Boo!

Pieroni Weekend

I haven't posted pictures in awhile and I am getting harrassed by some (you know who you are)...Anyway, we really are still alive! Look @ the Lovebirds!

Good Grief...Have you ever seen 2 guys that equal about 13 feet together? Forget the fire ladder, just call Joseph and John--they'll put it out!

The poor Strasburg dress was butchered by a hiked up maroon (Mary's bridesmaid dress color) ribbon. Now it wouldn't be me if I didn't dissect every picture...you know you are guilty too.

Me, Myself & I

I'm back and I have finally calmed down a bit. I don't feel as out of control these days. I am feeling a routine here...HELLO! It has taken me 4 weeks, but I am here! We had a soccer game this morning and then Angela (I know, 3rd person--bad habit) dropped the familia off, did some serious shopping AND got my hair alllll glossed up. Yay, a day to myself and I get to listen to whatever I want to on XM. Whoo-Hoo! I'm laughing right now because I returned a small Vera Bradley bag that I got as a gift (wrong pattern) and I thought that I might get a bigger one and pay the difference.....wellllll, we all know that Ms. Vera doesn't put tags on her bags @ The Summit so Angela just picks, gets strung out on one, no matter the cost, and takes it up to the checkout counter. I'm telling you, that classical music in the background of the store I SWEAR makes you spend more money in there. Anyway, there was some damage done @ that counter, but it sure does look cute on my shoulder. Now it needs to be monogrammed--LoL...always something, huh?! Sooo, now I am poor and I head to The Maxx. I always, always find stuff that I don't need there and buy it. THAT is the beauty of The Maxx. I left around 3:00. You start craving your people back after awhile. I got in my car, turned it to Radio Disney and dang-it if one of my favorite singers wasn't on singing my favorite song....gotta love Demi Lovato. Happy Saturday!

"Ketchup" Pictures

The Vicki Family hosted a Kickoff Party and it was so much fun! I'm ready for another one with kids!
Where are all the wives??? Ohhhh, behind all the cameras! We're either taking our children's pictures or ours husband's pictures...we never seem to make the cut!

Grandparent Day @ Olv was such a special day. I'm glad they got to come and share in it with Anna Riley!


OLV Soccer Game @ Heardmont Park

Checking Back N

Good Golly Miss Molly is allll I have to say about a full time job! Talk about wake up, go to work, take Anna Riley "somewhere", come home, cook and clean, get AR started on homework, help her with her bath, get her in the bed and FINALLY, FINALLY crash on the couch about 8:15. Where is Joseph, you ask? He is working out his BIG muscles to the new rage P90X...God love him. He wants BIG muscles and I want him to have BIG muscles. I actually run around like a mad woman day in and day out. I am slowly becoming one of those moms who stays skinny because of her child/children (y'all have heard that one before). Anyway, I forgot to mention "and repeat"---that is the Pieroni's Monday-Friday schedule. You know what though? If I won the lottery, I would still teach @ OLV. I have the most wonderful parents and children in my class. Some call me Mrs. Macaroni, some call me Mama and some call me Pretty and I answer to every one of them...especially Pretty--LoL. We have Grandparent's Day tomorrow and it is HUGE @ OLV. Thank goodness Joseph's parents can come. We have our first soccer game this Saturday morning. AR will be sporting her new, pink cleats. I am so proud of her for sweating more these days. She and some of her friends ran and got all sweaty before taking their soccer pictures yesterday. I later found out that she sported a soccer whistle in her picture because her BFF gave it to her (I know...ohhh myyy gahhh). I've gotten better about letting these things go because I have a J-O-B now. Part-time is a thing of my past now, but I am soooo loving the fact that I get to be where my child is. I've said it before and I'll say it again...God is good.

Inquiring Minds Wanna Know

We are still alive, but we have officially been swallowed by the "Homework, Soccer, Dance, Piano Monster"----I cannot even think straight we are moving so fast into this year. I hope everyone is settling into their new school year. Is it really 6:30 already?! It's almost time to eat, go to bed, and start over AGAIN! I need to trash my "Summer Brain" and get prepared for the Fall. Well, my break is over...time to get back to the wonderful, fabulous, crazy, wouldn't trade it for anything, vicious cycle of SCHOOL SCHEDULE. Happy Monday!

StarStumped!

My panties are in the biggest wad right now. He skipped the new parent meeting. We all know I am on the tight end of the high-strung continuum so he better get his quack quacks in a row before school starts. Ohhhh---I'll get a picture with him soon and I'm positive that I will be big cheesin' in it and will forgive him for his absence. Until then~

StarStruck!

Introducing: Ruben Studdard!!

Ohhhh, he was my AI favorite years ago. I can't wait to tell him and get one of his "Teddy Bear" hugs. We welcome him and his family to Our Lady of the Valley! His daughter will begin 2nd grade with Anna Riley next week. If you like R&B, he is certainly @ the top of the charts! I am sooo getting his autograph @ the new parent meeting tonight! I am just a nerd like that! Good Luck on your new album, Ruben! OLV loves you already...wink-wink.
www.rubenstuddard.com

Are Ya Ready Boyz?!

My poor, sweet, spunky Anna Riley has been on her own these past few days. I am so busy preparing my classroom for this upcoming year. She has been coming up with all kinds of solo entertainment. I heard a noise coming from the computer room..."These Boots Are Made for Walking" by Jessica Simpson. I walked in and this is what I saw...

Sister girl was jamming in her white outfit and matching boots. I grabbed my camera and she screamed, "MYYYYY HAAAIRRR ISSS UGGGLLLYYYYY!" Oh well, I took it real quick anyway...because that's what we do, right? LoL.

Happy Treinta y Dos!

I don't know alot of Spanish, but I know that treinta y dos looks alot fancier than saying I am 32. Joseph surprised me with a donut cake and candles. He and Anna Riley walked in singing Happy Birthday and I just so happened to be on the computer (imagine that) and have my camera nearby. We went to the Blue Monkey Lounge @ 5 Points South that night. It was such a cool atmosphere. We chilled out on the patio and then came inside to get a good seat at the piano bar. Again, we were in by 11:00. Even I can't do it anymore...(and we know what I'm saying when I say that)----the party girl has retired AND left the building. She is wanted @ Brad and Jennifer Vickers' MSU Kickoff Party August 30th. I hope I can hang (crossing fingers).

Blah Blah Blog

Have we really done anything exciting since I last blogged? Hmmmm. We survived VBS @ Our Lady of the Valley---yes, this is where I teach, Anna Riley goes to school, plays soccer, takes piano and drama and where we go to church...if they sold groceries and cut hair, well--we'd get that done there too. Enough about that. My classroom is almost ready. It would be closer to ready had my Mother, the queen of the pack, not come for an entire week to visit. Ohhhhh, but I love when she comes. We eat, shop, eat, shop and repeat. THEN, we made our monthly trip to Starkvegas for a week. We ate @ Umi 2x in that week because I am addicted to it like some people are addicted to cigarettes...seriously. We played, shopped, and ate all week long. I love Starkville. It has a certain feel about it. It kind of reminds me of when we lived in Oxford in a weird/not so much sort of way. It is totally awesome how I can go to Kroger, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree and to get gas all in one section and be back @ Libby's house in like ohhh sayyy 10 minutes. I miss the small town feeling...that will FOREVA AND EVA be in my body, no matter how big of a city I live in. Hellllo Birmingham and their 1.5 million surrounding peoples! LoL. Let me see if I can find some pictures around here...I know I have got to be boring y'all with my rambling self. It has to be getting on your nerves. I get on my own nerves--

SUPER Saturday

We went to the Alabama Theatre to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The building was abfab and Anna Riley loved looking at all of the ornate walls, pictures, and lighting. She ask me if we were in a mansion. LoL...yeah, pretty much! We ate popcorn and drank a 32 oz. coke--we couldn't sit still from all the caffeine action. We capped our day off at The McWane Science Center. Nick Live was filming for their upcoming show. We saw kids getting slimed and pie faced. It was the ultimate experience for all ages.

Aladdin Celebration

Sumo @ Patton Creek. We LOVE sushi!



Congrats to Anna Riley on her first play. You were a great "Little Genie"--Mucho Love!

Confession

I like mini-vans. There I said it! I have always thought that they were the biggest loser cruisers on the road, but after riding in one all last week, I LOVE them and don't be surprised if I trade in the Acura for one in a few years. BTW, we sold my Land Rover--everyone knows I loved my LR........between the girth testing my driving skills (I'm not calling you fat) and me looking like a 12 year old that stole her mom's vehicle, it had to go. Anyway, by the push of a button-- doors open, tailgates lift and seats fold down into the lord knows where. It is a beautiful thing. I've never experienced anything like it. I've riden in my mother-in-law's van many times, but it suddenly dawned on me that I might have to turn in my "cool card" one day and convert to VANLAND. Have a Great Weekend! Honk-Honk!

SUPASTAR

Welcome to Agrabah, City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! Anna Riley will be performing in Aladdin, Jr on Friday. We are hard at work this week. Here she is listening to her songs that she has to learn. She has an ear for music and a beautiful voice.

The Nomadic Pieroni's

Yep, that's us...we've been travelling around Birmingham aimlessly trying to find fun things to do! We started our July 4th weekend with Thunder on the Mountain 08. Talk about some savory characters. I people watched for 5 straight hours. We ate @ La Mesa (http://www.enjoylamesa.com/), played on slides, watched the band, and listened to some BOOM BOOM CRACKLE POP for 20 whole minutes. Fun 4th!
Our days of wearing 4th outfits I SUPPOSE are over...she busted the infamous "I wanna be fancy today" on me again. I have no idea where she got her straightforward manner from. Ha! The next day, we travelled on over to Birmingham's Botanical Gardens. Anna Riley loved the Bamboo Garden and the Granite Waterfall the best. We don't peruse through gardens much, but I have a new appreciation for you gardeners out there now. 4 words= IT'S HOTT OUT THERE. We closed our weekend out with some cosmic bowling aka kid bowling with loud music and smoke--not ciggy smoke, but a dry ice type of smoke. Must I mention I bowled 5 strikes in 2 games? I've always been a closet bowler, but now I am a competitive closet bowler. Ohhhh, I gotta give their cheese stix a shout out...for $7.29 you get 5 of the meanest cheese stix ever AND you get ranch and marinara with them. You don't even have to pay extra for the sauce. Strike!

My Ry!

If this isn't my child...the social handful!

Happy Hump!

It is only Wednesday and I am already gearing up for the BIG 4th. I've got groceries to buy, errands to run, inlaws to please, and a house to clean...speaking of--I sure do miss Ms. Velma from Greenville. She cleaned my house the MOST BESTEST when we were living in MS. Anyway, my list is fully loaded today. I can now check blogging off of my to-do list. BTW, I just read the online version of Delta Living. I always love reading it...never too good or too far away to enjoy some delta root action. I'll close with where I found Roly the other day. I guess she decided she was moving out at the early age of 9.

Are Ya Ready For Some Baseball?

We went to see the Birmingham Barons play last night. Whoo! For those of you who don't know, they are a Minor League Baseball team, which plays in Hoover Metro Stadium. The weather was great and the food was better. I LOVE "crap food" as we call it. I always look forward to my nachos and real coke for the low price of $9.75. It was Monday Night Buffet and I (of course) didn't partake in that because A. I got nachos and B. The menu consisted of polish sausage, hamburgers, and hot dogs. GAG! They were going to make sure I didn't snag anything off of his plate because he had to sit in a blocked off section for the "buffet eaters"---so we sat opposite sides while we each ate our food. We left at half-time (as I call it) because a huge dark cloud that was darker than dark started brewing above us and because I wasn't about to get my new heels wet. Gooo Barons!

Birthday Bash!

When planning for a POOL party, one of your greatest fears hangs over your head...you guessed it. RAIN! I obsessively checked weather.com for a week before her party. 50%, 10%, 30%, and back to 50% for the day of the party. Pleaseeeee don't rain, I begged. AMEN, it didn't. What a beautiful day. Joseph and I had so many kids to watch in the pool and they were everywhere. My peepers were so tired. I felt like I was on recess duty at school. The children swam, played golf, ate cake (www.edgarsbakery.com), snacks, ice cream cones, popsicles, and JUMBO pixie sticks. Hahahaha, then I sent them home allllll sugared up! Mission Accomplished.

Table for 2

They were not happy that I "interrupted" their dinner last night. Anna Riley set it up all by herself--the towel, the silverware rolled in white napkins, and the flowers. Sorry you can't hear the classical music playing in the background...because it is totally on! Kaylan had it easy, he just had to "show up"--

We have Anna Riley's Pool/Birthday Party today...pretty appropriate since we are there anyway, huh? I'll post those later. It is going to be a BIG day today. Happy 7th Birthday Anna Riley!

THE little THINGS

I woke up this morning feeling SO very energetic and full of plans. I told the kids that we were going to the beach (at Oak Mountain) and to ride horses!! How much fun could that be?!!! Welllll, ZERO because they didn't want to do either. They wanted to go to theeeee...you guessed it...POOL. And to think I have been slaving over the internet trying to find "different" things for them to do! I love the pool as much as they do and sometimes I think I like it more, but whatever--I am totally following them this week! I guess I'll just save all my creativity for a rainy day. Sometimes I guess it's okay to keep it simple.

We did sneak over to Ben and Jerry's for some tasty IcE cReaM!

Wacky Wednesday

It is only 1pm and I feel like it should be 5pm. We have covered half of Mountain Brook today. I can't believe I am 2 for 2 on my posts that I promised. Ahhhhh, I'm bragging now ;) Anyway, here are the kiddos at the park. They get along perfectly as long as they are busy sooooo we must stay on the go. Alrighty, let me get these kids to the pool now. Gotta keep moving...
Overton Park @ Mtn Brook


Don't forget Kung Fu Panda's bamboo!

Anna Riley & Kaylan Week

We have our nephew, Kaylan, here with us in Vestavia until Sunday because his Mom and "Popsy" are in Negril (poor them...I know)---soooo, I will be posting our daily events each day so his Mom can go to one of those little internet coffee shops and see her sweet, HANDFUL, little boy :)

Pool Day with the Pieroni's at Liberty Park (where we live)

Ketchup!

I officially have the most boring blog EVER! I can't seem to stay ahead. I am starting to feel like a second class citizen around here! How do you families of 4 and 5 do it?! It is just 3 of us! We burn the roads up and never slow down. It is mandantory that I complain (if you know me), but I am ohhhh sooo grateful. Let me get this blog up to date...

Father's Day @ Vulcan Park (behind all the smiles lies lots of sweat, stringy hair, and tired legs, but what a fun day!


Brunch @ Aydelotte's


The Fabulous Wedding Reception

MIA

Real Quick!! We are in world travelling mode right now and will return on Monday. I have lots of pictures coming...k, gotta pack!

Happy Anniversary!

What a fun night! We enjoyed drinks and apps @ 26 and topped it off @ the one and only, simply divine Ocean for our 9th anniversary! We didn't get too crazy though...we were in by 10:30. If you are ever this way----i highly recommend both of the restaurants. They are located @ 5 Points South. Yum-O!
http://www.birminghammenus.com/ocean/

Beautiful Bling

So here we are @ Mountain Brook Park and Anna Riley and I are going round and round about these clip-on earrings. Let me thank my sister for buying them real quick (thanks Libby)--back to my story...they are @ least 2 feet long (in my eyes) and she LOVES them. Anyway, I debated about putting this picture up, but it totally cracks me up!! Oh yeah, look who won the battle...