Stage Dad

We all know that the Nicastros try to lead healthy and active lives. So when Ysabella showed a lot of interest in the family treadmill, Daddy was happy to oblige.  Walking slowly was best for Mommy's nerves.

 

 

Mommy thinks her smile really shows she enjoys exercise but somehow signaled to Daddy she wanted to go faster. (Please Note: Videos can only be seen by visiting the acutal blog website)

Mommy's nerves got some exercise when it became Anthony's turn to try it out.

 

Especially when Daddy amped up the intensity of the workouts.

Seems like Daddy has high expectations for Ysabella and Anthony to be Olympic athletes.  Mommy will be sure to only allow "stage dad" behavior if there is a  serious contract po$$ibility.

Stay Healthy Nicastros,... as Ysabella says, exercise "makes your heart beat fast", which can only mean it's more able to love.

Siblings for LIFE

Ysabella and Anthony have finally realized that they are stuck with each other as brother and sister for life.  This means that they should really learn to embrace the bond as much as possible.

 

Even if it means dressing alike

 

 

Ysabella, in particular, is working on a skill many of us also have trouble with.... sharing.

"No, Anthony, I don't want you in the basket"

 

The good thing for Mommy and Daddy is that both of the Nicastro kids can be easily distracted.

"Smile for the camera"

 

Mommy and Daddy are pretty sure Anthony has a smile in there somewhere.

Remember Nicastros, 'Tis the season for family.... oh, and Elfie is always watching!! 

 

Please Touch Museum

Its not often that we go somewhere out of the house that touching things is acceptable. So, when we went to Philly for Thanksgiving, the Please Touch Museum was a must!

Not only did we learn to drive, but there were plenty of other thing to see, do and even be!

Once we conquered the Statue of Liberty it was onto the water tables, where all kinds of floating things could be seen and moved, including the good old fashion rubber duckie.

We carried on through the rainforest of sounds to the carosel for a great family picture, right Anthony?

And back to the rainforest for a ride on the elephant and another photo opportunity!

The lower level had a small town with its own shopping center and hospital. "

Is this how you do it at work," Mommy?

Not hearing much but Mommy's fake "thump-thump"ing, we moved onto checking for ear wax.

"All Clear!"

Finally a trip to McDonald's to ring up Grandma and Grandpa's buger order.

Phew, lots of fun creates grumbling bellys..... so it was off to Pat's King of Steaks to fill our belly's and round off our Thanksgiving traditions.

Happy eating Nicastro's, but watch your waistlines this holiday season. As you may know, "Health is our Greatest Wealth"

Lisence to Drive??

Over Thanksgiving, the Nicastro's took a drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  What Mommy and Daddy weren't prepared for was the kids trying to drive everything! (or whatever the museum had to test drive)

If Ysabella could reach the pedals...

 

...Daddy would have had a SEPTA bus facial!

Whoa, Ysabella, watch those turns! Grandma forgot her seatbelt!

Anthony sped away on his race car, as usual, without a care for what might lay ahead.

 

We steered a few ships (look, no hands!)

 

And even a classic trolley (look familiar Uncle Dave?) Good thing they are on a path of their own or Ysabella had better pay more attention!

 

And good work Anthony for picking up the slack.

Finally, we were excited to tell Poppy all about how we drove the mail truck! 

 

Tis' the season for giving thanks, even if it is in reference to children being far from 16 years of age!  Happy (late) Thanksgiving to all

Classic Toy

Today, Anthony reminded us of a classic toy that may have startled us all when we were younger.  His version is without the turning handle or music.

"All around the mulberry bush.... POP goes Anthony!"

Perhaps, Anthony in the Box is next year's Halloween costume?

The Princess and the Cow?

This story usually involves the princess and the pea, but not in the Nicastro household.  It's Halloween and finally time to 'trick or treat'.  Ysabella is excited to use her wand, probably, because she thinks it will get her more candy.

 

Very funny Ysabella,... time to practice waving your wand.

 

Excellent work, Ysabella, you made your very own cow appear!

(or is that Anthony Francis?)

 

 Thankfully, Anthony doesn't mind the cow hood as much as Ysabella did last year.

Lets try one more wave of the wand...

 

 ... and make all the leaves fall off of the trees. 

(nobody cares that they are already falling on their own)

Happy Halloween from the Nicastros!

Here's to safe and fun trick or treating and may we all bring home good candy for our parents to enjoy!
And Happy 1st birthday Aiyana Eden!! 

Baby Formula One

Today our imaginations take us to The Nicastro Speedway, where Anthony and Ysabella participate with the CozyCoupe in a drag race.  This drag race doesn't require Daddy to dress up as a woman, but he does have to do all the hard work! 

Anthony is up first to zip down the track, and he's off!

His return race has broken record speeds for this course (no one cares that this is the inaugural race)

At such speeds Anthony quickly looses control and crashes into the wall.  Daddy pauses for a much needed scratch break (or he's admitting he's to blame) and Ysabella helps to tow the car to the pit.

It is in the pit, while the car is being prepped for the next race, that we learn poor Anthony suffers the same affliction as his father, car sickness!

 

After the swaying stopped and his vomit was cleaned up, he went straight to work on the car.  Ysabella helped gassing it up for her turn.

 

Anthony completes the final checklist and she's ready in the driver's seat!

 

Ysabella is so fast that Anthony struggles to keep up!

 

Once the real racing was complete, and Daddy was sufficiently tired, Ysabella and Anthony got their chance to push down the speedway!

 

Well, who was the winner in today's races?

 The proper answer is that we all won by having so much fun.  But Mommy is pretty sure she is the winner because she got to lay on the couch and enjoy all the laughter without the hard work! 

Thanks Daddy, Mommy is feeling much better!!

Xo5oX

One Year Ago...

Our Anthony Francis has officially turned one!  We celebrated with a small intimate gathering where Ysabella continued teaching Anthony about life.  This lesson dealt with what a birthday means, party etiquette and balloons of course!

 

After greeting guests it was quickly time for cake.  Due to recently family illness, it's hard to say if Anthony was showing us he is 'one' or if he was picking his nose.

 

Once we sang a beautiful rendition of the copyrighted "Happy Birthday", (fun factoid of the day), Anthony asked for a little assistance with his candle.

 

Then came feeling out what this "cake" was all about.

 

After Ysabella showed Anthony it was safe to eat, he couldn't be stopped!

 

Daddy said he couldn't watch the mess, but he couldn't resist his happy baby boy.

 

Following the necessary outfit change it was time for presents.

 

And eventually a family photo!

 

Happy Birthday Anthony Francis!

We are all looking forward to watching you learn another year's worth of lessons!

xoxox

Nicastro's Big Top

Step right up, ladies and gentleman, to the world unknown, (but still amazing)...The Nicastro's Big Top Basement Circus!!!  Ysabella always wants to show people the basement and we recently learned what the hype was all about.  First, our athletes warm up around the performance ring chasing each other so quickly that our fancy camera equipment can't keep up. 

Next, our most senior member, Daddy, shows off his high flying somersault...

 

... followed our youngest female performer, Ysabella, repeating the maneuver (sorta). 

 

Where was Anthony? Crying about the crowd noise or his lack of involvement?

The Spectacular Anthony, finally took the stage and attempted to wow us all with a magical trick... pulling an object out of an empty black box.

His magical skills impressed us all when he made that object disappear right before being revealed. (All we could see was his hand)

After the Spectacular Anthony's final bow, the performers moved on to throwing each other high in the air and landing as though they never left the ground.

For their final feat of the evening (as the performers were getting close to their bedtime), a lovely volunteer Ysabella was placed dangerously into position and....

 

...LEAPING, Daddy soars over his stunned volunteer's head!!

The crowd goes wild!!

 While the volunteers (at this particular circus) get right back into performance mode and themselves LEAP into action!!

 

Even the youngest, sometimes sensitive member, completed the final act.

 

We hope you all enjoyed the show here at The Nicatro's Big Top Basement Circus.

Please come again ...and remember, Nicastros, only attempt daredevil feats under parental supervision!