Mommy's Girl

Just in case you wanted a sloppy little kiss from Valentina...

Sense of Wonder

My school has a free family pre-school room called Sense of Wonder.

My dad brings Salvatore over so they can explore, learn and play together.  

He practices guitar, like Tio Brian.  

He spends most of his time right next to all of the musical instruments and he tries each one.

He strings beads and makes patterns.

Today he learned "I'm a Little Teapot"...and has not stopped singing it.

He played with dinosaurs.

And he loved to read and play with the STOP/SLOW sign.  He impressed us by declaring that it is an octagon.  There is also a painting station, little library, piano, paper cutting, and a cool tub filled with dried beans that he can scoop and shovel around.  This bean mix is my next project to duplicate at home.  He LOVES hiding and finding stuff in the beans.  This room is a comfortable, free and easy environment to move around in and learn with all of your senses.

Non-Stop Talker

OH, this talkative little boy does not yet have a filter for toning down his private talk in public places...everyone hears every word out of his mouth!

While looking at beautiful statues and paintings at the Getty:

"See baby Jesus?  Why doesn't he have a diaper on?  Why?"

While waiting for me in the stall of any public restroom:

"You have to go poop, mama, or just pee pee?"  "Are you pooping mama?  Huh? Are you?"

While meeting a new little boy (with long hair) from down the street:

"SHE can play with my toys.  SHE can sit on the swing with me."  

I reminded him EVERYTIME that it was a boy, not a girl.  Wasted breath.

While demonstrating for Valentina how to crawl:

"See Valentina?  "You just go like this and crawl and crawl.  It's easy. Even a baby could do it."

Can't wait to see the comments from his first report card!

Your Own Guardian Angels

We designed these sterling silver angel charms with children in mind.  

The angel on the left is a high polish with satin finished wings.

  The angel on the right is a satin finish with high polished wings.

Each one compliments the other.  Beautifully.

Starting Our Dream

We are slowly venturing forward...

we are becoming entrepreneurs...

we invite you to check it out...

Explaining MakeUp to my Son

While getting ready for our day today, Salvatore watched me put on my make-up.  He has seen me do this several times before, but has only shown interest in holding one of my eye shadow compacts because the size and shape resemble a toy camera that he has, so he carries it around and pretends to take pictures.  

And since he has been in the "why" stage for a over a year now, our conversation went something like this:

Sal:  What is that for?  (Watching me put on concealer)

Me:  It protects my skin from the sun.  (Not wanting to explain that I have dark circles under my eyes, I think of the easiest way to make a connection for him-sun protection)

Sal:  And what is that for?  (Now I am putting on blush)

Me:  Well, this makes it look like I have been in the sun...  (See the strangeness happening here? One thing so I don't get hurt by the sun, but the next so it LOOKS like I've been in the sun)

Sal:  What are you doing to your eyes?  

Me:  I am curling my eyelashes so they look more like yours.  (His curl up and practically touch his eyebrows)

Sal:  What is that and how much did it cost?

Me:  This is mascara and it cost me about $5.  It makes me lashes look darker.

Salvatore just stared at me silently.  Then he shrugged.  He finally asked why he, Valentina and daddy don't use make-up.  I told him it is because you are all beautiful just the way you are.  

Then I realized that this is a conversation I will surely have with Valentina over and over again someday, but I wanted Sal to know the real truth.  Besides the fact that make-up makes me feel a bit prettier and secure.  Besides the fact that it is sometimes just muscle memory, meaning I apply it like I go through the motions of brushing my teeth. It is just a part of my routine.

Besides all of that, I say:

Me:  Make up is fun for girls.  It is fine for us to wear it and fine when we don't.  It's the color really. And it actually soothes me each morning  and I like smiling at myself when I am done.  Make up is just fun.  

Sal:  O.K!  (And off he runs to take "pictures" with my compact)

Self Feeding is so Entertaining

I could watch her attempt to feed herself for hours.  She is slowly getting the hang of it with daily practice.  She gets super excited when she sees me grab the package of puffs, even if she has already eaten a full meal.  The funny thing is that she continues to go through the mashing and chewing motions, even when the puff does not make it into her mouth.  After this particular feeding session, I counted at least 20 puffs gathered in her high chair that did not make it into her tummy!  Salvatore is also very encouraging and wants to eat the puffs along with her to show her how to do it.