Silvestro Family: October 2012

October 31, 2012

A Warm So. Cal. Halloween

As if traveling to Florida wasn't enough for the month of October, on the Saturday before Halloween we gathered the troops once again and headed back to Logan Airport (thanks Peggi!) to board our 6 hr flight to California. Oh man was that a looooong 6hrs. I didn't know how easily a little 2 year old girl could slip through airline seat belts! ;). This time I armed myself with more 'surprise' toys than ever before, keeping them busy and somewhat happy while we headed to the West Coast. We couldn't wait to get there and see Grandma, and run around in the warm sunny weather.

Unfortunately, we got 'warm' in more ways than one. Vince came down with a fever about 2 days into the trip... and had one for about 1/2 the total trip! I don't think there has been one time that all 5 of us has been well at the same time. He didn't let being sick slow him down too much though, he definitely enjoyed his time being spoiled by Grandma, and we still got out and trick or treated with friends, got to go to Disneyland, and got to visit Descanso Gardens and Griffith Park.

Halloween is Always Better at Disneyland!

October 26, 2012

Vince's Dream Come True

Ok, I'm still trying to get through October.... and Vince reminded me that I better write about 'Day Out with Thomas'. In case you're wondering, he's still crazy about trains.... so we decided to squeeze in yet another activity in October, somewhere between flying to Florida and flying to California. I know, crazy month-but fun! At least we had good luck this time at the Thomas event, as this year it wasn't unbearably hot, and Sir Topham Hat didn't pass out like he did last time we went. We bought tickets for the 9:50am train, thinking we'd get there in plenty of time and be able to catch a few rides before getting on our scheduled ride. I'm realizing that it's a bit harder these days to keep up with my track record of being able to get places relatively on time even with multiple children in tow. Between the kids slowing us up, and Mike missing the correct exit, we ended up practically running onto the train in order to make it!

We met our friends, jumped on the train and off we traveled through the cranberry bogs of Edaville.

At the end they let you take pictures with Thomas at the front of the train.

Vince didn't want to leave

Only piloting a plane like the Red Baron could get him to leave Thomas!

And this time we got a picture with Sir Topham Hat, sans face on the floor

Mike the Knight!

Luca had fun with his first ball pit experience.

"Mom! What am I supposed to do in here!?"

Vince and Zoë on the other hand, new exactly what to do

(guess who got in trouble for throwing the plastic balls!)

At one point Zoë completely disappeared and went submerged for a few minutes.

October 25, 2012

Silvestro Family Reunion

Over Columbus Day Weekend, we gathered ourselves and the kids and headed down to Florida for a fun filled 5 days at Disney's Vero Beach Resort, along with 50 other Silvestro family members!

It was a blast being able to hang out with everyone, and have the kids get to know their cousins/aunts/uncles... and everyone in between; while running from the beach to the pool all day! I for one LOVED the warm weather and sun, couldn't get enough of it.

To highlight the most memorable moments:
-being able to see so many family members all at once, and play all day together!
-Some of Mike's siblings organized a photographer so we could get lots of family photos together and with everyone
-Can't forget what a pain the A$* Zoë was while trying to take all the photos! We're lucky we got any good ones
-the pool, beach, and water slide
-the mini golf course right near the pool (awesome!)
-the TONS of kid friendly activities that we could sign the kids up for, such as "pirate sword crafts", and what became all our favorite, the "unbirthday party". Following the theme of Alice In Wonderland, there was an unbirthday party that the kids could go to where they spend an hour at a pretend birthday... doing things like musical chairs, hitting a piñata, and decorating a cupcake. It quickly became our favorite activity when we realized that it was a kid activity where you could DROP THEM OFF FOR THE HOUR! Once we found that out, we dropped them off, and ran out of there straight to the poolside bar, got some drinks, and chilled for an hour while our little people were entertained ;)
-Getting Vince to finally go down the water slide, and seeing his big happy grin on the way down
-The Goofy and Donald Duck Pirate Dinner! 18 of us marched into the hotel restaurant with reservations for the pirate themed dinner, of which everyone was fitted with our own pirate bandana and eye patch (yes, even Luca), and all the cousins were able to bring their above mentioned "pirate sword craft". Vince took it a little too far and insisted on using his sword to attack Donald and Goofy whenever they got anywhere near our table.
-Watching Nonna get escorted in to the afore mentioned pirate dinner by none other than Pirate Goofy himself, and gracefully wrapping her pirate bandana as a classy scarf around her neck. that was cool.
- celebrating cousins Joey and Chris's 5th birthday with everyone!
-making our own cotton candy with my new wish list item the Nostalgia Electrics cotton candy maker. thanks Lori!

PIRATE DINNER PICS:

All the cousins reciting the pirate oath

Vince starts attacking Donald, and doesn't stop

All the cousins giving Goofy hugs, except Vince whose ready to attack

A pirate says what Zoë?! Arrgghh!

Some fun at the beach! yes, poor Zoë inherits lots of boys hats/clothes from brother Vince, but this hat looks cute on her so it's ok

Vince, with cousins Bella (left) and Noelle (right), contemplating the next build on their sand castle

Vince would have tried to dig up the whole beach

Luca, relaxing in the shade

Zoë took over sand castle building at some point

taking a rest

Vince and Zoë admiring our view

This resort being Disney property, it was geared for kids...... of all ages. I think everyone took a turn down the water slide at one point or another. Even Mike's Dad, who everyone gasped at when he came shooting down the slide like a bullet!