Our way of saying thank you

Boy (aka: Giuseppe) teaches lesson about honors our brave troops

Here is an article about Giuseppe.
Remember when he asked for no gifts this year for his birthday, but instead wanted to collect money for injured soldiers. Well, read this below. It is a nice editorial from a local paper nearby.

click here to read me

Oh, and next year he may hit you up again. He wants to exceed what he raised this year for 2010.

First Bath

Tonight Rocco got to experience his first real bath. He was joined by Giuseppe and Vincenzo. It was an exciting and loud time.

Operation Injured Soldier

Giuseppe raised $505.00 for Operation Injured Soldiers instead of accepting gifts for his 6th birthday!

Someday I hope he realizes how much even $505.00 can change the life of an Injured Soldier! We're so proud of you Giuseppe!

Sgt. Wentworth gave Giuseppe a special flag.
Sgt. Wentworth was almost killed in Iraq and every year on the anniversary date he has a pig roast to celebrate his living. He flies a flag each year.
He presented Giuseppe with the first flag from the first celebration!

No pictures to post, little to report

Friday, July 3

We made a trip to a nearby Metropark to watch the fireworks. The display had Vincenzo mesmerized. 

Saturday, July 4
We made an appearance at the Lodi Twp., July 4th event. While there, Giuseppe collected more money for his Operation Injured Soldier jar. At this point, he has collected over $265. Great going!

In the evening, Andy entertained us with his own backyard firework display.

Sunday, July 5

Church. Play. The boys made a trip to the pool for a few hours.

What a tough guy

This kid rocks! Here he is just after his operation.

They were once so small

What will Baby Earl look like?

Both pictures were taken at St. Joseph's Hospital in Ann Arbor when they were a mere 2 days old.

Saline's coach-pitch baseball league

No kidding, this kid is not only a fabulous athlete, but also a total stud!

First Digital Masterpiece

Giuseppe came into work with me today.

He got into one of my design programs and designed his first ever digital masterpiece.

Pretty impressive since most adults have a hard time working with my pen-tablet.

Star athlete

Giuseppe has been doing so great at baseball this season.

In a 7-day period Giuseppe has 4 games. 

He keeps us busy.

Ready, Set, Aim, FIRE!

In the image above, Giuseppe is aiming to flip a rubber-band at me while I was taking his picture.

Warning to all: Take cover when visiting.

Annual doctor's visit

Giuseppe is doing great. 

Currently @ 55 lbs (90th percentile) and 48.5 inches (95th percentile) tall without shoes.

Giuseppe is on the border of have "Bove" eyes, which means BAD eyesight. He is going to see a specialist for a more specific exam sometime over the summer.

Vincenzo seems to be health, as well. 

Currently @ 29.5 lbs (68th percentile) and 36.5 inches (95th percentile) tall without shoes.

Vincenzo is predicted to be 6 feet, 4 inches by the time he is 18 years old, however I was told by my doctor that boys continue to grow after age 18 so he may be an additional inch or two. 

The growth predictors only predict to age 18. I never knew.

Note: Giuseppe is predicted to be the same.

Note to self: Bring help when taking two boys for an exam at the same time. 

It was a wild and LOUD time during our 1 1/2 exam.

How will I pull this off with three?

Gum stuck in hair

I guess every childhood story has to have a chapter on the time you got gum stuck in your hair. Well, here is Giuseppe's as told by Giuseppe:

"I was jumping on and off the couch. My gum fell out of my mouth as I was doing my "moves" and it got squished between my head and the carpet."

After Andy and I thought it through, we decided to cut it out. Yep, those are the consequences when you act silly with gum involved. So, today Giuseppe goes to school with a fun patch of hair missing.

Gotta love childhood stories.

Cotton candy

Can cotton candy be considered a food group?

This is a bit out of the ordinary for Giuseppe, the kid that would rather have watermelon over ice cream or raw vegetables over birthday cake.

Spring art and music show

St. Thomas's spring show

Tuesday night St. Thomas Catholic School provided parents a great opportunity to see art work the students had been working on as well as a music sung by the students. It was a pleasant evening.

I can't say that Giuseppe sang at all or even pretended to sing, but he sure had a nice smile on the entire time.

Before we left he wanted to dress "handsome," so we did just that. Once we got him to school him and three other of his guy friends started play "wrestling" on the floor. So much for ironing his clothes.

The photo is actually of him and one of his best buds, Adam. Not really sure what it going on in the picture. You observations are appreciated.

School registrations

Take a look at this perfect smiling face. 

You can image how heartbroken I was to see him in tears after registering him last night to a different school. 

Giuseppe has been at St. Thomas for a few years now and has developed some good friends. He is sad that next year he has to start all over.

I tried to encourage him, but no words could help. I took him out for ice cream, which was a temporary relief for him.

Trying on glasses

Giuseppe accompanied me to pick up my new glasses. 

He was my entertainment while I waited.

He was in such good spirits.

I love it when he's like that.

Take a look at the video I put together.

This is NOT from the equipment or software I will be using when I launch Smart Thinking, LLC. 

Giuseppe

You never know what you are gonna get with Giuseppe. Sometime he is Mr. Attitude and other time he is Mr. Comedian. Whatever the case, he always has us entertained.

Giuseppe is approaching 6, but will correct you if you say he is 5... he is 5 3/4.

Giuseppe has been a fabulous brother Vincenzo and without doubt he will be a fabulous brother to the newest addition arrive this summer.