Fun-Filled Memorial Weekend!

The Sasos kept very busy this Memorial Weekend. There wasn't a dull moment.

On Friday morning, Maria and I went to Washington to attend my mom's farewell mass at St. John's. She is leaving her position as principal there after 21 years... needless to say there were many hugs, tears, and well-wishes. Maria endured church until the first reading before she decided that mass was no fun for her! After playing in the vestibule, we returned at the sign of peace to take part in the farewell portion of the mass. It was very touching, and I'm so proud of my mom for the way she has chosen to live her life. I am so lucky to have her as an example of how to live my life. I LOVE YOU, MOM!

Friday night was a mad dash to prepare for Saturday morning's garage sale. This was the first one for us so we didn't know what to expect. And with rain in the forecast, we were expecting very little traffic... and were we ever WRONG!! We had a steady stream of bargain shoppers from 7:30-11:30 and pocketed over $280 for our junk. We were thrilled! My mom and dad came down to occupy Maria during the sale, and she had a great time too! There's no play like grandma and grandpa play!

Mom then generously agreed to stay to watch Maria while Charles and I went to the baseball game. This was no ordinary game for us - we were invited to watch the game from a luxury suite!!! I was in awe the entire time. The view of the game, the free drinks, food, service... how are we ever supposed to sit in the cheap seats again??? We had a great time with the Millers, Schoenwalders, Nowaks, and friends. A great time was had by all!

-Our view from the "suite" life!

-The guys lounge in the luxury box during a rain delay.

On Sunday it was time to PLAY!!! Charles put together Maria's slide and set up the pool - just in time for some rain! But we got a little play time in before the rain...

-Daddy and Maria play in the Elmo 'mister'
-Our neighbors, Terry and Jack', enjoy the pool (Maria chickened out).

Today, Monday, is being enjoyed at home. It's great to wake up and not have any commitments today! We enjoyed watching Maria dance and act silly in her diaper before officially 'getting up' for the day... she is just growing so fast!

-Maria 'dances' to Mommy's silly singing.

-Maria puts the 'buzz buzz' on her head - (just like in her favorite Laurie Berkner song!)

-Daddy reads the farm book to Maria, as she points to "grandpa's tractor".

I just LOVE long weekends!

Much love,

Jody

Miller Time at the Lake of the Ozarks

We spent a wonderful weekend with the Miller Family at the Lake of the Ozarks this weekend! We drove down Friday afternoon (about a 3 hour drive). We were excited to only have to stop ONCE on the way down for Maria to stretch her legs at a McDonald's playland. She still enjoys watching the other kids more than actually playing. Her new thing is to wave - at everyone...all the time! She's been waving for a while, but now she waves to everyone wherever we go. It's so endearing - people can't help but smile at this innocent little stranger who is smiling and waving at them for no apparent reason. She was really good in the car, we just couldn't believe it!

The Millers - Mike & Carolyn, and their awesome kids, Kathleen (15), Elizabeth (AKA "E" in 4th grade) and James (3rd grade) - were ready and waiting for us when we arrived. Maria befriended Kathleen in a heartbeat - holding out her arms and snuggling on her shoulder after only a few minutes. It's amazing how kids can sense who is nurturing and welcoming in their environment! Carolyn made a wonderful meal for us - sausage, peppers, and onions - Charles's favorite! (Did I mention Carolyn is Italian?) We played Rummikub and sipped some vino on the patio overlooking the lake. Wow, we really needed to get away! And this was the perfect way to unwind.

On Saturday, the 'girls' headed out to the outlet mall while the boys hit the wave-runners on the lake and had 'guy-time'. When the girls were shopped-out, we headed back home and down to the dock (minus Maria, who napped with Daddy). We layed in the sun and chatted away - did I mention that the weather was PERFECT? About 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Kathleen and I decided to hit the wave-runners for a while. It's been years since I've been on a wave-runner and I was a little hesitant at first, but it was a blast! I felt like I was in college again, zipping around without a care in the world. I thought I was so cool getting that baby up to 40MPH! (Yes, I know this is relatively slow in young-people terms!) Then Charles fired up the BBQ and made steaks, beer-can chicken, corn on the cob, and baked potatoes. (Another reason I married him - he's a GREAT cook!) It was a perfect way to end the perfect day with great friends.

But today (Sunday) I'm feeling my age... both Charles and I are hobbling around and moaning, as we used some muscles on the wave-runners that we hadn't used in quite a while. We just laugh at eachother looking like fools, groaning as we simply walk around... Ouch! It's a pretty funny sight, watching us walk up the stairs and squat to pick up Maria. She mimicks us as we groan - she's just so funny now! Gotta love that little sweetie.

We headed back late this morning, and after an unventful ride home, we had "Saso Family Nap Time"! It was such a nice, quiet, relaxing weekend. We ALL needed it! Back to reality tomorrow! Blahhhhhh....
(photos of the fun to come...)

Mother's Day

The Saso clan had a great time celebrating Mother's Day all weekend. On Saturday, Maria and I went to Washington to visit Grandma Schelich. (still feels funny calling my mom "Grandma"!) We had a nice afternoon going out to lunch at Aldo's, playing in the courtyard with Grandpa's puppies (and the neighbors' too!), and cheesing it up for some pictures. Maria loved playing with Uncle "hummmmm" (Jim). We call this face that Maria is making below the "cheese face". She sure knows how to ham it up for the camera!

Then on Sunday, Charles made brunch for Nonna and myself. (Mimosas included!) He's such a great cook - and he cleaned it up too! (note to self: start planning Father's Day breakfast soon!) The weather was so beautiful here in St. Louis that we had to spend it outside. So we trekked to Downtown St. Charles and walked along what's left of the riverfront... the river wasn't as high as I expected, actually - the trail was still there). And what would Mother's Day be without some ice cream? Maria enjoyed sampling ALL of our treats - I know where she gets her sweet-tooth! Here we are posing in front of the Lewis and Clark statue. Of course Maria liked the big dog!

As we were walking around, Maria developed a 'drippy' nose. Yep, 48 hours after the outing to 'germ central' (AKA the Magic House) we have a cold... which caused the return of the ear infection she had a few weeks back. After a trip to the doc on Monday, it was confirmed. Oh, well! At least I'm at home to take care of her now!

Now we are looking forward to a quick trip to the Lake of the Ozarks with our good friends, the Millers. They have graciously invited to share their free weekend condo with us. We are so excited to be 'getting away' - and even more excited to spend it with the Millers! A good time is guaranteed when the Sasos and Millers get together!

Magic House

Today we visited the Magic House, a children's play museum in Kirkwood, MO. We had originally planned to enjoy some sun and fun at Grant's Farm (a type of children's zoo with a petting zoo, animal shows, and train rides). But Mother Nature had other plans - rain!! I haven't been to the Magic House since I was a little girl, and boy has it changed. It's just amazing! There is a huge area for school-aged children, another fun area with slides, sand, puzzles, and more for toddlers, and a completely separate area for babies! There was something for everyone! Maria LOVED the balls to play in - she had a blast throwing them in and out of the tub, and then climbing over the sides and back in again.

Her next favorite activity was actually in the school-aged section. They had a little covered stream that you could throw a pretend 'fish' in at one end and watch it flow all the way to the 'pond' at the end (where the big kids would then 'catch' them!). Maria had a great time following the little green fish down the stream and trying to catch it through the glass floor! Wish I had the video camera for that one!

And finally, the Magic House had a really neat water-play area for toddlers. They gave all the kids who entered a vinyl smock so they would only get moderately wet instead of completely soaked. Thankfully, this wasn't her favorite because all that I could think about were all the GERMS from all the little fingers and mouths (see photo)!!! So we stopped by quickly and went along our merry way.









We went to the Magic House with our good friends Carolyn Miller & Jack, Maureen Schoenwalder and her boys, and another friend, Colleen and 3 of her girls. It was a blast! I'm so excited to be off for a few months so I can really take advantage of these playgroups my friends have started. Can't wait for the next playdate!

My Pretty Pony (tails)

I've been so excited to start putting little pony-tails/piggy-tails (what-ever you want to call them!) in Maria's growing hair. With all the humidity, it's starting to curl up a bit - I just love her curls! On Thursday, we tried TWO instead of the one Pebbles-style pony-tail on top. Pretty cute, eh?

Maria is also starting to give some genuine hugs and kisses. Previously, she would hug and kiss when asked (if she felt so inclined, of course). But now, she'll come to YOU and give hugs and kisses on her own... melts a mommy's heart! She's also gotten very affectionate with her stuffed animals and dolls. She tries to give them her sippy cup and feed them her graham crackers. She even tries this out on poor Daisy, who wants nothing to do with it. Still pretty darn cute, though!

Great-Grandma Schelich Heads to Colorado

It was a weekend of mixed-emotions here at the Saso house. After much thought and prayer, it was decided that my Grandma will be moving to Colorado Springs to live with my Aunt Jane. Grandma has been fighting an uphill battle for over a year now to keep her health. She is 84 years old and has been living independently since my grandpa passed away in 1986. She has made it a lot longer than anyone expected, and she is one of the strongest individuals I have ever known, but her ailing body dictates that she still needs round-the-clock care. So on Tuesday, she and my 2 aunts will make the long drive (she needs oxygen, so she is unable to fly) to Colorado Springs to live with the Igo Family. Our family is very blessed to have this option, as so many families don't, and we are very grateful for this. But it was still extremely sad to say our good-byes on Saturday. (So much so, that I had to drive out to Washington again on Sunday to spend a little more time.) Grandma told me that she had only lived in two houses her whole lifetime - her parents' home, and the Schelich Family home in Washington, MO. She has lived in her current house for over 60 years! Needless to say, it may be a hard transition for her. But this situation will be just what she needs. And Aunt Jane is a nurse who has grandma's care down to a science - even down to waking her at midnight for a snack to control her blood sugar. Jane and Joyce have been alternating 6-week shifts living away from their families to give Grandma the care she needs and deserves. This was wearing on their families greatly, so Jane made the decision to quit her job and will be staying home with Grandma for as long as it takes. What an amazing family!


We brought Maria out to visit with her Great-Grandma on Saturday. It was great to see the two of them together. We also made Grandma a photo album to take along with her. It really made her smile! Here are a few pics that I love:


Four generations of Schelichs - March 2006
Great-Grandma Schelich and Maria - Easter 2006
Great-Grandma Schelich and Maria - June 2006




Pray for a safe trip for Grandma, Aunt Jane, and Aunt Joyce, and a smooth transition to her new home!