The First Day of School '09

First day of school for the DiMaggio girls. They woke up happy, finding notes taped to their doorknobs from mom and dad wishing them a great day. The rushed downstairs to wake up Aunt Ashley who had spent the night, gobbled up a big pancake and scrambled eggs breakfast and welcomed grandma who came to see them off.











They have been waiting all summer to use their backpacks and proudly showed them off.








When it came time to go to the bus, they paced with excitement. They confidently climbed the stairs, thankfully oblivious to mom and dad's anxiety.







Grandma and Daddy followed the bus so that Daddy could meet them between the bus and the front door. They came off the bus together hand in hand smiling for the day ahead.

Mommy and Daddy came up to the school a couple of hours later to help with lunch time. While the girls were happy to see them, they were having fun playing and chatting with friends.

By the time the day was over they got off the bus (30 minutes late) tired but very happy.

A better first day than we could have asked for.

The Day Before School

The last day of summer vacation for the DiMaggio family. As a tradition we all go out for ice cream and talk about what we loved about the summer.







And what would the end of summer vacation be without one last dip in the pool?

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
______________________________________________________________________________
Jenna: Mom, whatcha doing?

Mom: Cleaning the toliet. You'll be doing this soon enough.

Jenna: Sighs...I hope it's not too soon....
_____________________________________________________________________________

After a long evening of "talking back" Dad sat with the girls at the kitchen table and said "OK listen. No more back talk. It's time for bed and the first one who argues, tries to get me to change bed time, whines or cries is in big trouble! Do you understand"?

Girls "Yes daddy"

Jenna adds "But what about the 'second' one"?_____________________________________________________________________________

We were talking about how sometimes daddy and mommy get angry and yell. After telling them that grown ups sometimes yell, Jenna and Natalie replied "Not grandma, she never gets angry or yells.....except at mommy and Aunt Gerri".
____________________________________________________________________________
For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
_________________________________________________________________________________
After showing my frustration with Catherine over a potty issue:

Natalie: Mommy, she's just 2. (yes, you are right!)
________________________________________________________________________________
Catherine picked a Soccer Blue's Clues to watch one day....

Jenna: Catherine, are you from Argentina?
Mom: What?
Jenna: Soccer is the most popular sport in Argentina.
________________________________________________________________________________

For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
______________________________________________________________________________
After writing with marker on her toes Catherine says, "Look at my nail polish." and "Oh, my nail polish is great."
______________________________________________________________________________
While playing with our 2yr old neighbor Catherine says, "You have alot of energy, Carly."
_______________________________________________________________________________



For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

A Week With Catherine

I had the opportunity to spend a week alone with Catherine. Dennis took Jenna and Natalie to Long Island and I chose to stay home and p.o.t.t.y train Catherine. Not my idea of a great week, but I wanted to have this part of toddlerhood done. I actually started three days before Dennis left so he could help.

She trained much faster than I ever expected. She was always so proud of herself when she went on the p.o.t.ty. She would often say that she wanted to "sit like sisters", which meant on the big p.o.t.ty without the seat.

The frequent trips to the bathroom aside, we had a great week together. I forgot how special it is to have time with one child. She naps, so that was even better because I got 2-3 hours a day to relax, scrapbook and clean.

Catherine missed her dad and sisters alot. Everyday she'd ask where they were. She wanted to talk to them on the phone everytime they called. Hearing their conversations were so precious. They mostly consisted of Catherine telling her sisters that she used the p.o.t.ty and then there would be cheering on the other end. In fact, Catherine loves the phone and wants to talk to anyone who calls.

I learned alot about my youngest this week. I learned that she has a great imagination. I knew this already, but since the only other voice in the house was the radio, I could pay better attention to what was being said. Catherine would take her doll house people or her barbies and just sit and pretend with them...making up scenarios and stories with them.

Catherine is also very funny. She gets that from her dad. She likes to change the lyrics of songs to make herself and others laugh. We've done alot of singing this week.

The other thing, I knew, but have seen even more clearly is how strong her communication skills are. She's little but she talks like a bigger girl. It's so fun to talk to her because she understands so much and can articulate so much back.

We've missed Jenna, Natalie and Daddy alot but I wouldn't have traded this week alone with my little one for anything. Plus, we're done with diapers! Woohoo!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs.
____________________________________________________________________________
We started potty training Catherine last week so we're hearing:

"Yeah, I did it"

"Mommy, I have to go potty"
_____________________________________________________________________________
Catherine was watching a video when a cat came on.
She pointed to the cat and said, "That was me when I was born." (hmmm....odd)

______________________________________________________________________________


For more Tiny Talk visit Not Before 7.

Backyard Fun

The girls enjoy playing with their water hopscotch.

Jenna always has a book to read.