The Queen's Cup

The Queen's Cup is just the perfect venue for someone who loves cucumber sandwiches (or just any kind of sandwich, really), fancy hats (wish we had one with a feather!), and cute British cousins. Ok, this is not Ascot, it's South Carolina, and you cannot fool yourself when the horses' names are Hiphop and Hotdog and NOT Admiral and Fishnchips. Still, Lia's first horse race was a total blast (apart from the scary horse part). Things were so exciting that Lia didn't even notice the sunglasses that were sitting on her tiny nose. Well, everyone else did! Posh, isn't she? Ok, ok, maybe not posh. But definitely snazzy and cool.

the family:




and the winning horse Hiphop in the background:

Giddyup!

Head over Heels

Our two love birds. Head over heels in love, that's what they are. Their relationship has become much more mature and complex these days. That's totally natural, after all they have been dating for almost a year! They are kissing whenever possible, and they can't keep their hands off each other (to the point of Lia shoving Lorenzo and Lorenzo pulling Lia's summer curls!), only to hug again and walk away hand in hand. Yes, they are now holding hands, strolling the romantic streets of Charlotte. Aww, sweet.

Listen to the Peanuts whisper sweet nothings over the phone

AND

watch the Peanuts at play!

Mommy's Little Helper

Everything is spick and span, thanks to our little cleaning lady. Seriously, get a cleaning nut. It's so relaxing!

Lia helped me to get the house ready for a bunch of crazy moms and their kids, our beloved friends from Kindermusik. We tried to take a nice picture of the babies in a rubber boat, but that didn't quite work out. Too much chubbiness for one tiny boat! Anyways, it was lots of fun, and easy to prepare, thanks to Lia giving me a hand with the cleaning and the baking (of yum carrot cake!)

You float my boat, Lia!

This & That

What's new? Hmmh, let's see. We are waiting for Lia's corner teeth to emerge, but nothing so far. Lia has learned a new word: 'heiss!' Which in German means 'hot' and is whispered by Lia with a lot of awe when she sees my cup of coffee. But all of that whispered awe does not keep her from touching the cup and trying to drink from it. Lia has been working on her dance moves, which she practiced today in the trunk of our car. A thin little wriggle worm shaking her behind! Let me assure you that meals are always served on time. Look at the total bliss (always delivered in big and hearty portions) and the sparkle in her eyes:

Total satisfaction.

We will always grant her that! Well, a rhythmical life does demand a lot of energy. Here is Lia vociferously burning calories:

Watch Lia playing her Italian xylophone.

Pling, pling!

Nutty Surprises

photographed by B. Cardarelli

You are looking at my birthday present. Tfutfutfu, chamsa, chamsa, chamsa. It's not easy to catch Lia in a pose like that, wriggly girl that she is, but Brandy did it yet again, and gave me a copy as a birthday surprise. Quite symbolic somehow, because it was on my 29th birthday (the one two years ago) that I found out I was pregnant. No need to mention that this was the best birthday present ever. And here she is, our active nut, all thoughtful and serene. A moment to cherish, but let's not kid ourselves. Lia has turned our lives upside down, and we LOVE the way she keeps us on our toes!!! Speaking of which: Lia has recently learned to tiptoe and does so every time that she is knowingly doing something she should NOT be doing. Adorable! And absolutely adorable is the latest picture of Lia and her boyfriend. Curious? Click here to look at another nutty surprise! The Peanuts caught in

a most romantic moment!

All done!

This is not just a snapshot. It's Lia's new habit. Basically there is no need to do the dishes after dinner as everything is licked clean. I feel like a four-star chef with this kind of acknowledgement. We have been using a little bit of sign language in our household, and today it has paid off. For Peanut, of course! She was bringing her hand to her mouth and smacked her lips to tell me that she wanted to 'eat'! Clever girl that she is she has invented her own signs for communicating her appetite, like clicking with her tongue, or bringing us her bib. When it comes to food there can be no misunderstandings! 'All done' is another sign I use, and when Lia is lifting her shiny bowl like a trophy, she will enthusicatally scream 'daaaaaaa!' to say that she is 'done'. I think the day I'll introduce the sign for 'more' Princess Peanut will refuse to get out of her royal high chair. Bon appetit.

Calm Waters

We are steering a steady course again, riding guitars through safe home waters, leaving the high seas of the Gulf of Mexico behind. The grandparents have left, and we are facing everyday life again, a tightly knit routine of musical notes, bubbles, and playdates.

Lia had a very special leaving present for her grandparents. A show called 'The Dancing Granddaughter', which consists of two main performances: waving goodbye and reaching up high.

Watch Lia dance to Pavarotti in: The Pavarotti of Dance

My Mom ...

... turned 29 again!

An American cake (with less than 30 candles) for mom to dig into! And a birthday Peanut dressed by Dad (with soccer socks). Perfect day it is.

The Sunshine State

The grandparents are here! They came to Charlotte to see Lia and take her to...

Florida!

What fun! Or so one should think. It's not the ideal place for someone who is afraid of sand and water. Not much has changed since Lia's last encounter with the scary sea and the monster that lives in its depth. But you live, you learn! On the last day of our perfect one-week stay at Clearwater Lia dared to stick her hand into the pool. That was in fact a tough one.

It is wise to tackle one fear at a time. Sand comes before water. Here she goes! Slowly first, but gaining momentum:

Sandy Peanut jogging in the morning hours at the Gulf of Mexico:

And a confident shell seeker she has become:

Mom & Peanut:


Dad & Peanut:


Sand & Peanut:

Such harmony. Sigh. (And such a loaded diaper, too!)

And a little video of Lia & Thiemo fooling around at the beach. Notice Lia's unruly Florida hair. Too bad holiday curls don't make it in real life... But a new passion for sea food does! A big piece of wild Atlantic salmon once a week has been added to our menu. Back in Charlotte Lia surprised us by dipping her face under water in the bath tub, giggling every time she surfaced to take a breath. That girl is determined! And needs to prepare herself for the next beach holiday. Outer Banks in August! Meanwhile we are back to normal life, a strict routine of Kindermusik and Gymboree, and straight(er) hair, loving every strand of it.