Rapunzel toe.... Kids come up with the craziest ideas.

The girls went to the library this morning and did some butterfly activities. Later, at church, Dave was trying to show them how to dunk the ball.

We had a fun picnic at the river for dinner tonight. We were outside for most of the day, and Gabby figured out how to get herself swinging really high without a push. She was so proud of herself...

Dave and I celebrated 11 years of marriage this weekend. Our neighbors were so kind to volunteer to babysit. The girls had a blast with Barry and Carol. They played lots of games and made rain sticks. Surprisingly there were no bedtime battles. It has been awhile since Gillian has gone to bed for anyone but us because of our move. Carol and Barry have the touch. The beautiful flowers were from Grammy and Grampy! Thanks so much! xoxo

We had another amusement park trip on Sunday. Dave's company had a discount/picnic day at Great Escape. It was our first time at this Six Flags at Lake George. The park was older/smaller, but it had this charm that a lot of mega parks do not have. There were tons of little houses like a story book villiage for the girls to explore. Some houses were based on fairytales...We posted the pumpkin house from "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" and the shoe house from "The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe". They also had a castle with a princess who took children on a carriage ride around the castle. Gabby loved that one. The girls went to a Wiggle's show...Gillian danced in the front row. They got soaked at one of the water sections of the park (not shown) and met up with Brianna...the daughter of one of Dave's co-workers. They all went on a bunch of rides together. Then a huge storm came along, and we got out just in time. On the way home, Gabby said to us.."Now I know why the park is called 'Great Escape'...you have a great time all day and escape right before it rains".

I have a big chair photo from when I was younger, and Dave has an old time/Western photo from when he was little...just keeping up the tradition.

An unwelcomed stomach virus decided to visit us this week. It got to each of us one...by one. Needless to say...we still managed to catch a few pictures of some of our projects. Gillian is putting her shoes on the wrong feet....this picture is for Aunt Mandy....Thanks for the cute outfit. We are starting to re-do the basement.....and my two little techies picking out pictures for the blog.

We were playing beauty parlor this morning. Gabby and I put these rollers in Gillian's hair. It was so funny. Dave played some games with the girls later, but Gillian wanted to play by her own rules. Gabby said, "Gillian, you are cheating". Gillian replied matter of factly, "Ohhhh, I know".

Aunt Lena bought the girls a retro Snoopy Snow Cone Machine. I never had one as a child, but Dave did. We had a great time making the snow cones and eating them. Here are some live action shots....

Recently at the Policarpo household....

Today at the Pizzolo household....

Everyone says that they should write down all the funny things that their kids say. I have said it a million times...but never really get to it....or get to it too late, and I can't remember exactly the right wording from that moment. The moment becomes fuzzy with all the other fabulous vague memories. Here is one of those funny memories that hasn't yet slipped away:

Setting: Kitchen of the Pizzolo household
Time: Lunchtime
Plot: The youngest Pizzolo is about to ponder the delivery of her lunch

Action

Gillian: Mom, where's my poop?
Me: Here is your soup right in front of you!
Gillian: Ohhhh, my poop! Thank you, mommy.
Me: hahahahahahsnickersqueaksnort
Gabby: Say, "soup", Gillian.
Gillian: Poop
Gabby: (giggling) nooooo say, "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSoup!"
Gillian: SSSSSSSSSSSsssss poop.

Some very local art that Dave and I enjoyed yesterday....

Gabby completed her first 8 swimming lessons. She loved it! She can't wait to go back for the next course. Here are some shots of her with her teachers and friends...On the last day of class, the swimmers got to play games....which was a huge hit!

Gabriella and Gillian read a bunch of books about the ocean at the library during their reading program last week. Their favorite part was making the jelly fish at the end. Gillian is getting really good at drawing faces. I helped by adding the black pupils, but she did the rest herself.

While in Staten Island this week, we celebrated Grammy's birthday and also Dave's. We had birthday breakfast at Perkins. Aunt Lena made two awesome cakes. Grammy requested a big Hostess Cupcake....which turned out perfect, and Dave requested something very sugary...red velvet....with Cinnabons! They were delicious. Here is also a famous pink chair picture. If you go to the July 2007 archive...you can see the pink chair pictures from 2006 and 2007. These girls barely fit in the chair anymore.

Gillian and Isabella went to their first circus on Saturday. It was fun for everyone. The girls were mesmerized by all the circus talent.....

We spent a couple days at Sesame Place last week. It was a blast. Grammy came with us one day and went on all the water rides so that I could take pictures. Gabby got picked to be in the Elmo's world Live show and the parade. She was on the Elmo float. Dave was chosen to be a hula dancer in Big Bird's Beach Party. The girls had a great time going on all the rides and seeing all the friendly faces on Sesame Street. We can't wait until next year!

Dave celebrated his 37th birthday on July 28th. We had a good day. The girls made him pasta and cake...his favorite. They also gave him a couple of IPods...we are so behind the times....Gillian has been trying desperately to catch up on her sleep. She has always been a really great sleeper/napper. She can go without naps, but it really isn't good for her....as you can see by the little sleeping princess that appeared on my couch at 5pm. Power nap, anyone?

We took a trip to Saratoga with Aunt Mandy and Uncle Steve. Our first stop was the Children's Museum. It was packed with little play areas....shopping centers, a bank, a schoolhouse with benches like my grandmother had in school, etc. There was a really fun bubble activity that you may have seen at other museums. The girls loved being inside their own little bubble. They did crafts and saw an amazing peace quilt that was made by children.

The tea party is actually a replicated room from a house in Saratoga that was part of the underground railroad.

After we went to the Children's museum, we stopped at the Saratoga Racetrack (for horses)...
I've never been to a horse race and neither have Gabby or Gillian. It was fun. There were a lot of big hats, and races to watch. We stayed for two. Uncle Steve placed a bet on Dr. Bloomer....who came in last. Gillian tried on a riding helmet and sat on a (model) horse. Gabby designed her own Jockey jersey.....