Sweet D turns Three!

Big Girl Tea Party



For Delia's 3rd birthday we decided to invite 4 of her little girlfriends over for a beauty day and teaparty. We painted nails, made glitter lotion (cotton candy flavored of course) painted butterfly suncatchers, and dolled up in our princess finest. What was left for pint sized princesses to do??? Jump like maniacs in the moonbounce of course!


Delia contemplating her fabulous day

Some of our guests...The maidens Miller, Clary and MaryEllen

Sisters showing off Delia's special request fairy barbie cake...my favorite part of birthdays. My mom always tried to make whatever kind of crazy cake we wanted....I have tried to do the same for my kids...so fun! Hopefully the requests won't get too complicated:)

Pink pink and more pink....whose child is this anyway?!?!?

Sisters deflating with the moonbounce....it was exhaustingly fun

Do you think she had fun???? The girl has no poker face....

I love how Bella is going hummingbird fast in this pic....true to life.

The boys staying a safe distance from all things pink and girly

Yay for Barbies....is it just me...or are those swimsuits down right slutty??? What ever happened to astronaut barbie?

Chilling with friends Olaiya and Killian

Adults were present....Tara Lewis, Uncle Josh and Auntie Steph, also stay a safe distance from all things glittery and pink...

Tea-time!

D having a hard time getting three candle out...I think it was a directional malfunction...because she seems to have plenty of hot air!

D is so thrilled with her cake:) The day started with Jammies and frosting...what could be better?

Memorial Day

Well...it was a busy Memorial Day weekend. Bella graduated from pre-school (after three long years!). She is so excited, and sad all at the same time. We were so blessed to have such a caring and nuturing teacher, Ms. Lynn for so long....Bella cares deeply for her, and has grown and matured so much during her time there at Madison Center. It has been a wonderful experience for us all! Bella recieving her "diploma"

One last snuggle with Ms. Lynn before the real world!

We all went to the Memorial Day Parade...here Mike and Josh hang tough in their hood....on the mall in front of the Smithsonian Castle.

The kiddoes took a spin on the Mall Carousel after the festivities

Love the man in the big big hat sandwiched between the girls.

Who doesn't love a parade!?! Delia puts on her game face while sharing a snuggle with friend Juliana McFadden at the parade




We get great seats since Mike's company puts on the parade...the kids get to enjoy a great view, and we don't have to fight the throngs of people....it is a small perk...but we love it!

Enzo loves the girls in spandex...just like his dad;)


We all chill on the curb...not the best idea in DC...unless you love the smell of old urine....

The throng on the other side of the parade...sitting up the steps of the museum

Giant ol Glory...pretty cool against the stormy sky of the day....the pic doesn't do it justice...it was enormous.




The kids, ready to see something cool....

It was HOT!

Melting men

I had to throw these pics in....we had a friend Emma over and they all "doctored" Bella.....it was pretty ghastly! She was hooked up everywhere...apparently she had a baby and it didn't work out right...

Bella...pulling through! ;)

Bella's Ballet recital

Foundations are optional right????



It wouldn't be a Paradiso Post without a devastating house photo or two!!! :)



this is what our friend John unearthed most recently. I wonder why we get water in the basement???? Lucky for us John is a whiz kid when it comes to tackling weird house problems....time will tell, but I think we finally have it undercontrol (after building a monolithic wall to hold our foundation together)

Okay....now Bella can get her props. She had her annual dance recital here in Falls Church. Man does this girl love to spin and twirl...never mind the mud and holes in the knees of her ballet tights from sliding "Fame"style across every flat surface....there is a controlled graceful girl just trying to break out of her...I think.... Bella with her beloved teacher, Mrs. O'hara

A lot of tulle.....

Bella doing her thing...believe it or not (those of you who know Bella personally...) she uses quite a bit of self-control when dancing:)

Getting ready for the recital

Coloring ballerinas

Sweet D wants to get in on the costume action

Vogue-ing