Office with a view

I have worked at MS for over 10 years and just noticed my view. Radio City. Maybe I do live under a rock.

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Sunny Days

Today we had a great day at Sesame Place. It was hot (very
hot) but the kids had a blast. This was Joseph's 1st real
trip, we think. Ha ha! We know he was with us in October
when we went but do not think he came at all last summer.
He had a great time looking at all of the bright colors and
staring at the characters. Joseph even got to be in the
Elmo World show. Overall, it was a great time and even
better that we got to share it with the DeCoite's. Looking
forward to more trips this season soon!

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Going short for summer

Joseph got his first buzz at home today. He did NOT like
the noise of the clippers. But we all survived and now he
is nice and cleaned up just in time for the heat.

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Inaugural Beach Day of 2009

You can't go wrong with an 80 degree day of sunshine in
April. Yes, there was wind. Yes, it was cooler near the
water. But think about it - it is April. That just
translates to many more days to come this beach season. Let
the fun begin!

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Similarities and Differences

Saturday morning was Observation Day at the girls' dance
classes. Like our girls, their classes are totally
different but similar at the same time. Adelina's class is
filled with 22 girls and ranges from the softest ballet to
the loudest tapping! Isabelle's class has 5 little 3 year
old princesses who flutter around and giggle the whole time.
What amazes me the most is how Mrs. Jenny adapts to both
settings yet remains herself at all times. She is strong
and confident yet always fun loving and happy! She is so
amazing, I always tend to stand there in awe of her (and her
patience!).

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Technology is Life Changing

I'll be the first to admit I'm not usually up on
entertainment news, and I sometimes lag behind when it comes
to local current events. To my defense, I do I make an
attempt to watch my beloved CNN every night and read the
world news headlines from MSNBC during the day. But this
week I have been completely overwhelmed by Susan Boyle -
have you heard of her?

Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

This video made me laugh and cry at the same time.
Apparently I'm not the only one as this YouTube video has
claimed the fame of being the biggest YouTube sensation
ever! Bigger than Obama's victory speech (not hard for me
to understand, but still!).

http://mashable.com/2009/04/17/susan-boyle/

And to top it all off? Today I am at my office and who is
live on my CNN Headline news? Susan Boyle!

I just look at this story and ponder about this woman's life
from this point forward. What if she hadn't auditioned?
What will become of her? Is she thrilled or is she
overwhelmed? What a ride she must be on now! Isn't it
amazing how technology has come to truly change people's
lives?

I tend to root for underdogs. I like a come from behind
victory or a 1 in a 100 horse to finish first. Although I
do not think Susan is an underdog, I'm in the camp that is
cheering for her to be on stage on Broadway one day soon.
Heck, why not?

<pause> As I am reading this my CNN news gadget just had an
update. No joke. Susan has now been invited to be on
Oprah. What?!?!? Susan Boyle is not only making
international news, all of over the US media, making live
appearances on Oprah, but now making the CNN gadget "top
news" list too? WOW, I am officially in awe.
<unpause>

Technology is amazing.

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Chicken Nugget Man!

It may not seem like a big deal but to us this is huge - Joseph finally ate a chicken nugget for dinner! Up until now (14 months) he would ONLY eat baby food. But tonight I just handed over the chicken nugget and he munch away. Yippee for us!!!

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Pictures in the Park

Sunday we took some pictures in the park with Alicia Gould
(family friend and photographer). Some previews posted:

http://www.aliciagouldphotography.com/blog/?p=116

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Happy Easter

Another fun Easter with family and friends. I'm actually so
tired I do not have much more to say than that - ha ha ha!
Morning started with surprises from the Bunny, then
pancakes and presents with Mom-Mom, Pop-Pop, and Grandpa,
then pictures in the park with Alicia (long story), then
dinner at Aunt Geneen's, then baths, bed, and now an extra
special sleep over at Aunt Geneen's for Adelina. I am
headed to bed now. I am pooped! Hope everyone had a great
day!

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Bunnies, Eggs, and Skeletons

The past few days have been jam packed with Easter fun!
After a visit to the Easter bunny yesterday, we had an
Easter Egg hunt with the Fratterolos, Cooks, and Nemeths.
Too cute! And what would a day be without a skeleton PJ
party?!?!?! Yes, glow in the dark skeleton PJs and this
time all 4 kids have them on at the same time. Very fun.

Happy Easter!

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Dear Easter Bunny

A note to the Easter Bunny from Adelina:

Dear Easter Bunny,

Hello.  This is Adelina Marinello.  I want you to know that we dyed our eggs, and our Easter baskets are empty in the living room.  We are all ready for Easter.  We hope you'll come to our house soon since it's almost Easter, and we dyed the eggs just for you.

We love you Easter Bunny.  See you soon.

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Easter Crafts - done

We had a very productive morning. After finishing the
Easter Bunny Candy bars, we made Hippity- Hoppity Easter
Carrots filled with Goldfish crackers for all the classroom
kids. The original idea called for cheese doodles but I
thought that Goldfish would be a more kid and mom friendly
choice. We added gift tags, and now we are done! That
wasn't as bad as I thought it would be :)

Hippity- Hoppity Easter Carrots
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2007/03/27/please-eat-your-vegetables

Easter Gift Tags
http://triciarennea.blogspot.com/2009/04/easter-tags-two-colors.html

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Easter Bunny Candy Bars

Aren't these adorable? I grabbed the template from Katrina
Kreation's blog and added the ear bow (Adelina insisted!) and
our custom message. The girls wrapped up Twix bars with
these wrappers then Adelina glued a cotton ball on the back
for a tail! So Fun!

Easter Bunny Candy Bar Cover Template:
http://katrinaskreations.blogspot.com/2009/03/easter-bunny-wrappers.html

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Easter Parties are Thursday - Oh No!

I guess I'm still stuck back in March somewhere but I did
not realize Easter was really next weekend and that both
girls had Easter holiday parties at school this Thursday.
Anyone that knows me knows that with only a few days until
the parties I would have my contributions to the class all
planned and, in some cases, already made. Not this year!
Oh no! So what should I make? While the Lollipop Lilly's
for Valentine's Day were really cute and a big hit with the
kids, the mechanics of making them with a 3 year old were
trying on the patience. So I searched and searched and
searched for something cute for Easter that was quick, easy
to do with a 3 year old, and still adorable. I think I
found it:

Hippity- Hoppity Easter Carrots
http://www.skiptomylou.org/2007/03/27/please-eat-your-vegetables/

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Play Ball

This morning was the 1st little league game of the season.
Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. By the end of last
season, Adelina had resorted to counting blades of grass in
the outfield. But this year seems different so far.
Adelina #10 has a new found love of the game - ha ha ha!
Probably has a lot to do with having friends on the team,
but none the less she was active and really interested.
This was Isabelle #5 first game ever. She was over the top
excited. Isabelle hit well and fielded OK until the 3rd
inning. It was when I looked up and saw her making dirt
angels on the pitchers mound that I knew her attention had
drifted. But none the less, the both had a great time
playing, and their team seems great. Go Nationals!

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Little League Opening Day Parade

Today was the Little League Opening Day Parade. Oh my
goodness! Adorable! This is Isabelle's first year
(actually first time ever) on a team, and she is loving it!
The girls are lucky enough to play with friends Nicholas,
Rhiannon, and Ella-Mae. We saw some friends from Adelina's
team last year, and Isabelle was quick to tell them that
this year she gets to play, not just watch. Too cute! We
are all looking forward to a fun season! First game
tomorrow - stay tuned.

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Take me out to the ballgame

Little League season officially starts this weekend. The
girls are thrilled to be on the same team as 3 of their
friends. The 5 of them make up nearly half the team.
Isabelle chose number 5, and Adelina number 10. Looking
forward to a great season!

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