Crazy Shirt Day at SLU Soccer Camp

I am possibly the worst blogger EVER!  I am not sure why I can't fit a quick blog in every other day, but it is just not happening.  I will pursue this task again this summer....

For now, I have a cute picture of a few girls from Anna's SLSG soccer team.  They went to a soccer camp this week at SLU and had a great time.  Beautiful field to play on as well!  Grandpa Wilson (my dad) is going to watch today as they scrimmage & then take them home for me.

From left to right:  Anna, Paige, Ellie, Grace, Maddie & Abbie (ground).

Happy New Year!

Happy 2012!  So much occurred since the last blog, and I will slowly but surely update this blog.  It's a new year with new resolutions!  The Carollo's had a wonderful Christmas, and the girls are all happy & healthy.  Rosie is now 12 years old has her own cell phone.  Can't believe it but I like being able to text her when she's at a friend's house.  Rosie remains my darling, sweet, honest, good, older daughter.  Anna is my uber-competitive girl playing sports non-stop.  She is now a rock star basketball player, but I know soccer is still her favorite.  She will start pitching lessons this January indoors - love the coaches for 3rd grade with me - they initiated the indoor pitching lessons!  Jo is the baby and is probably spoiled but I love her hugs every day.  She's sweet and loving & divides her hugs amongst all of us.  She is going to start gymnastics because we need her to have an extracurricular activity!! Ha Ha!  Pete & I are doing well, and we love their activities even though we are tired of driving everywhere.  I can't sit next to Pete at Anna's soccer games as he expects her to play like Mia Hamm every game, but it makes the other parents laugh.  Is it really ok for Anna to push as much as she does??  I don't think so...  I expect a red card one day.  We have our season tickets for the St. Louis Blues, and the girls actually know when it is their turn to go.  Yes, I was able to make one game so far.  They do watch the games on TV too & know all the players - Pete is so proud.  The mascot, Louis, is Jo's favorite....

Ok, yes, my girls fight with each other A LOT!  They make me nuts, and I lose my temper sometimes, but I think they will be great sisters one day - just like me & Joanie & Mary.  We never fight anymore.... ha ha!

We said good-bye to Stephanie on Tuesday night & she made it to Jacksonville, Florida.  We can't wait to visit, but I am very excited for her & Tim!

The big event, Lauren's wedding, was amazing in November!  Must post pics for my next blog. 

Here's a funny video until I post again.  Have a happy Thursday family & friends!

Santa brought three hula hoops, and she loves all of them! 

Lauren's Wedding Shower

On Saturday, Stephanie, Mary, Joanie & I threw a fabulous wedding shower for Lauren.  It was outside by Mary's awesome pool, and everyone had a great time!  The invitations had a "time" theme with everyone receiving a specific hour & their present matched that time.  I had 7am, so she received a coffee maker + frother + to go coffee cups + coffee!  Our food was in line with the "time" theme.  We had breakfast, lunch & dinner.  Breakfast was small wontons with egg filling & fruit kabob & mimosa's, lunch was two types of salad (quinoi with veggies+ green salad) & long island iced tea, and dinner was pasta & breadstick and sangria.  Our dessert was a total hit too - yummy pastries from Russo's Gourmet Express and mudslides.  As you can see, each meal had a drink attached as well so we had a bit of a buzz by the end of the night.

Lauren got many great gifts, and we all enjoyed ourselves.  We are so excited for November 12th!!

I was busy being a hostess & serving, so I did not take too many pictures.  Sisters & aunts, please send me your pictures for the blog!  Lauren is opening some gifts - I think this was the breakfast time.... 

 Cute girls!

 Grandma & the youngest grandchild, Lizzie.

 More pretty girls!

Fun shower games - Rosie's dress fell down and Caty won the contest!  They were all very cute & fun dresses!

The other fun game was similar to the Newlywed Game - Debbie taped Jesse answering 20 questions & Lauren had to see if she answered them the same way.  Needless to say, she got 6 out of 20 correct.  It was fun, and Jesse had so many sweet things to say about Lauren.

Now, we need to find some wedding shoes for Rosie, Anna & Jo and a dress for me!

Last day of daycare for Josephine

I know there are a million more blogs to post since March, but I have to start somewhere (& this is not in order at all but that's life for the Carollo's!) 

Jo's last day at St. John's Mercy daycare was Friday, and I snapped some pictures to remember this awesome place.  She started in the Apple Room with Margaret & Becky (the BEST baby teachers & I hope to continue exchanging Christmas cards with them for a long time).  They truly loved Jo & took such good care of her.

The next room was the Blueberry Room, and then the Plum Room & then finally the Watermelon Room.  The Plum room had another three awesome teachers - Ms. Vicki & Ms. Kathy & Ms. Ellen.  They taught her so much, and even though they were only 3 & 4 years old, they learned more than I could imagine!  I will talk more about Ms. Ellen below - she is seriously my favorite teacher of all time.  So sweet & & kind!

Her last room was Watermelon room - just a few weeks until she was off to St. MM (preK4).

Bryce & Jo - Bryce asked Jo to marry him every day, and he is so cute (& so much bigger than Jo)!  He cried for a few nights before Jo's last day (per his mom) & said "what am I going to do without Jo?  can we buy another Jo for me?"  Isn't that so cute??

Her favorite pals:  Dillon, Arti, Addison & Bryce

 Ms. Ellen with her girls!  She did their hair on her two days there & they loved it!  She would use beautiful ribbon & bows & called it her boutique.  Ms. Ellen loved Jo, and she always told me that everyone loved Jo in the class. She was friends with everyone and truly cared for her friends.  She was the first to check on kids who were hurt, and she never complained! I remember that we would forget her swimsuit from time to time for waterplay, but Ms. Ellen said she never got upset - she just would run around in her extra clothes.

The boys in her class - notice Jo & Bryce holdings hands!

We will miss this place, but Jo is growing up & ready to move to her next school.  Rosie & Anna have remained friends with their preschool friends, and we plan on doing the same for Josephine.  We were lucky to find this loving environment for Jo to grow up in during our workday. Thank you to these great teachers!

Speedsters!

I have been very remiss in not writing about the best indoor soccer team EVER!  The Speedsters!

Just a few stats: 

• The team record was 8 and 0, including 2 or 3 come from behind victories.
• Speedsters scored 40 goals and allowed only 13.
• Voted most colorful uniforms and best loyal fans (check out our cool socks!)

My dad (yes, Mr. Soccer Hall of Famer) was the head coach, and Joanie & I assisted.  We had two sets of cousins on the team (Anna & Alison plus Courtney & Megan).  I have yet to coach a team that played so hard, never complained, hustled & were so nice & sweet to each other.  It was so fun & exciting!!  Unfortunately, I had a "moment" during one game that Joanie will never let me live down.  I can't help when my competitiveness gets the best of me. 

Dad was so organized, thoughtful, skilled & amazing the whole time. I did hear some major competitiveness in his voice at most games.  He was awesome & we couldn't have done it without him.  I hope the girls keep this memory forever of their Grandpa coaching them.  So cool!

After the last game & an undefeated season!

Cute & competitive cousins!

Amazing End to Basketball Season

Incredible day of basketball!!  The girls made it to the finals of the B/C tournament, and they lost 7-6 (I know, it sounds like a softball score!) It was an intense game with serious defense from both teams.  We had so many shots that went around the rim but would not go in.  Unfortunately our tallest girl, Gabby, broke her arm in the 1st 2 minutes of the game which shook up the team for a bit.  Even though we lost, the girls were very proud of their performance on the court.  Now, on to softball.....

I'm downloading pictures as I write this blog....

Obsessed

I love the show, Parenthood, and I am obsessed with it!  I will not miss it on Tuesday nights at 9pm, and I can't believe I did not watch Season 1.  I actually purchased Season 1, and I am in the process of watching one episode a night.  It is my treat every night!!  If you need a good show to watch, then you need to start tuning in every week.  It is funny & dramatic & so real & just plain awesome.  My sisters told me to watch it last season, and now I may listen to them more often.  They know what they are talking about!  Ha Ha!

If this show gets canceled, I may lose my mind....