Mateo's 5th Birthday Party

Although it appears as if we have been celebrating Mateo's birthday over and over, today was the finale of the celebration today was his Super Sonic the Hedgehog 5th Birthday Party! He was so excited. I think this was the first year he was completely conscious of his birthday and the theme.

"I am just chillin' waiting for the party to begin" (Note: the Hedgehog shirt)

There's my cute 5 year old

Lucia was so excited to celebrate Mateo's 5th birthday, she put on her favorite party dress and perfectly pleasing smile.

We held his party at Monroe Movement again, but this time instead of Buzz, Sonic was the host

We got a makeup artist to come in and paint faces.

Sonic Batman is ready for some action

Mateo's buddies, Matthew, Luke, Finn, Campbell and little sis Lucia were happy to participate

But before we start, a little stretching through yoga

After a little play, the kids sat down for pizza and Capri Sun

Cousin, Ayden and Lucia enjoyed their pizza also

After the pizza they opened up the world of tunnels

And ramps

And then finally his favorite (and Mommy's too), a Carvel ice cream birthday cake

And because he is so good at sharing, he also shared the limelight with his little sis and let us sing "Happy Birthday" to her as well

Cousins, Antonio, Ayden, Mima and Erich all came out to help Mateo and Lucia celebrate

"Pinata Time!"

Instead of the dangerous sport of pummeling the pinata, we opted for the more communal process of pulling it open with the tethered streamers. Lucia is very intrigued.

Of course, after the fall, comes the swarm.

Mateo, Mommy, Lucia and Papi all had a great time

Party favors included blowouts, a cape and a mask. Now instead of just being Miss Lucia she is also Captain Cutie

Aba and Captain Cutie had a great day

M&L Hang with Uncle Aston

Today we had a celebratory BBQ. What were we celebrating you ask? Well, our dear Uncle Aston was coming to visit. Yes, he lives in NJ, but we don't get to see him as often as we'd like. The good news is the weather was great and his sister, aka Grandma, is also still in town, so she got to visit with family as well. Our gracious hosts, Aba and Abu, opened up the pool and the grill and we all had a great time.

Uncle Aston with his favorite Gonzalez drink, homemade Sangria

Mateo had a fun time in the pool on his raft

Meanwhile, little Lucia had fun in her little pool

And of course shared a moment with her #1 fan, Abu

Lucia Goes to the St. Ann's Festival

Today, Mateo got another B-day gift (more like event). Aba and Abu took him to Medieval Times. Miss Lucia stayed behind with Mommy, Papi and Grandma, so instead of sitting around the house we decided to head out to St. Ann's Festival down the street.

Lucia, with pigtails and stroller, is ready to go

After strolling around a bit, Lucia and Mommy stop on the steps of St.Ann to eat lunch.

Feeling fully recharged, Lucia takes a jump in the bouncy house on her own

Last, but not least, Papi and Lucia take several spins in a carnival ride

Digging for Dinosaurs

One of Mateo's birthday gifts from his Tia Raqui Caqui was a dinosaur digging kit. Basically, it was a lot of little bones hidden in a big block of plaster. The kit came with some googles, a brush, and a little sharpened wooden dowel. At first I didn't know if he would like it, but we went outside, put on our goggles and all of a sudden we were paleontologists. We stayed outside for at least an hour and he was so transfixed that he called inside to Papi "this is much funner than TV!" It was a great day.

Team Vielot-Gonzalez dig for bones

Mateo Turns 5!

Today, of course, is a very big day. It is Mateo's 5th birthday and the first time that he truly has a full understanding of his age. Leading up to this day he kept telling everyone "my birthday is July twenty-one, I am going to be five." As has become tradition, I took the day off from work to help celebrate this very special day.

First he went to swim camp and then Mommy came during lunch with cupcakes to help him celebrate with his camp friends.

Everyone was so excited about the chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles

After lunch, Mateo and Mommy left camp early so we could continue with the b-day celebration. "Hey mom, this is what a cool 5 year old looks like"

After lunch, Mateo, Mommy and Papi went to the movies to see Cars 3-D. Another pair of cool shades to help the cool kid accessorize.

After the movie, we went to Bounce-U (not pictured) and then headed to Aba and Abu's house with Grandma and Lucia where Mateo got to open some of his gifts. Doesn't he make a cute Captain America?

This year, Mateo matured a lot and has really become a caring, protective and, admittedly, sometimes bothersome big brother to Lucia. He is a loving, curious and funny kid who other kids love to play with and who we completely adore. It has been a year when he has been introduced to Karate and piano and is now quite comfortable with his full name, and writing numbers and letters. Mateo, your smart, athletic and adorable and we love you with all of our hearts.

Swim camp buddies singing "Happy Birthday" to Mateo

M&L Celebrate Cousins and Luca's 5th Birthday

Today was a busy, busy day. It started out with a yummy brunch and good catching up with cousins. It ended with a couple of pooped kids loaded with pizza and birthday cake.

Cousin Ariana has grown so much. She and Mateo had so much fun at brunch.

"Cousins Rule!" Tayla, Ariana, Nneka, Mateo and Mommy say "cheeeeeese!"

Later, the kids went to Luca's house to celebrate his 5th birthday. They played inside and then had a water balloon fight on the deck. Once they cooled off, there was time for chalk.

Birthday boy Luca

"Man it is hot, maybe this juice box will help"

"Nope, still hot"

M&L Celebrate Simi's 1st Birthday

Today was another beautiful summer day and along with the summer comes the frequent kiddie birthday party to attend. Today the family headed into the City to help Mommy's friend Bena celebrate her daughter, Simrin's first birthday.

We overestimated how long it would take us to get in so we were the first ones to arrive. The boys entertained themselves by throwing a frisbee

Lucia entertained herself by partaking in the refreshments, a yummy blueberry muffin

Elora showed up later and attempted to play a little badminton with Lucia

Mateo, with birthday girl Simi, searches for sticks

Of course when Mateo discovered this tree, he had to climb it

And when Lucia discovered her brother in the tree she had to climb it too

Bena and Simrin share a snuggle

Later there was some fun on a parachute with pom-poms

"Hoooray for pom-poms!"

The two Batmans

Lucia loves blowouts

And of course, so does Mateo

Before we leave, it is time to sing Happy Birthday to the girl of the hour.