Trip to New Jersey, part 4: The Aftermath

Only half of these toys are Dylan's


Read to me! Pick me up!

Ketchup with your banana?



Ah, family chaos is the best kind...Especially and only if there are kids involved.

I'll help clean up!

Trip to New Jersey, part 3: Opening presents

Hey Dylan! Look at the literal cart of presents for you! Wowie!
Rachel helped Dylan and Noemi open all the presents. Which was good because Dylan didn't seem all that interested in the whole process.

New Mets cap.
Where's Dylan?? And where are your pants???

He's helping!
And eating wrapping paper!





Aw...

Trip to New Jersey, part 2: Jessica's house

Where did his pants go?
Dylan's way of playing with blocks was a little incompatible with the Di Cori's way. Dylan likes to stack them calmly and then calmly dismantle the tower. The Di Cori's way is that one person (the mommy) tries to stack them as quickly as possible and the others (the kids) then try to knock them over before the mommy can finish. Oh well. Next time Dylan will be leading the charge to knock everything over.
Seriously, has anyone seen Dylan's pants?
Broom!!!!

Is it dirty over there? I'll get it with my awesome broom! Actually, it's Rachel's but don't tell that to Dylan!

Trip to New Jersey, part 1: Soccer game in Suffern

Even though it looks like it, Dylan did not run onto the field during a girls middle school soccer game (though, let me tell you, he tried). The game had just ended and the winning team was running back to their bench to celebrate. Unfortunately, Dylan's cousin Noemi's team did not win. But wow, they are the toughest bunch of 9-year-olds I've ever seen.
It took a while to get across the field because we had to stop and check the field out...
...and chase our shadows.
Apparently, "running the gauntlet" in girls soccer-land is a fun thing. Check out number 10, Noemi "Totti" Di Cori.
The goalie in the background stopped a penalty kick con freddezza. Noemi scored their only goal.
Noemi adores Dylan. I think the feeling is mutual.


Cousin Rachel!
It took another eternity to get back across the field. Noemi ended up just scooping the ball of energy up into her arms and carrying him.

Swingin' in the cold

Wearing a hoodie 'cause it's chilly
He makes it look good

Cuddling and snacking

What could be better?

Best present (from Zia Julia!)

A few days after Dylan's first birthday, we got a big, flat package in the mail. What could it be? A book! A BIG book!. Dylan is taller than it is, but just by a little. Thanks to Julia and her family (Alberto, Francesco and Pietro) for the wonderful enormous present!
Richard Scarry was one of my favorites when I was little, and this Biggest Word Book Ever combines all or nearly all of the busy worlds that he created.
He's trying to turn the pages!
It's so busy in there! His current favorites are the bananamobile and all of the buses.
Dylan likes to keep on top of his reading...