Working Off Thanksgiving

On Monday Rya and I walked across the Cooper River Bridge with my friend Allison. It was a perfect day to do such a thing and Rya slept through the whole thing while I did all the work. We hope to do it every Monday morning motivation and weather permitting.

Thanksgiving Week With Mimi and Papi

Mimi and Papi came and spent Thanksgiving week with us. We kicked off their visit with a little birthday celebration for Mimi. Currier planned the party hence the Spongebob Squarepants Cupcakes.

It was so nice to see Currier and Rya spending time and sharing laughs with their grandparents. Such sweet moments!

We had a quiet and relaxing Thanksgiving. We all played a role in the making of Thanksgiving. Trent cooked the turkey, Mimi made the stuffing and jello mold, I made the green bean casserole and bought baked the pies, Currier set the table and made the sweet potato casserole, Papi watched Rya and football and Rya looked cute and stuffed her face. So much to be thankful for.

Mimi and I woke up at 3AM on Black Friday and stood in line with the rest of the lunatics at Kohls. We also hit Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond all before 7AM! We found some good deals that got our adrenaline pumping. It was my first Black Friday shopping experience and will probably be the last. It was fun and now I can say been there done that but typically I like to leave the masses for the asses and I like my sleep.

On Saturday we decorated the house for Christmas and put up the tree. We never have the opportunity to spend Christmas with Mimi and Papi so we had our own little celebration with a few gifts. Now that the tree is up, click here to see how I feel about it... I could seriously drive Trent crazy!

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Mimi bought gingerbread men for Currier to decorate. He loved this yummy little project.

On Sunday we went into Charleston to walk through the market and eat lunch. We went to the Noisy Oyster for steamed oysters, fried green tomatoes, seafood platters and beer. After lunch we went to the Pavilion Rooftop Bar for a cocktail and enjoyed the view of Charleston.

Before heading back to Florida, Mimi shared a recipe for Kalachi (Croatian Christmas Bread) that has been in the Balent Family for generations. I'm not allowed to share the recipe with you but I am allowed to tell you that it is so good! Ha ha!

It was a wonderful week filled with happy memories, lots of laughs, great food (Thanks to Mimi!), long happy hours and a whole lot of love. Great visit!

Downward Dog

Currier's been taking yoga for several months now. When I signed him up back in August I told him he was going to be taking yoga lessons and his little eyes lit up, "Yogurt lessons!? Is it the kind with blueberries on the bottom?" I love this child. Namaste.

Aquarium

We went to the aquarium over the weekend and had such a nice, relaxing time. Now that Rya is walking around, it was so cool to see her exploring on her own and oohing and aahing right along with her big brother.

Ice Cream Social Happy Hour

I scream... You scream... We all scream for ice cream! In celebration of Rya's 1st year of life, we hosted an ice cream social happy hour last night. The adults enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while the kids made their own sundaes... a fun time for all!

Dear One-Year-Old Rya D.,

I attempted to start a little growth project similar to your brother's and it so didn't work out. I've been thinking about it for weeks now and couldn't decide what to do. I thought maybe a picture of you in a bathing suit every year? Or your grandmother's fur coat? Or a t-shirt? Your dad wanted a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt and I wanted a Patriots t-shirt. Luckily, I couldn't find a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt so we went with a Patriots t-shirt picture. You refused to cooperate and you just cried and cried. Your father loved every second of it and claimed it proved that you're a Cowboys fan. Whatever, I don't care.

After putting you to bed it hit me. I want you to have your grandmother's diamond and sapphire ring. It's incredibly special. It's an heirloom. It has a story. And it's yours when you turn 18. Until then, I'll always take a picture of you wearing it on your birthday. Sure beats a stupid t-shirt don't it!?

Happy birthday Rya Diane.

All my love,
Mama

Primo Taglio di Capelli

Although Rya has needed a haircut for months, we waited until after Rya's first birthday to get it cut because of the Italian superstition that cutting a child's hair before her first birthday will cut her life short. Okay, I'm not even remotely Italian (God Bless the Irish!) but living in Sicily for five years left its mark on me and I'm not superstitious but I am sortastitious so I wasn't taking any chances. Bina would be so proud that we followed her advice and Rya is thankful we didn't kill her with a haircut.

Rya's First Birthday!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Baby Girl!

THE STATS=

Birth Weight= 9lbs 4ozs / Today's Weight= 23lbs 13 ozs

Birth Height= 20 1/2 inches / Today's Height= 30 inches

100% Lovable

Sleepover

This weekend we took my friend Stacey's kids for a night so she and her husband could go to a South Carolina Gamecock Game in Columbia. Currier had so much fun hosting a sleepover. They played cars and trains, caught a lizard, ate pizza, watched two movies, played lots of games, ate donuts, did crafts, helped pick up leaves (for a prize), climbed trees and had a few fights. We love the Aukamp boys and can't wait to host another sleepover.

Bruco and Paolo Sitting In A Tree

Occasionally I'll catch my dogs snuggling in my bed and Bruco always jumps up quickly as if to say, "Dude, I'm not gay!"

Friday Favorites—Buttercream Yankee Candle

Stop stressing out about what to get me for Christmas because everyone knows that you can't go wrong with Buttercream Yankee Candle. Who doesn't love the smell of frosting?! Happy Friday.

Dirty Rya D.

This is Rya's third outfit today and it's only noon!

Handmade Thank You Cards

Today we made these little cuties as thank you cards. Currier and I really enjoyed doing this project together. I'm thinking we might make some more and use them as place cards for Thanksgiving dinner. I know, I really need to get a job!

Damn Yankees

Amy, who I graduated high school with, was in Charleston for the weekend visiting her brother and wife who just moved here (and are now my new buddies!) so we all got together at my house with another Newburyporter turned Charlestonian, Stacey, and her family and had a wicked fun night full of spaghetti and meatballs, wine and beer, brownies and tiramisu and lots of laughs.