A real page turner.

Marco is shaping up to be an avid reader. He loves books. He wants to read them again and again and then he'll "read" them back to you. He is fast approaching Jeff's lifetime record for completed books. This morning he told me "I'm a witch. Happy Halloweeeeeeeeen!" straight from Dora's spooky Halloween book.

We don't go anywhere without a book and that includes Stockton to see Granny. Thank goodness she likes to read as much as Marco. I need a break. And luckily, her book club hasn't gotten to "Moo Baa La La La," so she didn't already know how it ends.

It's a small world.

Is it just going to Catholic school all your life that makes the world a teeny tiny place?

We referred the Moores to our pediatrician at Kaiser (who was referred to us by Jack and Katie). If you're paying attention, that's St. Francis/St. Brendan's/St. Ignatius/Christian Brothers/Loyola Marymount.

So, they take their new beautiful daughter to see our Doc. They say, "Hi Doc! Little Marco Cecchin referred us to you." Doc says, "There's nothing 'little' about Marco Cecchin."

Ouch. Oh no she di-int!

Here's the proof of his giant man hands. I mean, look at the meat hooks.

Praise be daycare.

A few weeks ago, Marco was playing and counted some toys up to ten! I repeat. He counted to ten! (Alright, truth be told, he was counting snacks not toys.)

Jeff and I dropped our jaws and stared at him until he clapped and said "Yeeeeeaaaaah!!! Mama yeah? Dada yeah?"

He's already learned a life lesson. I mean, if you don't pat yourself on the back, who will?

Here's video proof (forgive my annoying direction trying to get proof)...

Like a fine [boxed] wine.

Three reasons I've recently discovered I'm old:

1. Sacramento got this oldies station "All 90s, all the time." I know every single word to every single song. Digital Underground, check, Bryan Adams, check, Ace of Base, check. It's shamefully old woman of me, but it rocks.

2. We went to Jeff's 15-year high school reunion. Awesome. Marco went to Papa and Grandma's overnight. Since Jeff's Dad teaches at his high school, everyone at the reunion kept telling me, "I love Mr. Cecchin!" to which I replied, "I know, he's an awesome babysitter!"

3. I can't remember the third thing, which makes "irony" qualify as the third. It's like a black fly in your chardonnay.

Here's some shots of Marco's adventures overnight in P-town.

I wanna be a Marco Man.

After putting Marco down for his nap today, I heard a giant BOOM. I thought it was outside until I had an ominous feeling. His doorknob started turning back and forth like a horror movie and I heard the chanting... "OPEN THE DOOR! OPEN THE DOOR!"

All future naps will be taken zipped up in his sleepsack.

Cooking Show?

I have to say, I made a jammin dinner. And as Jeff would say, "You always do."

Lemon Rosemary Chicken with fried zucchini blossoms and lemon slices. You might want to sit down for this...

I know.

FORK (sic) FOUND

Are you my mother?

Storm Watch 2009

Anyone remember where I parked my car?

1985 Flashback

I took Marco to Sutter's Fort recently and it felt like 1985 again. I love Sacramento's midtown, yes, even the homeless people. Here are some shots of Marco's incredible climbing skills.

I haven't captured his ability to climb onto our coffee table, our dresser, the kitchen counter and, most impressive, the top part of the fridge as he holds with his hands and literally scales the fridge with his feet. I stay pretty busy running at him and screaming "Noooooooooooooooooo!"

On the way back to the Cleaners, we hydrated. (How "heather" is this pic?)

Autumn

Autumn has arrived and this year we're determined to make headway on those trees Jeff's cousin Brian took down for us.Come by anytime, BYOM (marshmallows).

Can you feel the sizzle?

Check out Poseidon's Galley for the 2-minute sizzle!!!

You probably didn't understand what I just said because of my industry lingo, but basically, the short promo "pitch" piece for my parent's cooking reality show is up on their blog. And it's hot hot hot. I love it! But don't take my word for it, you try it.

Summer Breeze

And boy, it breeeeeezes by... fast! We've officially said goodbye to Summer. We switched from Corona to Ale, we had a fire and even kicked on the heater a little.

I called it a wrap like this for little Leo's 21st birthday. Yes, 21. Yes, party bus. Yes, Grandpa Graf's bull belt buckle.
Incidentally, how much do you have to weigh and how tall do you have to be to stop being called "little Leo?"

Marco spent the time at Grammy's. The next day (with a 32-year old headache) we visited the Sacramento Zoo with Grammy and Granny. It's a small zoo, but really cute and well kept and easily walkable by Marco.

I thought Marco might be a little young for it, but he loved it! He loved loved the monkeys, the ostriches and the tiger (but not too close). "More monkeys Dammy!" and "The ostich coming to Mano! The ostich coming to meeee!" and "No touch big cat on rock." Smart kid.

Plus, they have corn dog and "dip it" (ketchup) and isn't that what it's really about? Granny had her first corn dog with Marco. I was appalled. Eighty (plus!) years is a long time to live without a corn dog.

Here's the proof:Goodbye Summer. You'll be missed.