Cohorts in crime

Dominic and Tank are often mutually engaged in mischief. Here they are, caught in the act.


Despite how many times we ask Dominic not to climb on the dishwasher and stick the dishes in his mouth (clean or dirty), he finds some sort of satisfaction from it.

And Tank’s usually right by his side to lick the dishes clean, or not-so-clean.

Tonight I’m hangin’ with the kiddies while Vickey and my mom entertain some of the ladies in our ward with their first ever cooking class. Tonight the Codella duo tackles chicken Cacciatore. I don’t mind because I got a preview at dinner (and ate twice as much as I should have). Yummy stuff!


My mom’s here this week visiting the grandkids (the adults are an ancillary audience). We haven’t seen her since March. Eliana has tried to monopolize as much of her time as possible. Grandma’s not feeling too great since arriving. She appears to have caught a sore throat bug on the airplane. But we’re having fun regardless.

Beauty school

Vickey took the kids to get their hair cut today. Dominic ended up with what’s called a faux-hawk (that’s a Mohawk that doesn’t go down the back of his head). Whatever!

But it is cute in a sort of baby boy look at me way.




And Eliana asked her mom to take her to get her ears pierced! We thought she was set on waiting till her sixth birthday, but oh no, she decided that today was the day. According to Vickey, once Ellie saw the pink and gold earrings, it was all over.

Here she is, five going on fifteen.


And after her dip in the Coglianese pool…


She insisted she wasn’t done swimming for the year so she and Olympia joined the Coglianese kids for a short swim late this afternoon.

Tonight she’s sleeping in a tent in Olympia’s back yard with Olympia’s mom and sister. What a life!

Sir Tank at age four

Tank’s favorite lounging spot downstairs is the bean bag (fair warning – hair alert).

He’s pretty calm and fun when it’s just us, but introduce someone else and he’s hyper!

But like we always say, at least he’s a good looking dog.

Back to dance class

Eliana began her fall dance classes today. Here she’s posing in her new leotard (a birthday gift from grandma).

She had a full day today with school and dance class. Vickey volunteers in Ellie’s classroom on Thursday’s so Ellie even got to have her mom in her class for a couple hours today.

The band aid is covering a zit on Eliana’s leg. Vickey said Ellie acted like she was going to die when Vickey tried to squeeze it today. When I came home it’s the first thing Eliana showed me. I could tell from the limp that she was nursing it for all it’s worth. What a drama queen!

Bellybutton discovery

Dominic has recently discovered his bellybutton. He likes to stick his finger in it and giggle. He also likes to lift up others’ shirts and look for their bellybutton.


Here he’s practicing the manly habit of lounging in the family room with only one article of clothing on.

Good on ya, DJ!

Little man walking

Dominic has finally learned what it’s like to be walking instead of crawling on all fours. Several times today he stood up and took a half-dozen steps. Tonight he repeatedly walked from Vickey to me and back giggling with each successful trip.

It’s fun to see your kids progress.


It has been different with Dominic as he develops at a different rate than Eliana. I suppose it’s different for each child.


Of course he’s not a perfect walker yet, but he’s getting pretty close. Perhaps this weekend when Grandma Codella comes for a visit he’ll be motoring around upright instead of crawling. I’m sure he’ll continue to chase Tank with his toy walker. He loves pushing it around and chasing the dog.


The weather finally turned to fall weather last weekend. The temperatures are moderate now and thus begins the three months when you know you’re living in a great climate (it makes up for the past three months).