M&L Meet Me for Lunch

The kids (only Mateo and Lucia) are still off on Spring Break, so Eddie decided to bring them into the city to take a karate class and also to meet me for a quick lunch at my work.

We ate lots of yummy food at Wichcraft and Lucia decided to sport these psychedelic glasses as part of her "ladies who lunch" wardrobe. It was a nice afternoon break.

Heading Home

Well, today we have to leave the beautiful warm, sunny Miami for the cold and gray North. All good things must come to an end.

"I'm out!"

MLV - Easter Day 4 - 2016

So now that we have all of that Easter stuff out of the way, we can now just sit back relax and enjoy the Miami weather. Today was our last full day in Miami and we were planning to make the most of it.

More trampoline time and this time all 3 kids got in on the fun.

Valentina refused to take a nap, so I decided to take her for a walk to tire her out in the sweltering heat. She decided on some very eclectic accessories to accompany on her walk. Yellow fisherman cap, bubble wand and random remote.

As you can see from her pace...my plan is working

Later on we met up with Jordan and Madrina Ani for some very delicious barbecue

Madrina Ani was very helpful in keeping up withV's constant request for "mas"

MLV Miami Easter Day 3 - 2016

Well, today is the big day. The real reason for flying down here.

It's Easter!! We had a great day filled with chocolate, fun and friends.

Easter morning the kids woke up to these fabulous Easter baskets

After getting dressed, they were all smiles

Of course before heading to we needed to get in as many family photos as possible.

Take 1 - Mommy and Valentina

Take 2 - Kids on the lawn. Looking might dapper.

Take 3- Fab 5

Now, fast forward, back from church, the kids were presented with their Easter baskets and we needed more photos.

Valentina was very fascinated with just opening the eggs

Later she changed and chilled out by the pool...

...and was lucky enough to get a special visitor.

Auntie Ani

Lucia and her Madrina

After waiting a few days, Valentina finally got her chance to go on the trampoline...

...And she was thrilled!

Happy Easter!

MLV Miami Easter Day 2 - 2016

Yesterday we may have taken it a bit easy as we settled in after our flight, but today was super busy. We tried to squeeze in as much fun as possible.

The day started with 

POOL TIME!! of course!

"Cannonball!"

Lucia was a little more conservative, but still got her swim on...

...as you can see in this video

She really enjoyed the game of Push-my-brother-into-the-pool

"Look Ma no hands"

After they had enough of the pool, they took a mini-break...

...and then it was on to the trampoline

Very graceful

After the trampoline, we headed to the Dade County Youth Fair

 Where the kids and Eddie got to go on a few rides together, but eventually we had to split up due to the height difference between Mateo and Lucia

So I went with Lucia

And little Miss V who was too short for all rides

Lucia had a great time spinning and...

...rollercoastering,...

...And flying through the air...

And Valentina did one of her favorite activities...

EAT!

Big sis also partook and tried her best to conquer this ice cream cone.

In the end the ice cream cone won

And then it was back to the rides, sliding...

...and Grandma spotted a seat with her name on it.

Literally.

Well, mission accomplished- a fun-filled packed day.

Heading to Miami for Easter

Well it's that time of year. It's time to go to Miami to celebrate Easter with Grandma. The kids were excited and I was excited to get some warmth.

Landed safe and sound and Lucia took no time peeling off her sweater to strut her stuff in her appropriate Miami gear.

"Being this fabulous comes naturally!"

Welcome to Miami!

MLV - HFA Easter Egg Hunt

So it is not yet Easter, but it is the weekend before which means it is time for the annual HFA Easter Egg Hunt. Mateo and Lucia loved this when they were little, but now that they are older, it's time to help there sister out with the hunting and gathering and they really seemed up to the task.

"Let's see, where to begin?"

After about 5 minutes, they secured a basketful of eggs for their sister.

"Well done!"

St. Patrick's Day 2016

This has absolutely nothing to do with the kids, but it is worth mentioning. We have a poor unfortunate Irishman, named Conor, who works with me at OXO and he has been there longer than me. Because I guess it's ok to make fun of Irish people, is it? Every year some tricksters set up a special surprise for him on St. Patrick's Day and well today was no different.

This was his welcome sign as he entered the office...

...and there were shamrocks leading to his desk where...

...he found a festively decorated desk in green along with several different flavors of Frosted Lucky Charms.

Can't wait to see what they think of next year.

"Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

M&L ECS Community Meeting Performances

Both kids were perfoming, hopefully better than last time when I waited forever for very little

Mateo and 4th grade class channel David Bowie

Definitely better than last time.

And next up Lucia with an original Aram production

Cool 1st Graders perform the fish song

Very cool, love their school!

Happy Birthday Grandma

The kids have really gotten into a groove of serenading their favorite people for their birthday and today was no different. 

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma!

We love and miss you very much

Quick Cousin Visit

Although this past week has been hectic and I have been playing catch up at work I didn't want that to get in my way of hanging out with my cousin Joe Joe and his wife and son David. They were visiting up from Georgia and tonight was the only night we had to get together. They were gracious enough to come into Hoboken and what was great about that was cousin David got to hang out with his cousins Mateo, Lucia and Valentina.

After a nice barbecue dinner we walked them along the waterfront back to the ferry. It was a nice visit. Bye Bye cousins Joe Joe, Julia and  adorable little cousin David. It was a fun time.

Mateo's ECS Annual Meeting Performance

Tonight was the Elysian's Annual Meeting. This basically means that it is the time of year when the Elysian community votes on some new board members. Tonight the dear board president, our dear Eddie, was up for re-election and there was a nervous thought that it might be in jeopardy even given all he has done for the school. Basically the candidates speak, the votes are cast and while they are being counted the students perform to help pass the time.

Mateo was part of tonight's performance

And of course it was a timely tribute to Mr.Bowie

A little Space Oddity

Lucia's Two Part Day

Although I am away in Chicago, it did not stop the kids from having an extremely busy weekend. So busy that Eddie had to call in reinforcements. Today Aba was assigned to take Lucia to not one, but two birthday parties that were happening back-to-back which meant leaving Mia's early and arriving at Noa's late. 

Mia's party was at one of Lucia's favorite's - that's right Pump It Up!!

And one of her favorite activities at Pump It Up is wind machine. Hurricane speed winds in an enclosed chamber with your friends? 

Yes please!

Wind tunnel madness

Another fun game is ball shooter

Of course there is always the group shot - the birthday girl, Mia, is top row in the middle with pink tutu skirt. Now, onto Noa's

So for Noa's we have no pictures, but it was a fun animal-themed party in their play room.

Menawhile, in Chicago I was setting up for one of the year's biggest launches for our team - 

GLASS BAKEWARE!!