June Milestones

It's happening again - June is gone and the rest of the summer threatens to be gone in a flash. I have a theory why the summer feels like it's only three weeks long. It's because summer is the only season where you actually live in the present moment.

You don't spend it thinking about last Christmas or the snow or even the first spring day. At the same time, you don't waste it living in the future either because nothing else seems important. It's Fun-in-the-sun-time! The sprinklers are waiting (can you tell we live in the city?). The sidewalk tables at Bar 43 are breezy and inviting. Spontaneity is in the air and about the only preparation a person needs is remembering to slap on deodorant.

Now that the weddings and graduations and recitals are done, here's a little recap of events gone by.

My Sister-In-Law's Big Catholic Wedding:

From left to right: Mr. Joe Peters & Mrs. Rachel Peters and Mike (Rachel's brother/My husband)

Because their father passed away, Mike walked Rachel down the aisle and gave her away. What a brother, eh? He even wore his Red Wing boots to give him some height and man, did he look spiffy (it's still legal to use that word, right?).

Although, this is Rachel's second marriage, Rachel and Joe have been best friends like, forever. So even if he's new to the family he's not exactly new to us - we're thrilled just the same.

And as far as relationships with Rachel's first marriage...

This is Rachel and Mike doing a shot with the former hubby, Kenny. How often does this happen, ya think?

Rachel & Joe are happy and we're happy that they're happy and happy that we still get to see Kenny - cuz we like him a lot - and the boys are even happier because they get two uncles.

Auntie Rules!










After School Final Showcase:

No, these guys aren't mini hit men, they're the Kindergarten graduates performing in the final show organized by the Sunnyside Community service.

As much as my little guy loved the After School program he was brimming with joy that it was all over. Unfortunately, it may not be around next year as the program's funding was cut. Looks like it's back to hangin' out on the streets and latch key kids for our school. Hey, I grew up like that and I didn't turn out that bad...

It's A Small World, After All...

Kazuki, on the left and his buddy Louis are the only two boys in their ballet class.

While the girls cleanly executed the recital number, the boys looked as if they were getting ready to moon the audience.

They were adorable nonetheless as only boys can be surrounded by lots of pretty little ballerinas. Women think men who can dance are irresistible and I guess it applies to five-year-olds as well.


The Graduate ...okay, so it's Kindergarten but so what?

Tell me this pose isn't hilarious. I'm thinking about sending it to Dr. Heckle.

This is Zuki on Graduation Day. Despite the fact that it was just Kindergarten, families were only allowed two tickets to attend. And to add insult to injury, children counted as one person, which meant siblings needed a ticket, too.

For college, even high school I can understand the limitation but for Kindergarten? Think of all the grandparents who couldn't attend because mom and dad wanted to attend.

Well, there's always YouTube.



Zuki with Daddy and the Last Hairbender.

The Future Rat Pack? Atlantic City, here we come!

Zuki with his teacher, Mrs. Mifsud.

She's nothing short of a miracle worker. He learned in leaps and bounds and she kept his wackiness in order...who else could do that, Jesus?





And speaking of wackiness...Here is K4 of 2010!

Good Luck In First Grade!

All Hitched Up And Ready To Go

It's true that change is the only consistent thing in life. Well, that and inflation...and dry Vodka Martinis and Dove chocolate bites if it's dark with almonds. But change is always enjoyable because the more it happens, the more things stay the same. Whereas inflation, martinis and Dove chocolate bites tend to add padding in the wrong places.

What changed over the weekend, you say? Oh nothing much, just a family member! My sister-in-law, Rachel was married to Joe in a charming ceremony conducted by a humorous Father Nick at the St. Thomas Church.

It was hard to believe the beautiful bride was posing in a picture with a whip and a package of Dicky Treats just two weeks ago. Here she is just minutes before being whisked away to church in the...Honda minivan.

Sorry, but I have no pictures of the actual wedding because I Was In It! Woo-hoo, my first Maid of Honor gig. I don't see any more in my future and thank goodness for that - I was ready to pass out wearing a corset. You don't realize how much you need your diaphragm until you constrain it. I have to warn you too, that if you drink wearing a tight corset, you don't feel drunk until it comes off - it's like releasing the Kraken from your liver.

I'm really proud of my guys - even Samu who was still bouncing on steroids during the ceremony. He didn't sprint down the aisle like he did during rehearsal, but he kept pretending to drink the wine as he brought it to the Alter. And Zuki almost tossed the Body of Christ crackers. It's kind of fitting since he's usually doing that with his cookies, the little Puker. Here they are looking Gangsta.

And though the Best Man escorted me down the aisle, here's a picture of him with his "companion" at the reception.

And finally, the Happy Couple. It's really an endearing picture if you can get past my husband looking like he's waiting for someone to bring him a cocktail.

Congratulations, Rachel and Joe. We wish you all the happiness and joy in the world. And - no pressure here - but if you guys have a girl, well, then I'm off the hook...I'm just sayin'.