Um, seriously, for real... where have we been?!

So, we've been on a bit of a hiatus, we admit. Our apologies, sincerely. With Summer now upon us, we have begun a flurry of activities. Everything from swim lessons to summer school to soon-to-be tennis lessons, it is hard for us (read: Mommy) to find the time to sit and write. We thought we'd each do our own personal update:

Stella Josephine--

So, I turned 4 on May 15th. I felt like I had been waiting my entire life for that day to happen and there it was... Mommy, Daddy, Sis, Dash, Grammy, Grampy, Uncle Dave, Auntie Maria, Benny, Mama Vi and Baba Bill and the Govenar family all joined me for a birthday weekend in Hermosa. Daddy rented us a fab beach house and booked us tickets to DLand where, once again, I got my fill of all things Princess. It was truly phenom. We spent the rest of the weekend frolicking on the beach, shopping and eating out. No complaints here! Being four has brought with it many fun things... like a new swim coach that swears by a "sink or swim" structure and actually has me SWIMMING. I will also be moving up to the pre-Kindergarten class at my preschool and will be attending every day starting July. Grammy wants to test me for Kindergarten at her school already. I go next week for that so we'll see. Mommy thinks I'm still a little immature, wanting to take three hour naps and all still, but I'm ready for the Brookfield uniform and a lunch box and I want to chill with my Grammy! :)

Violet Angelina--

Hey, world. It's VV here. I'm 2.5 years old and starting preschool in July. I'll be going to Stelly's school two days a week to start and then 3 days once I turn 3 in October. Life is good right now. I spend my days scurrying around the house like a maniac and when I take a moment to breathe, I like to settle in to some puzzles and painting. My latest works were quite challenging, but hey, that's how I roll. I'm drawing faces- albeit slightly deformed faces- (at 2.5 years old) and finishing 150 piece puzzles on my own. Mommy was concerned I wasn't going to find my "focus," and well, I'm proving her wrong. Granted, I destroy the puzzle and breakdown into tears when I don't get juice in my cup immediately, but you get my drift... M&D have also discovered that I'm a lefty, just like Stella. Strange, I know... but Dad's a left-handed boy so I guess his genes had to translate somehow. I've started swim lessons for the summer and have found that water ain't so bad and I'm actually pretty athletic. Mommy already knew this to be the case, but I had to be pried from my mother's body, tiny fingers clenched to her waist, in order to figure out that, hey, I got some skills! And it's fun! And I'm not going to die! Grampy watches me everyday, too, which helps because I'm his biggest fan (and no, it's not because he lets me watch endless amounts of TV), because he's so sweet and loving with me even when I'm grumpy and the moment he walks out the door, I'm begging to call him on the phone.

Dashiell Paul--

What's up, crew? DPK in the house now. I'm a whopping 20 lbs, 30 inches and while I might look like I can walk, I'm not even sitting up yet. I'm 6.25 months now and feeling like a champion...of eating and kicking a**... no, really, I'm a stud and everyone knows it and well, I smile every opportunity I get and rarely cry. Ask my union of fans... :) I am a Mama's boy through and through and kick and squeal when Daddy walks in the room. He's really cool... or maybe it's just his abundance of chest hair that gets me all excited for my hairy future? Either way, I love the fam. My sisters are awesome and so nurturing with me. They like to tickle me and feed me gold fish (even though I'm not supposed to be eating finger foods yet), which gives Mommy a heart attack. Life is good and I can't wait to start roaming upright in this joint. Just wait...

Alright, folks, that's it for now. Promise to write more often. :)

Stella, Violet and Dash

Easter Bunnies Don't Lay Eggs, Mommy!

After many debates over why the Easter bunny is the star of the show (other than Jesus himself, of course), we came to the conclusion that while it doesn't really make sense (BUNNIES DON'T LAY EGGS), it gives us all an excuse to get together. We went to mass and celebrated our faith, we hunted for eggs, some filled with jelly beans and m&m's, and then divulged in some good home-cooked breakfast. The day was spectacular! Hope your Easter Sunday was as much fun as ours!

xoxo Stella, Violet & Dashiell

Dashiell Paul Kinney has found Jesus!

Today was my christening and I celebrated with a handful (or two or three) of my close friends and family. It was very special having Father Bill Feeser there conducting the mass and ceremony. Being Palm Sunday made the day that much more special, too. Thanks to all who came out in celebration of my big day. Special thanks to my Godparents, Aunt Erin and Uncle Mikey. I love you and feel so honored to have shared my day with you! Thanks to Uncle Eddie for taking all of the fabulous pictures, too.

Love,
Dash

Ni Hao, Baba!!

Daddy has been traveling the world (Hong Kong to be exact) and Stella, Dashiell and I have been hanging at the homestead, hoping for some sunny weather with no such luck. Lots of playdates and movies this past week. Here are some pics of our recent activities. Daddy comes home tomorrow and it couldn't come soon enough! Ni Hao, Baba (Daddy in Chinese-- we are sooo cultured).

Ode to Daddy... Happy Hearts Day!!!

Dad you are my favorite man,
And I sure want you to know,
I’ll always respect and love you, Dad
No matter how big I grow!

I’m lucky to have you as my dad!
I love you.
Here are some shots of the house-bound activities we've been up to this week (thanks to the rain!) in preparation for St. Valentine's Day. Daddy has been in Washington, D.C. all week and we can't wait to surprise him when he gets back. Happy Love Day, All! xoxo Stella, Violet (and Dash, too) :)

Holy Snap, It's Been a While...

Sorry, folks, for the delay in our riveting blog-isode. We really did not intend to go so long, but life has been quite busy as of late. Baby Dash turned 2 months old and had his well-baby checkup. Stats were excellent rounding out at 11lbs, 9oz with chub to prove it and 23 inches in length, Mommy is pretty certain, he'll be a big boy. Sissy and I have been up to our usual shenanigans with lots of indoor activities (thanks, Rain!). We had a visit from our second cousin, Cayden, and his mommy and new brother. Mommy has decided to take advantage of being indoors and started twice weekly personal training workouts at our house thanks to the help of our new babysitter, Meghan. The Govenar girls join us while our mommies take to squats and lunges like bats out of H*LL. All in all, life is good. Daddy is traveling as we speak, so it is my duty to help Mommy keep the chicks all lined up in a row and keep Mommy on schedule. ;) Happy Monday all!

xoxo Stella (and VV and Dash, too).

Over the Hills and to the Snow, We Go!

Hello Peeps,

It's me, Dash. This past holiday break M&D decided to take me (their littlest squirt) and S&V to Lake Tahoe for some New Year's fun. We rented a cabin in Truckee and hit the slopes, sled-style. Daddy had good intentions of taking big sister Stella skiing, but woke up a bit too late for their lesson (thanks to overindulgence on the bubbly). The Govenar crew joined us on our trip and so did Uncle Dave, Auntie Maria and cousin Benny. It was a blast. If only I could walk... or crawl... or... well, you get the drift. There's always next year! Right before our trip, Uncle Anthony and Aunt Ev came by with Christmas goodies for us kids. So fun and THANK YOU!!! Great Aunt Theresa came to visit for a few days, as well. It was great fun for all of us, especially mommy. It is very hard for Mommy to look at Aunt Theresa without thinking of Grandma Angie, Mommy's Grammy. It was a beautiful thing seeing Grammy, Aunt Theresa and Mommy together again. Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday break. We sure did. Many blessings and hopefully very little poopy diapers your way! :-)

Love,

Dashy-doo-doo