ParentProfiles.com

We just returned from our annual Utah ski trip. We had an awesome time skiing with Anthony. He was able to ski the intermediate slopes this year with us. He was loving life! He was singing the whole way down the mountain while Mommy was behind him saying, "Be careful, slow down, please don't do that jump!" Of course, he would do the jump and then proudly look at me and say, "I told you I could do it!" He was quite confident and felt he was the best skier on the mountain! He's not lacking any confidence!
He was also very concerned when he would see a skier that had fallen down. As he was skiing past them he would ask,"Are you okay? Do you need help?" He is always thinking of others and has such compassion. My heart would swell with joy when I would hear him express his concern for a total stranger. Anthony has the biggest heart!
It was a great family trip filled with lots of fun, exercise and laughs!

We had a big pool party today. Both of our families came to enjoy the day. The weather was hazy, hot and humid...perfect for swimming! The kids, teenagers, adults and grandparents all had a blast! We had a water balloon toss that quickly turned into a water balloon fight! Everyone just started grabbing balloons from the big tub and throwing them everywhere!!! It was funny to see the little ones going after their parents and grandparents! It was a fun day for everyone. We made lots of memories today. Tony and I know that we are very lucky that our families get along so well and live so close to us. We're looking forward to our next big pool party very soon!

After a long, cold, snowy winter it was nice to be outside riding our bikes. Anthony was anxious to get back on his bike and ride with us. We had lots of fun playing "Follow the Leader" (Anthony) up and down our street and driveway.
We also noticed that the bulbs we planted in the fall are beginning to poke through the ground. We can't wait to see them all bloom!

We just returned from our annual Utah ski vacation. We had a fantastic time skiing with Anthony! He has impressed us with his ability to ski so well. Each time we got down the slope he would ask us ,"Can we do that again?" We're thrilled that he loves skiing so much. Tony and I think that skiing is a great family sport. It is a wonderful way for all of us to spend time together having fun, exercising and enjoying the outdoors. We know that Anthony will be anxious to teach his brother or sister how to ski so he can race them down the slopes!

Happy New Year! We hope that 2011 will be the year that we can welcome another child into our family. We know that with each day that passes, we are one day closer to meeting that special little someone and their birth family.

Today we were very busy bakers! Anthony couldn't wait to get on his apron and baker's hat. Mommy's job was to roll out the dough while Anthony used cookie cutters to make Christmas trees, snowflakes and snowmen. Mommy had to work very fast because Anthony was quick with the cookie cutters! Flour was everywhere and I caught Anthony many times eating the dough! When the cookies came out of the oven Anthony couldn't wait to "test" the finished products. After his "taste test" Anthony thought the cookies were DELICIOUS! We think Santa will love them too!

Today we decorated our huge tree. Anthony loves to test the lights before we put them on the tree. He was also so excited to put his special ornaments on the tree.
Each year we go shopping and he picks out a special ornament that he wants to hang on the tree. (This year he picked out a really nice Santa ornament.) I label the ornament with the year and his age. One day, when he gets married and has his own tree, he can put his special ornaments on his tree. This is a tradition that my parents did with my siblings and me. We still put our special ornaments on the tree and reminisce about past Christmases.

We went to the Christmas tree farm today. After tripping over many tree stumps, we found our tree. It's huge and we can't wait to decorate it! It's going to look beautiful!

Anthony had a great time trick-or-treating with his cousins today. They had tons of fun running from house to house getting lots of candy. Anthony got lots of his favorite treat....a Hershey bar! (He even got quite a few Reese's Peanutbutter Cups for Mommy!) He is always thinking about others!
His toothbrush will be working overtime for sure!!

It was a beautiful fall day so we decided to go pumpkin picking. Anthony really enjoyed the hay ride to the pumpkin patch. As soon as we got off the wagon he wanted to pick the first pumpkin we saw. After walking through the patch we found the perfect pumpkins. Anthony even picked 1 little one to bring home for his brother or sister. (He is always thinking about his new sibling.)
We had lots of fun just enjoying being together as a family.

Anthony is so excited to be in Kindergarten. He wakes up every morning and can't wait to go to school. He's making friends and he LOVES his teacher. He says that she is the "B-E-S-T!! She really is terrific!
Anthony makes me smile every morning when I drop him off at school. He gives me a HUGE hug and a BIG kiss, and says, "I love you, Mom." He then hops out of the car and skips, happy as can be, into school. It's wonderful knowing that he loves being at school and that he is in such good hands with a nurturing, caring teacher.
I'm so glad that Kindergarten in our school district is only a half day session. That allows Anthony and I to spend to whole afternoon together doing lots of fun things!

Anthony had his final swim lesson for the summer today.
He learned how to do freestyle, backstroke and dive this summer. We are so proud of him! (He's quite proud of himself too!) He has shown a great interest in swimming and even mentioned joining a swim team. Mommy and Daddy would love to be cheering him on at every swim meet!

We've decided that no one is looking for the kittens so we took them to the vet today. Anthony named the girl, Misty and the boy, Stripie. We are going to keep them both. We didn't want to split them up. My nephews understood and they are here almost every day to see them! Oliver still isn't thrilled to have them here, but he's doing better. (The hissing is getting less!) The vet said that is would take a month or two. Misty and Stripie are SUPER friendly and we're happy that they're here to stay!

So far no one has posted any signs looking for the kittens. We called the local shelter and no one reported them missing. The kittens have made themselves VERY comfortable here. Our cat, Oliver, is not too happy that he has company! Anthony is thrilled and loves playing with them! We'll give it another week before we declare them ours!

Today Anthony and his cousins, Sal and Nicholas, were swimming in our pool when 2 adorable kittens came wandering in through the fence. The boys jumped out of the pool and began playing with them. The kittens were so friendly and the boys were so excited! Of course, the first question was, "Can we keep them?" They were also deciding which family was getting each cat. But before they got too excited and attached we told them that we have to see if they belong to anyone. We'll see if anyone posts any "Lost Kittens" signs in the area. We'll also call the local shelter to see
if anyone reported them missing. We'll keep you posted!

Today we had our families over for a barbecue and pool party. We all had so much fun! Everyone (young & old) was in the pool.....splashing, laying on rafts, playing Hot Potato and diving for coins. It was great to see everyone having a blast and staying cool. We've been having such a hot summer here in New Jersey. We really enjoy having pool parties with our family and friends.

We just returned from our trip to Disney World. We had so much fun visiting the parks. There is so much to see and do. It's a wonderful feeling watching Anthony get so excited meeting the characters, watching the parade down Main Street or riding on Aladdin. You can't help but feel like a kid again! Disney really is a magical place!

When I had just finished unpacking all of the suitcases Anthony said to me,"When can we start packing for our next trip?" I guess it's fair to say that Anthony loves to vacation just as much as Mommy and Daddy!

Today was Anthony's 5th Birthday! We had a pony named, Brightie, come to his party. Anthony and his preschool friends had so much fun riding the pony. They all wore cowboy hats and bandannas. We played musical hay bales instead of musical chairs! The weather was perfect and the smile on Anthony's face was priceless! All of the moms were teasing me that it won't be long before we have a pony living on our property!
In lieu of a gift we asked that the children bring new socks to be donated to Hannah's Socks. It is a charity that a little girl, Hannah, started with her family. They donate the socks to homeless shelters. Anthony is a very caring boy and can't wait to mail the socks to Hannah so that she can help others.
For his birthday last year, we collected food for a local food pantry. When Anthony and I go food shopping each week he picks out different foods for us to donate each month. He is very concerned about the less fortunate. He's always thinking about ways to help.
He is so loving and sensitive to others' needs. He truly understands that he is helping others. He's got a great big heart!!

Today we opened our pool. Anthony was so excited that he will have all summer to swim in it. He just loves the water. He is like a little fish! He told me that he is going to teach his brother or sister how to swim. We can't wait to see that!

Anthony had lots of fun today! This morning he went with his cousins on an Easter egg hunt. He was having a great time running around picking up the candy-filled eggs. He finally had to stop when there was no more room in his Easter basket. He said that he's going to bring a biggger basket next year!
After the egg hunt we all went to color eggs at home. It was such a beautiful, warm day that we were able to do it outside on the deck. Anthony was very busy drawing on his eggs and PLOPPING them into the cups of dye! While he was busy drawing on an egg he sweetly said, "This one is for my brother or sister." I gave him a big hug and kiss.
He is always so thoughful and will be a wonderful, caring big brother. We all hope that it happens soon.

Today Anthony had kindergarten registration. He was so excited and happy to go to his "new school." He held my hand and skipped from the parking lot to the main entrance.
He had to meet with some of the teachers and the school nurse. His warm, outgoing personality made everyone he met fall in love with him! They all wanted to take him home.
He made me so proud. I know I'll be crying on the first day of school!

We just had another huge snowstorm. Anthony couldn't wait to go outside and help Daddy shovel the sidewalks. Once the sidewalks were clear, Anthony happily sprinkled birdseed all over them. He loves to watch out the window and see the different birds that come to our "fly-thru!" (That's our little joke when we feed the birds each morning!) The cardinal is his favorite!
Tomorrow we hope to go to Nanny and Poppy's house to go sledding. They have a big hill that Anthony and his cousins love to zoom down together.