Slowly getting back into a routine

We are having a bit of trouble getting back into our routine since Christmas came and went. We thought we were going to have a quiet Christmas with just Grandma and Grandpa Capozzoli but we were mistaken. The entire Von Gunten/Seybert clan decided to rent a house in Pinehurst for the Christmas week. They surprised us the Sunday before Christmas with pizza and beer. It was wonderful and great fun having Uncle Tye, Aunt Kelly, Abby, Uncle Trent, Aunt Heather, Caroline, Gaga, Papa, Grandma and Grandpa here for the holidays. We learned that we will be expecting a new cousin too....Aunt Kelly is newly pregnant with baby number two. Uncle Trent and Aunt Heather will be giving Caroline a sister in April. So this Christmas was filled with lots of fun and family. I will post pics soon....still trying to get back into the swing of a quieter house.

Santa's special present

Last night we went to the Children's Christmas Party at Kevin's work. This was the best run and most organized Christmas Party we have attended. It was wonderful! They had a cookie bar filled with all kinds of cookies and candy.....the kids went crazy. And the drinks....most of the drinks were tailored to children's tastes. It was great to see the children's excitement. There were several stations set up for decoration, coloring, face painting, ornament making....you name it....they had it. And the areas to run....that was the best part....the kids could just run and run and run and enjoy being kinds. We had so much fun. My parents were able to attend with us and loved seeing the excitement in all the children too.

We decided to have the kids see Santa once this year to try and keep the magic alive longer...since Santa now visits several malls and parties. I prepared William for our visit and he instantly responded with "Mom, I am going to take Santa my Christmas Letter!" Last week in Kindergarten, the children drafted letters to Santa and glued on pictures of their favorite desires. William chose a pixos starter kit and play-do. I thought it was great he wanted to take his letter. So then yesterday while we were getting ready, William came into my bedroom with a plastic grocery bag filled with all of his candy and states "Mom, I am going to give Santa my candy. I know he likes cookies so I am sure he will like candy. I am also going to take my letter to him." I was so touched by his thoughtfulness and kind heart....what a sweet boy he is turning into. We decided that Santa's special present needed a better presentation than the grocery store bag so we wrapped the candy in pretty tissue paper and found the prefect little gift bag for it.

When it was time for William to sit on Santa's lap, he was a bit nervous at first and Santa was so surprised and touched to receive a present that he did not know what to do. His elf helpers jumped right in and took the special present and put it under the tree. William find the courage and climbed right up on Santa's lap where Santa began to read his Christmas letter and talk with William about what he wanted for Christmas. We left the letter with Santa for him to read later. The Christmas elves took several pictures and were also touched by William's kindness. It was a wonderful moment and loving memory. Oh, and if you are wondering where Paulie was during all this....he was running around the room recovering from the tantrum he threw because we had to wait in line.

Fashion show

The photographer from our family photo shot really likes you to bring accessories for the kids....hats, scarves, sunglasses, drums - pretty much anything that would bring out great smiles. So I was preparing for our session last Friday and William wanted to get in the act and help out. I pulled out all of my winter scarves, hats and gloves. William loved trying them on and modeling them for Mommy and Daddy. I know that they are not the most masculine colors but he had such a great time that we had to take pictures for the blog. He ended up wearing a dark purple scarf with black fringe, a grey hat and black gloves the day of our shot. He thought he looked great and we did get some good smiles out of him.

Family Photos

We had our family photos taken this past Saturday by a professional photographer at a local farm. It was VERY chilly out, but we all braved the cold air and got some really great shots. Our photograph, Tina, was recommended by our friends, Erin and Aaron Roof. She did a great job capturing the boys and getting some very loving shots of Kevin and me and me and William. Hugging and snuggling with William was a special moment and I was thrilled to see it in the photos. Now I just have to wait for the arrival of our CD so I can buy, buy, buy....and frame, frame, frame!

Here is her link.....check out our photos - http://tinawronaphotography.blogspot.com/

A special treat

William wanted to create his own special treat this morning....be a chef. So we played along. His treat included the following ingredients:
Cereal - two kinds. Corn Bran and Frosted Flakes
Fruit Gummies
Grape Jelly
Peanut Butter
Yogurt - two kinds. Cotton candy and Kiwi
BBQ Potato Chips
Bread
Cheese - Colby Jack
Cheetos
Goldfish
Milk to gel it all together

It was tasty. Here is a photo of William eating his treat and then a photo of the actual treat. I videoed him eating it to get his thoughts on it. It is in the video section. Check it out. I think we are safe to say that he is not ready for culinary school at the moment....but is interested.

The Christmas Tree and William's Snowman

William came home with a stamp for being good in Art class....a snowman. The location of the stamp was interesting....his cheek. We had to take a picture of it for the blog. This is the best shot I could get.



While Grandma and Grandpa visited for Thanksgiving, they helped the boys decorate the Christmas tree while Mommy and Daddy went house hunting. William had a great time and was a big helper. Paulie just took ornament after ornament off the tree. Grandma and Grandpa left a few of the ornaments for Mommy and Daddy to do. Here are some pics of our finished tree and of us decorating the tree. Paul still loves to take the ornaments off....something I work with him on everyday.

Aaahhhh, isn't he the greatest

Yup, that would be my husband. You are probably wondering why I am thinking he is the greatest. Last Sunday I went Christmas shopping....by myself....for the last of the toys for the boys. I was away for about three hours. While I was away I didn't expect much to happen at home. When I arrived home it was a new house. My lovely husband had cleaned the entire house, vacuumed the floors, cleaned the hardwood floors, straighted up the family room and play room, and then proceeded to make dinner for us. He even helped put the youngins' to bed! At the end of the night I asked him what made he get so motivated. I love motivation like this! I think it is so sexy! Acts of service is my number 1 love language....if any of you know what that means. And it is NOTHING dirty. Get your heads out of the gutter!. His response: I am going stir crazy being locked up in this house for four days. I don't think he would make a good stay-at-home dad....but part-time housekeeper I'll take.

Christmas fun, songs and gifts

This is a video of what we hear all day, everyday in our home. These fun little Christmas friends sing and dance their hearts out for Paulie and William's entertainment. Paul has been in love with these types of toys since he received his first one from William. So if you are wondering what to get Paulie, any toy like this would make him oh so happy....and Kevin and I would love it too!

Attempts at a family photo

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we attempted to get a family photo for our Christmas card. Since Paulie's arrival in 2006 the Capozzoli Family Christmas Photo has remained very illusive. The first year the photo was of the boys. The second year the photo is the header photo on our blog (as you can tell our children cooperated with taking the picture). Year three seems to be running a tight race with year two. Here are our attempts. I doubt any of these will make it to the Christmas card. I don't know what I will do for our photo....maybe this year the photo space will remain blank. Oh, and these photos are the good ones.......

The ONLY picture that is somewhat possible.

Happy, Happy Thanksgiving

Today is the best day created for feasting, eating, stuffing your face and just sitting around complaining about how much you ate and how fat you feel! We are looking forward to family and friends at the house that is practically decorated for Christmas! We will take photos and post them later tonight.....or tomorrow because we all may be sitting around complaining about how fat we feel. Enjoy today and be thankful for all your blessings. I know we are.

Bigger pics

Auntie Sara emailed the photos from last weekend. I will slowly get them up for your viewing. Here is a cute one of Paulie and Kevin and I right before we left for the formal. Check back for new ones.

The weekend wrap-up

We had a great weekend! It was filled with lots of fun with the kiddos, family (Auntie Sara's visit) and some GREAT date nights for Mommy and Daddy. I think Auntie Sara is definitely taking her birth control pills regularly after babysitting two consecutive nights. Paulie did not make this any easier either with his hour-long tantrum crying fests when we departed. But as always, he survived and remains the happiest two-year old created.

Auntie Sara took pics with her camera and sent them to me via Snapfish, but when I saved them to the computer and uploaded them to the blog they came in this size......I will work on getting bigger pics.

Kevin and I leaving for the formal dinner and dancing at the Pinehurst Resort. A very exciting night for us!

Auntie Sara and her two loves. I think by the time she returns her memory will have forgotten the crying and wailing and remember only the hugs, kisses and smiles. That is why second children are born!

Big weekend

Kevin's work is having a formal this weekend....a big two day event! We are so excited to get some one-on-one adult time alone.....and for a chance to really celebrate! We are even more excited because our favorite Auntie Sara is coming to visit and BABYSIT for free!!!!!!!!!!! How did I, and we...the Capozzolis, get so lucky to have such a great Aunt and friend? She truly loves her nephews...and one day I can love her little ones....more than just Kyra. The best part about Aunt Sara is that she offered to do this.....amazing. Can you say pure GRACE. Her mommy did a good job.

Great day!

This has turned out to be a great day! We decided to go on a "tour" of all of the for sale homes I have been watching since May. So we all packed into the mini-van and drove through our town. We came upon the first house I ever considered....one we would build. I told Kevin about it and he said "This is it. This is the house. Sounds good." Amazing how fast that went. All the work looking at homes, meeting with realtors to look at some, reviewing the budget. When I first saw the house I told Kevin we should consider building....we would get more house for less money and able to customize it. He was not too keen on the idea....but with the new economy....it seems to be the way to go. Again, I was right the first time. Always seems to be the case.

After looking at the house, we had lunch at Panera's Bread Company and came home. Paulie napped, Kevin watched football, William played with fish in the bathtub.....um, rubber fish. I called the builder to get more information.....which will come next week.

Overall, it has been a great day. And, I love, love, love listening to the blog.

'Tis the season

Well, soon enough it will be the season. In keeping with the spirit of the house and the Christmas playlist, I decided (on a whim) to change the blog background to reflect the holiday spirit that has landed in our house....a bit early...I know. But the kids (and I) do love it! Now I know there are some of you out there that would prefer that we not be so festive so early, but you can't keep it bottled up forever....so it escaped. So when you want some holiday spirit but don't want to decorate your house just yet, come on over to the Capozzoli blog and sip some hot apple cider while listening to the music. It might just get you in the mood to....oh, I don't know...decorate.

Gettin' an early start on things

We went to Wal-Mart yesterday. While we were there, we decided to walk thru the Christmas decorations section. Well, that set off a chain reaction that just won't quit! William wanted to buy everything in the store. I broke down and bought a few things....Cinnamon scented pine cones were my favorite! They really make the room smell warm and cozy. I tried to dissuade William from wanting more and more and more by saying we will decorate the house and then see what we need. Well, that led to this.....

Yup, we decorated the house yesterday. We had so much fun that William awoke this morning wanting to decorate more. Christmas trees aren't on sale yet, but when they are we will be getting ours early. Thanksgiving is going to be very festive this year at our home.

Oh, and in keeping with the spirit of the holidays....and the early times....I have made a playlist of Christmas music. Enjoy and listen often to the blog....I know I will. Probably more than my Christmas CDs.

This could never happen

I bought some new plants for the house and potted them last week. After I put the red bromeliad out in the family room it hit me.....I could NEVER have this plant out in the past 14 years. Why do you ask......





because of this one. Lisa was a huge fan of ANYTHING RED!!!!!! Red flowers, red tomatoes, red apples, red, red, red. If it was red it went in her mouth. Seeing the red bromeliad made me smile thinking of my sweet baby girl. Still missing her everyday.

You know when you are feeling better.....

You realize just how dirty your house is!!!!!!!! That was me this past week, but just did not have the energy to clean. Oh, I knew how dirty it was....but it remained that way until today....when I found this.....

My cabinets open and my pots and pans on the floor. Wondering where the other two bowls were, I went searching and found this......

Oh to be five and two again....to play all day in the bathtub with water and have no responsibilities...or worry about a dirty house. After a LONG time playing, we cleaned up and then started cleaning the house. I must be feeling better because their destruction was cute....I even took pictures and blogged about it!

The weekend events....Happy Halloween, Paulie's 2nd Birthday....in reverse.

Hold on to your hats. This is a LONG post, filled with many, many photos and a VIDEO!



We had a VERY eventful weekend. It was Halloween and Paul's second birthday celebration. Both sets of grandparents flew in, as well as Auntie Sara. William and Paul had so much attention they did not know where to go or who to manipulate first! Friday was also a joyous day in our house because Kevin returned home after being away for two weeks. Mommy, unfortunately, was very sick and had to visit the doctor. So while Mommy and Daddy rested Friday night, grandparents and Auntie Sara took the kiddos trick or treating. So, to read and see about the festivities....start at the bottom of this post.

Presents and Cake

This year was the year of the farm for Paul. He loves, loves, loves farm animals and any little toy that has them. The Mommy Gym has a great Fischer Price Farm set that he plays with EVERYTIME we go there. So, that was his gift....over and over and over. Both sets of grandparents, Auntie Sara, William and Mommy and Daddy all gave Paulie farm animals and pretend farms. He loved them all. Here are pics of him opening his presents and surrounding himself with his favorite - cows.

This year was so much the farm theme that I got him a Fischer Price Farm Cupcake for him. He loved it!

Paul's Birthday Party

The next morning, Mommy was feeling better so we all went to the Imagination Station for Paul's birthday play session. This is a kids playplace where they can play anywhere and anyway possible during the hour-long session. The boys love this place. It is very reasonable too....$6 per hour, per child. Paulie was free because it was his birthday....so for six bucks we had a great time. Paul's favorite place here is the cafe. He served Mommy, Gaga and Papa many meals. William ran from one activity to another. Here are some pics.

Happy Halloween

Here are some photos from Friday night. William is dressed as the Evil Lord and Paulie is a Tiger. William's costume looked great with his mask on, but he chose not to wear it. Most people thought he looked like a tree. This is a running theme in our family. We are two out of four for mistaken Halloween costumes for William.

At two he was a Tiger....everyone saw that.

At three he was a Secret Agent (from the show The Backyardigans)....everyone thought he was a Coach.

At four he was a Skeleton....everyone saw that.

At five he was an Evil Lord....everyone thought he was a tree.

Wonder what next year will bring?

The gang returned with tons and tons and tons of candy. And, unfortunately, we did not have ANY trick or treaters at our house, so we had a ton more. The gang reported that Paulie was a bit nervous and shy starting out, but by the third house he understood the routine:

Go to the door and knock.

Strangers answer and awe over how cute you are - they offer candy

You take handfuls of free candy.

Eventually, Paulie was so comfortable doing this, he would walk into their home when they opened the door to get the candy! He was also signing and running with his brother from house to house. That boy is a quick study! Here are some of the photos.

Below is a video of Paulie while we are signing "Happy Birthday". He was the most excited two-year! When the cake rounded the corner, his eyes got so wide and his mouth just pursed with excitement. It was almost like he was saying "That is for me. WOW!!!!!!" Kevin did get a photo of that moment. It is above. Here is some video of it. He was just too cute.