Bat Girl

The boys very graciously shared their batman costume with Marisa - such good big brothers. Here's a bit of the bat baby.... Costumes are a big part of the stuff we do during the day (and night). The boys both have a bit of "showman" in them and they love to create "movies" and "video games." Luciano will often say, "Mom, this is a video game where ..." and then tell me all about whatever it is he's imagining. It's pretty amazing to see them put plots together. There are usually a few things that always appear in the plot - bad guys, guns and/or light sabres, and a death scene (which concludes in the mortally wounded springing back to life for the ultimate sneak attack). A very tolerant Marisa lets them run all around her and call her princess Leah or hand her a light saber. She seems pretty happy to play, too, whatever the weapons or plot may be.

Christmas 2009

This year I struggled to find Christ in Christmas. Things were so chaotic and I think it must have started with the birthday party that spun completely out of control back in November, quickly followed by the Thanksgiving that I made WAY too many mashed potatoes for (what was I thinking? - people had a hard time passing the dish around the table.), and then followed by a Christmas that belted me right between the eyes. Next year - Christmas will have to be taken care of before October, or it's just not going to happen.
For the record, this past Saturday, (was that Jan. 2nd?) I did turn on the Christmas tree, and listen to Christmas music for a couple of hours in the morning.
"Hope there's oil under your rose vine, hope you get that raise. Hope you find plenty of reasons the whole year long to celebrate..." (June Christy singing a swinging tune called The Merriest) That lifted my spirits and helped me put the new year into perspective...and motivated me to get moving to send all the gifts I haven't yet sent to those I love in other parts of the country. They're coming, guys, I love you and I didn't forget you! Life just - happened to me.

The highlights of Christmas were definitely the kids. I was completely cheesed over how cute they are - How did I get so lucky?

Marisa was so sweet in the Christmas dress her Nonna got for her and the boys had a real hoot with the gifts this year.

Meanwhile, I sort of made something that resembled (but didn't exactly taste like) my family's traditional bread twist... Here it is in the process of being iced.

And finally, there was a brief moment before church when everyone sat together and smiled (or maybe breathed a sigh of relief - oh, wait - that would probably just have been me.)

Happy 5th Birthday, Luciano!

Lots of exciting things happen when you turn five at the Tonelli home - you get to see Star Wars for the first time, chew gum, and have your first birthday party with your friends. (Can you find Luciano in the invitation picture?)

WOW - what a ride! I must say that throwing a star wars birthday party for 16 boys around the age of five was extremely exciting! (I think they all had fun, too.) We started low speed with a pin the blast sticker on the death star game. After that, we "cleared the meteor field," which was our solution to a pinata gone south when Luciano discovered the actual pinata we were making the tuesday before and cracked it into a million pieces. So, we took all the stuff that went into the pinata and stuffed it all into foil meteor balls hidden around the room. After clearing the meteors, we hunted for the goody bag with our names on them. We took a quick sugar break and then sang happy birthday and Luciano made a wish and blew out the candles. I thought they would all eat cake while Luciano openned presents, but he invited them all to 'help'. And they did! After the presents, serious Jedi training commenced everyone received their light saber and we practiced using the force to find our balloon targets and then spent some time sparring. All the action came to a pause as the 16 Jedis in training went to the station window to watch the train go by... Then... nothing makes us faster than a game of musical chairs - which we played in the musical sardines fashion. Chairs go away, but the players stay. It was fun!

Fun with Daddy

Daddy and Marisa posed for me in their Sunday best. We all had such a good time laughing.

Baby is well

Marisa went for her 6 month well-baby check today. She is in the 98th percentile for weight and off the charts for height. Very tall very chubby girl. (Just the way we like them.) She is now 18 pounds and 12 ounces.

Special Delivery!

Anyone seeing a trend?

Bibby Baby

Papa Steve and Grammy Lil' sent these bibby overalls when Luciano was born. I wish I could up load my pictures of all three kids in them. Have to find a working scanner... Anywho, here she is - Marisa doodle dandy - blowing bubbles (her favorite thing to do) in her bibbies. Isn't she cute?

P.S. She went for her 4 month well baby check yesterday - 15 pounds, 3 ounces. She measured in the 91st percentile height and weight. Little Chubbamuffin.