AS SHE TURNS 6

For the past few days I have been neglecting my blog and not really keeping up with whats been happening in our lives. I have not even posted pictures of Kayla's 6th birthday. This was last Aug 30, 2009. We had a surprise birthday party for her, she had no idea since she was at her mommy's and she was just picked up by Ralph. Her friends were already at the house by the time they got back and we all stayed in the dinning room to surprise her. She was shocked and so happy to see her friends and that we were celebrating her birthday. It was not a big party whatsoever since it was going to be a school day the next morning but it was enough for the celebrant and her friends to have some fun.


The birthday girl blowing out her candles while her sister tried to blow with her from the other side of the table,lol..
From( L-R ) Kelly, Tracy, Kayla and Tamara.

Even if it was just about 2 hours she still had tons of fun and had a great time with her friends. We love you Manang Kayla (big sister) and hope you stay as beautiful and as good as you are.

SPARKLE IT BIG

I guess almost every one has heard and seen how Taylor Swift was rudely interrupted by Kanye West at the VMA Awards night. I felt bad for her and Beyonce was gracious in her ways when she shared her moment with her. Watching the red carpet at the awards night was something else to behold. From elegant dresses and gowns to out of this world getup or outfit as you may call it. Of course there was a lot of sparkle coming not just from the women but also the men. Some of the artist have what you would call bling bling jewelry. If your into big and sparkly or just want to be noticed that this is the kind of jewelry just for you. I'm not really a tickler for jewelries but I won't mind getting some bling on.

OFFICIALLY CLOSED

What a bummer that Summer is over. Yesterday the pool was officially closed for the season. It would have been closed Monday but Ralph had so many things to do. The pool was ready by Wednesday with all the chemicals in and ready for the winter. All we needed to do yesterday was cover the pool. Sounds easy but its a far more annoying thing to do. At least we finally got the pool closed and hopefully when the next pool opening it wont be bad. After doing all that was supposed to be done we headed off to our favorite Chinese buffet restaurant. How I love eating out buffet style, you get to have your fill with anything and its cheaper. We came home with a full belly but not without any regrets about eating way way to much. Oh well, life will move on and I will eventually loose a couple of pounds. When or how that I do not know....

FRIENDSHIP AND ROMANCE

In 5 more months Ralph and I will be celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary. Until now I still can't believe that we found each other and that we are still together. Its been no secret that He and I meet over the net and that our romance was not your typical one. I never really thought I would find someone I could love, live and have children with. Love and Romance is a big part of our lives. For those looking for love there is a place that you may find it,west virginia chat
. Where meeting people is fun and easy with instant messaging, web cams, live chats, email and many more. Love is easy to find if you know where to look and give yourself that chance like I did.

ACHES AND PAIN

For the past couple of weeks I have been experiencing pain on my lower back as well as on both my knees. The only thing I could think about that could have contributed to my knee pain was when I fell a couple of times in July. On my birthday I was trying to really hustle up with Kayla's lunch and I fell on both my knees in the process of bringing it outside to the pool. Before you guys think I'm a big klutz let me explain that Ralph came inside the house dripping wet and got my floor wet as well. I slipped on a wet hardwood floor. I was in so much pain I could not move for a minute. Last Wednesday I finally went to our family doctor to have my knees checked and I wanted to know what was really wrong with my back. The doctor wont really know unless I get an
X-ray and so I will get one this Monday. I will also need to make an appointment to see a Chiropractor for my back. I told my husband that I'm falling apart,heheheh.... I just hope its nothing major. Wish me luck!!

ITS OUR TURN

The month of August has been full of storks delivering babies. Really I probably knew about 4 women who delivered last month. Every time I found out that one of those babies were already born I felt happiness, excitement and jealousy at the same time. Its no secret that Ralph and I have been wanting to have another child for over a year now. My heart breaks every single month I get my menstrual period proving that were still not conceiving. But I know in my heart that things happen for a reason and I should just be thankful for what I have now.

There is no Price to good health, that is just so true. Now that I have a daughter it make me more aware of my health, her health in short my families health. Lately I have been feeling all this aches and pains in my body that got me scared. What if something is wrong with me? What's going to happen to my family. Will I see the day my kids graduate, get married and have kids? It got me thinking about really doing something to safeguard my health. C'elle the worlds only leading service that makes use of women's menstrual cycle to help collect and preserve valuable stem cells. Before, I have always thought that our menstrual cycle was just there to remind us that were women but now I have a new outlook. Its there for a reason and Its to help us try and preserve life. Its been known that stem cells have many uses and benefits including finding treatment for disorders like diabetes, breast cancer and many more. As a mother we put ourselves last and think about our families first, its time we put ourselves first. Our health is more important than any riches in the world. Order now for a chance to have a safeguard on our families health.

DATE WITH MR.CRABS

Crab Fest!!! A week ago I asked my MIL to take me to the Farmers Market so I can get my crabs. I just went in there to get it and zipie do dah right out the door after. I got a dozen crabs all to myself since both Ralph and my MIL have had enough of crabs while they were still living in New Jersey. As soon as we got home I immediately took a pan and dumped my breakfast/lunch/dinner to start cooking. My mouth was watering since I haven't had crabs in a long time. Eating crabs bring back memories back home. Even if its a very tedious task eating it I still enjoy it. It took me 3 days to finish that dozen crabs together with Kaitlyn. I found out that she loves crabs but I think she is a little bit allergy to it since her pepe got red after she had crabs. Next time I want to try those King Crabs the one I keep on seeing on DEADLIEST CATCH.

OUR FIRST GRADER

Picture above was taken on Kayla's first day of school as a first grader last Aug 19,2009. She is flanked on both sides by her friends Kelly on the left and Tamara on the right. We woke up to a nice warm morning, Kayla woke up excited about going back to school and seeing Kelly and Tamara at the bus stop. She was adamant about making us take the puppies to the bus stop to see her off. Of course we obliged her thinking how hard could it be. It was difficult trying to make two puppies walk while walking a 22 month old and a 6 yr old,lol...The puppies got so excited at the bus stop seeing a lot of kids and adults that we had to keep them away from the crowd. Ralph and I really didn't get to savor the moment of getting her off for the first time in this school year because of the puppies.

The picture below is of Kayla getting off the bus that same day, she was still brimming with excitement and was extra happy to see her best friend Tracy at the bus stop with us. She gave her baby sister a big hug first then us. Kids have so much energy that I just want to bottle up that energy and drink it up as the day goes.
The last is of the girls walking home hand in hand. Tracy is the one in pink, Kaitlyn in the middle and Kayla in blue. They was just walking and babbling away like they had not seen each other for so long. Kids are so funny.

UNDERWATER MOMENTS

Watch out Michael Phelps you have competition swimming up your way. This is our princess bruiser not even two years old and here she is putting her head under water while swimming. And she does all this thing underwater and still look graceful and effortless. Our neighbor still can't believe that she is doing this and that she is a daredevil when it comes to swimming in our pool. Of course she is still in her life vest but she jumps and swims around without any fear. She even tries to use the goggles, snorkel and mask that we have so she can do whatever we do. I can't wait to see what she will be like next summer. Hopefully before she turns 3 we can teach her how to swim without the live vest. However I would still prefer that she has a life vest on her just in case, lol..

TIGER GIRL IN THE MAKING

Among the highlights of our trip to Sesame Place was getting Kayla's face painted. We had to finish off with the water attractions before we get this done for her. There was a lot to choose from but of course being Kayla and her love for animals she chose to be the Tiger Girl. I tried convincing her to get the fairy and flower face painting with little glitters but she refused. I just wanted her to pick something really girlie this time, lol. Once she saw the Tiger design she could not be swayed no matter what we said. She looks pretty cute after after it was done, she even made the a tiger pose but I didn't get a picture of it. If Kaitlyn would have sit still in that chair she would have had the fairy and flower design,lol...

SESAME TRIP

Summer is almost over and I am just know posting the pictures and the adventures we've had. This year, we didn't plan any major vacation for our family. Instead the main highlight of our kids summer adventure was a trip to Sesame Place in Philadelphia. Here are some of the photos we took while we were there :


I was quiet disappointed with Sesame Place. The kids had a good time but they didn't have a blast. It wasn't what Ralph and I thought It was going to be. I guess coz there were a lot of kids there and the rides just took forever and it was disorganized in my opinion. When we got to the big water park I forgot to take a picture the water was surprisingly salty and I just wasn't right for me, you would think you were at the beach with the salt water pouring all over you. It was just plain right disgusting for me. Kayla on the other hand just went to the slides and any other water activities she could see. The only place where they really had a lot of fun was the lazy river. Both girls didn't even bother to get on the tires but just wanted to swim in the freezing water, yes the water was very very cold! We we had known we would have just stayed home and swim in the pool. And the food there was so expensive, my gosh for a bottled water it was $2.47 and a kiddie meal was $8.99. I was so surprised with how expensive it was, we should have brought our own luck and put in a cooler in our van. At least the kids got giddy and so excited when they saw the Sesame characters specially Elmo and Zoey. As far as Ralph and I are concerned we are not going back to Sesame Place any time soon. Next year we would rather go back to Dutch Wonderland where is cheaper and they had more rides and fun water parks for the kids.

THE ONE

Last May our television finally made its last curtain and showed its last show. We could not believe it, we just had that television fixed not 8 months ago. In times like this Ralph would usually just when we took one step forward things happen that drags us two steps back. It useless to pay another $450 to have it fixed only to have it break down on us again less than a year later. Watching television is one of the few things both my husband and I enjoy together, it also helps educate and entertains our kids with songs, values and educational shows. When we finally got our new television and surround system we hit yet another bump. It was a mind boggling for Ralph when it was time to set it all up. Did you know that hooking up a new television and an entertainment center can be so difficult. We ended up paying a professional to set up the whole thing and it was money well spent. If we had not hired a professional we would have ended up with three remote controls. One for the television, the surround sound and the DVD. We finally ended up with just two remote, one for the television/cable and the other one for the entertainment center and the surround sound. Had we known that Yamaha neoHD had existed we would have saved all the hassle. To have just one remote to use on everything would be a blessing. Just one remote can really save us time, its hassle free and the convenience it affords. I definitely not to late, we could still get our hands on our own Yamaha newHd by joining the Yamaha neoHD Sweepstakes . Joining is as easy as tweeting about it at tweeter or enter via blog.iazea.com. Now that is something that I would really love to win. How about you?would you love to get one for your family?

MOTHER AND BROTHERS

The matriarch of the Schifano Family, Caroline flanked by her three sons. From (L-R) Ralph my husband who is the youngest among the brother. His brothers fondly teases him about being the runt in the family. He is one of the hardest working man I have ever met. Larry is the second child. He was the brother that got a lot if injuries as a young boy. He may look scary but once you get to know him he actual has a good heart and will help any way he can. The last but not the least is Angelo the oldest of the brothers. He has the biggest heart and would just about do anything for anyone, the officially chef in the family. Lets not forget the matriarch my MIL, she is a great woman with a lot of courage, patience and love to give around. The three brothers are so different but all with good hearts. I caught the best guy and that is my husband, my honey...

A VACATION AWAITS YOU

Yesterday was the hottest so far this Summer season. At first I didn't think it was going to get that hot but as soon as I would step out on our back deck I would get hit by a wave of hot humid air. It was just so hot that you could feel perspiration popping out on my forehead and back. Our two puppies who normally love staying outside in our backyard could not take the heat even under the shade of the trees. It was totally a good investment on our part that we got our swimming pool. The pool was the perfect way to cool off from the summer heat and the water was so refreshing. In a few more weeks Summer will be leaving us and Fall/Autumn will pave the way for winter.

For those who have yet to go on a vacation you still have time. A great place to go for a family vacation would be at Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing. The perfect place where a husband, a wife, kids and pets can all have a smashing good time. A place so perfectly located that Entertainment and Attraction is just a few miles away from the hotel. They also boast Summer Events for the whole family :

• National Kid's fest
• Annual Downtown Clown Around
• Colgate Country Showdown,
• Father's Day Salute
• Parrot Head Party
  
• and many more

As for Corporations, Company and Businessmen they also have a place for you at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel where business and pleasure go together. Big function rooms for meetings and convention, a place where fitness and recreation under one umbrella and 18 holes of Championship Golf. Now, that is just the perfect vacation for business and pleasure.

THE GRANDKIDS

Picture was taken last July 18, 2009 on my 31st birthday party. From (l-R) Kristen, Andrew, Lauren, AJ, Kayla Nicholas and of course the youngest Kaitlyn on her Mima's lap. This was such an impromptu picture taking for the whole family since we just realized that we were all there. The kids wearing black shirts are Angelo's kids and Kristen and Nicholas are Larry's kids and the two youngest are my kids. Looking at this photo just make me miss my maternal grandparents even more. How I wish a time would come that we would be gather all together for a family picture as well. I still have more pictures and stories to come from my birthday.