Lucia Joins Mateo at Swimming

So Mateo has probably been swimming for the last 2.5-3 years and has enjoyed it most of the time. We started him in the Parent & Infant class, then he moved up to Water Tykes and now he is in Sand Dollars. Sand Dollars is the group lesson that does not require a parent to accompany the child in the water. We started him in that last season to prepare him for this season when we knew we would be starting Lucia. Although our plan seemed perfect to us Mateo didn't enjoy going in on his own when he saw Papi and Lucia on the other side of the pool, but Lucia had the time of her life. I guess 1 out of 2 isn't bad.

Aba and Abu wanted to see Lucia's 1st swim. Here she is with Abu in her cute polka dot bathing suit

Mateo (giving his best pirate face) is all smiles before the lesson starts

Lucia started out a little nervous in the big COLD pool

But loosened up in the hot tub

And was a happy swimmer by the end of it

The Karate Kid

Yes Mateo is a busy kid- what with school, soccer, swimming and a birthday party every other week, but we decided to make him a little more busy and sign him up for karate. He showed an interest in it after we went to Jack W's birthday a month ago and the kid has a lot of energy to burn.

Mateo-san

M&L Have People Over

Today it was Mateo and Lucia's turn to entertain the gang. As you can see below everyone seemed to enjoy lunch and one another's company.

Mateo enjoys a chicken nitrate-free hot dog while Claire dines on a sandwich and some fruit

Logan and Will share a similar meal

Maggie is also here today to try and even out the boy/girl ratio

The newest member of the clique - Elizabeth (Will and Claire's 2 month old sister)

After lunch, Lucia and Claire enjoy a little reading time

While Mateo plays the intellectual with his Mr.Potato glasses

"Why do I get this biscuit while everyone else gets hot dogs?"

M&L Meet Up with Friends at Columbus Park

Today was an ultra hot and sunny day and all the kids of Hoboken seemed to be out. Mateo and Lucia were no different. In fact they looked like they were playing the roles of Big Man/Woman on Campus

Lucia pulling up to the scene in her bling-bling Diego Car and Hawaiian shirt.

"Hey, how is everyone, power to the people"

Little Luke decided to drop by the playground to hang out

He was joined by big brother Jon...

...and then later by Matthew

Claire wanted to check out Lucia's sweet ride

They were then joined by some of the Stevens Gang (Leti, Mateo, Will and Sophia)

Thanks to her sweet ride, Lucia had a gang of her own

Everyone wanted in on the action (she doesn't even know the little boy on the right)

Double trouble - Lucia and her play pal takeover the stroller

M&L Cruise w/ Matthew

Matthew has definitely become a regular as a Mateo and Lucia play date. Today he stopped by and they just hung inside playing with toys and having fun.

Mateo and Lucia observe as Matthew plays with the water squirter

Lucia also has gotten used to using the Diego car as a pseudo walker

Mateo caught in the process of tossing a ball tries to pass it off with a smile

M&L Visit the Kenders

So today we all went to the Kenders to enjoy both grown up play and kiddy play. Of course, it was a delicious addition to what would ordinarily be a takeout Sunday.

Lately Lucia has taken to "hiding" underneath this table set. She is not intentionally hiding, but if I leave the room and come back I look around furiously and there she is.

Lucia and Max pick up where they left off yesterday, but this time they get to share new toys (at least new to them... little do they know some of these toys have been around for decades).

Lucia enjoying a gift from Jess - this was one of Maddie's favorites when she was younger

Madrina teaches Mateo the art of the human wheelbarrow

It started off rough, but then he got the hang of it

The baby star continues...it is becoming more and more difficult to keep them in one place

By the end of our visit Lucia was an expert with this toy. I think she was trying to impress Max with her dexterity.

The sign of a good, full, tummy - the whole family decided to take a rest on the porch swing.

Madrina & Max Visit M&L

"Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!" today Madrina and Max are coming to visit. Jess is making a much needed trip to the East coast before she starts her awesome job on Dexter.

As you can see Lucia is just as happy as Mommy is

" What did you say? Today is special for another reason? " "Oh yeah, Happy 9 Months to ME!"

" I am now a super speedy crawler and a satisfactory cruiser, I can eat more real people food and I am loving trying to grab and play with my brother's favorite toys"

Here Lucia is practicing her cruising skills

Lucia loves her brother's old Diego car

"At last we meet again" Max plays it cool while Lucia is more direct in her approach.

First we will dance a little

Now we will dine on some yummy snacks

Not to be outshone, Madrina and godson Mateo also share a dance