Spring finally arrived and brought with it a whirlwind of adventure for the Avramov household. As you will soon discover this will be a two parter as I have not written in some time and we have a lot to share. April and May have been extremely busy months and we are just now catching our breaths and recovering whatever sanity we have left (and trust me I don't have much left to work with). Since Teddy and I first met in April 1996, this time of the year always catches us experiencing great chaos and/or crazy changes. Graduations, an engagement, a wedding, three moves, a birth, Citizenship, oversees travels and many family visits. Spring seems to be our time of year. This year while Teddy and I were preparing for and embarking on our anniversary trip to Italy, Grandma and Grandpa came to visit and stay with Isabella and our little girl was experiencing lots of exciting milestones of her own.Can you believe our baby is going to start kindergarten in September?! I don't know whether to shout with joy or cry. Kindergarten orientation began in April consisting of informational meetings for Mom and Dad as well as three trips to Jamesville Elementary for Isabella. During the first two visits (an hour each) she got to visit the specials classes, art, libary, music and gym. She loved it and talked about it for days. On the third trip she got to ride the bus there and back and got to visit the kindergarten classrooms for about an hour and a half. She was so excited about the little play kitchen and getting to have a snack in
the cafeteria. She literally cannot wait for the school year to start and we are thrilled she is so excited. In April, she also had her first dance recital. It was adorable and very funny. She did great, we were so proud. The day after her dance recital she had her long awaited (at least to her) birthday party at the zoo. Wow! What a deal for $101.00 we got a party for 8 kids with lunch for all, two crafts, two games, a visit with a snake, an ice cream cake, party favors and a special stuffed tiger gift for the birthday girl! Best of all no work for mom!! You can't beat that! It could've been a mastercard commercial; Zoo birthday $101, no work for mom priceless! I wonder if she would agree to have her birthdays there till she's 18?! It was a huge success! Everyone had a great time, especially the birthday girl, who by the way knew the snake was an African Sand Boa before the keeper told them. That little mind of hers is amazing. 
Two days later Grandma and Grandpa arrived and we celebrated Isabella's birthday together on her actual birthday. We all went to the zoo (of course) and Chuck E. Cheese for dinner. I don't know who had more fun the child or the grown ups. You gotta love skeeball! Afterward we went home for strawberry shortcake and a good night's sleep as Teddy and I were leaving the next morning for Rome (more on that in Part 2). I am still adjusting to the fact that my baby is 5. She's growing so quickly and still amazes me everyday.
While we were gone Grandma and Grandpa bravely manned the fort and I'm sure little Miss 5 years old wore them out. Grandma got to take her to her second specials orientation and they spent the next ten days exploring Central New York and spoiling Isabella. She did great and didn't seem to miss us at all until the last couple of days. 
She had a great time with them and you wouldn't believe how much money the leprechauns left her while they were here. It's kinda funny how the leprechauns are so active during G & G's visits. She told me the leprechauns are making her rich. After we got home Teddy had to turn around and leave the next morning for a meeting in Columbus so I got to visit a little with the folks and see lots of pics of my new nephew, Connor. What a cutie! I can't wait to see him in person. We won't have to wait too long because Bella and I just got our tickets to STL for the first week of August.
She had a great time with them and you wouldn't believe how much money the leprechauns left her while they were here. It's kinda funny how the leprechauns are so active during G & G's visits. She told me the leprechauns are making her rich. After we got home Teddy had to turn around and leave the next morning for a meeting in Columbus so I got to visit a little with the folks and see lots of pics of my new nephew, Connor. What a cutie! I can't wait to see him in person. We won't have to wait too long because Bella and I just got our tickets to STL for the first week of August.Two weeks after we returned and life got back to normal we had a visit from Mandi, Brian and Charlotte. We were so excited to see them. Bella paced all morning waiting for them to arrive and I must say I was pacing a bit inside as well. 
The same morning of their arrival we got a brief visit from the Knipplemeyer' s who were on their way to Niagara Falls for the weekend. After introductions we all got to sit down for coffee. It was great to see everyone and the kids really enjoyed seeing each other. The Avramov and Hellyer clans had a great weekend together, although we wish it could have been longer. Bella was great with Charlotte and Charlotte seemed equally mezmorized by the big kid. I can't believe how much Charlotte has grown. She was full of smiles and fun and I had a great time playing with her and her mom. Anytime I feel as if I have lost myself in the mundane daily activities of my life I can always count on Mandi to help recharge my spirit and remind me how to laugh at myself! Thanks Aunt Mandi! We miss them already and hope to get together again soon!
The same morning of their arrival we got a brief visit from the Knipplemeyer' s who were on their way to Niagara Falls for the weekend. After introductions we all got to sit down for coffee. It was great to see everyone and the kids really enjoyed seeing each other. The Avramov and Hellyer clans had a great weekend together, although we wish it could have been longer. Bella was great with Charlotte and Charlotte seemed equally mezmorized by the big kid. I can't believe how much Charlotte has grown. She was full of smiles and fun and I had a great time playing with her and her mom. Anytime I feel as if I have lost myself in the mundane daily activities of my life I can always count on Mandi to help recharge my spirit and remind me how to laugh at myself! Thanks Aunt Mandi! We miss them already and hope to get together again soon!
You would think that this would be the end of our craziness, but no. The week after our visit from Team Hellyer, Isabella graduated from Preschool. One evening we went
to school to see all the projects she worked on all year and then on her last day of school they held a program and graduation ceremony, complete with graduation caps. The singing was fantastic and we took lots of pictures, of course. Afterward we took her to Wendy's for lunch, her choice. So now that summer vacation has begun, Isabelle, our neighbor, and I are counting the days till day camp begins (23 to be exact). Bella and Amelia will go M-W-F from 9:30 to 12:00. Yes! Sweet Freedom. In May we celebrated two anniversaries; our 10th wedding anniversary and the 1 year anniv. of moving to Syracuse. We had an uneventful walk thru and our builder Ed, who is great, is taking care of all those new house gliches. After a bit of reflecting, we are really happy we made the move. With the exception of missing 
our family and friends in STL, we have found ourselves to be very content and at home here. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been easy but we have all adjusted really well and found lots of friends and activities and new places to enjoy. We also love the beauty of the area. We feel we made a really good choice and are grateful that Walgreens placed us here (and not Florida!).
our family and friends in STL, we have found ourselves to be very content and at home here. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been easy but we have all adjusted really well and found lots of friends and activities and new places to enjoy. We also love the beauty of the area. We feel we made a really good choice and are grateful that Walgreens placed us here (and not Florida!). The past couple of months Teddy and I have also been busy talking with landscapers. We have some drainage issues in the back and need a real sidewalk in the front and some trees would be nice. We haven't made any decisions yet, we may have to put some of it off until next year. It's shocking the price of landscaping. It kills me to have someone else put in my flowerbeds, but the groud here is full of stones and boulders. So I hope that when we are ready they will agree to lay out the beds and I can fill them myself. I really miss having a garden to work in and I would love to have a vegtable garden.
Teddy and I and our friend Gabriella have also been busy playing matchmaker this Spring. Although, I will not divulge those details in interest of the parties involved. All I can say is, we're good and Gabriella should start a matchmaking service! This past weekend Teddy got to go to Montreal for the Formula one race held there every year. He and Nick had a great time and got the sunburns of their lives.
As I'm sure you all know I been following the Presidential horse race and as much as I love politics I was beginning to grow a little weary of the primaries, until last week when it finally ended! What great race Hilary ran! While I do support the other guy, she set a great example for all women and girls eveywhere. She made me proud to be a woman living in America! I am now really looking forward to the real contest and the pundits debates and speculation over the V.P. choices! I just hope the American voters can for once look past the party and all the political noise and try to see the candidates for who they really are and what they can and will contribute to our country and our future. I know, wishful thinking, but a girl's gotta dream.
As I'm sure you all know I been following the Presidential horse race and as much as I love politics I was beginning to grow a little weary of the primaries, until last week when it finally ended! What great race Hilary ran! While I do support the other guy, she set a great example for all women and girls eveywhere. She made me proud to be a woman living in America! I am now really looking forward to the real contest and the pundits debates and speculation over the V.P. choices! I just hope the American voters can for once look past the party and all the political noise and try to see the candidates for who they really are and what they can and will contribute to our country and our future. I know, wishful thinking, but a girl's gotta dream.
I hope everyone enjoys their summer (the Olympics are just 7 weeks away!) and hopefully sometime the Midwest will dry out. Isabella and I hope to see some of you in August and it goes without saying that there is an open invitation here for all our friends and family. Stay tuned for Part 2: Our adventure in Italy. I'll finish and post by next Thursday! See you then!
P.S.
Aunt Judy and Aunt Diane, we wish you speedy recoveries, we are thinking of you!
Galia, we are thinking of you and hope you are feeling better very soon, we love you. Kiss Mira
for us!
229 days left of a Bush White House! By the way what's with the dancing?!! I think he's finally completely lost it!
President Obama . . . I love the sound of that! * see previous disclaimer*
-I just got a phone call from Mandi to tell me she just heard that Tim Russert died today. I am very sad to hear this news as he was one of my heroes. I think he was one of the finest political journalists today. I looked forward to watching him every Sunday on Meet the Press and to hear his take on all the election news. I haven't been this sad since Tom Brokaw retired (at least I still get to see Tom Brokaw from time to time). I wonder now who will ask the idiot politicians the questions I want asked and who will keep Washington in check like Mr. Russert did. Here's to Tim Russert, I'll miss him. Sunday mornings, this campaign and politics in general will not be the same without him.
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