The Parrillo Family

Like it has for all of you, 2020 hasn't been easy.  But, we've grown (even) closer together and have made the most of the situation.  The Parrillos are hearty, midwestern-types who will certainly belly-ache about a global pandemic, but we'll also get through it.  Together.  With all of you.  Our family and Friends.   Merry Christmas.  Happy Festivus.  Happy Hanukah.    Happy New Year.  The whole thing.  See you REAL soon. And while we *did* spend quite a bit of time INSIDE of our house, we did end up experiencing some things as a family.  Here's some of our year in review: January - Frankie rang in the new year with some good packing snow and a snowman February - Eloise moved up a class with her swim team .  And her mom couldn't be having more fun. April - SD broke her pandemic-induced cabin fever and flashed back to the the 1960's . May - Frankie graduated from Pre-School @ Bethel and is on his way to Kindergart...

COVID might have delayed the event, but our SD had her First Communion this weekend.  And she did it wearing pants.  That her Grammy sewed for her.  Along with a custom-matching mask.  'Tis the season for COVID, I guess.   As for the Communion, she was so excited.  Both by the little high heels she was wearing, being the center of attention for a day, but also because of all the kids, she seems to have taken her faith the most seriously.   For a quick flashback, here's Eloise on her First Communion back in 2018 .   Here she is - on her big day.  So glad that NOT all of the photos are with masks.  Look at that big smile. Instead of one BIG First Communion, St Mary's decided to offer a series of much smaller ones - to enable social distancing.  That also meant that we were limited in who could come with us to the church.  Both Noonie and Grammy made the list.  Here's Noonie with the First Communicant.  ...

The global pandemic might have forced his preschool graduation to take place via Zoom and our laptop, it hasn't made him - OR US - any less proud.  Frankie - likes his sisters before him - enjoyed his time at a Lutheran early education school.  For him, it was Bethel in Westmont.  He's becoming quite a kid. He's on his way to Kindergarten at St Mary's where he'll join his two big sisters.  One school.  Finally.

 Frankie - stormtrooper SD - Reyy when we first meet her. Elosie - Princess Leia with Chewbacca.  

SD is handling the pandemic the way most kids do:  making custom sunglasses that say "book worm" and dressing like a child of the 60's.  She's READY for Summer and the warm weather. Don't ever change, Sadie.

Being part of team is - in my opinion - the most valuable part about playing youth sports.  That's why I think it has been so important for our girls to play basketball.  It is - in my mind - the BEST team sport.  And this is the third season of SD playing on the SMG team.  She played in Kindergarten in 2018 here .   I don't seem to have posted about first grade hoops.  But, this year?  She was back on the team.   Here she is with her teammates getting some instructions from her coach. And here she is with her teammates.  

Just like her mother, Eloise seems to have taken to swimming.  This year was a big year of moving up in terms of practice groups and getting a little bit more serious about the training that included what she calls "dry land".  Which...if you ask me is kind of like saying "food pizza".  But, I know it makes Natalie happy to see her sitting deckside in the bullpen with her cap and goggles, butterflies in her belly.  Just like her momma did.  And her Aunt Vic, too.   She's come a LONG way in just 18 months.  Here's her VERY FIRST swim meet in the Summer of 2018 .  Eloise is also getting red and blue ribbons from her races, just like her Mom and Aunt did when they were younger.  Her Dad?  He swam for a while.  But wore trunks as long as he could.   And his ribbons weren't red or blue.  Nope.  I had plenty of swimming ribbons.  But they were yellow.  Or purple.  Or green.  

 Frankie didn't let a good day of packing snow go to waste.  He made his very own snowman to help ring in the New Year.  And, he did it in MY Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX hat from my childhood.