Papa Fofo Plays Hide n Seek

Papa Fofo flew in for Lucia's big birthday bash on Saturday. Today he spent some time hanging with his grandkids and Mateo roped him into playing Hide N Seek.

One of Mateo's favorite hiding spots is our suitcase.

As you can see Mateo fits perfectly inside. Unfortunately he is not as good with making his hiding spots unknown. He actually asked Papa Fofo to zip him up which in essence means he just gave away his hiding spot. Even Lucia knew where to find him.

Lucia Goes to Big Muscle Gym

So today while Mateo went to camp Lucia went to a class at Kidville. She normally has a Music for Maestros class on Friday, but last week she missed it so today was a makeup class. This class is called Big Muscle Gym. I think it is for kids that are a smidge older and it has a little more physical activity. From what I hear, Miss Lucia had a great time.

I was told she charmed the instructor, Carlos, so much that he kept lifting her up to help her get a slam dunk

Lucia totally trying to palm the ball ( I can't bear to tell her she will probably not be joining the WNBA any time soon)

"A little stretching keeps me on my game"

Finalize the day with a ride on a pretty cool swing

M&L & Grandma go to the Intrepid

Today Mateo and Lucia went to visit the Intrepid Museum (an aircraft carrier that is docked on the Hudson) in NYC with Grandma and Navita. It was a first for them and from what I hear, they had a blast.

Grandma, Mateo and Lucia board the vessel

Mateo and Lucia in front of an enormous propeller

Pilot Mateo does some tricky maneuvers in this compact helicopter

Grandma and Mateo take a break and pose for the cameras

Seaman Mateo loved the tight quarters and the bunk beds. Now, he keeps asking me if he can get bunk beds.

Captain Mateo steers the vessel "A little to the left..."

As you can see there were a lot of things to steer on this carrier

After Mateo's long day as a pilot, seaman and captain, you'd figure he would be ready to retire. Not so! When he got home he decided to take on his other favorite role, professional photographer. Here are a series of portraits entitled "Say Cheese!" - Smiling Tia Stacie

"Happy Abuelo Julio"

"Grinning Tio Cesar"

Now the artist decided to step out from behind the camera to take a picture with Tia Mirta and sister Lucia

When Harry Met Mommy & Papi

Today Mommy and Papi got to go on a very special date night. It wasn't to some movie or a provincial dinner in town. Today we were treating ourselves to a Happy Mother's Day, Happy Father's Day, Happy Anniversary, and Happy Birthday. We went for a very personal meet and greet with Harry Connick Jr. (it was an offer made to Amex Card Members). We have been to see him at least twice in concert and have always shared a special love of his music and swagger. In the afternoon there were cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres. Then we got a tour of the stage where Harry plays, we got to ask question to his head of production and then at last got to ask Harry questions. It was awesome!

Francoise with wine in hand sitting in one of the Violinist's chairs

Harry's piano, a Steinway on loan forever

His head of production

His set list is computerized so he can change it on the fly during the show

Harry takes questions - I asked him about how he manages work life balance and being away from his family while on tour.

Next we got to go on stage with him and hear about more of his experiences

And he played a little ditty for us

He was total magic. Right after this we went to dinner and then we came back for the real show (we were in the 5th row). It was definitely a day to remember. Thanks for babysitting Grandma and Aba.

M&L at Mateo's 4th Birthday Party

Well earlier in the week we celebrated the actual day Mateo was born, but today was his big time party. The theme was, to no one's surprise, Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear. I think this will be the 1st party he actually remembers. It was at the Monroe Street Movement Space (where he goes to summer camp). We invited all of his cousins and school friends and ended up with a pretty good turnout, at least more than I thought considering he has a summer birthday. It was a very busy, but very fun day.

The yummies for the day

The guest of honor was very excited about all of the space to run around in and happy to see some of the friends he hadn't seen in a while.

Mateo's friends - Nate, and his dad, Logan and his mom Jenny, Luke and his dad Michael and Yop and Jack up front

More friends and family - Nikita and her mom and little bro Nikhil, Lucia and cousin Isabel

Mateo made sure to include little sister Lucia in the day's main events

Lucia enjoyed playing ball with Abuelo Julio

Auntie Kimm and Lucia enjoy some time together

Lucia participates in the parachute game

Time for pizza and sandwiches

Grandma was also there to celebrate with Mommy and Lucia

The birthday boy blew out his candle on his chocolate cake (note: not pictured is the stand of cupcakes that we also had for all of the kiddies). The goody bags also had candy...those kids were hopped up with sugar by the end of the party.

The Vielot-Gonzalez family are all smiles and happy to celebrate with our Mr. Mateo

Now back to the party

Lucia snuggled up with Mateo's Padrino and Papi

Mateo and Padrino

He even got Buzz Lightyear pasta

"Wheeeeeeeeee!"

"Time for some hula action!"

Please note the shirt

Loved this shot of Lucia at the end of the rolling tube

Abuelo Julio with his great-grandkids - Lucia, Alex, Isabel and Mateo

The family - Abu, Abuelo Julio, Nelsito, Papi, Kimm, Julio, Lucia, Janzel, Mommy, Isabel and Alex

Cousins pose for a pic - Mateo, Nelsito (holding Lucia), Janzel, Melanie, Alex and Isabel

Mateo Turns 4!

Guess who is finally pre-schooled-age? Well I guess we could say millions of people around the world, but we are not focused on them right now. We are focusing on our dear sweet Mateo. As is tradition, I took the day off to help him celebrate. Unfortunately, I also had to fly out tonight for a business trip. Is this what they mean by work-life balance?

Miss Lucia, in her pretty dress from Grandma, has something to say. "Happy Birthday Big Bro!"

Mommy, Grandma and Aba came to camp to celebrate Mateo's birthday. As you can see today he was the King of Camp. Mateo has grown into such a loving son, big brother, grandson, cousin and friend. He is incredibly funny, curious, athletic, energetic and super cute. We love you, Happy 4th Birthday!

And we didn't come empty-handed we brought yummy, sprinkle covered, cupcakes from Crumbs for the class

Look who helped celebrate his birthday at camp - Will and Logan, his best pals