Let's go Angels!

Sunday afternoon we headed out to the Big A for the last Angels game of the season (playoffs start this week). Mike had been in Las Vegas for work since Thursday so it was great to have him home (we missed him!) and it was a fun way to spend the afternoon with the family. One of Mike's co-workers was hosting a suite that day and we peaked our heads in to say hello... and ended up watching the whole game there. It was nice for the kids to have the space to romp around a bit more. They have a great time when we sit in the regular seats too... these pictures are from a Friday night game we went too earlier in the season.


We are big Angels fans (how can I not be married to Mike?) and it's been fun to bring the kids to the games with us. We were a little hesistant at first but they had a blast and didn't completely tire us out. We are getting them trained to be fans early!

Storytime

Today was my day off and this morning, as I was putting in a load of wash, I heard Maddie asking William, in her adorable Maddie voice, if he wanted to read stories. A few minutes later when I situated my laundry, I peeked into William's room and this is what I found... The two were sitting together in the rocking chair and Maddie was truly "reading" him the stories! It was the cutest site ever. They play so nicely together now and Maddie is so darn sweet to her little brother. I love it.
Most of the books Maddie knows by heart because we've read them so many times over and over and now Wil is enjoying them too.
She even reads with animation. She must have learned her skills from me!

We love birthday parties!

Our good friend Lucy Hunt turned ONE this weekend and we headed up to Pasadena for the afternoon to celebrate with her. We had a great time hanging out with, not only the birthday girl, but our other good friends Fallon and Fletcher too. Maddie is like the big sister of the group. We were trying to get a picture of them all seated next to each other but it was the boys (William and Fletch) of course, who instantly jumped up when we sat them down. Doesn't Lucy look adorable in her red birthday dress and daisy clad hair?
The kids had so much fun frolicking in the balls all over the backyard! Maddie loved them. She was running and sliding into them...like she was sliding into home plate. We decided it would be a good idea to push them away from the wall of the garage that they were getting so close to though. Erin had bubbles out on the tables and the kids had fun with those too.
Dad was able to capture Wil for a split second. That boy is always on the go... he is really keeping us on our toes.I love pictures like this of little ones checking eachother out! Wil and Fletch are going to be goooood buddies, I can tell. Aren't they adorable?
William LOVED Marcie the beagle. Marcie is getting to be quite an old lady now but she was gentle and patient as ever with my baby. I think Wil was in awe of the "smallness" of Marcie. He's so used to a gigantic, 100 lbs. golden retriever. Marcie was like a circus bear to him. He was giving her kisses and petting her... it was so cute.

Just another night in the Ciriza household...

So, when Mike's schedule permits (and of course that involves me permitting as well), Mike likes to play basketball with a group of his guy friends who play once a week. While he is off shooting hoops with the boys, I'm at home hanging with the kids. William happened to get a hold of Mikos' sunglasses and I couldn't resist capturing a shot. Oh and what could be more fun than pushing around a suitcase that was waiting to be put back into the hall closet. Like I said, this boy LOVES anything with wheels. Wil is also entering that lovely stage where he gets frusterated when he's pushing, say a suitcase, and it gets stuck and he starts throwing the biggest, whiney fit to get me to help him free his object. I think we are well on our way to William turning two....eek!And this was Maddie's form of entertainment for the evening....playing and organizing the DVD's!! Ahhh, the little things that make these babies happy. I love it. She's starting to really like the camara now which is fun. Can you tell?

Wil tags along...

Wil had to tag along to dance class this morning because Mikos is in Colorado for work. He actually did pretty well. He had fun looking at his sister through the window to the classroom and waving at her. We could see Maddie waving back and faintly hear her saying "Hi Wiiilllliam" with a proud grin on her face.

Maddie starts dance!

Maddie started dance this month. This was something she requested to do. She found a book at the library called "We Love Ballet" and after checking it out twice, she said, "Mom, will you sign me up for ballet?" It was the cutest thing. So far, she loves it! I think she likes the leotard/skirt and tights the best! Today was her second class. The class is Saturday mornings and it's a combo of ballet, tap and tumbling.
There are 5 little girls in her class and they are all adorable!
The class starts at 9:00 am so I have to wake Maddie up early because she's such a sleepy head. I wish the class started a wee bit later... like 9:30 or 10:00 but oh well! Luckily the studio is super close to our house...like 2 miles away which is perfect.
Halfway through the class they all come running out to get their tap shoes on. The moms all help them lace up their shoes and back into the class they go...
I think this is the beginning of a great dance career for little Miss Maddie!

Won't sit still...

Trying to get a cute picture of a 3 1/2 year old and 18 month old together is viritually impossible! You should see the skeptical of me, digital camara in hand, yelling their names and trying to get them to sit still. It's seriously comical. This is the best I can do. Can you tell they are watching tv? Dora I believe...
Wil got his first official haircut Monday night...thus the reason I busted out the camara. He looks like a little man now! I was happy they got him to sit long enough to give him a good haircut but a little sad at the end too 'cause now he looks so grown up!! I'm so in love with this little guy! Mesmerized by Dora. Kinda sad but what can I say? Maddie loves Dora and Wil is starting to follow in her footsteps...They finally pooped me out. When Dora was over, we were off to bed.

Maddie's 1st Day of Preschool!

Maddie started Preschool last Wednesday. This was a big day in our house. I really talked it up so she was good and ready and Mike, Maddie and I went to "Back to School Night" the evening before. She was ready! She goes to Trinity Lutheran Christian School and she goes 3, half days a week from 8:30-11:30. I drop her off on my way to work and pick her up at lunchtime. Her teacher's name is Ms. Hosn and so far, things seem to be going well...although she did shed a few tears on her second and third day...totally normal but terrible for me. I left with my heart breaking but was relieved to see a happy toddler telling me she "loved" school when I picked her up. Thank goodness!!

William is now just over 18 months old and is SO MUCH fun! He is such a great little guy. He has been such an easy baby and he is growing up so quickly. His personality is really starting to show through now. He loves cars...all cars...matchbox cars, real cars, car books...anything related to cars that he sees he points and makes the adorable little "vrrrm'ing" noise that boys are so famous for. It's adorable. He loves keys and cell phones too!

I've given in!

Ok... so I've given in! I'm going to try this whole "blogging" thing out and see how it goes. As you all know, I do not claim to be technically saavy in any way but I've had such a great time following the blogs of several of my best friends (Sarah, Kama, Lizzie and Erin) and they swear it's the easiest thing ever. They tell me if they can do it, I can too and they have been my inspiration to get on board and try it out! I hope for this to be a way for family and friends from near and far to be able to feel more in touch with our everyday life and happenings and for it to be a family record of memories that my sweet little babies can look back on when they grow up. So here goes nothing...