Bocce Ball Hero

Happy Easter everyone! We just returned from our trip to St. Helena, the first time Dario (4 months old today!) has been there and the longest trip he's ever taken. We've been trying to keep the car rides to a minimum since he would scream any time he got into it but lately he's been able to fall asleep pretty easily, as long as we leave when he's sleepy. He did great on the way up there Saturday morning- conked out right away and stayed asleep the whole time. The return trip was a little, um, noisier. By the time we passed Yountville, I had gotten him to relax and fall asleep by using the emergency-only car pacifier. He never keeps it in his mouth but it distracts him enough to snap him out of the crying. Whew!

Anyway, Matteo had a fabulous time, as always, playing with his cousins Dominic, Aaron, and Mason. They are so great with him, even when he's bossing them around, whether it's about whose turn it is to bat during a baseball game or looking for lizards.



On Sunday morning, we got the boys all dressed up (which lasted a little longer for Matteo than it did for Dario) and had a photo shoot. Yeah, I know I'm gonna have to beat the girls off with a stick. Don't worry- I'm ready.



Then we hunted for Easter eggs and then went to Crane Park for a BBQ picnic. Matteo ran around the playground, played baseball with Mason and Papa Dennis, and snacked on salami & cheese and chips & onion dip. Dario snoozed on my back in our Bamberoo carrier, which is pretty much his favorite place in the world to sleep. When he was awake he watched the kids play on the playground.

Matteo also played his first bocce ball game and seems to be a natural.



As soon as he spied the Tupperware full of cupcakes, he announced to everyone that that's what he wanted for "beezert" (dessert). And as soon as he ate some of his hamburger and lots of watermelon, he got one. I've never seen a kid so excited about a cupcake as he was today.



Thanks Aunt Izzy!

So we had a lovely Easter: family, good food, perfect weather, and little boys running around getting dirty. We're looking forward to Jillian and James's wedding this coming Saturday and hoping for more of the same (except the dirty part, of course).