Life is moving fast....

Wow can’t believe how quick the last 6 months went- they were busy, hard, crazy, great, and some of the best memories!

I believe we had a great Christmas or so it seemed...lol! We definitely had wonderful family time together with the Giosa’s and Donnelly’s and it seems that a vote was taken and Alison is the “nice” daughter in law-

January was a blur but February was a big month! Our baby, JP turned 6! It’s been hard to except our baby is older, but he’s thriving and doing well. He loves Kindergarten and has adjusted well! He even lost his first tooth this year in May!

Easter was another family fun filled day! Morning with our Giosa cousins and afternoon with our Donnelly cousins...oh and I should mention we gained one on this side! My sister had her second daughter in Feb, Miss Rylee Noelle was born 2 weeks before JPs day.

The kids enjoyed spring- we had baseball for Aiden, spring events at school (such as Aiden's string concert, Spring Fair), and JPs kindergarten presentation.While nothing changed from 3 years ago, the presentation, hit me harder this year...,my baby was finishing kindergarten! JP had an amazing year with a teacher who fostered his creativity, brought out his love for learning, and was inspirational. We’re so happy he had a great year!

Aidens was also great! He had another great teacher  and he thrived learning new things. Can’t believe he’s headed to 4th!

And here we are in summer! The kids are enjoying summer with pool days, and lazy days,  and staying sharp on their skills. But we also celebrate the wonderful year they have had by two Hersheypark trips already.

Summer is in full swing and we’re looking forward to many memories!

Last of the Single Digits

Well we are now in the full swing of the holidays and as much as I dislike cold, I do love this time of year. We always have a lot to celebrate and be Thankful about at this time year.

First up, the boys had a great Halloween- they Trick or Treated at various events and enjoyed all the candy they got, but enjoyed the trade in policy we instituted a few years ago more! They get to keep 10 pieces and trade in everything else to donate to the troops and they get $10 for it. So they love to go "shopping" after Halloween.

November is a big month, where we celebrate our first born and also start the Christmas celebrations!

Aiden starts the countdown on Nov 1st and makes sure we all know the countdown to his birthday-lol. This year he turned 9 and I just can't believe how quick this kid is growing up. He was so happy because his birthday was the week of Thanksgiving so he had 1/2 day and a short week ( I was happy because the celebration was only 3-4 days vs a week this year-lol).

His birthday was low key (as we just got back from a weekend in Hershey- more to come on that in a bit), but he said it was great! We opened his presents before school as Daddy had to work late and then  I came in and was the "mystery reader" in his class and he claims he had no clue it was going to be me :) Then we played and celebrated the day with his brother, his Aunt Stacey and cousin Olivia. He said it was an awesome day!

Then the last of the celebration was his typical Thanksgiving Party with family. He celebrated with his grandparents and his Aunt June, Uncle Marc and cousins- Natalie, Marc, and Matthew. I still can't believe this is his last year as double digits- he's going to be 10 next year-  still wondering how that happened!

We always enjoy the day celebrating being thankful and our baby boy with family. I love when the cousins get together too and watch them grown and interact (and also cry as I see how fast these kids are growing up).

Once Thanksgiving was over it officially became Christmas in the Giosa Household!  I'm a big believer in the Christmas season not starting till after Thanksgiving, but in recent years I have allowed a small Christmas celebration the week before Thanksgiving at Hershey. I like doing it early to beat the crowds.

We stayed at the Hershey Lodge again and celebrated with all our Hershey favorite characters. We did change up Breakfast with Santa this year and decided to check out what Chocolate World had to offer. The time with Santa was great - they allowed each kid to spend one on one time with Santa talking about what they want for Christmas and then did a group shot. Aiden was a bit apprehensive this year and I wonder if he's starting to question the whole Santa thing...I'm trying to soak in every minute of him still believing as I know that time will be ending quickly.

There was also one other family member happy to see Santa- Keith decided to sit on his lap and ask for lots and lots of coffee-lol!

We decided to hit the park the first night we were there this year as the forecast called for rain (and there was lots of it!) It was a bit cold, but luckily not freezing and the kids had a blast still. They enjoyed seeing the park light up for Christmas and experiencing the rides at night.

We also did the drive through lights again which the kids just so enjoy, seeing the different Christmas themes and the Hershey characters.

Saturday after breakfast, we hung at the hotel and did the water park

which the kids love, although it was a little cold for JP. Aiden didn't seem to mind. They love doing the various slides, the Reese challenge water walk, and swimming in the pool.

We ended our vacation, meeting up with Keith's brother's family and having lunch. The kids had a blast with them and we're hoping next year to be there at the same time.

We then officially decorated our house for Christmas on Black Friday. I love to stay in and decorate while we stay in our PJs and watch Christmas specials, it has become a great tradition in our house and the kids seem to enjoy it too!

So we are happy to be in the holiday spirit and the kids are eagerly counting down the days!

To continue on?

So I know my post have been less and far between as the kids get older- they definitely keep me busy (maybe busier?) then when they were younger. Besides school and homework, our fall has been filled with HersheyPark trips with our cousins, Ninja Class, Fall Ball...lots of Fall Ball, and trips to the Pumpkin Patch.

The boys are off to a good school year. JP had a rough few weeks adjusting to the all day every day schedule as he would say school is to long, but he seemed to still love each day. He now is excited to get up and go and the both seem to be thriving. While JPs reports are still more behavior base on a weekly basis, Aiden has weekly test and his scores are amazing. We are so proud of both! And they look so handsome in their school pics.

JP also underwent a surgery this fall- while minor in comparison to some that he has endured, it still was a surgery. They removed the two plates that were put in his knee back in June of 16. The plates were put in to help correct his knee from turning inward and did a great job and now has a nice straight leg. He handled this surgery like a champ- and besides his usual unhappiness coming out of anesthesia he did just fine and was walking in no time. He was back to school in 2 days!

You will notice his left (non FH) leg was also casted. His left foot always seemed tight and not shaped properly. His doctor decided to xray it right before surgery to understand what might be going on and it turns out he has a small deformity, a bone fusion, in that foot. His 4th and 5th toe share the same base for lamest terms. I struggled with this diagnoses for the first day before realize all that this crazy kid has overcome and knew this changed nothing. His doc decided to cast him (while in surgery) to help stretch that foot out and it did exactly what she wanted too. We will leave that foot be for now till we notice an issue/problem.

Aiden is now in 3rd grade which means he got to pick a string instrument- the Viola was his choice. So far he's enjoying it and doesn't sound that bad. Of course he learned that next year he can play wind/brass instruments and already has his eye set on the Trumpet. So he sounds like he wants to be an instrumentalist like his Dad :P

Next up for the boys is Halloween- they both have field trips this week and then Friday is their Fall/Harvest party, which I'm so excited to be picked to participate in both.  This weekend we went Trick or Treating at HersheyPark and this Friday night is the school Trunk or Treat which they both can't wait for...so let the sugar fest begin! My kids are always so sugared up at this time of year because they never have candy, but Flash and Steve from Minecraft can't wait!

 So I started this blog right before I had Aiden to keep friends and family (especially those not close by) updated on how our baby was growing. Then when JP was born I used it as a platform to be transparent of what it's like to raise a child with a birth defect that will have multiple surgeries. I have found this blog to be my outlet for my emotions, but as they get older I do find less time to write and see less readers.

So my question to all of you that still ready- do you want me to keep this going? I would be more then happy to do so (knowing my post still will be here and there). I just want to make sure that someone out there is getting something out of this :)