A Charmed Life!

I can't believe June is almost over!

It's a cliche' but, time is really flying, so I thought I would do a snapshot blog to capture and share a few of those everyday moments that mean so much!

Ok, so what have we been up to...

Well, we tried piggy tails for the first time, and discovered that even though mommy really has no hair styling skills, Gigi looks darn cute anyway!

And she knows it!

I finally bought a new comforter for our bed (after a very long Goldilocks process...this comforter is too white, this comforter is too rough...this comforter is too girly etc!)

And then I had to make new pillow cases to jazz it up a bit!

Noah is learning to read, and Gigi is a very receptive audience!

And once, while spending time with Nonna...

We discovered a rainbow!

Noah has also been honing his stalling skills, coming out of his room at night "for just one more hug"...or because "I just wish I could have some mommy time!"...or "I just want to look at the moon with you for a minute!"...

Sometimes it works!

And, you already know about the basement undertaking...

It's a work in progress, and I'll keep you posted, but in the mean time, anyone interested in a plaid couch?

(junk included ;-)

We've been playing dress up...

Gigi sometimes gets confused about who is the good guy...

But, she's always happy to put on her cape and shout "Gigi towa WESCUE!" 

Whether you want to be rescued or not!

We still love to accessorize...

And we don't follow anyone's rules, if we want to wear sunglasses upside down, then we make it look good!

We love to rock out to music, especially when the music comes from our lantern/radio that can be carried anywhere!

And every week we do the laundry!

Hey!  The 

washer doors are at their level, so it makes sense for them to transfer the clothes!  No, really, they WANT to do it!

Ok, ok, they get paid for their efforts!

We love reading bedtime stories with daddy...

And chowing down on popcorn during movie night...

It's a charmed life!

Climbing Baby Mountain...Or, how to add an extra room to your home in one laborious weekend!

For the last several years our basement has become our storage area, since we have no shed and no garage, all Christmas decorations, excess furniture, and most recently, all outgrown baby items have found their way into its depths...

(So, this is the spot where I would have put a demonstrative picture of said disaster, but I "forgot" to take one...actually, it was such an epic disaster that I didn't want to shock anyone into nominating us for an episode of Hoarders!)

Anyway, Josh's parents generously agreed to take the kids so we could dig out our basement!

We threw out, organized, and cleaned for hours, until finally it was time to tackle the floor to ceiling pile of outgrown baby items...

Behold!!!...Baby Mountain! 

Huh, that's not so bad!

But WAIT!

Can I get an OMG?!

Can you spot the husband in this picture?...

How about the cat?

Well, I'm not going to lie, this was an epic undertaking, but when all was said and done, when all of the boxes had been gone through, when all of the baby extravaganza had been sold at consignment, donated to Good Will, or given to friends...

We were left with a reasonably organized pantry...

And an entire room (all be it an ugly one) full of potential!

Oh living room devoid of "stuff" how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways!

Why We Run...

 One of my dearest friends has a nephew named Griffin who is a warrior in the battle against epilepsy...

 Griffin is an 8 year old boy wonder who has battled his way through things no child should ever have to, and he's not the only one...

 So today my family and I laced up our running shoes and joined the thousands of other supporting troops in the Strides For Epilepsy 5k at City Park!

Noah couldn't wait to "win the race" and Gigi is always properly accessorized for any occasion!

Suiting up in our new shirts and pinning on our numbers was a thrill...

And since the event is overflowing with music, games, and fun, it's a win win situation all around!

 Special thanks to all the sponsors who make this event possible, and successful every year!

 And, Gigi, can I see your race face?!

 Oh YEAH!

 There's nothing like the buzz of energy that flows through the crowd of runners at the start line...

 And hats off to the troops who support us in more ways than can be counted!

So, after 3.1 miles of bright sunshine and sore muscles what are we ready for?...

 That's right, Gianna, that's exactly right!

Luckily we are revived by good food and even better company, and we will be back again next year!

The Painter Family is Rooting for Griffin!!!