M&L Revisit the Kender Clan

Today M&L got some more quality time with the West Coast Crew. They came over to chat and play and later on in the day we would return the favor by going over to the Kenders' pad in Leonia for some delicious dinner and dessert.

Madrina tickles and nibbles on Mateo's foot

Mateo gets to revisit Will's drums in the basement

While Sam, Max and Maddie have fun in the play room

Greg (aka Tio Greg) was the MVP of the night. He lent an extra hand with the kids when the adults needed a break. Here he is minding Lucia.

The pinwheel reunites almost 13 weeks later feeling bigger and more focused

The pinwheel's first gathering (on Sept 6, 2009)

Max taking a break from all the excitement

Greg steps in again and entertains Mateo

Family & Friends Visit M&L

Today Mateo and Lucia had visitors from all over. In the afternoon they hung out with Aba, Abu, Tia Raqui and Tio Jon and later in the day the West Coast Crew (aka Madrina Jess, Sam, Maddie and Max) came over for a play date.

Tia Raqui and Tio Jon hang on the couch with Lucia (please note who seems to be more comfortable holding the baby)

Max took the Exersaucer for a spin while Madrina and Lucia sat on the sidelines

Mateo got a hold of the camera and decided to take a Blair- Witch angled photo

While Maddie took a break and had a balanced snack of grapes and McDonalds' fries...yummy

M&L Celebrate a 1st and 3rd Turkey Day

Aba and Abu hosted a large Thanksgiving feast for about 30 family members. There was a lot of yummy food and it was great just catching up with people we haven't seen in a while. Today was also quite exciting because a lot of firsts were celebrated.

The first American Thanksgiving celebration for Pipo and Lola

Mima and Lucia share a hug

The first time the dinner was not held in the basement (check out the fancy digs)

Cousins, Nelsito, Ayden and Mateo wait patiently for dinner to be served

Adrian and Lucia share a hug

The first time Kimm and Lucia get to share a hug

The first time a kids' table was set up for Thanksgiving

At Lucia's 1st Thanksgiving she gnaws on Papi's hand because she isn't old enough to gnaw on a turkey leg

Lucia and Yolaiky share a hug

After dinner Mateo channels a Jedi for the first time- "Use the force..."

Just Chillin'

Lucia gets mat time everyday and sometimes there is lots of movement and half rolls and sometimes there is swatting at dangling toys and sometimes there is just chillin'

Here she is just chillin'

M&L Get a Quick Visit from Grandma & Freddie

Today, we were lucky enough to get a quick visit from Grandma and Freddie (who Lucia was meeting for the first time). They were in the area for a banquet and of course couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit the grandkids. We ate, talked and walked around Hoboken. Although it was a short visit we had a great time.

Grandma and Lucia pose for the camera

Lucia hanging out with Freddie

3 generations - Mommy, Lucia and Grandma

Cambell and Finn Come to Visit

This past summer Mateo spent a lot of time at Cambell andFinn's house, but now that Lucia is around and I am at work, our house is on the play date circuit.

Finn and Cambell investigating Mateo's toy stash

While Mateo plays with his friends, Lucia kicks back in her super cool Bono shirt

Swim Practice - Mateo Learns New Moves

Mateo has definitely made a lot of new strides in his swimming class. He has had the same instructor, Joe, for the past few semesters and it has really helped because Joe pushes them to try new skills and understands what each student needs to work on. It is also helpful that there are only 3-4 kids in his class so he gets a lot of one-on-one instruction.

Mateo is now completely comfortable "diving" which isn't really diving, it is submerging his head fully and pushing himself towards Papi. It is really quite impressive.

Mateo practicing his swimming kicks with Papi

Tradition Continues

So today was just another nice, mild, mellow Sunday. Mateo had his usual routine of soccer in the morning and swimming in the afternoon, but there was a new (sort of new) component added into the mix. Let's guess at what it is.

Lucia and Mateo "strolling" to swimming class. Can you spot the new element?

Here is a close-up - that's right folks, Papi went out and got Lucia her very own Yankee hat. He didn't feel the need to get it in a girly pink, especially not this year when they are World Series champions. GO YANKEES!

Hmmm....Mateo landed his at around the same age. He wore it proudly although they didn't win that year. You may also notice he is in a similar fluffy collared stroller warmer.

Jungle Queen

Everyday Lucia enjoys some playtime on her new exersaucer. Of course she doesn't really like to stay in it past 10 minutes, but those 10 minutes are filled with squeaks, bounces, smiles, laughter and coos.

Lucia wears a jungle print to try and blend in with the theme of her exersaucer

Mother Lucia

Today Mommy and Papi had a condo board meeting to attend so Aba and Abu came over to watch Mateo and Lucia.

Lucia doing her best Mother Theresa impression while Aba looks on

Mateo & Lucia: Couch Potatoes

At the end of a long day Mateo winds down by sitting on the couch and watching 'The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron'

As you can see he has recruited his baby sister Lucia and now they are both mesmerized

Mateo and Lucia caught in a daze

Lucia and the Exersaucer!

Today we went to Buy Buy Baby and Toys R Us to get a few things for the kiddies and Lucia landed her very own Exersaucer. She has been wanting to stand for at least a month so this at least allows her to be in an upright position.

Lucia admiring all of the colorful animals

Papi wants to look too

M&L Get a Visit from Ayden & Antonio

Today cousins Aileen, Erich, Antonio and Ayden came to visit. Mateo was so excited to get to play with his cousins that he asked every five minutes "Are they here yet? Are they here yet? Are they here yet?" Until finally they were here.

As you can see Ayden and Antonio wanted to play with all of Mateo's toys ...ALL of them

Mateo and Ayden flank Antonio

Mima and Lucia

Antonio, Mateo and Ayden enjoy juice and authentic German cuisine at Helmer's

M&L Play Date with Will & Claire

As you can see, our house is now on the play date rotation. Today Mateo and Lucia stayed home and entertained guests, Will (from his school) and his little sister Claire.

'I'm gonna knock you out - mama said not you out!' - Lucia has been sporting mitts for two reasons - 1: so she doesn't suck on her fingers and 2: so she doesn't pull at her hair (she seems to be doing that more often lately. I am not sure if that soothes her or if it is what she does when she is uncomfortable)

Will smiles for the camera while Mateo cleans his brush. (Claire plays with the sax and some buckets in the background)

Lucia chills in her bouncy chair

Mateo (at around the same age) looking a lot more serious about this bouncy chair

M&L Play Date with Matthew

Just another day in Hoboken. Today Lucia and Mateo had a play date with across-the-hall neighbor Matthew.

Lucia double-hooding to go pick up Mateo at school

Mateo working on another one of his masterpieces

Matthew looking a bit startled by the paparazzi

What Happens When Mommy & Papi Are Out...

Today, Mommy and Papi were running late because we had to go vote, so Aba and Abu relieved Navita and enjoyed some quality time with Mateo and Lucia. One had to wonder, what happens while we are away, hmmm....

Mateo plays a mean sax while Abu and Lucia get caught dancing. Is that Golden Girls playing on the TV?

Aba, Mateo, Lucia and Abu caught in the act of having fun

"Quick let's take a picture before they get home!"

"We want one too!"