Happy Birthday Madrina Anissa

Today on the way to school the kids wanted to serenade Madrina Anissa for her birthday.

First went Lucia...watch until the end

And then Mateo

Auntie Audris Comes to Visit

Today, the kids and I were lucky enough to get a visit from Auntie Audris and Uncle Dennis. 

 While Uncle Dennis and Papi played with Mateo, Auntie Audris and Lucia mugged for the camera...

 ...and practiced some hand stands.

Later they stuck around and spent some time with Baby V and also watched Mateo at his soccer game. All and all, it was an excellent visit.

Valentina's Waddle

So mobility is a big "step" in development for babies and Little V has been interested in it for quite some time. She barely wanted to crawl and has been pulling herself up and cruising for some time. Lately she has found her stride.

Look who's walking!

Mateo's 3rd Grade Spring Concert

So today was Mateo's Spring concert and as much as he complained about music class he was very happy to get the first chair position on the orff. 

Mateo waits patiently to take the stage

Mateo plays "The Cat Came Back" on the orf

We couldn't believe how focused he was...very good job! 

We were so proud of him :)

Valentina is 10 Months

Time flies when you are having fun. Can't believe our cupcake is already 10 Months!

She is growing up so fast. She eats, explores, is an avid crawler, but just about on the verge of walking. Absolutely incredible. Happy 10!

MLV - Last Easter Day

So today is our last day in the glorious sunshine of Miami. We spent some quiet time at the house and at the park by Grandma's house.

Lucia was on the mend today - she felt so good she climbed a tree

Valentina finally got used to the feel of Florida grass and decided to take an assisted barefoot stroll

So funny story, yesterday Mateo met a boy around his age in the park. The boy's name was Lucas - similar to one of his best friends back home. The boy also loved soccer similar to his other friend and Lucas looked like he could be Mateo's cousin, much like his bestie back in Hoboken. Uncanny. So of course I exchanged numbers with Miami Lucas's mom and made sure they got to play together today. Too bad we met him so late in the trip, but at least Mateo now has a friend to call when we go down in the winter.

On our last night, little Miss V munched on some baby veggie crunchies while waiting patiently for Grandma to finish cooking dinner

And Mateo showed his "love" of bean salad (side note: his 3rd grade teacher Amanda actually does love bean salad and the kids tease her for it). Yum.

MLV Celebrate Easter -2015

Today is Easter! Yah! 

Last night was rough. Lucia got up late because her tummy hurt. I rocked her on my lap for a little and then she proceeded to puke up the entire days contents.  It landed on me, on her, on Grandma's couch, on the floor...all over. We didn't know whether we would be able to attend church today, but...

...Lucia didn't want to miss out on wearing her Easter dress. She claimed to be feeling much better and she did look better as you can see here with her bro in a matching outfit.

Not to be left out, Valentina also joined them in her peach dress.

As usual, we had to take multiple picture poses

This one

This one

One of the whole immediate family

And one with Grandma

Finally, after all of that, the kids finally got to open their Easter baskets

Lucia was exhausted during and after church. She didn't even have the energy to open her basket.

Poor dear

While my kiddos stayed with Grandma and relaxed, I popped over to cousin Yves's house to meet his new little one (an my new cousin) Anderson. Isn't he precious !

When I returned - Madrina Anissa came over for a visit. She and V got to spend some quality time in the park. Except for poor Lucia, today was a pretty good day.

Easter Egg Hunt 2015

Today was another wonderfully sunny day in Miami and as tradition goes we headed over to Cutler Ridge Park for their annual Easter Egg Hunt.  I don't remember them having this event when I was growing up across the street, but I am glad they have it for the kids to enjoy.

Valentina had her  sun hat ready to go

When they yelled "GO!", Lucia was off and running to find some eggs

And she was pretty successful

They both were although her face says otherwise.

She actually was very happy

And so was Mateo

After the hunt I took Lucia to enjoy the other parts of the event - like the bouncy house

Grandma took Valentina to get a picture with the Creepy Easter Bunny

Later when we got back home the kids wanted to cool down in the pool

Mateo practiced his dribbling...

...and Lucia read...

...to her stuffed animals.

And when the kids went to sleep, the Easter Bunny left them some baskets for them to open the next day.

MLV Head to Miami for Easter 2015

So last year, was the first time in a long time we had to miss Easter in Miami. Luckily, we got back on track this year and Miss Valentina took her 6th trip since birth. 

Hey Grandma!

Baby in a bucket

"OK,OK, enough with the pictures!"