Farewell My Silver Lining

 Today I said goodbye to my silver lining. Frantz Vielot born on June 21st 1949 passed away on September 23rd 2014. In between the beginning and the end he migrated from Haiti, met the love of his life, had a daughter, started several businesses, found his calling as a social worker and became a grandfather three times over. He wasn't my rock, but he was my silver lining. The person who always made me feel like I could do the best and not only that, but that I was the best. He never had a bad thing to say and always praised and elevated my accomplishments (sometimes undeservedly so). He was my silver lining at times when I thought I was ok, he said I was stellar. His pride in me was something I took for granted and didn't realize I needed until it was gone. He was my silver lining. I feel a little untethered as if I am now defined differently. The whole thing is a bit surreal. Now I am a gray cloud, dark and stormy. Today I said goodbye to my silver lining.

I love you dad.
Goodbye

Papa Fofo

Rest in Peace - Papa Fofo, Dad

We Love You

Mateo's Chess Tournament

Mateo has been playing Chess for over a year and started doing tournaments several months ago. When he initially started doing tournaments he was doing fairly well and picked up a trophy every now and then. He has gotten 4th place and 2nd place  and today he lost one 1 of 4 games so he knew he wouldn't be getting 1st place which really bummed him out, but...

...he did get 3rd place AND Best Match!! So he left with not 1, but 2 trophies which really turned that frown upside down :)

Valentina is 3 Months

So yesterday was technically 3 months if we are going by dates, but we were in Miami and didn't have the stickers on us, so 1 day late is better than 2 days late :)

Baby V is 3 months and growing beautifully

Me and V Second Day in Miami

So today Valentina and I spent a lot of time in hospitals and waiting rooms with family and friends. It was tiring, but necessary...

...and sad, very, very sad

Valentina Reunited with Grandma

So while the circumstances of our visit are not great. It was nice to see Grandma.

Valentina agrees

Valentina & Mommy Take a Trip

So after 3 birthday parties in one day and a lot of running around we are not done yet. Valentina and I have to go to Miami on an emergency family trip. This is going to be Valentina's first time on a plane.

"Excuse me we are going on a what?!"

M&L - 3 Birthday Parties in One Day

Not to say that this doesn't ever happen, but it has been a long time since we've had multiple birthday parties in one day. I think a lot of late August birthdays were kicking off the season by celebrating the weekend after Labor Day. Mateo had one, Lucia had one and they shared one. Here we go...

In the early afternoon, Mateo went to Lila's 9th birthday party celebration at Mario's. They are now of the age where the genders start to separate, so needless to say he and Kasper were 2 of maybe only 3 boys that were there. As you can see from there stance up against the wall...they were not quite comfortable.

Next, Mateo headed to his best friend, Lucas' 8th birthday party celebration which was a soccer party...right up his ally. This one was way more his speed.

Birthday boy, Lucas (far left) was also in his element

If you look really closely, you will see many friends from different walks of life. Logan (who Mateo was in nursery school with), Lucas of course (who he was in pre-K with) and Kasper (who he is with at school now). It is a small world.

Upstairs, Lucia hung with Lucas's little sister Alma (her BFF)

Lucia spent a great deal of time practicing her cartwheels

Me, Lucia and Valentina had to leave Lucas's so that Lucia could go to her friend Charli's birthday party at a pizza place

Each kid got to make their own pizzas

And later they waited for the Pinata to be opened...

...and ravaged it when it did. 

Whew - busy day, but we made it through!

Mateo Kicks Off Travel Soccer

Over the past year Mateo has really gotten into soccer and it really got more serious during the World Cup. At the end of the summer he tried out for the U9 Hoboken Travel Soccer team and he was chosen to be on the red team. He was so happy because he got to be with some of his friends. Today was their first game and it was an away game in Orangeburg, NY.

The team reviews some pre-game plays with coach  Santi

The team waits as the game is about to start...it was so hot. Mateo is wearing the blue penny because he will be subbing in for someone, but is not starting.

Not sure how this happened, but Mateo volunteered to be goalie. He does not know the rules related to this position so this move resulted in 2 goals against their team. Luckily they were able to recover and ended up tying with a final score of 4-4. ..whew! Not the best first game, but hopefully the rest of the season will be better.

After the game we headed to Aba's house where they were having a get together with all the cousins. Lucia and Melanie were having a fun time playing in the sand in the garage.

While Genesis, Elena and 

And not to be forgotten Baby Valentina looking quite perplexed

Back to Work

So I have had an uneasy feeling about this day for weeks, but I knew that it would inevitably come and that I would need to deal with it, but that doesn't make me feel any happier. Today I am going back to work. I enjoy work and really need to work, but I had such a great summer with Valentina and the kids that I am just sad to see it end.

It was fun little one. Mommy will miss you when I am away, but I will be back soon.

M&L First Day of School

I guess because I have been home all summer, I actually got to relive what it feels like for kids when they go back to school. I mean you get into a certain routine and then all of a sudden you are thrown back into school or work. Today was back to school for both kids. For Mateo it meant heading to 3rd grade and finding out which of his friends was going to be in his class. It also meant that he would be in the other building where his school is housed. For Lucia it meant she would finally get to be in the same school as her brother. She was starting Kindergarten which meant new teachers, new friends and new adventures.

Back-to-school outfits in check. Frozen with a touch of tu-tu for Lucia; and for Mateo, dark Minecraft

Also, new backpacks that reflect their style preferences

I snuck this photo of Mateo heading to class

Lucia was a bit quiet and nervous and attempted to get comfortable by drawing

Welcome sign in her class

And her "comfort" picture that she drew for me before I left. I feel the same way because tomorrow is my first day back at work...yikes