Monday, October 31, 2011

M&L - Halloween Part #4 - 2011

Today was the last day of the Halloween season which means it was actually Halloween, October 31st. There was a lot trick-o-treating to do so the kids got dressed in their costumes AGAIN and headed out to the Hoboken Halloween Parade.



Mateo gets the candy and eats the candy...gets the candy and eats the candy...and repeat



Lucia also Trick-o-Treats for the first time. She was a little confused by the whole thing.



The parade takes over Washington Street



Guess who we ran into - The Flash (aka Lucas)



And other Elmo (aka Alma)



After the parade and trick-o-treating in the building it was pizza time with Aba



"Cheese! on Pizza"

Sunday, October 30, 2011

M&L - Halloween Party #3 - 2011

And now for another day of Halloween parties. This one was sponsored by Mateo's music school. It was a potluck of sorts where there were treats, music and lots of fun.



Mr. Popular - Mateo is flanked by his new piano teacher Miss Amy on the left and his former piano teacher, Miss Shelly on the right



And of course Little sis, Miss Lucia also tagged along



Papi and Lucia do there best silly faces

Saturday, October 29, 2011

M&L - Halloween Party #2 - 2011 (Snow Day?)

2nd day of the Halloween Season. We were scheduled to attend 2 parties - 1 in the early afternoon at Mateo's school and the other in the evening at Aba's house. We woke up to terrible winds and of all things wet, blustery snow, but we bundled up and went out to the first party.


Mateo (revisiting his War Machine costume) takes his turn at the Doughnut Tree. The object of the game is to eat off the entire doughnut without using your hands. "Eaters, on your mark, get set, EAT!!"


"Go Mateo Go!" (Note: the kids got a prize whether they came in first or not...I actually think the prize was that they got to eat an entire doughnut, but that's just me)



Elmo was also back in action, but incredibly overwhelmed


Next game, Hit the Milk Bottles


He tosses and knocks them all down




As you can see, the snow picked up a lot more and became the first snow storm of the season. Unfortunately, it was so bad in Clifton, that Aba cancelled the party which left Mateo devastated. As a pick-me-up we let him play in the snow on the balcony. As you can see it lifted his spirits.


Miss Lucia also got some snow time



Later, Papi did some trick with Mateo's t-shirt that turned him into a Ninja. "Hiiii-ya!"



Of course after seeing that, Miss Lucia also wanted to get Ninjafied...I actually think it makes them look like a couple of Saudia Arabian kids...especially with those eyes

Friday, October 28, 2011

M&L - Halloween Party #1 - 2011

Today was the kick-off of Halloween season. When you have little ones Halloween is definitely more of a season rather than a single day. It starts weeks before with the decision of what the costume will be. During the weeks leading up to Halloween all of the invitations role in and then the Friday before Halloween, things kick-off. Today our first party was at Mommy's work.



Now enter - Iron Man...scratch that...it is actually War Machine (Iron Man's right-hand man)



War Machine was accompanied by none other than...Elmo!



Lot's of other OXO kids also joined the party



Amelia came as a fabulous flamenco dancer



And surprise, surprise another War Machine



And little Simi came dressed as Katy Perry on Sesame Street...so of course she and Lucia made the perfect pair



The kids had fun running up and down the carpet of bubble wrap



"Time to kick my feet up and relax...the perfect end to party #1"

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Mateo - Pajama Day

Other than the fact that Kindergarten is awesome because of all the friends, play time, nice teachers and overall academic atmosphere it is also awesome because of Pajama Day!!!!


Mateo stars out with a Super breakfast and is ready to go to school in his Batman pajamas. I wish my work had pajama day...sigh

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Mommy & Madrina Take Charleston - The Finale

Unfortunately, today is the last day of our Girl's weekend, but it has been a great time. Luckily our flight does not take off until late afternoon, so we have time for another yummy brunch and a walking tour of the city.



Walking allows you to have access to the cool back alleys of the city



A beautiful day for a couple of gals on a stroll



This is the house Stephen Colbert grew up in...not too shabby



The perfect ending to the perfect weekend

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Mommy & Madrina Take Charleston Pt.2

Today was our second day in "Chaaaaaaaalston" and it was a beautiful warm sunny day. We woke up went for brunch and tried to figure out our plans for the day.



The funny thing about Charleston, they have a somewhat nostalgic view of the Antebellum South and Slavery. As you can see by the beautiful, painting in the restaurant, slavery seems like it was a peaceful walk in a serene garden. I don't know what all of the complaining was about.


Southern favorite - shrimp and grits


College of Charleston - One of the most beautiful campuses I have every visited


Before our carriage tour we stopped at a local wine bar to enjoy some wine and cheese


Next we took a very entertaining tour of Charleston and the area around the bay


Later we enjoyed a great dinner...only one more day left :(

Friday, October 14, 2011

Mommy & Madrina Take Charleston Pt.1

Now that the kids are a little older and a smidge more self sufficient and manageable, Mommy decided it was time for some long-needed girls time. And what better than to go on a Girls Weekend with none other than Jess, aka Madrina, aka Tia Jess. It took us a little while to figure out an easy enough, interesting city in the US that neither of us had been to. We finally settled on Charleston, SC (pronounced Chaaaaaalston). Turns out Jess had been there for a wedding, but hadn't really toured it so it didn't count.



Checking in at the Francis Marion Hotel...time for some sweet tea (they are not playing when they say sweet)


Ladies night out, let the weekend begin!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Cousin Patrick Gets Married

This weekend Mommy and Papi took a mini-break and flew down to Atlanta to celebrate cousin Patrick's marriage. We were excited to be part of the joyous occasion and also of course to be able to catch up with family.



The happy newlyweds - Lawanna and Patrick



Sister-of-the-groom and cousin, Marissa



The groom's cake (black cake), which got made in Jamaica, destroyed in customs and then remade in Atlanta by Safia and Auntie Babs was delicious



"We are family!!" - Cousins Paul, Jackie, Mommy, Uncle Tony, Safia and Uncle Glen (good looking family)



And guess who else was there - Grandma!!!



The dance, was beautiful...



...and so was the cake

Monday, October 3, 2011

Lucia Potty Trains

Shortly after turning 2 Lucia has become more interested in the potty. She was always a big fan of flushing, but ever since BFF Alma started training, she wanted to try it out herself. We dusted off the old potty training tools and got down to work.


All you need is a good book and a little patience


Nuff said