Another Birthday!

We recently celebrated another birthday.  I don't know how Mikael feels about 35.  I kind of dread it, but I have a few more months to enjoy my 'early' 30's. He appears unphased on the outside, although all of a sudden he is growing a beard. But maybe he is just lazy- it is at the stage where it does not need to be trimmed or anything, so basically it is an excuse not to shave.  My gift for him was a manbag (otherwise known as a murse).  For those doubting faces on the the other side of the ocean, this is a perfectly acceptable (and needed) item for a man and often used in Italy-- although he was not entirely wrong when he called it a 'diaper bag annex' (the extra diapers have to go somewhere!).  We had great cake made by my mom (which Miki actually ate).  The following weekend we went to Tivoli and Miki took a pretty nice picture of him (beard in development included), Lili pulled the remaining stuff on top and I was just happy that they have such a great father.  Happy Birthday Mikael!

I AM ONE!!!!

I had been waiting for my first birthday for a long time, you might say my entire life!  Finally the day arrived and I could not wait to start celebrating!  I have been to many other birthday parties this past year and it was time to have a party for ME.  It was a small, exclusive affair (just the parents, the brother, and Agi mama) and I enjoyed every moment of it, even though I was a bit sick.  I especially liked opening my present from Papa and Agi mama- I will try to have my Mama attach the video.  I loved the homemade chestnut cake ( yes, I am a gourmet cake kind of girl- I was born in Italy after all).  I also want to thank everyone who desperately wanted to be here (who wouldn't want to come to my party) but could not make it, and everyone who sent lovely gifts.  And I especially want to thank Miki, who had a 103 temperature and still insisted on getting all dressed up in his Ferrari vest for my party. You are a great big brother!  Of course, I should not forget my parents, who brought my awesome little (or maybe not so little) bum  into this world.  I can't believe it I am now ONE!  I am NO baby ( but you can still call me Lili Baba).

Birthday Girl Lili  

Halloween after all...

Yes, we are a few holidays behind around here.  We did not think we were going to have Halloween this year since we were in Egypt at the time. Lucky for us, the annual Embassy party was postponed due to the weather. Miki's costume fit from last year, we reincarnated the bee for Lili and off we went.  Miki was so excited and was yelling 'trick or treat' ( in fact he was yelling 'trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat'- which, by the way, they taught him at the italian daycare) right until we got to the first car ( it is actually a trunk or treat) at which point he said no more, except a barely audible thank you after he got the candy... We went to a few cars and then he was off running around and screaming with the other kiddos.  I stole all the peanut butter cups for myself ( I can't remember the last time I had those), Mikael had a bunch of M & M's so it was a good night for all.  We are such mean parents but I think this is the last year we can just take his candy like that, so we had to take advantage of the opportunity.