Lucia Heads to Madison Square Park

Summer not only brings warm weather, but it also brings lots of activities around the City. Today Lucia went to the Summer Kids concert in Madison Square Park in New York City. She and her pal, Riley, had a great time hanging out and enjoying the music

The ladies arrive at the park

"Yipppeee!!! Let's rock and roll!"

Navita picked a great spot for a picnic

The girls munched on some yummy snacks while listening to the band

Once Lucia got home, she cooled off at the local water park. A great end to a great day.

M&L Kick-Off Summer

School's out for summer! That's right kids, time for pools, camps, scooters, sprinklers and parks. Mateo is so excited for "100 home days" and Lucia is excited to have more time playing outside.

But before we head out, let's have a little art time

Next, Lucia heads out (in her stylish sun hat) to meet up with her friend Ariel to have some fun in the park.

Once Lucia heads back inside she is happy to see her favorite co-artist, big bro Mateo

Just before bedtime Lucia took both her babies for a stroll (she thinks when she closes her eyes that not only can she not see you, but you can't see her)

"Alright, alright you found me I guess it's time for bed"

"Goodnight, today was a good day"

Mateo's 1st Piano Recital

Today was a very special day, it was the day of Mateo's 1st piano recital. I was so nervous for him, but apparently he does not take after me because he was cool as a cucumber and a little disturbed that we kept asking "are you nervous?"

Mateo gets a good luck snuggle from Lucia

Here is the program

Mateo was the 2nd pianist

Miss Shelly helps Mateo prepare to begin

While Jason entertained Lucia in the back

Lucia, Mateo and Miss Shelly make the perfect trio

To watch his performance click on the link below

Playing Night Owl & Pirates

Mateo Graduates from Pre-K

Today was a milestone for our family. It was an especially big milestone for our little man, Mateo, because he graduated from Pre-K. This may seem strange, but I was dreading this day for weeks. My stomach has been churning at the thought that what once was our baby is now a boy going to Kindergarten. It just makes me realize how fast time is flying by and how sometimes I wish I could just put on the brakes. He had been rehearsing for this for the past month and today Papi and I were going to finally get to hear his class perform.

Here is the lineup of the Pre-K class (Room 208) getting ready to start the performance.

To hear the graduation "show" click on the links below

Pre-K show Pt.1

Pre-K show Pt.2

Pre-K show Pt.3

Pre-K show Pt.4

Pre-K show Pt.5

Pre-K show Pt.6

Here is Mateo giving his teacher, Ms. Ally, a hug and collecting his certificate of completion.

Mommy and Papi with the Graduate

After the ceremony we all sat down for our last Pre-K brunch with Mateo. Congratulations Mateo we are so proud of you and love you very much!

M&L Balloon Time

A few weeks ago Navita bought Mateo an air pump and a bag of long balloons. And with it came hours of free-wheeling head bopping (literally head bopping because they kept bopping each other on the head with the balloons) fun.

Matthew, Alma, Mateo, Lucia and Lucas are armed and not-so-dangerous

M&L Celebrate Father's Day 2011

Today is Father's Day, so of course that meant we had to celebrate the men in our lives. The plan was simple - spend time with family.

The beasts - Mateo and Papi give their meanest Father's Day growls

Melanie, Lucia and Mateo take a cool dip in a small pool in Nelsito's backyard

BBQ time - Nelsito, Mateo and Papi enjoy some yummy food from the grill

Meanwhile, Lucia tried to kidnap this child-sized Barbie (as you can see from this pic, this Barbie was taller than my child)

"This is what cool looks like"

Tio Cesar & Tia Stacie Wedding Weekend Pt.3

So today was the day of the actual wedding. The kids were not going to go with us they were going to hang back and spend some more time with Grandma. In the end they had a great time and so did we.

Look who stopped by unexpectedly for a happy surprise, Lucia's Madrina, Anissa

Along with my godson, Kristian posing with god "sister and brother" Lucia and Mateo

Tio Cesar & Stacie's ceremony venue was a beautiful set up in back of Abuelo Julio's house

Since we showed up early, I was lucky enough to get some pictures of the bride being prepped for the big day.

Tio Cesar looked a little nervous while waiting for his bride to come down the aisle

Papi looked handsome as one of the groomsmen

And "here comes the Bride"

The happy couple after being pronounced "husband and wife"

Abuelo Julio and his three sexy granddaughters - Mima, Aimara and Raquel

Aba and Mommy also got snazzed up for the event

Tio Cesar was accosted by Yolaiki, Mima, Mommy and Kimm

The couples' super cute first dance

And the tearful mother-son dance

After many dances, a great meal and lots of drinks, the couple cut the cake

Papi (looking a little possessed) and Mommy had a great night out

Posing with the couple of the day

If we are lucky we will all still be able to get down like Aba and Abu on the dance floor "shake what yo mamma gave you!"

And the last dance of a very special and very wonderful day

Tio Cesar & Tia Stacie Wedding Weekend Pt.2

Today was our second day in Miami celebrating Tio Cesar's upcoming nuptials. It was also the kick-off the babysitting adventures starring Mateo, Lucia, Grandma and Freddy. Mommy and Papi went out to bachelorette and bachelor parties while Grandma stayed with the kids.

Mateo and Lucia keeping cool with fruity juice boxes

Mima and Tia Briseida are ready for the festivities to begin

So are Raquel, Mommy and Kimm

The foxes - Mommy, Mima, Stacie (bride-to-be), Raquel and Kimm

The Cougars - Tia Briseida, Aba, Stacie and Tia Mirta

As you can see the Bachelorette had a hard time getting down all of the drinks

I can't divulge all of the events of the night, so I will leave you with this pic of Stacie posing with a diesel dude (the first of many)