Just something we thought we'd try. One bruise and 45 min. later.....
(remember to pause the music)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Yeah Summer is here - finally!!!!
I know summer started last week or the week before but for us here in the Pepe house it starts today. No one had school today and we all slept in....well I slept in - OK not really cause poor Anthony is teething so bad and with that comes real big boy tears. He cries cause it hurts so much and when he squeezes his eyes shut lots of real tears come out. It's so sad. He has 2 coming in at once - I hate these teeth for him.
We made a summer "to do" list over the weekend. Everything the kids want to do along with things Steve and I want to do. We have everything from having a picnic and flying a kite to going to fire island and splish splash water park. I'm not sure how we will fit it all but it'll be fun trying. We've planned more BBQ's this summer than in the past. Seriously I think we have one planned just about every weekend from here thru August. It's nice to finally be done with the back yard and really not need to go anywhere if we don't want to. We all played in the pool last night and while sitting in the backyard I forgot we were actually in our backyard and not some vacation spot. That was cool!
So the kids finished off their school years with a bang. Steven enjoyed 1st grade and is excited for 2nd. Samantha finished off the year with showing great improvement - the teachers were all very pleased as were we. My goal is to get her ahead of the game come Sept. and 4th grade so things come a little easier. Having an October birthday with a class full of spring and summer kids making them a year older than Sam didn't always work to her advantage. Bella is so ready for kindergarten that she could have went last year. She is super excited to take the bus and pack a lunch. Sophia as you all know will be starting nursery school in the fall. She'll learn sign language and how to speak french. Before you know it the kid will be asking for a poodle and a beret. Anthony will get to do something with kids his own age just not sure what yet.
We took the kids to Medieval Times yesterday. We had a really fun time. Samantha, of course, enjoyed eating with her hands. No utensils are given. Steven was so busy watching the show he forgot to eat. Anthony on the other hand ate more than any of us and was given seconds. He loved the show. At one point when the crowd was cheering he got in on the action and was jumping out of my lap waving his hands like a maniac. It was the funniest thing. There was a big "guys guy" security guard near where we were sitting and he was just cracking up with Anthony. He was jumping and clapping right along with him. Not sure what was funnier Anthony or the 300lb of muscle security guard that was enjoying every minute of it.
Samantha starts practices with her travel soccer team next week. It's taken a couple of days to adjust to not making the team she wanted but she's much better. Her former coach called and came by to see her and then called her again last night. He spoke with her for 20 minutes and she made it through the call without crying. It was really good for her to hear the support. I on the other hand am still not used to the idea but am working on it. I don't necessarily agree with how this new coach will run things but I've promised to give him a chance and see how it goes. Dude's got like a week to prove himself before I start a revolt..... :) I know this sounds crazy to most - here I am talking about an 8yr old and soccer. I see how most say "she's 8 and it's only a game". I agree but put yourself in my shoes - or rather in my driver's seat. Over these last 2 years I have dedicated a lot of time to Samantha and this sport. I have sat through more soccer games than I thought I ever would. Endless practices 2-3x per week. I have left my car running in the rain for hours while Sam practiced and the other kids sat an watched a movie and instead of saying "are we there yet" all I hear is "is she done yet so we can eat dinner?". I'm not looking for a pat on the back, believe me, I don't see this as chore it's my job as a parent to help her succeed in whatever she wants to do. I know she is gonna have a great year with this team (I've been convincing myself of it for the last few days).
Oh and thanks to those of you that sent her an email or a card to let her know you were thinking of her - she and I really appreciated it and it made her smile.
Ok so I went off track there for a minute but for the last few days I can see how my brother in law Lou can get consumed by this. I can't believe I am admitting this but last night alone I was on the phone with 1 caller for 90 min. discussing this. After dropping off Samantha for her last day of school on Friday I was held up for another 60 min. speaking about Samantha and soccer with other team parents. So the next time I go to pick on you,Lou, about soccer I will think for minute....ahhh who am I kidding I am still gonna pick on you cause your OBSESSED! I on the other hand am very intrigued. On the scale of 1-10 - I'm like a 3 and your like a 20. Your like on the top of Mt. Soccereverast and I am like on the top of the mountain across from the lake in VT.
Back to summer and our crazy antics. I'll try and post often but if a few days go by and you don't see something from me send help cause I must have fallen off my pool float cause the kids took it from me and won't give it back :)
We made a summer "to do" list over the weekend. Everything the kids want to do along with things Steve and I want to do. We have everything from having a picnic and flying a kite to going to fire island and splish splash water park. I'm not sure how we will fit it all but it'll be fun trying. We've planned more BBQ's this summer than in the past. Seriously I think we have one planned just about every weekend from here thru August. It's nice to finally be done with the back yard and really not need to go anywhere if we don't want to. We all played in the pool last night and while sitting in the backyard I forgot we were actually in our backyard and not some vacation spot. That was cool!
So the kids finished off their school years with a bang. Steven enjoyed 1st grade and is excited for 2nd. Samantha finished off the year with showing great improvement - the teachers were all very pleased as were we. My goal is to get her ahead of the game come Sept. and 4th grade so things come a little easier. Having an October birthday with a class full of spring and summer kids making them a year older than Sam didn't always work to her advantage. Bella is so ready for kindergarten that she could have went last year. She is super excited to take the bus and pack a lunch. Sophia as you all know will be starting nursery school in the fall. She'll learn sign language and how to speak french. Before you know it the kid will be asking for a poodle and a beret. Anthony will get to do something with kids his own age just not sure what yet.
We took the kids to Medieval Times yesterday. We had a really fun time. Samantha, of course, enjoyed eating with her hands. No utensils are given. Steven was so busy watching the show he forgot to eat. Anthony on the other hand ate more than any of us and was given seconds. He loved the show. At one point when the crowd was cheering he got in on the action and was jumping out of my lap waving his hands like a maniac. It was the funniest thing. There was a big "guys guy" security guard near where we were sitting and he was just cracking up with Anthony. He was jumping and clapping right along with him. Not sure what was funnier Anthony or the 300lb of muscle security guard that was enjoying every minute of it.
Samantha starts practices with her travel soccer team next week. It's taken a couple of days to adjust to not making the team she wanted but she's much better. Her former coach called and came by to see her and then called her again last night. He spoke with her for 20 minutes and she made it through the call without crying. It was really good for her to hear the support. I on the other hand am still not used to the idea but am working on it. I don't necessarily agree with how this new coach will run things but I've promised to give him a chance and see how it goes. Dude's got like a week to prove himself before I start a revolt..... :) I know this sounds crazy to most - here I am talking about an 8yr old and soccer. I see how most say "she's 8 and it's only a game". I agree but put yourself in my shoes - or rather in my driver's seat. Over these last 2 years I have dedicated a lot of time to Samantha and this sport. I have sat through more soccer games than I thought I ever would. Endless practices 2-3x per week. I have left my car running in the rain for hours while Sam practiced and the other kids sat an watched a movie and instead of saying "are we there yet" all I hear is "is she done yet so we can eat dinner?". I'm not looking for a pat on the back, believe me, I don't see this as chore it's my job as a parent to help her succeed in whatever she wants to do. I know she is gonna have a great year with this team (I've been convincing myself of it for the last few days).
Oh and thanks to those of you that sent her an email or a card to let her know you were thinking of her - she and I really appreciated it and it made her smile.
Ok so I went off track there for a minute but for the last few days I can see how my brother in law Lou can get consumed by this. I can't believe I am admitting this but last night alone I was on the phone with 1 caller for 90 min. discussing this. After dropping off Samantha for her last day of school on Friday I was held up for another 60 min. speaking about Samantha and soccer with other team parents. So the next time I go to pick on you,Lou, about soccer I will think for minute....ahhh who am I kidding I am still gonna pick on you cause your OBSESSED! I on the other hand am very intrigued. On the scale of 1-10 - I'm like a 3 and your like a 20. Your like on the top of Mt. Soccereverast and I am like on the top of the mountain across from the lake in VT.
Back to summer and our crazy antics. I'll try and post often but if a few days go by and you don't see something from me send help cause I must have fallen off my pool float cause the kids took it from me and won't give it back :)
Friday, June 25, 2010
A good lesson
When we grow up we say we want our kids to have it better than we did. When you think about it what does that mean? Is it the newest toy? Is it a pair of shoes so they don't have to walk barefoot in the snow 5 miles to school? What is it? We all say we want "better for our kids". I know that my kids have it better than I did as a kid when it comes to material things -what kid today doesn't. Here's the thing I am a far better advocate for my kids than my parents were. I push the envelope just enough for my kids so that I don't appear crazy but that I help make things happen for them. For example when Steven was younger and he had those feet problems the Dr. I wanted him to see couldn't due to his schedule but I didn't take no for an answer and he got into the doctor. Any other Dr. probably would have been fine but as far as I was concerned it wasn't good enough. When Sam was placed into a class last year that I didn't think was a good fit I did what I needed to get it changed. Maybe I manipulate situations just a tad to work in the favor of my kids - who wouldn't?!? Just because others don't think to do it doesn't mean I shouldn't.
Over the last 2 days Samantha had soccer tryouts for the travel team. She made a team just not the one we had wanted. When Samantha got the call last night she was devastated. I mean beyond anything Steve or I had anticipated. The crying went on and on and on and Sam was a mess too :) God help us after her first break-up. As difficult as it was for Samantha last night and as much as we ached for her and I would have given anything to fix it in the end I know this was best. She learned a valuable lesson. Unlike me who always got by with a smile and some good street smarts Samantha learned hard work is needed. Not that I didn't work hard but I always found little ways around doing something or always found that "edge".
This will be good for her - it will toughen her up a little and it will make her always want to give 110%. She feels she gave a 110% over these last 2 days so now she knows even when you give it your all and it still doesn't work out that's OK too. It's not the end of the world - she's 8 and it's soccer. No one wants to bring on disappointment in their children's lives but I will be thankful when it happens (hopefully far and few between) so that they stay grounded and remember things aren't always going to be handed to them. Disappointment, I feel, for this generation of kids is hard to come by but needed more than ever.
Samantha I hope you know how very proud of you we are and when you get older you'll understand better why things went this way. Even though you don't see it now and it hurts and it sucks but really it was for the best. Next year at tryouts you'll leave them all in your dust! We love you baby girlfriend!
Over the last 2 days Samantha had soccer tryouts for the travel team. She made a team just not the one we had wanted. When Samantha got the call last night she was devastated. I mean beyond anything Steve or I had anticipated. The crying went on and on and on and Sam was a mess too :) God help us after her first break-up. As difficult as it was for Samantha last night and as much as we ached for her and I would have given anything to fix it in the end I know this was best. She learned a valuable lesson. Unlike me who always got by with a smile and some good street smarts Samantha learned hard work is needed. Not that I didn't work hard but I always found little ways around doing something or always found that "edge".
This will be good for her - it will toughen her up a little and it will make her always want to give 110%. She feels she gave a 110% over these last 2 days so now she knows even when you give it your all and it still doesn't work out that's OK too. It's not the end of the world - she's 8 and it's soccer. No one wants to bring on disappointment in their children's lives but I will be thankful when it happens (hopefully far and few between) so that they stay grounded and remember things aren't always going to be handed to them. Disappointment, I feel, for this generation of kids is hard to come by but needed more than ever.
Samantha I hope you know how very proud of you we are and when you get older you'll understand better why things went this way. Even though you don't see it now and it hurts and it sucks but really it was for the best. Next year at tryouts you'll leave them all in your dust! We love you baby girlfriend!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Fathers Day!
I don't need to take this day to tell you how wonderful you are - I tell you all the time. So instead of me writing about how you are such an amazing father to the best 5 kids ever and husband to your fabulous wife :) I think Tina say's it best:
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Just a little brag
Cause if you really know me you know that I don't do it.
Sophia the 3 yr old of just 2 days now had her interview and testing for pre-school. Yes testing. It is a pre-school for the gifted and you have to meet a certain criteria along with a certain IQ in order to get in. Now this is where Steven and Bella went. Steven has since moved on to the Long Island School for the Gifted and we couldn't be more proud of his accomplishments. Luckily for us he doesn't realize how smart he really is so it hasn't all gone to his head yet - if you know what I mean. Bella has done very well but after careful consideration we decided that the public school would be a better fit for Miss Social Butterfly. Not that she wouldn't get that where Steven is but it would just be different.
OK so now it's Sophia's turn. First you can't get tested until you turn 3 and she was 3 on Sunday. When Steven was tested he 4yrs 3mos old. Sophia at 3 yrs 2 days old had scores that reflected an age of a 5 1/2 yr old. Her over all IQ was 8 points higher than that of what Steven's was and his was high. That is just incredible!! I mean Steve and I are completely dumbfounded. Look we knew she had something going on or we wouldn't have bothered but for her scores to come back this far off the charts is crazy! I mean she could be the youngest Nobel peace prize winner for something...lol OK I know that is pushing it ALOT but I'm the mother and it's my right to believe all my kids will be rocket scientists. At the very least maybe she can help me with my grammar.
She has no idea what she did today other than look at pictures and answer some questions. She was most proud of getting to spend the day at school with her big sister and brother. Steven is always welcomed back to the school to hang out when he's not at his school and since he started his summer break already they were excited to have him spend the day. He helped get the kids prepared for their graduation ceremony on Friday. She was excited to get to sit at the table and have snack with all her new friends. She was asked to start now but there is only 2 days left so well hang out till Sept. She said she needs to find the perfect backpack.
Hey I'm the first to admit that Steve has all the book smarts but I do have more street smarts. I'm just lucky my kids are getting his smarty pants genes. On their way to Harvard I'll make sure they know how to change their tire should they get a flat....lol Harvard whatta ya kidding me?!?! If that's the case I'll help them lie on their student aid forms :)
Sophia the 3 yr old of just 2 days now had her interview and testing for pre-school. Yes testing. It is a pre-school for the gifted and you have to meet a certain criteria along with a certain IQ in order to get in. Now this is where Steven and Bella went. Steven has since moved on to the Long Island School for the Gifted and we couldn't be more proud of his accomplishments. Luckily for us he doesn't realize how smart he really is so it hasn't all gone to his head yet - if you know what I mean. Bella has done very well but after careful consideration we decided that the public school would be a better fit for Miss Social Butterfly. Not that she wouldn't get that where Steven is but it would just be different.
OK so now it's Sophia's turn. First you can't get tested until you turn 3 and she was 3 on Sunday. When Steven was tested he 4yrs 3mos old. Sophia at 3 yrs 2 days old had scores that reflected an age of a 5 1/2 yr old. Her over all IQ was 8 points higher than that of what Steven's was and his was high. That is just incredible!! I mean Steve and I are completely dumbfounded. Look we knew she had something going on or we wouldn't have bothered but for her scores to come back this far off the charts is crazy! I mean she could be the youngest Nobel peace prize winner for something...lol OK I know that is pushing it ALOT but I'm the mother and it's my right to believe all my kids will be rocket scientists. At the very least maybe she can help me with my grammar.
She has no idea what she did today other than look at pictures and answer some questions. She was most proud of getting to spend the day at school with her big sister and brother. Steven is always welcomed back to the school to hang out when he's not at his school and since he started his summer break already they were excited to have him spend the day. He helped get the kids prepared for their graduation ceremony on Friday. She was excited to get to sit at the table and have snack with all her new friends. She was asked to start now but there is only 2 days left so well hang out till Sept. She said she needs to find the perfect backpack.
Hey I'm the first to admit that Steve has all the book smarts but I do have more street smarts. I'm just lucky my kids are getting his smarty pants genes. On their way to Harvard I'll make sure they know how to change their tire should they get a flat....lol Harvard whatta ya kidding me?!?! If that's the case I'll help them lie on their student aid forms :)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Monday Monday...
Now you do know that this is my first weekday morning sleeping in. Steven has officially started Summer vacation. What better way for me to kick off this summer then to wake up at 6am when I have no purpose. HA - I am still dreaming of sugar plums. I wrote this last night and set it to be published this morning giving you the illusion that I am awake with you now. FAT CHANCE. I thought this would be an appropriate video. This is how I'm greeted by the little one about 98% of the time.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
It's my June Birthday!
That is the statement just made by the very excited newly crowned 3yr old of the house at 6:10am. Yes AM meaning the crack of dawn. Sophia is bursting with excitement. Of course the torture begins because it is tooo early to get up. On a bright note there is a good chance the birthday girl will need a nap to recover from her early rise.
The beginning - and then there was 4
This kid rocks to her own beat.....
Sophia and her Daddy - these girls and their Daddy - there's really no way to describe it. There's just something about a man and his little girl that turns them to mush instantly. Steve is mush 3x over and loves every minute of it!
The beginning - and then there was 4
This kid rocks to her own beat.....
Sophia and her Daddy - these girls and their Daddy - there's really no way to describe it. There's just something about a man and his little girl that turns them to mush instantly. Steve is mush 3x over and loves every minute of it!
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