M&L Play in the Park Sprinklers

Today was hot and with the heat came fun ways to cool down. For the kids of Hoboken that involves water. Sometimes it's a pool, sometimes it's a water park, sometimes it's a shower, but today it was the little sprinkler playground at Church Square Park.

You may think that this smile has to do with spending time with Mickey and Minnie, but you would be wrong. Miss Lucia is excited to go play in the water. But first...

It's time to eat

"Yum, yum lunch!"

Mateo, Lucia and Navita are ready to play

Little Mermaid, Lucia, is amused by her own shadow

Now Mateo takes some tentative steps into the chilly puddle

Looks like Mateo and Lucia weren't the only ones interested in cooling down

Mateo fills his water gun...find out why in the below video

Lucia is amused and entertained by just playing in the sprinklers, but her brother has more devious interests and Miss Lucia is the victim of those interests.

M&L Meet a New Cousin

As it may or may not be known, Cuban Americans in this country are rarely allowed to see or visit their family in Cuba. It is even more rare that someone from Cuba (especially someone under the age of 50) get to visit their family in the States. That is why it is a special occasion when a relative from Cuba comes to visit and a lot of times they don't just visit they stay. Today we went to Aba and Abu's house to visit with a cousin from Cuba, Yasnier, who has come to stay.

Yasnier (on the left with black trunks) checks out Mateo's swimming skills while Papi looks on

On deck - Miss Lucia chills out in her kiddie pool with her strawberry ensemble

Later on, Aba introduced Lucia to a new doll (who looks curiously like her). First step in meeting a new doll - pat and make sure she is sturdy

Next - complain a little about the doll's outfit and why it doesn't match with your own

Last - try and eat her face (some people also interpret this as a kiss)

Mateo has spent a lot of time this summer in the pool and his swimming skills have improved a great deal. He can now jump into the water swim to the top and then doggie paddle to the stairs. He was even put into the next level for swim classes...maybe he will be the next Michael Phelps, but cuter :)

Lucia Visits OXO

Today was a day of firsts for Lucia and also for some of Mommy's co-workers at OXO. Today Lucia was coming with me to work to do some testing on our new line of Sippy Cups. She has never been to OXO and some OXOnians have never met her.

To get there, Mommy opted to take the ferry (a first for Lucia)

Lucia, with the Cheshire Cat on the ferry

Mommy and Lucia arrive at work

Where Lucia met a gentlemen friend, Carter (Kate's 2nd son), who was fascinated by her pacifier

So much so the mom's had to intervene. "I will have to take a rain check Carter"

Next Lucia took a stroll around the office

Next up, a little snack. Lucia totally stole poor Mason's goldfish.

"Now I must bid you adieu Mommy. My ride (aka Navita) is here"

Later that day, Lucia experienced her first encounter with Mickey and Minnie (note - they were taller than her, but she was still able to take them down).

Special Delivery

With all of the birthdays and visitors, our home was filled with gift bags, wrapping paper and boxes. The kids especially loved the boxes.

Lucia poses as a UPS delivery

M&L Go to the Children's Museum

After a long and busy weekend of party planning and party going the kids got to "wind down" at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. I believe the last time Mateo went there it was for his 2nd birthday. Today was Lucia's 1st time and I think she had a blast.

Duo drivers - Mateo and Lucia take the wheel

Lucia spots a friend - herself . She loves chatting with herself in the mirror

Fake Mateo smile - "Cheeeeze!"

Lucia loves the Plinko game of balls

Here is a better, more genuine smile

Lucia is mesmerized by the size of the hippo's mouth. "Wow, he must eat a lot of Cheerios!"

"Don't be scared little sis! I have him under control!"

"Mmmm, this is more like it. This purple brick tastes yummy"

Mateo explores the sandbox

"Hmm, how do you get from one to the other without touching the ground?"

"Like this...you do it with style"

"What do you mean this plumb and bread are fake?"

Mateo and Lucia have a jam session. Mateo's on the xylophone and Lucia's on the hot dog bun

"We should take this act on the road"

M&L Go to Lucia's 1st Birthday Party

After a year full of M&L's going to other people's birthday parties, Mateo & Lucia got to attend Lucia's 1st birthday party. It was a big affair that took lots of planning (mostly by Mommy and Grandma), but it turned out well and everyone had a good time. Too bad Lucia won't remember it...I guess that is what pictures are for.

Mommy and Lucia show up a little late, but dressed to the nines for this very special occasion

The location - Waterside Restaurant located on the Hudson with a great view of the City

The ambience - elegant, but light. We had a really yummy buffet

The decorations - to go along with her Alice in Wonderland theme we filled tea pots with Gerber Daisies

The favors and treats - cookies and gift bags in her theme colors and characters

The cake - designed by West Coast Jess (aka Mateo's Madrina) and produced at Carlos' Bakery (aka The Cake Boss)

The guests of honor - not only was it Lucia's 1st birthday, but it was also her grandfather, Abu's 65th birthday

The brother - Mateo posing as The Incredible Hulk got his face painted by the entertainer

The ladies - what a good looking crowd

The elders - Abu, Granma Cons, Pipo and Tio Chino (between the 4 of them they have almost 300 years worth of knowledge and wisdom)

The youngins - Lots of cousins and friends came out to celebrate

The other 1 year old - Aiden was born about 1 month before Lucia

The Song - Time to sing "Happy Birthday" and blow out the candles

The nuclear family - Papi, Mommy, Mateo, and Lucia

The extended family - Abu, Papi, Aba, Grandma, Mommy, Papa Fofo, Tia Raqui, Tio Jon, Mateo and Lucia

The balloon form - a massive rainbow

The result - a pooped birthday girl. Thank you Lucia for teaching us that it is possible to love another child with a capacity that is greater than the heart can hold. You are a bright little ball of energy and love. Thank you for showing us the mature, caring big brother that Mateo is capable of being. Thank you for balancing out the boy-girl ratio in our family. You have turned into a spirited, determined, curious and happy girl that brings a smile to our faces whenever you enter the room. Happy 1st Birthday Miss Lucia - We Love You!