Bee-Bay-Doze

Seriously, this is ridiculous. We went to Barbados and got back on September 25^th and I am still playing catch up.

 

 

First-there will be no pictures of the trip at this time since they are on a camera that broke when Leah dropped it over the weekend and while I am sure there is a way to upload (download?) pics from the camera to the computer without actually using the camera, I do not know how nor do I feel like learning.

 

 

Barbados was GREAT! We saw turtles hatching and helped them reach the ocean. We went swimming in the ocean and the pool. We drank lots of beer and rum punch. (Leah especially--the lush.)  We explored the island and got lost over and over and over. I highly recommend Barbardos to families.

 

 

Now, I know I sing this song all the time, but I have laundry to do.

 

 

I’ll be in touch.



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A Rare Occasion

I'll just sit here quietly while you pay at Pathmark.

Really, do not worry about me.

I won't move, won't run, won't talk, won't try to leave with someone else.

Just sitting here, minding my own business. 

Won't try to take this chair home...or the one next to it, nope.

No need to worry about me.



Friday Night Sights

Ah, it's that time of year again.  The time when the families of Sparta gather on the field on Friday nights to listen to music and frolic and dance the night away.

Or, more like the parents get to sit down and have a drink and allow their kids to run around like lunatics for a few hours with some music in the background.

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Going To The Mazoom

Today was Leah's last day of school and parents were invited to attend an end of year party.  Greg and I both took the day off.  The plan was to head into NY after school and have lunch, walk through Central Park, and maybe end up at the Museum of Natural History.

And then a monsoon hit NJ.

So, we headed to the Children's Museum in Paramus.  Not as cool as the AMNH, but fun nonetheless.

Wordless Wednesday

Le Weekend

Hmm, where shall I start?

Gymnasties on Saturday morning.

Followed by marshmallow roasting at night.  (Oh, it was just soo much fun not eating these since I had completed my daily points intake for my stupid diet.  Er, I mean lifestyle change.)

A little cuddle between Mommy and Baby...

Followed by Matthew's birthday party on Sunday.

Mmmm, cake.

And we rounded out the weekend checking out the swing set at Adriana's new condo complex. 

Two feet up!

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On A Day, In May

It's her day, and it's my day, and we never got the chance to celebrate together.

And today I'm spending the day with Adriana.  As per the usual.  At the crappy nail salon that we are forced to go to because it's the only one that's open on Sundays.

And, I've decided to turn over a new leaf and bring Leah with us.  Up until this year, I've felt like Mother's Day is my day to do whatever I want, however selfish, even if that means not spending the day with my daughter.  But this year I realized that wanting to spend the day without my daughter is exactly the opposite of how I want her to feel on this day.  When she's older, I hope that she wants to do special things with me on this day, and how horrible is it that I want to be alone?  Just because I no longer have a mom to spend the day with?  God, Dana, you're such a brat.  So, today, Leah gets her first pedicure, Dana will undoubtedly need an early glass of wine, and Adriana will most likely take extra birth control tonight...but, we'll spend it together like we would have done if my mom was still here. 

 I choose to have Leah with me today because I love her and I want to spend Mother's Day with her.

And because I totally don't have a babysitter. 

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Onyx The Penguin

Our library had a demo on penguins the other day. 

It was exciting waiting for it to start.

We met Onyx.  He was really cute.

Leah's a budding photographer so she grabbed my camera and took about 40 pictures of Onyx and another 40 of the trainer's feet and butt, so I have a surplus of pictures of this event.  You will thank me since I've decided to edit them down and only post a few.  Enjoy!

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Easter Prep.

On Saturday we had breakfast with the Easter Bunny.

She is still on the fence about him.

She did enjoy the hopping contest, though.

And, everyone loves a good egg hunt.

A good time.  A very good time.



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Progress

Anyone who knows Leah knows that this is a big deal.  She's not big on holiday-themed, life-sized characters.  But on the way to lunch the other day we passed the Easter Bunny.  And lo and behold, she touched him!  TOUCHED HIM!!  Long enough for me to find my phone, turn the camera on, and take a picture.  Despite the fact that the Easter Bunny is making some vulgar hand/mouth gesture. 

I'm not holding my breath for Santa or anything, because I don't want to get my hopes up, but maybe I will get to proudly display a picture of Leah with Santa this year.    As opposed to a picture of Leah with a statue of Santa.  Which is very lame.




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Cruise in Review

We went on a cruise for nine days. 

 

You haven't lived until you've spent nine days with your husband and three year old in a teeny tiny room on a cruise ship.

Although we ultimately realized that we aren't disciplined enough to keep up with the schedule that cruises present, and Leah used our nine days together to find my last nerve and ride it precipitously the entire time, we had a very nice time.

We visited Puerto Rico.

And St. Thomas.

And Haiti.

And The Dominican Republic.  But I didn't bring my camera on that day.

It's hard enough to remember to bring my shoes; the camera was on the back burner.

We practiced being civilized, by getting dressed up for dinner and not screaming like a banshee when you're told that you can't have any more juice.

And also practiced bringing the TV to dinner, when we realized that three year olds are not civilized.

Meet BoBo, the newest member of our family.

(And for thirty bucks, you too can make a "Pets At Sea" animal and dress it in the polyester outfit of your choice!  Crock.)

And, of course, Leah made a friend.  Her boyfriend, as she refers to him.

(I didn't ask his mom if I could plaster his face on the Internet, as I tend to not mention my dead mother's blog when I meet people and not want them to think I'm a lunatic.  People eventually figure it out on their own--the lunacy, that is.)

All in all, it was so nice to get away with Greg and Leah.  It was such a crazy time in my life: I had left my old job on bad terms, and was so nervous that my new job would turn out to be a mistake.  I knew it was going to take a lot for me to clear my head and have a good time. 

And I did just that.

Until I saw the beverage bill at the end of the week.

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A Smallish Heart Attack

What is it with children and their need to hide in racks in stores?  This is a new thing with Leah.  It entertains her to no end and gives me heart palpatations.  She's too old and nosey to sit in a stroller.  She will follow the, "one hand on the cart" rule for about 35 seconds.  But, as soon as I stop to take a look at something, we get this:

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Leaving on a Jet...Boat

Since I have some time off before I start my new job...

And since I feel the need to wash that last place out of my hair...

The Gulino Family is taking off for a few days and going on a cruise!

1-We've never been on a cruise.

2-We've never been on a vacation this long with Leah.

3-As per the norm, I'm freaking out, packing too much, and treating everyone in this house like poo due to stress.

See ya on the flip side.

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Dearest Leah

Yesterday, our first day spent together, and things were really crazy.

I expected my time off in between jobs to be extremely lazy.

However, you seemed to forget that naps are given,

and that if you do not take them, you will not be livin'.

Throwing your blanket in a pile does not a bed make,

And Jesus Louise, the Little People carnival gives me a royal headache.

You sure do eat a surplus of snacks and watch a lot of Backyardigans,

And I am reminded that you spend too much time with your dad every time you fart again.

However, today was glorious, like a different little kid,

Except when you disappeared under the rack at Sears and hid.

And I guess during this time off I could be using a cloth and mop,

But we are having so much fun going from shop to shop.

You still scream at me when I don't get Bubble Guppies on fast enough,

But compared to yesterday, today was definitely not rough.

We have our disagreements, like any other pair,

And I will not budge, in the shower you MUST wash your hair.

So, let's see how the next two weeks go, my little feisty adorable hemorrhoid,

But if you throw your shoe at my head while I'm driving again, all bets are null and void.