Hip Hip Hooray!

Spring is here!

pictures by B. Cardarelli

Happy Bunny Day!

picture by famous B. Cardarelli

We don't really celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, but we do seize and celebrate every opportunity for a fun photoshoot with Brandy. Brandy and I have all the fun, less so the Peanuts, who think that plastic eggs are way too eerie. So we are lucky when we get a perfectly cute picture as the one above. Most of the pics look like the one below, which, of course, are charming in their own way. Poor Lia seems to be saying: "Wait, I'm not supposed to believe in Jesus, nor am I allowed to enjoy chocolate bunnies, so what exactly am I doing here?? Pick me up!" Yes, you're right, Lorenzo is so much luckier this time of the year, little Catholic that he is. But wait, Lia, one more second, you are just too cute with those ears.

Happy Easter to all of you out there!

Little Chatterbox

Chitchat, chitchat. Little Peanut is constantly on the phone, either with her grandparents or some other important person. The way Lia theatrically throws her head back while lapsing into dramatic giggles makes me think that she planning the next tea party with the Queen. It actually does sound a bit like this: "At your house, or mine? Buckingham Palace has a liiittle bit more space. And think of the guest list, darling. Oh yes, love, your are ever so right. After all, you're the Queen!" Well you can't just hang up on your Majesty, so while taking poor Stevie for a walk in her pink doll stroller (I'm sure he will never forgive her this one) Lia continued to discuss cucumber sandwich recipes.

Watch and listen to Lia chatting with the Queen. No time to enjoy the walk in the park, because the Queen is facing a major crisis and needs moral support. Cucumbers are out.

Lia & Stevie

True love lasts a lifetime, and no doll can come between them:

We bought Lia a cute little doll with brown hair and brown eyes, but so far Lia has reserved all of her hugs and kisses for Stevie (whenever Lorenzo is not around, of course). Take a look at the furry lovebugs in our little video, which also shows Lia's newest and totally cool skill: walking backwards!

Say what?

We have been living in the Carolinas for two years now, and so far the South has presented itself as a beautiful place populated by friendly people of all backgrounds and walks of life who peacefully coexist. Very naive of me to believe that, I know. Especially now that we have encountered prejudice for the very first time.

Can you believe that a children's museum does not allow Peanuts to play alongside other kids?? What kind of world do we live in?

No Peanuts?

You must be nuts.

We have decided to turn our backs on a children's museum that is so nut fair.

The Proof:

Lia's stinky new passion. Onions. YUM.

Of Bubbles & Onions

The weather has been crazy these past days! Tornados, snow, sunshine, and rainstorms, all happening within a week. Brandy always makes fun of the fact that I dress Lia like an onion, but double layered outfits have proven a smart choice recently. While it was freezing cold the first half of the day (Lia had blue lips after getting up, so we all crawled back into bed, under double layers of blankets!!), we enjoyed a fabulous warm afternoon outside, with lots of bubbles that the wind kept carrying away.

Peanut enlightened

And here is a little peeled onion at the mall. Thin as a twig with a belly like that of a professional alcoholic. The last layer of clothing cannot cover Lia's ravenous appetite for onions, even though she tries hard to pose as a ballerina. Onions, no kidding.

Yes, an appetite for real onions, raw if you please. This weekend Lia took a big bite from this onion, bravely chewed on a huge chunk (see the missing piece?), swallowed, and took another bite. I think we will have her taste buds checked during our next visit at the pediatrician.

And before I forget: Lia has become a little talker! She has actually doubled her vocabulary. Apart from 'Mama' and 'Teddy' Lia can now also say 'Ball' and 'Hi!'. Beyond a stinking doubt her next word will be 'onion'.

Dog Heaven

Oh no, the cute, big, old dog is not going to die any time soon. The heavenly place I'm referring to is Freedom Park on a warm and sunny day. It's the perfect place for those who love dogs and for those who love being dogs. And when these two species meet (and manage to avoid poopy traps), they get to spend perfect moments like these:

After a great day like this, you just turn around and walk away.

Completely satisfied.

Thanks for this pic, B. Cardarelli

More about the nuts' day in the park here!