Mateo's "Almost" 9th Birthday Party

This year Mateo only had a few requests for his birthday celebration. 1- He wanted all of his friends to come. 2- He wanted it to involve video game playing. 3- He also wanted to be able to play sports. And 4 - He wanted a sleepover. I thought it sounded easy enough, but boy was it exhausting. To accomplish the first wish it meant moving up his celebration by almost 2 months. Normally, when we have had his birthday party around his birthday in the middle of summer only a very few number of friends could attend (i.e. 3-6). This time only 2 were unable to make it. He invited his whole soccer team and half of the boys in his class and his cousins and Ryan and Sean. All in all there were like 25 boys! Let the games begin...

 Mateo and friends had a blast playing video games in this game truck I rented and then had parked in front of our building.

 When the kids needed a break we had snacks and drinks set up outside of the truck so they could keep their energy up.

 And then back to video games...packed house

 After the truck left, it was pizza in the park time

 Sisters were happy to help their big brother celebrate

 They weren't the only sisters that wanted to help with the celebration. Of course, Alma, Milla and Melanie were there too!

And now his favorite - Ice Cream Cake!!!

Unfortunately the candles kept blowing out, but it's all about the singing

 After they finished cake they played sports and manhunt in the park. It was so crazy to try and keep track of them all, but we didn't lose any...whew!

 As always, family also came to help him celebrate - V, Abu, Mima and Erich take a load off and enjoy the weather

V was so happy to explore the park

 As if the snacks, pizza, and ice cream cake weren't enough...Melanie and Lucia also got ice cream from Mister Softee

 Cousins Rule! Mateo, Ayden, Antonio, Lucia and Melanie

 And for the second half of his celebration - he got his final wish a sleepover with his two best friends - Kasper and Lucas. They opted to, of course, play video games

Finally - bedtime

Best Birthday Ever!

It was a lot, but I would do it all over for him in a heartbeat. He was soooooo happy.

Gazillion Bubbles and More

This Memorial Day weekend we had a number of plans. Yesterday we went to Mateo's chess tournament and today we went to the Gazillion Bubbles Show. Unfortunately, they did not allow photographs, but I was able to document our delicious Vietnamese Noodle Lunch afterwards.

V loved the noodles

And so did Mateo and Lucia. A very happy day!

Mateo's Chess Tournament

For over a year Mateo has been participating in various Chess tournaments in NYC. Today he went to one in NJ being sponsored by a different group. His results were mixed...won some...lost some and in the end...

...did well enough to score a trophy (and yes those are sneaky bunny ears behind him)

Little sis was very proud of big bro

MLV Go to Alma's 6th Birthday

Today the kids all headed to celebrate Alma's 6th Birthday at a Chocolate factory

 The birthday girl was very excited 

 Lucia was very focused and had buddy, Amelia, there also making delicious chocolate treats

 So although they were making some chocolate goodies for later, they were also allowed to sample...which Lucia gladly did.

 Mateo also enjoyed this chocolate party

 And so did Valentina

 The party ended with the traditional Laine "fishing for goody bags" activity which the kids really love

Kasper, Mateo and Lucas soon settled into their favorite activity...playing video games

Mother's Day 2015

Happy Mother's Day to me, my mom, my mother-in-law and all of the other fabulous mommies in my life. I am glad there is a day to celebrate the "default" parent :)

This morning the kids and Eddie made me breakfast in bed which they had been planning for weeks. Later we all went to Mateo's soccer game which was followed by a nice relaxing dinner at a BBQ joint. I am truly blessed with 3 wonderful children and today was a beautiful day. I couldn't have asked for anything more. 

Valentina is 11 Months

I cannot believe that little Valentina is almost a year old. She is a full on walker and eater. She is also an active and bubbly little girl. 

Happy 11 Months Baby V!

Mommy & Me Karate - 2015

So everyone in the family, but Valentina and I take Karate, but once a year upon the kids' request, I agree to take a class. That is normally the Mother's Day class at TSK

Mateo, Lucia & Mommy at Karate

Being a novice I think I held my own.

Lucia Celebrates Lea's 6th Birthday

So a couple of years ago the most popular place in Lucia's set to have a birthday party was Pump It Up. This year (amongst the girls) the most popular place for a birthday party is Diamond Gymnastics. So what does all this mean? It means Lucia headed to Diamond Gymnastics to help Lea celebrate her 6th Birthday.

Lucia spent a while bouncing up and down with the birthday girl.

Up and down

Look at that height! They had a great time.