M&L on Halloween Day 2010

So today we are celebrating Halloween for the second time. Today is actually the real Halloween, so the kids got more wear out of their costumes. The weather was pretty good which meant that Mateo did a lot of trick o'treating; so much that he didn't have the energy to make the rounds in our apartment complex. He actually uttered the words "I have enough candy." I call that success :)

Buzz Lightyear is ready to get some serious trick o treating done

Miss Minnie Mouse is dressed to the nines and ready for the big show

A quick group hug before we go

And we're off

Mateo ran into several other Buzzes during his candy expedition - this one is in his swimming class

Aba, Yasnier and Roxanne also joined us on the candy expedition this was their (Yasnier and Roxanne) first Halloween in the U.S.A.

Another Buzz, Matthew from across the hall, came out in the hallway to compare the days booty

As night set in we lit our pumpkins (carved by Mommy and Mateo). Mateo's is the big one and is a cat in a boot. Lucia went more traditional with a happy face Jack-O-Lantern.

M&L Enjoy Pre-Halloween Celebrations

As has been for the past 4 years, Halloween started early in the Vielot-Gonzalez household. Today not only was there a Halloween celebration and mini-parade at Mateo's school, but there was also a celebration at Mommy's work. The kids had tons of fun and lots of treats.

Mateo, dressed as a Fireman, walked around the block in his school's mini Halloween Parade

His buddy Lucas was dressed as Superman

After school, the kids were dressed in their costumes, Minnie Mouse and Buzz Lightyear, to go to Mommy's workplace celebration

Mateo enjoyed the ride on the Ferry into Manhattan

Miss Lucia was less impressed

Navita and Mateo were still very impressed

At last, they make it to Mommy's work and she is very happy

The kiddies had some snacks

Checked out the pumpkin carving contest (very gory)

Our team won 1st place, I think it was because we were dedicated enough to get a real brain (goat, not human) for our pumpkin

Mateo was mesmerized by some of the pumpkins

Double trouble - Miss Lucia checks herself out in the mirror

Lucia trying to listen with her big ears

Mateo had so much fun he was wiped by the end of the day

Navita interviewed Mateo during his walk in the parade. Find out what cupcake flavor is his favorite.

M&L Go to Alma & Lucas' House

Normally Alma and Lucas come over to our house for play dates, but today they decided to switch it up. Mateo and Lucia headed to their house instead. It doesn't really matter where they go, they always have a good time.

Lucia dressed up for the occasion

Before going to Alma's house, Lucia had a class at Kidville - looks like she wasn't the only one who wanted to dress up for the day.

Later, Alma welcomed Mateo and Lucia to her home and toys

Lucia and Alma Play House

While Mateo was at school, Lucia had another play date with Alma. Today they actually played house with her play house...very cute.

Alma says "Girls are #1!"

Alma is very surprised and happy to find Lucia on the other side of the door

Lucia Gets Fancy for Class

Not only does Miss Lucia have her pierced ears to make her look more girly, but she also has huge flowery headbands (from her godmother) that make her looks super chic. They also kind of remind us of her California gal pal Maddie

Lucia is dressed, accessorized and ready for her class

M&L go to FAO After Hours

Today Mateo and Lucia got to experience something that I had always wanted to experience when I was a kid - getting to run around a toy store after hours. For them the ante was upped because they got to run around the ultimate toy store after hours - FAO Shwarz. How'd they get the hook up you ask - Tio Cesar

Mateo petting a live parrot

Next stop - Mateo watches a little magic

Mateo fell in love with this Ugly Doll, Wedge Head, and tracked him down several times to give him a hug

Ugly Doll with Cute Kid

No FAO trip is complete without a spin on the super-sized piano

Papi shows Mateo how to use the remote for the car driving on this race track

Meanwhile - Lucia noshed on some yummy snacks supplied by the store

And enjoyed some milk to wash it down

Tia Stacie and Lucia do a little bonding

"This is awesome, maybe I can hide here overnight"

Lucia and a Lego life-sized Chubaka

Mateo also wanted in on the Lego action

Lucia found mini-sized Ugly Dolls to play with

Dress change - right before leaving we switched Miss Lucia into her PJs so we could make bedtime more efficient.

Tio Cesar helping Lucia ride the llama stuffed animal

And of course at the end of our play time we had to catch a picture with FAO's famous toy soldiers

M&L Go to the Pumpkin Patch 2010

Well ever since Lucia was born and ever since I came to grips that we may be raising a family in NJ for at least a while longer, I have decided that we need to take advantage of some of the best things the Northeast has to offer. One of these things is apple/strawberry/pumpkin picking in the Fall. Today we headed out to Alstede Farms with Mateo, Lucia, Aba Abu and cousin Yasnier. It was a beautiful day and everyone had a great time.

Papi and Mateo climbed a haystack

Mateo had a great time climbing up and down the steps of the stack

Lucia wasn't big enough to climb the haystack so instead she chilled by a stack of cinder blocks and enjoyed the sound of corn crunching under he shoes.

Of course, when Mateo got bored of simply climbing up and down the stack he decided to leap, but Papi was always there to catch him.

Lucia figured out that even if she can't climb the haystack, she can still play in it

"Cheeeeeeeeeze!!!"

Next Mateo hung out in the corn house - Please note it took us about 60 minutes at bath time to get all of the kernels and hay out of his hair

Lucia was also thoroughly impressed with the corn house

After the corn house, Mateo got to ride on a tractor wagon pull - this may appear to be a painful smile, but he was storing donuts in his cheeks

And around the bend he goes

Mateo is well versed when it comes to riding horses on a carousel, but this was his first time on a real pony. He did a great job.

Mateo and Papi are having "A load of fun"

Mommy, Papi, Lucia and Mateo on the way to the pumpkin patch

"Hey I think I want this one!"

"Well I want this one!"

Aba helps Mateo carry his "SUPER BIG PUMPKIN"

Just before going home, Mateo got to enjoy one of his favorite fair treats, cotton candy, yum yum