A Miracle. Really.

Religious education classes started this week. Joey is now in the first year of the First Communion class. I was reminded that he would need to memorize the "Our Father" along with a few other prayers. This had me in a bit of a panic. "I just don't see how Joey will be able to do it" I told Pete that night. Zach had no problem, but he was 2 years older, and that type of thing comes easy to him. Besides, Joey can't even pronounce several of the words in the prayer. "Don't worry about it" said Pete, "all the other first graders do it, so can Joey."

This morning Joey came downstairs and announced that he can do the "Our Father" now, because it just came to him while he was in bed. He then recited it, in it's entirety. You could have picked my jaw off the floor. He just kept saying it, over and over. A miracle I tell you! I swear God came to him and taught it, knowing I wouldn't have the patience for it. Either that, or he has actually been paying attention during Mass. Which is also a miracle.

Two peas in a pod

Vincent likes to occasionally wear his hair in a faux hawk. ("Make my hair like a dinosaur today Mom! ). Today Christopher insisted I do his hair the same way!

The jig is up

Vincent: "Mom, what's for dinner"

Me: "Brown nuggets"

(brown nuggets= roast, hamburger, or other red meat; circle nuggets= hot dogs; Daddy's nuggets= bbx chix, etc... you get the idea.)

Vincent: "Joey!! I know what we are having for dinner!"

Joey: "I know too. We are having roast beef"

Vincent: "Nooo, we are having brown chicken nuggets!"

Joey: "That is roast beef. Mom just tells you that so you won't know what it is."

Damn.

It's official!!

I am now incorporated!! Woo hoo! I am President (and only shareholder for the moment) of Almaden Pediatrics, Inc. That will be the name of my new practice. Unfortunately, things are moving slowly, but they are moving. I am hoping to open my doors in 2 months. There is an unbelievable amount of work that goes into opening a practice! A bit of a trial by fire. I will keep you posted!!

Is that roadkill or a birthday cake?

I was feeling pretty guilty for not having an actual party for Christopher's birthday, so figured the least I could do was make him a special cake. After Joey's pirate cake and Zach's football cake I think I am hot stuff with a roll of fondant! I asked the boys what they thought Christopher would like, and they decided he would like a doggy cake. Here it is!

First I baked a large round and small round cake.

Then frosted the entire thing with cream cheese frosting.

I dyed and rolled fondant for all the decorations. Yeah, I know, the paws don't match the frosting. I tried.

Woof! I admit, his face looks a bit evil. He also looks a bit like road kill, all splattered with his tongue hanging out.
The birthday boy didn't mind one bit though.

Happy Birthday Christopher!!

I can't believe my baby is 2 years old today! My last little guy, the one I thought for sure was my little girl! He is the love of my life, this one. Here the things that make my little man special:


1. He is silly and has a great sense of humor. He makes us all laugh on a daily basis. I imagine he will be the class clown one day.

2. He has great problem solving skills. (how is that for a positive spin!) He can figure out a way to get anything he wants. He knows to drag things over to stand on to reach something. Good thing since he is so short.

3. He is super cuddly. He loves to give hugs and kisses, especially to his brothers.

4. He is a great eater! He is not picky at all and will eat pretty much anything. As his 3 older brothers were/are super picky, I appreciate this about him.

5. He is an incredible athlete. I kid you not, this guy can hit a ball, kick a soccer ball, and throw a ball with incredible strength and accuracy.



I love you little man. To quote Matthew Perry in "Fools rush in-- " You are everything, I never knew, I always wanted"

A star is born!

Another awesome Saturday spent watching soccer! Today Zachary was put in position as goalie for the first time in 2 years. He was incredible! He was diving for the ball, jumping on it in a swarm of kicking feet and was an all around aggressive goalie. He had several saves. Parents from both teams were going up to him after the game to compliment him. It was pretty clear that this will be a position Zach spends alot of time in this season. As a mom, I get so anxious with him in there I can hardly stand to look! It is going to be a rough season for me!!





He did great the first half playing forward


In the goal, waiting to shine



Making the save



Great kick Zach!!


Next week we have all 3 games at 9 am. I will let you know when I figure out how to clone myself.

Green question

Does the extra gas wasted driving back home to get my reusable bags negate any of the benefits of actually using the bags?

If he would only change diapers...

This is the view into my kitchen every morning. Since school has started, Zach wakes up on his own, takes a shower, then makes himself eggs and bacon for breakfast. How awesome is that?! He is such an independent kid. Of course, at this rate, his cholesterol will be through the roof by middle school.

Happy Birthday Pete!!

Today my husband celebrates his 43 rd birthday. Woo hoo! Not a day goes by where I don't wonder how I got so lucky as to snag him. Here are just a few of the things I love and admire about him.

1. He is so supportive as a husband. No matter what, I know he's got my back. He has stood by me through job changes, as well as several other bumps in the road.

2. He works out and is in great shape. Besides making him yummy to look at, I know he is in good health and will be around a long time. ( I once commented that I hoped I died before him. He said, "Yeah, I hope you do too." )

3. I can not imagine a better, more involved father to our children. He is as involved with every aspect of their lives as I am. He always coaches at least one of their soccer and baseball teams, sometimes 2 at once.

4. He is such a great coach, he is usually the most requested one, with way more families requesting him then can fit on the team. This is because he is fun, enthusiastic, and actually teaches them the skills.
5. He is always the life of the party. We were at a Bar Mitzvah last Saturday for my friends son, but that didn't stop Pete from completely taking over the "Name that Tune" game. Seriously, he can go to a party knowing no one there, and mingle with anyone. As I tend to have a bit of social anxiety myself, I admire this quality immensely.

6. He has a great sense of humor. He cracks me up daily. Sometimes I am the only one that gets his humor (although only if we are with a group of stuffy doctors). I enjoy being with him.

7. He is an awesome pediatrician. He is fun and goofy, so the kids love him. He is easy to talk to, so the moms love him too. Whenever I have a question about one of my patients, I call him for advice.

8. He is a great son to his mother. Family is important to Pete, and he keeps in close contact with his mom, taking the boys over for visits on his day off. He is setting a wonderful example for our boys, who I hope will do the same with me!


I love you Pete! I am honored to be your partner in parenting, your partner in life, and soon to be your partner in business!

Let the insanity begin!!

Today is the official start of soccer season for us. This is Vincent's first year in the league and he was excited beyond words! Our day started with his game at 9 am. He had so much fun. He was enthusiastic, aggressive, and had a huge grin on his face the entire time!

His best friend Maximillien is on his team, and they are like two peas in a pod!


Next up was Joey at 10:30. Despite the fact that he is usually the smallest kid out there, he is fast and generally kicks butt! He scored about 3 goals and was the talk of the sideline parents.

After a quick run through Burger King, Zach was next at 12:30. He also had a great game and scored the teams first goal. Zach is quick, agile and a smart player, always running to the open spot.
5 hours later we were home-- hot, sweaty and exhausted. We had a total blast though! Can't wait until next week!

Contini boys rock!!

Tomato cheese pie

Yesterday I called Suzie to ask for some new recipe ideas for dinner. Now that I am home, this is a great time to try some new stuff out. Although she has never tried it, she gave me this recipe for Tomato cheese pie. It was pretty tasty! The top picture looks an awful lot like my picture of the pizas a couple of weeks ago, so I took a picture of a single slice.

Here is the recipe:

1 (9-inch) pie shell, unbaked

3 medium tomatoes cut into wedges

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon ground oregano or Italian seasoning

1/4 cup chopped chives

1/2 cup mayonnaise

3/4 cup shredded mozzarella

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese



Bake pie crust in a preheated 425 degree oven for 5
minutes.  Remove from oven.  Reduce oven temperature
to 400 degrees.  Fill pie shell with tomato wedges.
Sprinkle salt, pepper, basil, oregano and chives over
tomatoes.

Combine mayonnaise, mozzarella and cheddar. Carefully
spread cheese mixture evenly over tomatoes, making
sure it extends to all edges.  Bake in in the 400
degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes or until pie crust
is golden.  Can be served as an appetizer, side dish
or main course, depending on the size of the slices.


Now here is how I changed it:

I added some mushrooms and onions on top of the tomatoes.
Instead of 1/2 cup mayonnaise, I used 1/4 cup mayo and
1/4 cup fat free sour cream.  It had a bit of tang to
it, probably from the sour cream, but I liked it.

Thanks Suzie!  What is for dinner tomorrow?

It takes a village...

To eat all the left over ice cream!! We had lots of ice cream left over from out Labor Day party, so we had several of the neighborhood boys over to make sundaes.

Yum!!

First Day

Today was Vincent's first day back to preschool. He was thrilled to see his best friend, Maximillien. They saw alot of each other over the summer!


Goofy boys!