My Handy Man

So I mentioned in my prior post that both the kids asked for "new rooms" for their birthday's instead of a party. Now the furniture is not new but the theme is. They told us what they would like theme wise and I look for comforters and Joe uses his creative mind to decide how to paint etc...

Here are the results:

A quote that Joe and I both hope Danielle will remember - especially with her dancing

Looking in her room from the door

The stripe is paint - Joe put it around the entire room and then accented the closet doors with the brown

View from her corner where the night table is

The official "big girl" room

Joseph's room was a little easier to have a free reign in - he is 8 and a boy - Danielle had plenty to say about her decor - Joseph was open to all suggestions and his creative mind pairs nicely with Joe's. He went with a "skateboard" theme.

Tony Hawk Bedding

Huck Jam Series
This is a sticker that came in 3 parts that Joe put above his dresser - after he painted the entire room the red color you see
Dry erase skateboard

Really focus on this...if you are not into skateboarding this is the ELEMENT symbol (huge skate brand) - This IS NOT a sticker. Joe took a big piece of poster board and free hand drew the symbol and then cut it out so he could spray paint the wall. Not sure how they got the whole spray paint thing past me but....IT CAME OUT GREAT!!!

Then he decided that graffiti would be appropriate - just like in a skate park. So here we have Tony Hawk, Mike Vallely and Bam Margera - how cool to be a kid with free hand graffiti in your room.

The best part - the kids LOVE their rooms and loved showing them to everyone that came over. Danielle's was done back in October and she paraded everyone up there when they came to the house. Joseph's just got done and he is still bringing anyone that comes over up there!!!

Our nephew Isaiah just gave this to Joseph - Joe spray painted over the frame to make it look like the graffiti and we will hang it this week.

Hope you enjoyed the tour of their rooms.

The kind of father....

Joe lost his dad when he was just 5 years old...his mom focused on raising her children and didn't date until Joe was 16 (he was the baby) and when Joe was 18 his mom met Nat, who would become his step-dad.

Growing up without a dad in the house has a different effect on different people. Joe was a very good kid who never really gave his mom a hard time. He had positive male role models in his life - but I think we would all agree that young boys without a dad in their life could really go down the wrong path. His life experience also molded him into the dad that he is today.

Joe is the kind of father:

That took over mopping all the floors in our house when I first became pregnant with Danielle

That got up at night for feedings and changed diapers - even while there were others around to do it

That asks me for updated pictures of the kids for his desk at work

That was so proud each time one of the kids hit a big milestone

That worked for years to secure a job in the Verizon Offices so he could get out of the stores and work hours more suitable for our family

That never uses the expression "baby-sitting" if he is taking care of the kids (Major pet peeve of mine when men or even their wives say that and Joe actually feels the same way)

That has coached both our daughter and sons sports teams

That took an adult Tae Kwon Do class while Joseph was taking class so they would have a common interest

That before he took the Tae Kwon Do class sat 2-3 times a week watching Joseph take class as he worked for 2 years to become a black belt

That helped paint Danielle's dance studio before it opened this year - and continues to help at the studio in any way he can

That works unbelievably hard on his kids rooms when they decide on a theme/decor (they both hit him up for that this year instead of a birthday party)

That is very giving of his time - if they are waiting by the door when he gets home from work to play in the yard...he is usually ready to play right away

That is truly making the most of every moment he has with his kids because it is the opportunity he wishes he had with his dad

To sum it up...Joe is the kind of father that any kid would be blessed to have.

They have danced their way into my heart

This year Danielle's Dance Teacher opened her own studio...The Dance Company. Her entire group she has been dancing with for years came to the new studio as well as many other very special girls. This group of dancers amaze with with their great hearts, concern for each other and their dedication. They love being together and not one of them thinks they are better than any of the other dancers. And on top of that they are all great students and involved in things outside of dance. I challenge you to find a group of better ballanced, loving girls. And their families are outstanding as well. Here are a few of the girls I am now blessed to know:

Kelsea


Naijha - Marina Gasolina

Single Ladies - Jordynn, Kenya, Kennedy, Sunny

Loren - I have never seen her without a smile on her beautiful face

All of the students hugging Gram...Miss Charyl's mom

The moms of these lovely young ladies with me and Colleen

Dance Recital - Part 2

Last week was something else!!! We had dance practice, recital run through, dance pictures, dress rehearsal and recital!!! I knew going into the week it was going to be very, very hectic. I did not want to become frazzled or end up ruining Danielle having a positive experience. When you have been at this as long as we have (9 years) you come to learn that things run late, changes need to be made to acccomodate the "group" and you need to be very flexible.

I am sad to say not all kids went into the week with their parents having this mind frame. It really made me upset for the kids - but very grateful that I have a good understanding of what to expect. If you have your kids in organized activities do so with your heart and your patience...don't spend your money to only ruin what should be such a positive experience.

I am not saying I am perfect at this...but I am very aware and try to do my best - as really it is out of mine and Danielle's control - AND - her teacher/studio owner has got to be the most organized and best at comunication that we have ever had so there really are not that many bumps in the road.

Look at these happy faces...how could you not just sit back and enjoy!!!

Danielle, Kelsea, Moriah and Naijha on picture day

Solo Tap Costume

Hip Hop Girl - Flight of the Bumblebee

Amber - Jazzin it up to Rockstar

Danielle and Amber - Cousins sharing great experiences

Dance Recital

For a few months now I have been taking the moms class at The Dance Company. (Danielle's dance school) At first I was there for fun and laughs with other moms, whos daughters spend lots of time with Danielle. After my niece Bella was born I was able to convince my sister Colleen that she should join us...it would be great fun. A dance class happened to be on her bucket list so she did join. We had great fun and it was a great learning experience.

I had always admired my daughter for being able to put herself out there on stage like that - and this year she tapped her first solo. Imagine that - solo, all by her 10 year old self, working the full stage, while tapping constantly. I had a new found respect for her after my very first class - I struggled just doing a dance step across the floor in the studio. A few times I thought about quitting - feeling like I would just never get it. My friend Jane told me "Marie, we need to set good examples for our girls, we can't quit." So I stuck with it and I am so glad I did!!! I may never dance at Danielle's level, (she gets her talent from her dad) but I am more comfortable and Colleen and I are already considering joining the moms class next year.

If you ever have the opportunity to do something with your kids like this, I strongly encourage you to take it - Danielle and I and Colleen and Amber had many great times on Thursday nights as they watched us try and learn.

Looking forward to the next dance class!!!

Overheard

With these pictures in his hand:

Alex (4 years old) "Noah, this is my girlfriend"

Noah (5 years old) "You gotta be kidding me!!!"

Alex "Nope, she's my girlfriend."

She is the beautiful Miss Suniya - she dances at Danielle's dance studio and Alex has been in love since the first time he saw her!!!

Awesome Family Weekend

Our family had quite a fun Memorial Day Weekend!!! It all started Friday Night when Danielle decided we should have "Family Night" and not do the lawn, laundry or anything but spend time together. So since she asked...we said "Great Idea." The kids had gift cards to Dave & Busters that they had gotten as gifts at Christmas time...yes we have been a little busy...we expected a large crowd since it was race weekend but much to our delight - we had the place pretty much to ourselves...maybe because we were out earlier in the evening??? We played lots of games and even squeezed in a little shopping - a very fun night.

On Saturday we were guests of Motorola and Verizon at the Nationwide Series Race. Danielle and Joseph had never been to a race before and this was certainly a great experience for them!!! Motorola SURE knows how to treat their guests!!! They served both breakfast and lunch in the suite as well as other types of goodies all day. They gave everyone beach bags with HUGE Motorola/Verizon towels in them...and most importantly they made the kids feel so, so special. The Verizon Driver, Justin Allgaier, came to the suite for a Q&A and he signed lots of autographs.

Another really cool thing was that we got there in enough time to watch the practice rides for the Coca-Cola 600 that would taking place the next day. Most of the drivers were there for that as well and the kids loved taking pictures of the cars as they came around the track.

We took the kids outside so they could hear the engine's...it was very loud and they were ready to head back in pretty quickly - not sure the realized everyone doesn't have the luxury of air condition, food, drinks and a roof in the event of rain when they come to a race. :)

Sunday our friends called for a impromptu get together at their house and we had such a wonderful time. The kids love going there and it was such a nice, relaxing day!!!

Monday the rain came so it was movie day for us. We pretty much hung around the house all day and chilled.

For our family, having a weekend like this is rare...we are very busy most of the time. It was the perfect long weekend with lots of time spent on what is truly most important...the 4 of us.


Having Breakfast at the Race

View from our seats

Justin answering questions

Dad's favorite driver...but my kids are not swayed...they love the 24 Car!!!