The family.

Tomorrow is a Gonna Be a Big Day

It has been ages since I posted last and there is a ton to blog about. So much, in fact, I haven't had time to blog about it!  However, I could not let this moment pass without pausing to reflect.  Tomorrow is Emerson's first day of kindergarten.  Even though he went to preschool last year, in a public school setting, this seems different somehow... like we are embarking on the next phase of his life. So, as with all this moments, I am...
Sad (I can't believe my baby is going to kindergarten) and joyful (I am so excited to go through this experience with him)
Full of hope (He will learn so much, have so much fun) with just a dash of regret (Did I enjoy all the baby moments enough, Was I not as patient as I should have been)
Scared (What if he feels lonely) and excited (He's going to make so many new friends)

I can't believe this moment is already here... where did the time go? And if this arrived so quickly, what will be here next?

I will set an intention to enjoy these moments, this year, this beginning for him even as a small part of me mourns the loss of his "preschool years."

Good luck tomorrow little buddy... my pals. I know you will shine!

~klv

Every once in a while

our kids do something that gives us pause and a little proof that we are doing a good job of this parenting thing. Last night was one of those moments. Kevin and I headed out on a date... on a Monday night... that is how truly lame we are. Even lamer - we were psyched that the restaurant was not crowded and we were two of only seven or so people in the movie theater. The kids were home with the lovely Maria, or as Lisette calls her "Misria." When we got back home, Maria informed us that bed time was a little rough. In true fashion, Emerson went to bed like a champ, while Lisette, well she let it be known that she wasn't really happy with this whole going-to-bed-thing. Maria sat with her, rubbed her back, and tried various get-her-bed tactics to no avail.
And here it is...
Here is the moment...
Emerson got out of his bed went up to Maria and asked, "Maria, is it OK if Lisette comes to sleep with me?" Maria said "yes" and the kids climbed into Em's bed and fell fast asleep where they both stayed until 6 o'clock this morning.
I am hopeful that Em will always have a place in his heart for his little sis, even when she is yelling and screaming and I hope that Lisette will always be comforted by her big brother's presence.
~klv

BLAST FROM THE PAST.....

Blast From the Past....

The following photo is from Emerson's first Christmas. It was taken at Grammy's and Poppi's house, which has been the center of Christmas celebrations for quite some time. What I love most about this photo are the expressions. Kendra's face conveys the sheer joy of having this fabulous little boy in her life. And Emerson's face conveys how much he loves his mama and how he enjoys being the center of attention. (Enjoy it while you can, buddy. You've only got about two years left....)

                                                                                                                              ~kdp

Melancholy Lisette

It was a gorgeous bright blue spring day. The weather was warm, the windows were open. Emerson played in the backyard and Kendra cooked in the kitchen. And our Lisette acted out the opening passages of Jane Eyre:

"There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. . . . the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds  so sombre, and rain so penetrating, that further out-door exercise was now out of the question. . . . I mounted into the window-seat. . . . the clear panes of glass protecting, but not separating, me from the drear November day. . . . I studied the aspect of that winter afternoon. Afar it offered a pale blank of mist and cloud; near, a scene of wet lawn and storm-beat shrub, with ceaseless rain sweeping away wildly before a long and lamentable blast."

                                                                                                                                                           ~kdp

Baby birds continued

As promised, here are the pictures of the baby robins as they grew on our house light.

Coming soon to a blog near you...

The dramatic story of....




"The Nest of Baby Robbins"




dum Dum DUUUUMMM....

Spring Break

Because I work in the South (with no union) and for the Public School System I don't make a ton of coin... I do however get some serious vacation time. And we Vendetti-Pelletiers know how to vacation so hard we begin to yearn for the slower pace of the work week.  Here is a smattering of how we spent our Spring Break.  In a word is was AWESOME.

Preparing the Garden

Eatin Ribs

Being Gorgeous

Being Silly

Easter

Mez does Macy Gray

Chillin with my ladies

Riding the Metro

Visiting the Pandas at the National Zoo

and the elephants

and the monkeys

Lions are BORING

A puckered out little one

Mr. T. Rex at the Natural History Museum in DC

~klv

Christmas 2012

So as I actually sit down to post this blog the date is officially May 4, 2013; however, the text itself was written nearer to the actual holiday.  Hey, I'm a working mama... I do what I can!

Tis the Season

The Christmas celebrating starts early around these here parts so no sooner had we thrown away the turkey carcass than we were traipsing across the street to pick our Christmas tree. Emerson was beyond excited to decorate the house and a little bit disappointed when we were finished (“Is that all of our decorations?”). Soon the crooning of Michael Buble filled the house and Tuckaway the Elf made his daily appearances. Stockings were hung. Pizzelles, macaroons, peppermint bark, and dark chocolate bark with almonds and sea salt were made. Friends were invited over for Gingerbread House making. Presents were wrapped. The Lights at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens were seen. We celebrated Christmas Eve with a wonderful meal of linguini with clams and a roaring fire. Emerson and Lisette had their first taste of wine (Lisette went diving for more – we’re in for it with that one). We set out macaroons and Egg Nog for Santa and a carrot for Rudolf. Emerson wrote Santa a long note and we read Christmas stories. The following morning we awoke to the magic that is Christmas with kids. We opened gifts, drank coffee, and enjoyed the moments, including a lovely pop in from our good friends, Nathan, Julietta and the ever adorable Isadora. Then we sat down to a ridiculously expensive but insanely delicious tenderloin. It was a good day.

A Big Plate of Candy?
It Must be the Gingerbread House Making Party

Now that we are filled up in bagels
let the construction begin.

Been wearing that costume since Halloween!

True Collaboration

Dad does the heavy lifting while Mez enjoys the good life.

"You lookin at me?"

My sous chef Emerson masterfully applies
a fine dusting of powdered sugar

The Lights at Lewis Ginter 2012

We couldn't get a good picture of the two
of them to save our lives that night

Xmas Eve Tradition
You get to open one gift

Emerson got Rudolf

Lisette thinks this tradition is FANTASTIC

Christmas Eve Movie Night

Opening Stockings on Christmas Morning

Formula 1 Racers!

"What am I supposed to do with these?"

Two VERY lucky kids.

One serious piece of meat

One awesome gift