Father's Day Adventures

In many ways, I felt like today marked an "end" of an era.

In less than 7 weeks, we will welcome a new little baby to our family. Peach will be here before we know it, and so much will change with a newborn in the house again!

Just 2 weeks after Peach's arrival, Emma will leave for college. Dave has a new family with whom he is spending most of his time, so this was the "last" celebration for our mish-moshed family of 7. I really wanted to make it special. Memorable. For everyone.

We started our day with brunch at our dining room table. I made egg sandwiches and dippy eggs while Emma made her father a spinach and bell pepper frittata. We were able to all sit together and enjoy each other's company. The kids and I had cards for Rich and Dave - and I wrote in their cards to be ready and dressed to be active by 11:15.

By 11, the kids were itching to get going, so Rich took my three littles outside to lead them in some "warm up calisthenics."  By 11:15, we were rolling down the driveway and headed to our adventure of the day - Earth Trex indoor rock wall climbing.

Dave and Emma had been before, but the kids and I had never tried rock wall climbing. We got all 6 of them harnessed up and ready to go. Since my kids were beginners, the instructors took us upstairs to the starter walls. Rosie went first and managed to scale the wall in a matter of minutes. She was a natural! RJ went about halfway up the wall on his first attempt, but didn't want to finish, so came down. Angelina, who mimics big sister whenever she gets the chance, hurried up the wall to touch the stuffed animal at the top.

Then it was the big kids' turn. We went downstairs for Emma, Dave & Rich to have a try. The little kids went for round 2 down there as well, but RJ and Angelina decided they wanted to go back upstairs to try again on a wall where they felt more confident. While they were going upstairs, I went to go get my shoes and harness. Initially, I had decided to wait until well after Peach's arrival - but I gave in to the peer pressure (from Rosie) and decided to give it a try.

Once it was my turn, I made it about halfway up the wall. I had no expectation of climbing to the top. After all - I have never tried rock wall climbing before, and there is a 5 pound baby resting between me and a comfortable grip. But at least I tried it - and I could do it. I only stopped when I felt myself struggling to breathe. (The pregnancy harness was pressing directly on my diaphragm and the more I climbed, the more pressure I felt!)

After all was said and done, Everyone attempted 3 climbs except for myself and Rosie. I attempted just the one and gave her my additional two. She mastered every climb she tried, and I'm pretty sure she would go back there every day until she masters every wall!

After our climbing adventure, Dave & Emma went horseback riding while we ran our errands. We all met back up for dinner...which was wonderful and enjoyable.

For the moment, life is good and peaceful and happy.

Happy Half Birthday, RJ!

Dear RJ,

Today is your half birthday. Though I don't know quite how it happened, you are 7 1/2 years old today. I feel like it was just yesterday that we brought you home from the hospital - just yesterday that you danced around the kitchen table with a cupcake liner on your head. Just yesterday when you said your very first word - Mama.

I not only love you more with every passing day - but I like you more as well. I wish I could capture every moment of you and your sweetness, but since your school would frown upon a camera crew, a little letter will have to do!

You are my "guy." I love that you still need and want snuggles. I need and want your snuggles too and if I allow my mind to wander to a time when you might reject them, I feel my chest tighten and tears well. I love how caring you are - not just about me. You always ask me how I'm doing, how I'm feeling - and since learning of the baby in my belly, you sweetly will say "and how is the baby doing in there, Mom? Is the baby healthy? Is the baby moving around in there today?" When Nonna had her knee surgery, you asked about her health and well-being every day and often asked to call her to see how she was doing.

I love watching you play hockey and baseball. This weekend is opening weekend for baseball and I am so excited to see you in your uniform...on the field...your little grin is even more irresistible from under your ball cap.

When I ask you to take out the recycling, you often say "why am I the only one to take out the recycling?" You aren't - but I know you feel that way.

Your mind is a sponge - particularly when it comes to animals and nature. You are so in tune to the world around you, it is beautiful to watch. It is no surprise to me that we celebrate your half birthday today, on Earth Day, because you are already so concerned with protecting nature and the world around you.

One of my most favorite things about you is your sensitivity. You are a very sensitive kid and I hope that never changes. This world needs more sensitivity and caring. And you care deeply about so much.

You still have your stubborn moments - you are not a fan of mornings and while you "like" school and going to school - you would be much happier if you didn't have to get up in the morning to go. Your most recent quirk is that you don't like to eat breakfast in the morning, so we have to beg you to eat half a bowl of cereal.

You still love your animals and like to take Miri, the stuffed Meerkat, everywhere you go. You love to play your Jurassic Park game on your DS and Kindle - and are proficient in all things Pokemon.

There are so many little quirks and characteristics that make up your personality, my sweet boy, this post could go on forever! Just know that all of these quirks blend together to make up the one you - and you are absolutely the best and more perfect son for me. I thank God every day for the gift of you and all that you are. I am blessed to be your mom and so grateful that I get to spend my days watching you grow.

I love you.

Mommy

Spring Fling!

It's SPRING FLING time at Bridges Montessori, Bel Air campus. Though this is only our second year in this community, it is rapidly becoming one of my favorite days of the year.

As parents, we join our kiddos early in their day - Rich and I only had time for a quick run to Starbucks before we needed to be back on campus to watch this super fun day unfold.

The elementary aged kiddos were the first ones outside. Our kids were fortunately grouped together (Thank God for small favors), so we were able to split our time between Angelina in her group and Rosie & RJ in their group. Rosie and RJ first tackled the Recyclable scavenger hunt.

While they were searching for specific recyclable items on their playground, Angelina and her group were digging in the dirt (her favorite!) to plant some seeds. She was so meticulous with the placement of every seed! I am not sure what seeds were planted - but I am looking forward to seeing her efforts grow.

The second event for the little kids was their recycle sort race. Miss Jenn spread out a bunch of different "trash" items for the kids to gather and sort. By the end of the "race," they had sorted the recyclable items into appropriate bins. While they were doing that - the bigger kids were doing a challenging relay race. The relay started with a potato sack race to a cornhole-style board. After three attempts to sink a beanbag, kids had to spin around a baseball bat 10 times before putting a plastic eggs on a spoon and walking around a cone. Once the egg was safely back in its place, it was time to hulahoop and be tied to a partner for a three-legged race. Finally, all of the kids had to work together and hold hands to work a hula hoop all of the way around the circle.

I think a big favorite for everyone was the petting zoo and pony rides. Angelina now wants a goat, baby piglets and chicks. She LOVED them. I think the goat was a huge hit for everyone. RJ and Rosie were pulled out of another activity for the pony rides and were able to take their rides at the same time as their sister.

RJ and Rosie also had the opportunity to plant sunflower seeds around the outdoor classroom behind their trailer. I was pretty impressed with these Bridges people - they got a lot of their gardening done today! Rosie and RJ also collaborated with their classmates to create a frame out of rolled magazine pages. (Rich and I were both amused that our two oldest children were rolling papers on 4/20...)

It was a wonderful day and I am so grateful that our children have the opportunity to share such beautiful times with their classmates in a wonderful setting!

Here we go again...

 

That's right...here we go again.

The Galasso clan is expecting kiddo #4!

This wasn't something that I expected or planned for at this point in my life. In fact, I really thought the idea of another baby was a ship that had long since sailed. Rosie is 9 - she will be almost 10 by the time this new baby arrives. For a woman who felt the need to cluster my kiddos together, that is a huge stretch!