M&L Say Farewell to Alex & Isabel

So today was a fun and somewhat sad day. Mateo's cousins, Alex and Isabel; Padrino and Auntie Kimm are moving to Ohio to start a whole new adventure. Before they leave, they wanted to spend some time with us. The kids had a blast and the adults got to catch up.

Mateo and Alex got permission to toss the ball around inside

Lucia and Isabel pose for one of many pictures

Lucia also decided today was a good day to try carrots

Alex and Mateo take a break from playing ball and decide to enjoy Pixie Sticks for the first time

After getting a little cabin fever we decided to go to the park for a little while. Alex and Isabel enjoyed playing in the snow around the Jungle Gym

Later Mateo and Alex perfected their backwards swinging

Time to say farewell - cousins Eddie and Adrian

Padrino and Mateo say goodbye

Papi says goodbye to his goddaughter

Snowy Day

Today the Northeast was hit by a blizzard. School was cancelled in the tri-state area. Eddie decided to work from home and Navita only came for half of a day. I went to work, but even our office shut down early to ensure employees got home safe. It was nice being home by 3 and enjoying the snowy day with the family.

Lucia decided to use her time indoors practicing piano

She also decided that it was a good day to start peas

Mateo was excited about preparing to go out and play in over a foot of snow. Snow pants - check, winter hat - check, bucket - check.

Winter coat - check. "I am ready to go"

First - time to make a snow angel

Next - make a mini snowman with Papi

After seeing mommy's underwhelmed reaction to the mini snowman, Mateo and Papi decide to make a larger version

Mateo packs and gathers mounds of snow

Mateo inspects the snowman as Papi continues to build

End result - a rather lumpy, but large snowman. Here Papi poses with his creation.

Meanwhile Lucia continues to tickle the ivory (or in this case plastic) inside

M&L Playtime

As Lucia gets older, the bond between her Mateo is growing and getting even more interesting and fun to watch. Clearly being the big brother Mateo can decide whether he wants to play with her or not (and she always wants to play with him). Most of the time when he does play with her he lets her get the upper hand.

Lucia and Mateo tumbling on the ground

"Ahh, not my eye Lucia!"

Lucia's signature move - bite the hair

"Heh heh, I showed him whose boss!"

Lucia Starts "Solids"

Since Lucia is now 6 months she is ready for a taste of solids (to be honest I think she has shown an interest in non-breast milk food since she was 4 months old). Today we are going to try out organic rice cereal..yum yum

Lucia was happy to take a taste of cereal

"What are you looking at? Give me more grub"

"If you are not going to do it I am going to take matters into my own hands"

"Hand over the spoon woman!"

All that eating has gotten me full and ready to go swinging

"Mmmm, mmmm, good"

Mateo's Playdate Explosion

Sometimes when I get home and I see photos of Mateo's and Lucia's day , I am so impressed with all the activity that seems to always be occurring because when we get home the dishes are done, the laundry is done and the apartment is spotless...thanks Navita

Mateo, Luca, Campbell and Finn (behind Mateo's arm) managed to take out all of Mateo's toys during their playdate, but the chaos was gone by the time I got home.

M&L Say "Cheez!"

Lucia and Mateo are pretty used to being in front of the camera since I am always taking pictures, but I think one of them may be cracking under the pressure and no longer knows how to produce a genuine smile. Let's try and guess who that might be.

Here Lucia is giving me a little grin

And here is Mateo producing a squinty smile

M&L Sit 'n Spin

So the deal with play dates is the nannies and the kids try each other out and then after a few weeks/months they settle into a group of regulars. Mateo has about 6-8 regulars now and it's great to see him be a part of his own little group.

Mateo, Will, Logan and Claire (part of the regulars) hanging on the couch

Lucia, doesn't have her own regulars yet, but she is a professional sitter and can be seen here sitting AND spinning one of her toys - Happy 6 Months Baby Girl