MLV Gets a Visit from Madd Max

Yesterday, the kids got a great treat and had a visit from Madrina Jess. Today, they doubled down on their luck and got a visit from the rest of the Kender-Page family.

But first, a little light morning reading between the sisters.

Once Madd Max joined, Lucia showed them some fancy moves on the swings.

Max enjoyed some basketball time with Mateo

After the park, we all headed over to Giovanni's for a great Jersey pizza lunch.

Yum!

And after lunch, Madrina joined us to watch Valentina and Lucia at their swimming lesson where Valentina loves to play hide-and-go-seek in the lockers

Later, the foursome enjoyed some Minecraft time

Very focused

And there is always time for an ice cream break.

All in all, a very good day. I would say the best visit yet amongst the kiddies!

Thanks for coming Kender-Page!

Mateo Hangs with Madrina

What was great about today? Well, it's Friday for one. It's summer. My company now gives us summer Friday's which means I get to leave work early. Mateo is in the city this week for camp so I get to pick him up at the regular pick up time instead of after extended care. And last, but not least. What was truly awesome about today?

This Girl!

Madrina Jess met up with me in the city and we picked up her godson Mateo.

They got in some good bonding on our walk to the ferry, followed by the ferry ride and then a break for ice cream. I then got some one-on-one time at dinner.

Pretty perfect Friday :)

V's Hands-On with Sea Creatures

V has had the unique opportunity of  getting the socialization and exposure of "going to school/daycare"  while also having the flexibility and personal attention of being with a nanny. Ever since Navita started working a few hours at Urban Jungle, Valentina has enjoyed taking classes, meeting friends and having new experiences. Today their class experience was a hands-on experience with some sea life.

The teachers brought in a container full of live shrimp and tiny jellyfish.

Valentina was absolutely mesmerized.

"Super cool!"

MLV Go to St. Ann's Festival

As has become tradition in our family around this time of year, today Vielot-Gonzalez family went to Hoboken's St. Ann's Festival.

Valentina and Grandma had to call everyone and let them know.

"Hello...can you hear me now?"

Before we headed out, Lucia picked some of the "fruits" of her labor.

Her first tomatoes of the season.

Once we got to the festival, we ate and then the kids headed over to the rides.

Mateo and Lucia enjoyed the bouncy house and Valentina enjoyed clinging to Mateo while they were in the bouncy house.

Next Mateo and Lucia hit the spinning ride. Luckily, both of them are old enough to go on by themselves.

It was a hot, hot, hot day. 

Little V needed an icee to make it through

After a little break and a realization that Lucia was unable to go on the spinning hamster ride. Mateo agreed to ride on this ride again and this time Papi joined them.

"Wheeeeeeeeeee!"

It would not be a complete festival day without a greasy bag of Zeppolis.

Yum...a fun and delicious day!

MLV's Multi-Celebration at Aba's House

What else is there to do on a Saturday, but celebrate Grandma being in town, Mateo's 10th birthday again and Eddie getting a new job. It was also summer and sunny which is all Aba really needs to throw a party.

Look at our sugar plum and her pink fox dressed in their party best.

Right away the kids got into the mini pool to cool off.

Although the mini pool is really for V, she enjoyed herself in the sprinklers

She also really enjoyed watering the plants, and her sister and the cars...

After the pool all the cousins  (Nelsito, Mateo, Lucia, Gabriel, Melanie and Genesis) dried off and just hung out.

Onto the celebrations. Mateo tasted this cake at my office last week and absolutely loved it. He insisted that I make it for him and my mommy guilt forced me into it.

Of course Aba also had to get him an ice cream cake and someone else bought another cake for dessert so we were set to sing "Happy Birthday" to the guest of honor.

I think he really had a great time being surrounded by friends and family.

Love this guy!

Mateo Goes to Chess Camp

This summer we are mixing things up a little. For the past several summers the kids have pretty much done the same things for almost the entire summer. Last year we started to add a little variety to Mateo's plans and this year we did the same for Lucia. This week, Mateo came into the city with me for chess camp.

Who like riding on the ferry?

"This guy"

Today was the last day of camp, so I decided to take Mateo on a detour to get to the ferry.

The Highline

Who likes the Highline

"This Guy!"

It was great to have a commuter companion this week. Luckily for me, we get to do it again next week for Chelsea Piers.

Mateo Turns 10!

Well I can't really believe that this day has come, but it has. Today we are celebrating Mateo turning the big 1-0! Where did the time go? As is tradition, we took off and planned a day especially tailored for him.

Whose birthday is it?

"This Guy" 

Our day started at Zoom Ziplines.

The plan - take Mateo ziplining for the very first time.

Both of us were planning to accompany him on his ziplining journey

Grandma came with us, but refused to actually take part in getting on a zipline.

Can't blame us for trying.

Alright, first up the trial zipline course (equivalent to the bunny slopes). This is just to get us used to the feeling of going down the line and stopping. 

Let's go!

Look at how close we are to the ground.

That was a piece of cake.

Mateo went with me...

...and Papi went by himself.

Now that we got the "hang" of it, it was time to go up into the mountains, where the real action is.

This time we were going to be covering much more ground from much higher up.

Papi is ready to go...

...as is Mateo, who decided this time around to go out with Papi.

This time, I was running solo.

Our guides/instructors, were really cool. We were lucky to have the two of them all to ourselves.

On our next round, Mateo and I went together again and I crushed him.

He was really getting his technique down.

"Another one down!"

For the last run, Mateo wanted a rematch so it was the two of us again. 

Game On!!!!

Winner is...

MATEO!

I can't believe he beat me?!?

After all of the zipping came the rope bridge, which was pretty cool.

Mateo also enjoyed it, but 

Papi was not as excited. He was kind of nervous and kept telling Mateo to hold on.

We had to take a bumpy ride back to the gondolas to get down the mountain. Mateo was too cool to hold on so he just sat there like a soldier.

Great trip!

Good Times!

Next stop, a quick bite to eat at a local Hoboken pizzeria...

...and then onto the movies to see Ghostbusters!

Once we are back home, look who is psyched to see her big bro and give him a birthday hug.

Later Aba, Abu and other sis, Lucia, met up with us to go to a birthday dinner at Robongi's of course.

Lucia made her bro a really nice card and he was super appreciative.

All 3 had a grand time at Robongi's

To close out the day, we got an ice cream cake, his favorite and serenaded him.

My action-packed little man, my heart, the one who taught me to be a mom. I wish you the happiest of birthdays. Can't believe you're double digits, the big 1-0! Love your goofy grin and sensitive heart. Thank you for being a generous and caring big brother and an amazing son.