Vinnanigans

My sweet (OK, crazy) Vinnie-Pie has succumbed to three-year-oldness.  That's right: he's bossy.  What's interesting is how he has chosen to express his new-found talent of being directive.  While driving about, much to my surprise, this little guy randomly shouts out,

"I wanna go to 
[the park, Mickey, etc.] - 
TURN RIGHT!" 

Our First Date

I had the most amazing date yesterday!  First, we got dressed up in matching outfits.  Next, we dropped off Vinnie to my good friend's who spoiled him rotten all day.  My date & I continued to his favorite restaurant, Home Town Buffet.  He did a pretty decent job cleaning his plate, considering he's missing a ton of teeth right now, so he helped himself to a fair amount of dessert.  When we were both so full we had to be rolled out of the restaurant, we headed to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts where we saw...........Beauty and the Beast!  I must say, my date's behavior was impressive.  He was quite the gentleman and only sat on my lap a few times during the show.  His attention span was better than I expected.  About half the audience was comprised of children and I mused that there should have been a brief break about halfway through the first act to allow for a couple rounds of Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes.  The performance was beautiful and did not disappoint.

The Mind of My Gio....

At the mall on Monday, Gio observed a pug dog walking by and commented, "Aw, what a cute little puppy!"

I wondered, aloud, "What is a dog doing at the mall?"

Gio thought about it for only a second before he suggested:

"Well, it's probably his birthday."

Months of Planning.....

All led up to this day of joy:

True: we celebrate with an aluminum Christmas tree.
This year we upgraded it with a color wheel!

SO exciting!

Proof that Santa & Rudolph ate their cookies & carrots

I'm not sure but it looks like he's praying.  LOL

My gift to my sister.  Don't worry she got even:
she gave me chatter teeth.  HA HA HA!!

Yes, that's a hot dog steamer that mom & I got Bailey.
It even barks when the hot dogs are finished cooking!

Lego & Star Wars heaven, Gio was in :)

Princess dress up clothes for Princess Gracie all bundled
in a princess hat box

Triplets! Henry, Charlie & Sophie

Dillon love Mr. Knightly & doesn't leave him alone for a
second when he's here.

The joy just kept on spreading all day long...

Katie's laptop dreams came true :)

In the end, it was Mexican food that brought us all together.  It was the first Christmas since my dad passed away that everyone showed up for.  A true season of miracles, I tell you.

Vinnanigans

"Santa!  Hey!  Santa!"  These are the joyous sounds my sweet Vinnie screeched with thrill at Knotts Berry Farm last night.  It was his first time meeting Santa & knowing who he is.  SO. Darn. Cute!

Priceless

The Mind of my Gio....

While doing dishes the other night, I could hear that Vinnie was doing something with our Little People Nativity in the living room  so I asked Gio what was going on out there.  Gio came running into the kitchen & shouted, "Augh!  

Vinnie's destroying Bethlehem!"

Oh No! Where'd the Time Go?

How can my baby be THREE???

What can be said about the Vinners?  This kid marches to the beat of no drum I've ever heard before.  He seems to observe the big kids & think to himself, "Yeah, I can do that.....BETTER!" Then off he goes.  I tell you, he certainly keeps me on my toes!

Vin-Vin never wants to miss the action...but has no problem sneaking in a sweet snack no matter what the crisis (he was SOAKED at our snow trip so Grandpa sat with him in the warm car)

He will push & push himself to stay awake so as to not miss a minute of action which often results in unexpected naps in unexpected places (Walmart by Horsey Grandma's)

Connoisseur of all things sweet

Great lover of Buzz Lightyear (I swear, I think he thinks he IS Buzz!)

Admirer of art

Always seeking adventure where you'd never expect

Vinnie could not resist the temptation of the changing table sitting out, waiting for Jim to pick up.  He would climb out of his crib after I'd put him to bed, climb to the top, fasten his seat belt and promptly fall asleep.  

I find him in my bathroom sink, filling it with water often

He was THRILLED the first time he rode Astro Blasters (and was aware of his surroundings).  You should have heard his squeal of delight when he saw the larger-than-life-size Buzz!

He's really curious about babies, especially his cousins

And let's not forget the horror of the day I let his dad "trim" his hair

Loves fitting into small spaces....I guess 'cause he can

This kid can climb ANYTHING!  

Is SUPER silly

And has a BIG imagination!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VINNIE!