First Week of Summer!

Monday, June 15th - Saturday, June 20th, 2009

This week was the first full week of summer with Matthew Aiya and Ammie made sure we were busy. On Monday, she arranged a park/pool playdate with her friend from the 'hood, Sara Bergen and her three kiddies: Milo, Emmett, and baby Frankie. The playdate was at McRae Park and when we arrived Milo and Emmett were already in the pool. Even though the pool was enticing, both Matthew and I had other plans...



Such as eating fresh watermellon that Ammie just cut up for us and drinking a nice cool cup of milk. Mmm! It was tasty!

We were at the park from 11am - 2pm (the longest Ammie has ever been at a park), and even though we were playing on the playground, we really enjoyed being in the pool.

Ammie thought Matthew wouldn't want to get into this pool because it wasn't his "normal" pool, but he just jumed right in and started playing.

I, on the other hand, was a bit more tentative and once the older kids started rough housing and splashing, I got out of the pool quite quickly.

Because of the rain and Ammie's need to do a little shopping (groceries and stuff), we went to Eden Prairie Mall. First, Ammie bought her nonperishable items at Target, and then we headed to the play area. Here I am riding on one of the ladybugs.

Here is a candid shot of me trying to get onto the snowmobile. You can really see my "fake" boo boos.

Here is Matthew climbing the tall mountain in the play area...this is his favorite perch in the whole playarea.

Here I am crawling out of a snow tunnel. Unlike Matthew, who LOVES playing here, I was bored after 15 minutes and kept asking Ammie to go home. Her response, if Matthew is ready to go, then we can leave. Guess what, he was not ready to go home!

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Ammie was exhausted and we didn't go anywhere. We just played in our backyard. Wait, I should ammend that. I played in the backyard; Matthew doesn't really enjoy playing there, and Ammie read her book and talked to us.

On Saturday morning, Ammie took me and Matthew grocery shopping. It was an alright excursion, although it was a bit stressful for Ammie (good thing we did it at 8am in the morning). Today was also our first day of swimming at the YWCA.

Here is Matthew all excited to swim and I am behind him, a bit anxious, I am afraid. I remember my first swimming experience at McRae park on Monday.

Here I am at the pool with Daddy. Can you see the look of fear and panic in my eyes? I got dunked while with Daddy and I DID NOT enjoy that at all. I stormed out of the pool to the best of my ability.

Matthew Aiya LOVED swimming. He got into the pool immediately and went down this slide with no trepidation. Of course, he has been coming to this pool since January with his class at Longfellow.

Daddy is trying to make swimming fun for my by holding me over one of the fountains. Even though I was smiling, I still kept asking to go home. To be honest, earlier, I told Ammie that "I don't like THIS swimming." Ammie thought it was funny; I do not know why.

Here is the final shot of Matthew in the pool before we left. It was a very productive swimming lesson for him...he was jumping in the water, held his breath, floated and kicked his legs! When the next swim session starts he won't need Ammie and Daddy there at all! I, on the other hand, will definitely need to take the Parent & Me Swim Class.

~Chiara~

Family Fun Night at Longfellow

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Every month my school, Longfellow, hosts a Family Fun Night and tonight we had the final Fun Night of the School Year. Ammie didn't know if she was up to going since she was exhausted from her Ladies Weekend at SMC, but she went because she loves me .~Matthew~

One of the first things I did, was run around and throw some soft balls...a game of bombardment

After throwing the ball over the wall, I almost skidded into the wall...so fun!

Here is Chiara Nangi jumping...she tried doing it solo, but she still doesn't have the balance

I am showing Daddy and Chiara Nangi how to swing on the rope

As you can see, I am not a fan of sitting on the knot, but instead I hold on tight, run and SWING!

Here I am as the leader in the fire truck...Ammie had a difficult time getting any good pictures on me in this. I was going really, really fast; I loved it!

Chiara Nangi discovered the water fountain and she kept wanting to get more and more water.

This was the huge jumping structure. At first, I wasn't interested in jumping in it, but once Teacher Ellen got me in there, no one could get me out.

Ammie was able to get a video clip of me jumping; I can't stop watching it!

Here is Chiara Nangi trying to jump...she didn't enjoy it as much, and as soon as she could stand up, she got out of there.

A police officer and a fire truck came to school...unfortunately, it was so cold that we could only stay to see the cop car, but we could not wait in the long, long line to ride the fire truck...I mean fire engine.

An Afternoon at Como Zoo

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009

Today was Daddy's first weekend free since graduating from school and boy, you could tell. We went to Como Zoo as a whole family (we wanted to go to Apple Valley, but it wasn't in the cards), and we didn't bring the stroller. I really, really wanted the stroller and even though I had a fun time...I let Ammie know that I do not want to walk that much and next time we need to have the stroller. She agreed. ~Matthew~

Here we are in the primate house, but the gorillas are all sleeping!

Ammie wanted a cute picture of us by the statue, but as you can see, we had other ideas!

In all the times we have come to Como Zoo (and we have come here a ton), we have never seen the ostrich. There it is!

Daddy had to hold me, so that I could see it (the ostrich) better

Here is Nangi looking at the giraffe

Ammie says it is a good thing that pictures don't have sound. The entire time we were looking at the giraffes, I was yelling "GIRAFFE!"

Nangi is looking at the tiger that is sleeping below (that was the theme of the day, sleeping animals)

Nangi is trying to find the animals that swim in the water (it's Sparky!).

Nangi listening intently to Daddy talk about Puffins

This is the new baby orangutan at the zoo...isn't it precious!

Daddy's Done with School!

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

YAY! Daddy is done with school! He has finished his three years at law school and Ammie says that he won't be going back to school anytime soon (or someone will have to help her and Daddy). Unfortunately, we couldn't go to the actual graduation ceremony, but we did attend Daddy's Honor's Reception the evening before.~Chiara~

Daddy is trying to figure out how to put his clothes on; I am still trying to figure out how to put on my clothes.

Daddy is all ready to graduate!

Matthew & Daddy

Me & Daddy!

Our graduate...it's about time, Daddy! We are so proud of you!

Petting Zoo at Longfellow School

Monday, May 11th,

Even though today is Monday (a non-school day), we went to my school for Family Night. The evening was so much fun. We first went to the playground and I showed Ammie and Chiara Nangi the sand toys. Then we went into the lunch room for pizza, cheese puffs, grapes and oreo cookies. Once we finished dinner, the real fun began...it was the petting zoo! At first, I was afraid, but after seeing Chiara Nangi go right up to a goat, I figured it was safe. ~Matthew~

The first thing we went to, was the play truck...I, was the driver, of course

This was Chiara's first time really getting to play in a large sand box

She really was enjoying herself; don't you think?

I'm having fun, too



There's my little sister, all ready to brush a goat!

I got to pet a llama; sooooo soft!

Aw, the little baby animals!

Chiara Nangi can't believe the farm birds!

Pat the Bunny!

My very first pony ride!

Before leaving, Chiara Nangi needed to go down the slide

Mother's Day 2009

Sunday, May 10th

This year's Mother's Day was all about me being a mom:

• Chiara woke me up early in the morning...5am
• She wanted to get dressed for brunch by 6am and wanted to be out the door by 6:15am(Daddy and big brother were still in bed and brunch was set for 10am)
• My porch and some other parts of my house were taken over by "stuff" that I did not want and no one even thought to ask if I would want it (sorry, it would be rude to elaborate)
• Brunch was wonderful, but going out for a meal with kids, with Matthew only wanting to eat bacon and Chiara dribbling her milk
• During the car ride home, Chiara exploded in her diaper
• At home, Mark took care of the kids while I tried to take a nap, but I awoke to Chiara wailing in pain...she exploded in her diaper for a second time

The day ended wonderfully, with carryout dinner and margaritas. I might be bummed that I couldn't get a kodak moment with my kids, but with everything that happend, I am very happy being a mom and a wife. ~Charmaine~

Matthew enjoying a muffin after I cut him off the bacon

Chiara and Daddy enjoying the end of the meal

What do you think, isn't she a cutie?