Saturday morning the sun was BLAZING.  It must have been at least 90 degrees by the time we arrived at the park at 10:00 am.  We met our photographer (friend of a friend) in the parking lot.  Just as she was coming over to the car to introduce herself I heard Gaetano yell, “It’s all over her shirt!!”.  She did it again.  Vivi threw up on herself.  We grabbed the wipes, cleaned her up the best we could and then trekked into the woods with our photographer.  We were visibly sweating by 10:07.  It. Was. Hot.

Despite the heat, the vomit, the sweat and the ticks (I only got one), I think the pictures turned out pretty darn good.  I give 100% of the credit to our photographer and her mad Photoshop skills.

If you need pictures in Brentwood, Franklin or Nashville, call Charity at Third Muse Portraits.  She has super reasonable prices, works fast and was a pleasure to meet.  (I am in no way affiliated with Third Muse Portraits, nor did I receive anything for this endorsement.  She’s just THAT good!)

Happy Memorial Day weekend.  Remember the real reason.

This weekend, between relaxing and enjoying my young children, I will certainly take time to remember these amazing men and their families who gave everything for America.

…Be thou at peace.

“For Country and Corps.  2004.”

Here is the graduate of honor with my parents, my older sister, my grandparents and my kids.  (My hubs was attending a wedding on Saturday and couldn’t make it to the graduation.  Divide and conquer: wedding & graduation season.)

Viviana Rose enjoyed graduation with her Granddad and aunt.

Gianni had so much fun at the post-graduation festivities.  Here he is with all of his “cousins”.  One little guy is my cousin’s son, and the other two are his cousins because I said so.  (I am the Godmother to one, and their mom is his Godmother, so we’re going with cousins.  Without these little guys, my kids wouldn’t have real cousins.)  

They had such fun with their “rocket blaster”…

…and Super Hero capes.

And one for the road: Vivi attempting to lift her belly off the ground in order to crawl.  She told me that posing for the camera is more fun, and less work.

On top of that she got her first tooth this weekend–at 9.5 mos.  Like she really needs a reason to consume more calories…

Gianni’s class picture is precious.  Just three years ago, these kids were learning to walk together.  Now they are vivacious three-year olds who give their teachers a run for their money every day.  Gianni is on the front row, far right, looking innocent with his hands folded under his chin. 

Don’t be fooled. 

My favorite moment of the whole day was when Gianni started cracking jokes with the frog–immediately after I snapped this picture.  (I have no idea where this boy gets his sense of humor–it’s strange to say the least.)

Frog:  Waving good-bye. 

Gianni: “Hey frog, do you like to eat Crayons?”

Frog: Human inside is visibly laughing, turns and leaves.

Me: “Gianni, why did you ask the frog if he liked to eat Crayons?”

Gianni: “I dunno.  I was making a joke.”

Me:  No words.

I’m so blessed to have a hands-on, equitable workload sharing husband–who is gorgeous, smart and athletic to boot.  I wouldn’t be half as successful in life, my career or in motherhood without him. 

Love you Gaetano, Gianni and Vivi!

We successfully contaminated a second household on Saturday night (yes, the day before Easter.)  My older, and younger sis caught the bug, as well as my Father.  They weren’t even able to make it out of the house and with us to church that morning!  By Sunday night my mom was in the same boat.  Can you believe it?  Nine people were infected by the Curse of the White Pant.  I will NOT be wearing those again–anytime soon. 

In happier news, the weather has been gorgeous in Nashville–as it has been around the country.  Those 80 degree March days were glorious.  We spent a fair share of time outdoors these past couple of weeks–as illness allowed. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures from recent days.

Gianni and Viviana with their Great Grandparents on Easter 2012.

I let my guard down too soon.

As I was driving South down the highway at 4 p.m. (trying to sneak in a few minutes of alone time), Vivi’s school called.  She’d been throwing up.  When I arrived, the poor baby was in her 3rd outfit and looked like a wet poodle.  I immediately picked her up to hug her…

…which was precisely when the style gods looked down upon me and laughed.

“Don’t you know Moms aren’t supposed to wear white pants?” they chuckled to themselves.