An update on the soccer matches

Well, Anna's team continues to dominate the league. Tera & Kathy are doing an awesome job with these 25 kindergartners! Our girls listen, hustle and are totally into the game. It is really great to see. We know we will encounter a tough team, but the coaches of the other teams continue to compliment us on how good the kids are doing. It's very fun to watch but who doesn't like to see your team win & your daughter score?

Anna's team warming up before the game.

Rosie's team had a really tough game today. They hung in there & still played hard, but the other team dominated the game. They have a lot to learn from Gerry & Pete, so I think this season will have lots of ups & downs. I have a feeling Gerry will run them a lot at practice this week though!

Racing in the laundry basket?

Rosie was entertaining Josephine while I gathered the Saturday gear for our soccer games. Jo was laughing so hard & having the best time. She loves her big sisters, and she gives them kisses & hugs every morning. It is very cute, and I hope they continue to be this loving all the time (wishful thinking, I know!)

Fun Saturday Adventures

We had a fun & busy Saturday. We started with Anna's soccer game (see video below & sorry that you have to hear me yelling for Anna). I'm one of those moms that can't believe how involved she becomes at every soccer game. It's just so darn fun! Then, we hopped into the car to watch the Brentwood Days' Parade. Rosie was walking in it with her Girl Scout troop. Then we had to hightail it to her 1:30 soccer game. They did not have much warm-up time before the game, but they played very well. We were well-matched with this team, and we ended up winning 5-2. Rosie scored a goal!!! It was a great shot too. I did not get any pics because Jo was beyond tired by then, so I just walked her up & down the field. She would not go to anyone - just wanted her mommy. That's OK - I was just happy to be able to watch the game.

Jo & I came home to get her down for a much-needed nap, and the kids & Pete went to the Brentwood Days' carnival, etc. They came home by 7pm (tuckered out!), and then it was time for dinner & bed. Anna won a goldfish, so Pete purchased a small tank for it. Unfortunately, the fish did not make it through the night. Time to buy another one. We were all sad in the morning when he was not swimming around anymore. Our first animal & it died so soon!

Anna playing 4 on 4 soccer on Saturday - she's a speedy little thing!

Sitting on the side of the road waiting for the parade to start. My good friend, Tera (Anna's soccer coach) with her daughter, Caroline, & Hailey (Kathy's daughter - the other soccer coach) plus Pete & Jo!

Rosie walking in the parade - they all had USA bandanas on their head. They had a lot of fun!

Paint Me Pottery Party

As many of you know, your kid's birthday usually lasts for a week. We ended the week with her friend party at Paint Me Pottery. Pete & Anna just finished delivering the pottery to her friends tonight, so I thought it was appropriate for me to show off some pics. It was a very low key party - probably because they were all so intent on their masterpieces. Pete & I weren't even tired after the party!

Kids say the funniest things

Listening to your kids talk with their friends is probably one of the things I never realized would be so interesting. While Rosie was at Gabby & Megan's 9th birthday party, Kathy Alexander & I split up the younger siblings. I took Caroline, Hailey, Michael & Anna to our house for an hour, and I just loved their conversation during the car ride. They each had to tell a scary story, and they were so creative! Caroline was the funniest as she is really into scary stuff. She really did well setting the scene, and the others were really quiet while she talked. It was just fun listening and realizing how much Anna is growing up. I see my daughters every day but when you see them with all their friends, and suddenly you notice how much older they look. They are all growing into such beautiful young girls.

Soccer season begins

Wow - I can't believe it's been 4 days since I last blogged. I can't seem to catch up since school is back plus these financial markets are keeping me hopping at work. Why can't there be more hours in the day? Someday, I will wish for these busy times back when I am sitting in my rocker holding my grandbabies.

Soccer season began on Saturday. We thought we were going to have rain all weekend, but Hurrican Ike hit us on Sunday morning only. We got in both soccer games on Saturday. Anna's team was awesome & won probably 10-2 (I say probably because it is 4 on 4 soccer and we are not supposed to keep score). Whatever - everyone knows who won! Believe me, last year we got crushed because we had a preK team playing all Kindergarten teams. Anna scored at least 3 times too!! She was so excited & ready for her next game.

I made the last 10 minutes of Rosie's game after Anna finished her game. They lost 0-2, but they always start off a little rough in the beginning of the season. They will get better, I just know it! Go Chargers!

Waiting for the whistle to start the game!

And she's off - as you can see - it is not too structured but it is a "learning" season.

Hailey & Anna - the 2 top goal scorers! Actually, the whole team did really well! I'm just biased!

September 11th - A Celebration of Life with Anna

Happy Birthday to my 2nd daughter, Anna Isabella Carollo. Born at 3am on September 11th, 2002. It was exactly one year after the attacks of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon & the plane that went down in a field in Pennsylvania. We remember the many people who lost their lives today, but Pete & I also remember a new life that came into our lives.

Anna is the middle child, similar to me, so I can always relate to her trying to get attention & finding her way in our family. She is an aggressive, competitive, smart, caring, beautiful, happy, and loving girl. She still sucks her thumb & can't go to sleep without her Pooh bear. She sings every Hannah Montana song, but Camp Rock is her favorite right now. Anna really cares about her appearance which started at an early age & has always shocked us. She could put her hair in a pony tail at 3 years old & can already braid her hair. She tied her shoes at age 3 also - she just decides on learning something & masters it without any help or questions from us. She does get frustrated easily though! She worships her big sister, Rosie & is so patient and loving with her baby sister, Jo. Seeing her with Jo melts my heart. They love her so much. Anna loves attention at home, but she doesn't like a crowd watching her. She becomes very shy & clings to me.

What a sportswoman she is becoming! If I could pitch to her every night, she would hit balls all night long. She tries so hard & listens really well to her coaches. Anna loves soccer also, and she can't wait to go back to tumbling in a few more weeks. For some reason, she is ready to start volleyball - that sport doesn't start until 3rd grade!

She is shocking us with her math skills right now. Almost every night, we do math flashcards & she is doing pretty difficult addition! She is anxious to move to subtraction. Her reading is coming along as well, but now she just wants to do math! She loves art as much as Rosie and every day, drops her book bag & goes directly to the desk to start coloring. She could color for hours (which we don't mind at all.)

You can always spot Anna with her big grin! She is a beautiful girl who adds so much vitality to our days. God bless her always. We love you Anna.

Sisters playing together

Last night, Anna played with Jo for so long while I cleaned up dinner. It makes me so happy to hear them play together. It was one of those evenings where everything is calm & just plain nice.

The birthday week begins for Anna

Anna's birthday is on September 11th, and she turns 6! We went to dinner with the grandparents on Sunday at The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown St. Louis. We love this place for the following reasons: great atmosphere, family place, great food, & brings back memories for me. My family (there are 6 kids) rarely went out to dinner because it was too expensive & too crazy, but we did go to the Spaghetti Factory. We all loved it because what child doesn't eat pasta? Plus you get a great salad & spumoni ice cream (the BEST Italian ice cream). Even when I buy it on the Hill, it tastes better at the Spaghetti Factory. Pete & I & the kids agree it is our favorite place too, so we asked the grandparents to join us for Anna's birthday celebration. I was able to reserve the trolley car in the middle of the restaurant too.

Our three daughters smiling away!

In our trolley car ordering dinner.

Anna & I made her cake together even though none of us could eat one bite of cake after our dinner!

Opening her gifts from the granparents. She got a bunch of American girl outfits plus some accessories. She's a happy girl!

Early morning activities

On Saturday morning, the girls decided to make a fort while I made breakfast. We tend to have a pretty hearty breakfast on Saturdays since we usually have a few soccer games, birthday parties & whatever else a typical weekend brings.

Jo with her "scrunched-up eye smile" - she was actually strumming Pete's guitar too but stopped to smile for me.

Navy Pier - our last sightseeing spot

We took a water taxi from Shedd Aquarium to Navy Pier, and it was a perfect day to be on the water. Josephine wouldn't sit still, so I had to hold her up the whole way. We were glad we did not take a longer boat ride because she might have jumped in. When we got to Navy Pier, we met up with Marc & Lilly & of course, got ice cream (actually dippin' dots).
We let the girls choose the activities on Navy Pier, so we did the Ferris Wheel & miniature golf. Unfortunately, both activities were an hour-long wait. The girls were very patient because they were doing what they wanted! We were very lucky that day as three different people gave us free ride tickets. Pete & I kept saying "thank you, thank you, thank you." It was awesome! Then, we finally walked back to our hotel because we were all worn out, and we were ready to relax & eat Chicago pizza. Can you tell we ate lots of good food (not necessarily good for you).

On the water taxi - Jo was actually sitting down at this time.
Anna & I on the ferris wheel smiling away. We felt a wonderful breeze on the ferris wheel which was quite welcome!
Trying to catch the awesome view of Chicago.
Rosie & Pete waiting for miniature golf. This picture makes me laugh because I made Rosie sit down because she kept causing trouble in line (do you see that sassy little smile?)

Our sweet little Josephine in Chicago

Sorry for the delay, but I still have to write posts about our Chicago trip. Silly work got in the way! Ha Ha!

Below is a video of Josephine at American Girl giving me kisses. I just love baby kisses, and I really love them from Jo! Isn't she cute? She loved these little cups & they were exactly her size (our little bitty baby).

Love this picture of Jo smiling - she wrinkles up her eyes when you tell her to smile!

Next Stop: The American Girl Store

We made it, and I have to say I was even excited to visit this store & eat brunch (I'm pretty sure Pete & I were more excited for a good meal!) By the way, breakfast is my FAVORITE meal. We all love eggs of any kind.

Rosie & Anna in front of the infamous store with their dolls. My mom bought them dolls for Christmas this year. Rosie has Julie & Anna has Nellie, and they play with them a lot. We actually made it out of the store without any purchases! They agreed that it is more fun to spend money doing fun things together versus buying another outfit for their dolls. It took a few minutes to convince Anna, but we did it! I'm such a penny pincher.....

Here they are at the table with their dolls who had little high chairs. They think of everything at this store! Jo fell asleep at brunch (we discovered later that her 1-yr molars broke through this weekend), and someone gave me a double take when she was in my arms. They looked at me & said "I thought you had a Bitty Baby doll in your arms." Pete & I called her our Bitty Baby the rest of the day- too funny!

Rooftop swimming

The hotel was very nice, but Pete & I decided that our family is too big for just a hotel room. We concentrated on price only & were able to snag a great hotel, but we really need an Embassy Suites or something like that next time. We always learn from our trips & get smarter each time. Anyway, the Hilton had an 8th floor swimming pool, so the girls thought it was pretty cool. After the Aquarium, we swam & rested for a bit (Jo needed to run around). Then, we found an Italian restaurant & came back & were in bed by 9pm! I love going to bed early for once! I actually feel pretty rested from the weekend.

Labor Day Weekend in Chicago

We all needed to get away, and we did! I left the computer at home, and Pete booked a great rate at the Chicago Hilton & off we were to Chicago. We left Friday night, and we didn't make it to our room until midnight (the kids pretty much slept the whole way). Jo got a little stir crazy right before we hit the city, so I was in a very uncomfortable position while I kept my hand on her right arm (that was the only thing that kept her from screaming).

On Saturday,we went to Shedd Aquarium which we all agreed is an amazing place! The picture below is in front of the statue which Rosie & Anna thought was so cool. We couldn't use the flash inside but we saw everything: Kimodo Dragon, dolphin show, Beluga whales, sharks (Anna's favorite), turtles, seahorses, & much more. The dolphin show has the most amazing view of the lake - it is so incredible - I just wanted to sit there & look out the windows all day. We also had the best weekend to visit Chicago - sunny & warm & perfect. We did a lot of walking!!!