Olivia & Jack's 1st soccer games

Play date

Olivia S.--one of Olivia's friends from Montessori last year.  Olivia S. left the school to attend St. Joseph's.

Jack with new buddy Olin.  They seem to have become great friends.

My little Ballerina

Isn't she sweet?

Olivia at Swim Practice

Olivia began swim lessons last fall and was in Pike with parent.  Then she got moved up 2 classes to eel and 2 weeks ago when lessons began she was a super swimmer and was put in the next group up yet again, Ray/Starfish.  I can't believe how well she took to the water.  She can swim under water holding her breath, and she can swim in the deep end without a floatation device....she can also jump in without anything.  Here are some pictures of her in class (in the deep end)....swimming and racing from end to end, swimming backwards and just practicing her little (or big) heart out.

yup, that's her in the front of the pack!

Eric's 37th B'day

Eric Thomas DeGaetano turned 37 on September 14, 2008.  We actually had just arrived home from PA and Eric and Jack were both ill.  Eric and Jack missed the dinner portion of the party and then Jack missed the cake portion.  Eric rustled up enough energy to let us sing him happy birthday and to taste test his Cold Stone Creamery cake.  Oh, and of course he also opened up his gifts.  Mostly cards, but Olivia, Jack and I (and Charlotte) gave him Rock Band for the Wii.  

Our trip to Pennsylvania

We finally made it back up to PA to visit the McCord's to celebrate Tyler's 5th b'day and Megan's 3rd birthday.  We haven't been there since their last birthday party and Emily's Christening.  Being that I am pregnant and uncomfortable with so many annoying issues...we decided to fly there.  It only took 45 minutes by plane...so easy, and we got cheap fares, so I think with gas prices so high, etc...we actually made out.  Anyway, once we arrived Jack spiked a fever...you know, this seems to be his thing, because last Sept when we were there, he was also sick.  Turns out he had hand, foot, mouth.  It was so painful for him.  I felt so bad.

Anyway, the party was fun, the visit was great...I just wish we had more time with our great friends.  Oh, they have Rock Band so Unlce Steve and Ant Kari were teaching us and the kids how to play.  Jack, Livi and Eric LOVED it!  Enjoy the pictures!

Olivia and I helped Ant Kari by filling about 30 water balloons.  The idea was to have the kids play games with them.  You know, the typical balloon toss, and then carrying a balloon on a spoon (like the egg balancing game)...however, after a couple of tosses to each other the Adult boys (or shall we say, the BIG KIDS) got a hold of them and had their fun.  In this picture you can actually see the water balloon in mid air.  I thought that was kind of cool.

The fishing game

The Frosting Monster, aka Meggie

and of course, Livi Monster.

Olivia showing off her bracelet and ring tattoo's.  Kari wanted someone to do face painting for the kids, so I volunteered.  Instead of faces, I drew on their hands, except for Megan...she wanted both hands and her cheek done.  She is such a character...I just love her.  Livi does too...she announced how "fabulous it is that Megan is older now because she is so much fun to play with...really mom, it's totally true..she's so cool".  

As soon as Olivia and Tyler saw each other, it was like they saw one another the day before.  They were instant best friends again....like no time had ever passed.  They truly do love one another.

ok, so I guess I should explain this one.  While I was taking a picture of Olivia and Tyler, Rocco was behind them and took a picture of them from behind.  Apparently, Tyler had his hand on Olivia's bum.  Obviously it was not on purpose and was completely innocent, but I figured since he took that of my child, I would take on of the boys.  Enjoy!

Tyler Chester McCord....possibly our future son-in-law, but at least a friend forever!  Isn't he just so handsome?

Megan Catherine McCord...she should be a model!

and what a breathtaking profile.

and isn't this one sooooo cute??  Emily Shea McCord...simply irresistible.

Emmy thought she was such a big girl and so beautiful (although she is), when she put on the head band.  Doesn't she look so grown up and absolutely gorgeous!

Survey says:  Steve and Kari must have more children...they make them so beautiful and so sweet and so well disciplined.  Perhaps our children should go to Camp McCord for a while.

Phineas our new Kitty Cat

Eric, Olivia, Jack and I were driving through CCRI on the way to my school when we saw an adorable little kitty cat extremely lethargic, hungry and crying.  We stopped the car and Eric got out and the kitty cat ran right over to him.  Looking around the surroundings, we noticed he was all alone and malnourished for sure.  We decided to abort our original mission and bring the cat home.  We fed him and and gave him a flea bath, since he was completely covered with them.  We even put a flea collar on him.  We decided to name him Phineas just like Phineas and Ferb on TV. We fed him everyday.  We went away for Labor Day and all the neighbors pitched in and took care of him.  It's weird how an adorable cat like Phineas can pull the neighborhood together.  We haven't even met a few of them prior to bringing the cat home...how sad is that, since we've been here for 4 years in October?  

Well, Phineas still lets us pet him, and he is so cuddly, but he still thinks of us as the people that made him take a bath...and he did not like it at all...but now he is clean and rid of all the fleas.  At least he is safe and healthy.  He's our kitty cat that we share with all the neighbors.