Dom was helping me out today...

Today while I was cleaning up Dominic and Gianna were eating lunch. Dominic came back to me and I asked him if he had finished eating his lunch.

His reply: Yes I ate it all, and I licked the bowl clean for you so you wouldn't have to wash my dishes.

What a sweetie!

Bonfire to End the Week...

After the t-ball game we headed up to Langston's for a bonfire. One of our favorite "passing the time/hanging out" activities is a Langston bonfire...just chatting around the fire and drinking...or not!

The kids roasted marshmallows and played hide-and-seek, tag, and other nighttime games in the barn and fields while we talked...and talked, and talked! I can't imagine life without THIS...and by THIS...I mean our 6 pack times together-activities unspecified, whatev, livin' the life...it makes my heart happy.

Dom's First T-Ball Game!

Dominic had his first T-ball game on Friday and it was such a fun time for our family! Gianna could not be stopped in her relentless cheerleading for her brother, and Vinny and I found such joy in every move he made during the game! (what parent doesn't right?)

Warmin up-"come on coach, what do you got for me?"

Dominic is great at getting in front of the ball!

Daddy's little sweetheart!

When Dom was playing pitcher (they have to wear a helmet at that position) he caught the grounder that came right at him, and then...

threw to first base! We were so proud! Of course Gianna cheered, " Go Dom-in-ic, Go Dom-in-ic, Dom is winning, Dom is winning!" at the top of her lungs! She loves to cheer him on, and of course to tell him "I so proud of you Dom."

Hitting it strong into the outfield! (you know where the t-ball outfield is!)

Strong hit again!

Waiting patiently for his turn at bat..

YEAH TEAM! Great first game!!

Fun Weekend with the Eyford Fam

Jack and Dominic in matching hats and outfits!
We walked along the waterfront by Point Defiance Park, such a beautiful day!

A layer of fog was on the water where all of the boats were and we kept hearing the horns blow so that they did not run into each other. It was really neat to see the ferry come through the fog...kinda spooky!

Gianna could not stay away from Piper! She loves this dog. Piper was really patient with all of her bossing, petting, and loving!

We were so happy to hang out with the McGowans on Saturday night. Sara, Shan, and I went to college together and it was really fun being together again! Here was the kid table for dinner!

After dinner Vinny wanted to take all of the kids for a walk to get some of their energy out. He is such a great event coordinator! Here he was explaining to the kids that "obijawa" was the FREEZE word...when he said that they needed to freeze and wait for everyone! Ellee and Jackson were the best at this! Ellee was so cute, really listening to the directions, and then holding Vinny's hand as we walked!

Hands in, team cheer! Ready Set Go!

After the walk they zoned in on a movie while we talked and hung out...so fun!

Dominic's Bedtime Musings...

Tonight as we tucked Dom into bed he asked, "When we die and get to heaven will our bodies be old?" I said, "No, we get all new bodies, perfect bodies."
His response, " Oh good, FINALLY!"

Not sure what he was thinking about?!

Then when I asked him what he wanted to thank God for, something good in his life. He replied with, "Prycie, he's my best friend and he will be my best friend when we go to heaven too."

Mariners' Game for the boys

Vinny and Dominic invited their best buddies to go to the Mariners' game with them on Friday. A parent at Vinny's school gave him tickets for the game...in the 9th row! The boys walked onto the ferry at Bainbridge Island and then walked to the stadium. They had such a fun time!

These two guys were so excited. They brought their mitts and baseball cards.

They had fun exploring Safeco field before the game. They got bobbleheads as they walked in!

Dominic brought his own money and bought a ball and a keychain for himself. He loves hooking the keychain to his belt loops!

On the way back they played a penny game. What a big night for these two 6 year old guys!

" I was so MAD with myself!" (Gianna)

As Shannon and I walked up to the Vinny and the kids at the park this weekend, Gianna came running to me and said "Momma, I was SO mad with myself!"

I asked her why she was so mad with herself.

She replied: " I was running and I didn't win, and I was SO mad with myself, and then Daddy hold my hand, and we run together, and I didn't give up. I NEVER give up, and then I win with Daddy!"

She is so funny. I asked Vinny where she got the phrase "I was so mad with myself" and he said she just made it up herself! I thought he had said it. She is so expressive with her feelings!

Dominic...our reflector

Yesterday, while hanging out with Dominic in the living room...he had made a boat out of a box and was "fishing" using magnetic fish...he started this conversation with me:

Dom, in a quiet, serious voice: "Mom, I have been thinking about something and I want to tell it to you."

Me: " Ok honey, what have you been thinking about?"

Dom: "Well when Daddy dies I want to get a neclace that reminds me of him. I don't want to forget him when he dies and I might forget him, so I want a neclace that reminds me of daddy."

Me: "Ok Dom, that is a nice idea, but what made you think about that?"

Dom: "Kiki's (a girl in his class) dad died in a car accident and he gave her a neclace and it reminds her of him, so she doesn't forget him. I want a neclace to remember daddy."

Me: "Ok, Dom that is a very nice idea."

I wonder how long he had been thinking about this. It broke my heart for some reason. He is so tender-hearted.

Good Times!

Vinny planned a birthday dinner for me with our good friends here in Sequim. The four dads took their oldest boys golfing after school and then after dropping all 9 kids with a babysitter us girls met up with our husbands at the golf course bar/restaurant at Dungeness.

The dad/son teams had several competitions throughout their golf date and Vinny and Nick won these green jackets. Vinny was sooooo excited! Without Bill, (the golf pro/head of Dungeness) none of this would have been possible!

Happy Birthday to me! The band sang me a Happy Birthday.

There was quite a bit of man-love going on...Bill presented Greg with the flag from the hole where he hit a HOLE-IN-ONE! Apparently the boys give the credit to me for making it happen, since Greg did not have to leave the game early to take the boys to the babysitter...I came and picked the boys up while the dads continued to play on-thus Greg hit his hole-in-one!

The Big Boys!

Thanks for sharing the bed with me and G!

Aces!

Love my girls...what would I do without them?

HELP ME!

I think I need outside help! I have started packing up just ONE closet and it is taking over an hour. I see all of the stuff I have "stuffed," all the stuff I was saving for "when I needed it," and then I can't decide HOW to pack up the other stuff-will I need it right away or can I do without it, if we have to rent before buying? someone get their booty up here and knock some sense into me quickly!

I am great at helping others see what they need and don't need...but when it comes to myself, i am lost!

Then, being the thrifty girl I am, I think- what can I sell in a garage sale? Then I can use the money to get some things that we need!

Once AGAIN--help me someone!

Our Night...

First, Dominic tied himself to the coffee table and pretended he was a dog (our kids want a dog sooo badly!) So of course Gianna did the same thing! I had to give her a bowl with water and "Dog food" and pretend I was her "owner" (in her words).

I watched the boys outside-Dom is about to have his first t-ball practice, and of course, since he is such a thinker, he was asking ALL sorts of questions about the game...he so wants to do things the right way. Here Nick set up a T for him and was showing him how to hit it off the T.

My heart melts...

and then we called Dom into change for bed, and Vinny gave him two books to read- and he DID! I, of course, was so proud...he continues to amaze me!!! He read each book through, sounding out the words and blending sounds!!! WOW...I can't say enough!

Of course while we were listening to Dom, G snuck out the front door and started playing in the front yard...she is such a sneaker-taking advantage of the opportunities right way!

These are a few of my Favorite Things...

On the morning of my 33rd Bday I woke up to this scene on our table...Vinny had gathered some of my favorite things to start my day off right! I love the "smut" magazines, fruit, and he had written me a wonderful letter. Thanks honey!

First thing in the morning Marissa called and sang me happy birthday...loved that! She also gave that fun tray and napkins that just lift my spirits looking at them! Later in the day the pitcher and bowls were delivered from my aunt and uncle! What a great surprise...everyone knows just the kind of things I love.

Right before dinner, Kimmie brought me a bag filled with my favorite things: Smartfood!, cute coffee cup (can't get enough of the cute ones!), a sweet book with quotes-i love inspiring thoughts, AND a COZY, SOFT, COMFY Russell sweatshirt- I am forever on a quest for comfy sweatshirts (kim too)..and I had to put it on right away!

Lucky me-Vinny made this delicious dinner! Shrimp over linguine with Parm Cheese, green beans and garlic bread. (shrimp and green beans are our fave!)

The kids had the idea to "CHEERS"!

Wish I had a pic of the cake-Vinny had my favorite-Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream. They turned off all the lights, lit the candles and sang me happy bday at the top of their lungs! Their faces glowing in the candlelight were priceless.

Tulips and lilies-could there be anything more perfect? Thanks Mom.

Dom made this card for me at school-my heart thumps fast when I look at it! He forgoed going to Centers (he loves centers) to make this card for me!

Can you believe the neatness of his handwriting? WOW! and I love the "Dominic R." as if there is any other Dominic:)

Thank you all for filling my bday with my favorite things and knowing me so well!