Roberts Coaching Career

His portfolio is building! As you all probably know he is the high school football coach here in Sigonella but really wants to take his coaching career further as it seems that he is passionate and good at what he does. After Sigonella NEVER having a winning record in its entire 50 years, Robert led the team in a 5-1 record last year.

Recently the semi-pro team came to town to teach the high schoolers some skills and advice. Robert went down to the practice to watch his kids working with the Catania Elephants. It ended up turning into way more than he could have imagined. The Elephants asked him to coach! Amazing in the least. We are talking former NFL players, top players from college around the US, and even some Italians that are amazing at this american sport.

On another note, our news station interviewed him. This story has been played constantly all over Europe so he is a star!

Here is the video for all to see.

Big Boy

Who thinks its time for a new carseat? We have made the purchase but haven't installed it yet. This pictures tells me that I better get working on that.

Ruth's Pirate Party at School

Ruth's preschool had a Pirate Day in honor of the letter P. We were invited to join in the celebration and it was so much fun to spend the day with Ruth at her school.

We sat in circle time, including Daddy, to learn about the treasure hunt that was to take place outside on the playground. The teachers drew a map of the playground as well as a line on where they needed to go. At the end...an X that leaded to the treasure.

Here is Daddy and Ruth listening to the story of the treasure... all of the kids wanted to sit by him for some reason.

Russell didn't mind all of the commotion. Mommy found a nice quiet corner to put me with my toys for most of the morning.

I am outside getting ready for the teacher to say go. Then I am going hunting for the treasure!
The map said down the slide, over the bridge, around the tree, then find the X

Guess who found the treasure! Yes indeed, Miss Ruth did! She stood there right next to her treasure and asked her teacher "Is it here? I can't find it?" The teacher did a little point to the left inconspicuously. Voila... Ruth was the winner!

Preparing for the big day

Lately it seems all Ruth is focused on is her dance recital. She wants to practice what she is learning around the house constantly. I recently went up to spy on her in class and she seems so focused for a three year old. Of course I became a proud mommy the way she was sitting with her back so straight, concentrating on the teacher, and practicing her arm movements.

The class has ordered her dance costume for the big recital coming in May. She can't wait to see it in person but in the mean time wants to look at it online at least three times a day. She wanted me to share it with you all as she firmly believes your excitement is just as great as hers.

So here it is. The blue costume. It is a Earthy type of theme. Her class is the water. The other classes are butterflies, trees, fish, flowers, etc....

6 months now

Russell... you are 6 months now.

We finally see your personality shining through. You are so much more rambunctious than your sister. You try to go everywhere yet get nowhere.... not yet anyways. You can't seem to sit still! These days we place you on our lap you are constantly kicking your legs and moving around trying to figure out how to crawl. If we stand you up on your legs you jump and jump. I am not used to this as you are so different from your sister who would still rather just cuddle in my lap than be as active as you are. I am not sure whether you two are just polar opposites or whether its just the "boy" in you. Right now, you are scaring me for the toddler years!

Russell, your blue eyes melt our heart. You have Mommy wrapped around your little finger like your sister has her Daddy around hers. We both love you of course just as much but it seems that when you are upset, want rocked, or want to cuddle, you only want your mommy. That's secretly OK with me and I really do love it. I will try not to tell you that.

What I love most about you right now is the way you admire your sister. You look at her like she is your everything. Like you want to be just like her. Like she knows so much and you are amazed by it. The look in your eyes and your little giggle you give her just makes me so happy to have the two of you.

Russell you have completed our family. You are great in every way. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us for the second half of your first year! We all love you more than you could ever imagine and we hope you feel it every moment of your life.

Weight: 18 lbs 13 Ounces
Height: 27 3/4 inches
Milestones:
-Rolls from back to belly but hasn't mastered the other way
-Kickes legs and "swims" with arms but can't seem to get belly off the ground to crawl
-Sits up for short intervals before toppling
-Passes objects from hand to hand
-Babbles all of the time
-Mastered the sippy cup
-Eats baby food twice a day
-Sleeps for an 8 hour stretch before waking for a bottle
-Can go backward in walker but not forward
-Loves the Jumparoo

Guess Who's Sitting?

Russell is!

Oh and yes that is major drool. We are waiting for that first tooth. We can see it but it isn't through yet.


We still get the occasional picture that looks like this.... he will get the hang of it very soon though!

Russell admires Ruth

Everytime Ruth is in Russells view he is full of smiles that melts my heart. They love eachother so much. After a month or two of temper tantrums for attention... held of course by Ruth... things are better than ever. With that I am leaving you with this video. I get to see it every day and it brings smiles to my face and tears to my eyes. So if you miss the kids... grab a tissue..it will have you giggling and crying at the same time. Love you all and miss you.

Carnivale!!! What a blast that was! We left Russell with a baby sitter and headed into the beautiful town of Acireale for their annual carnivale. This time of year is full of celebrations in many towns throughout Italy. It is all about dressing the kids up in their favorite costumes, eating all the best food Sicily has to offer, walking the town until your feet fall off, throwing confetti and silly string, riding rides, and staying up until you just can't stay up anymore.

Ruth had her full princess gear on and we headed into the town...
Carnivale is known for its large beautiful floats running up and down the streets all night...

This year wouldn't be a true carnivale without the Michael Jackson float.... he wasn't just a craze in America you know!

Ruth and KK covered in confetti and having a blast...

The girls watching the floats...

At around midnight we sent the girls on the trampoline and a few rides before they finally passed out in the car. Can you believe she was doing this at midnight and still going strong?

What a great memory to leave Sicily with.

The week of Valentine's Day, Ruth's preschool had a V-day party for the parents to come. I had so much fun watching how she interacts with her peers and how the school day usually goes.

This mat is where they all go frequently throughout the day to learn, listen to stories, or just gather everyone up for the next activity.
They all must wash their hands at the sink before having their snack!

She insists on having the head of the table at home so Robert has been formally removed from that spot... apparently it is the same at school too....

Russell and I are having fun while some of the other parents are snapping photos. This one was captured.... I love Russell in this picture.

One of her very best school friends... Sophie and Ruth are often attached at the hip....

along with Brianna.... they are certainly like the three muskateers. The teacher tells me that one can't do anything without the other two. I have to say though that I am glad she picked the ones that she did... the teachers tell me that Ruth, Sophie and Brianna are the best in class.

Where dreams come true!

Oh my goodness did Ruth have a good time at Disney Paris... again...(shes a bit spoiled).

We stayed for three days and although it was cold and a little rainy we still had a great time. We stayed at the DisneyLand Hotel at the entrance to the park. The hotel had its own breakfast with the characters every morning and a character parade down the staircase of the hotel lobby every afternoon. We all LOVED the swimming pool, including Russell who couldn't get enough. And a no parents allowed kids club that Ruth begged to go to whenever we weren't in the park. Our three day mini vacation was so much fun and was jam packed of great memories of just the 4 of us.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

Grammy Eck... this one is for you!

Grammy Haueisen.... this one is for you!

Russell is a piggy...

So yes... Russell is eating like a mad man now. He had enough of formula around 5 months and we moved to cereal. Now he is downing cereal in the morning and two jars of baby food in the evening. I can't keep up with him.

Here are pictures and a video of his first time being spoon fed.

His big sister always makes sure he is spiffy clean.

Catching Up...

Sorry folks... I am bad at this. No matter how much you all bug me... it takes forever to get caught up.

For that I will leave you with a picture Ruth took of her and I. In the mean time... I am working diligently at updating the blog tonight.