M&L &TT Go to the Circus

This weekend Mateo got Traveling Teddy (TT) who is a little paler than before(it used to be a brown bear), but just as much fun. Luckily for Traveling Teddy this weekend was also when the whole family was planning to go to the circus.

Mateo and Traveling Teddy are ready to go

Of course Mateo insisted on getting a spinning light toy in order to be able to enjoy the show fully

There were clowns, and acrobats and daredevils oh my!

Mateo and TT enjoy the show while Papi checks his crackberry

Mateo is looking dapper in his circus hat

And so is Miss Lucia...what a great day!

M&L Visit with Ayden & Antonio

This weekend was a long weekend (at least for some, not me) so we decided to take a trip to Western NJ so the kids could have a sleepover with their cousins Ayden and Antonio. Mateo had been looking forward to it all week.

We arrived on Friday night and the kids stayed up playing until 10 which explains this disheveled somewhat sleepy looking morning crew (Mateo, Ayden, Antonio and Lucia)

Little Miss Lucia likes to feed herself cereal in the morning and gets very grumpy when someone tries to help

After breakfast, Lucia and Erich hung out in the living room

The boys got dressed and enjoyed their own breakfast

Later, although it was cloudy and cold, Ayden and Mateo played in the back yard. There was sliding.

And swinging

And a little see-sawing

Later after bath time the boys enjoyed some platanos

These boys are chileando ese!

"Here's lookin' at you kid"

Ayden, Mateo and Lucia also had a great time cutting a rug

Lucia & Alma Hang at the Mall

Sometimes when the boys are away the girls will shop. Today was one of those days. The weather outside was yucky so the ladies went to the mall.

Lucia and Alma "window shop" from the elevator

And later clamor to try and steer the stroller

Lucia's Artistic Playgroup

As part of Lucia's playgroup, the nannies try and plan different activities to help develop different abilities in the kids. Today at Alma's house the kids painted. It was a little messy, but the results were great.

Lucia's orange period...very mellow, but very intense.

Alma likes to dabble with multiple colors

M&L - VDay 2011

Today was a happy V-day for the kids, but a terribly sad V-day for Mommy. The kids got Valentine's treats and cards from their friends. Mommy and Papi went to a memorial for a 6 year old boy who had just past away. The ceremony was beautiful and so was the day, but my heart ached for the parents who had to say goodbye to their son. I couldn't help, but think about how lucky we are to spend another Valentine's Day with our little ones.

80's style Lucia and pretty in pink Alma are happy to spend the day with each other

And so are their brothers Lucas and Mateo (as you can see from the cheesy grins)

Mateo Skis Again

Mateo enjoyed skiing so much in Vermont that we decided to take him again to Mountain Creek. It doesn't have as many trails, but it is closer and Auntie Audris hooked him up with a free private lesson because she is a ski patrol on the mountain. We left Lucia with Aba and Abu and headed off to Vernon, NJ.

Papi helped Mateo get into his red ski boots

"I am ready to go!"

"Like my skiis?"

Mateo is anxiously waiting for his instructor Chuck

90 minutes into his lesson, Mommy and Papi snuck to the base of the mountain to check on his lesson. Here he is at the top of the magic carpet.

Here he is traversing down the mountain with instructor Chuck (on the right)

Mateo skiis solo

According to Chuck he is comfortable with speed and with turns, but needs to work on stopping...

Lucia Busts a Move

Today was a Kidville day for Lucia and when I saw the pictures and video below I realized how much she has grown in the past few months. She's a happy girl with lots of energy who loves to dance and those are some of the many reasons we love her.

Miss Lucia looking cute in her pig tails

Apparently she also digs what she sees in her reflection

The kids wait for the unveiling of the box...one of her favorite parts of class

Now for the other favorite part...the part where the live band comes and she can shake her little booty

Lucia busts a move

Lucia's Play Group

For the past few weeks Lucia has had a scheduled playgroup with 3 other kids her age. The playgroup rotates among the four families and allows the kids to do different activities at each others homes. Today playgroup was at our house.

Alma, of course, is part of the playgroup

Meet Ariel, who is also part of the playgroup. Owen (the 4th member) couldn't make it. As a side note: both Ariel and Owen's nannies are named Tashi. I had never met anyone with that name and now there are two.

M&L Go Spinning

While Mateo had strep throat, we did not let Lucia get too close because it was highly contagious. She was very upset that she didn't get to play with him. Now that Mateo is feeling better, he can finally play with her.

So they spent the whole evening dancing and spinning

Mateo is All Strepped Out

This morning Mateo woke up complaining his throat was "spicy" which to him means tingly or it hurts. After a while the spice was so unbearable he didn't want to eat, drink or swallow his own saliva...uh oh. I thought this was not good, so instead of going to soccer (well he did go for a little while) Papi took him to the doctor's office where we found out he had strep throat.

Cute Miss Lucia was worried about her big bro

And stayed beside him during his time of misery

He did try to keep up a brave face

M&L - Spoiler Alert

Today Navita was off, so Aba stepped in to help take care of the kiddies. Of course Mateo and Lucia were happy to spend the day with Aba. And of course she does what all grandparents do...spoil her grandchildren.

Mateo opens one of his many presents from Aba - these included a new rolling Buzz Lightyear backpack and the villains from Toy Story 3

Miss Lucia also scored some gifts - she got a Princess plate and her very own Tangled Princess placemat

M&L Play date with Lucas and Alma

No big news today. Just another friendly play date with Mateo, Lucia, Lucas and Alma.

Lucia welcomes Alma

Later, the boys did a little drawing

And so did the girls