Halloween Kick-Off

 Today kicked off the Halloween season. What do I mean by "season" well the season of Halloween parties. Around this time of year there are a lot of extracurricular parties for the kids that lead up to the real day. The first party of the season was hosted by the kids Music and Dance school.

 Introducing Skylander Crusher...

...And Princess Sofia the First

 And they are ready to party

 At the party, Lucia partied and danced with her friends - including Vivi as a green fairy

She also did face painting and shared some laughs with Amelia (aka Dorothy). 

You may be wondering "where was Mateo?" - well the age group of the kiddies were closer to Lucia's age and unfortunately his best friend Lucas wasn't able to make it so he ate a lot of treats and played on Papi's iphone.

DJ Lucia and MC Mateo

We woke up this morning to loud music and dancing kids and when we got downstairs we found this...

 Lucia was enjoying her itunes playlist...

 ...thanks to Big Bro Mateo helping her navigate through the computer

And the all powerful Mateo held it down with some double sword action

M&L Go to Cabot's 2nd Birthday

So although Lucia as no longer at Stevens, over the summer she was still in touch with some of her buddies. One of those buddies, Wyatt, invited Lucia and the rest of their former classmates to celebrate his little Bro, Cabot's, birthday. It was a great party held in a beautiful park under the George Washington Bridge.

Photo-ready family at a picturesque park

Lucia and Mateo had a great time playing on the rocks

They even had a band to rock out with the kiddies

Birthday boy Cabot looked cute as ever

And Lucia's old classmates, Wyatt and Asher had a great time catching up

They also had face painting, Lucia's favorite!

One of her other favorites one of her best buds from her former school Alessia (also sporting a fancy face)

Mateo was bored with the little kids, but psyched about the all-you-can-eat Ben & Jerry's

Another party perk? A sand table..what!

Cabot's cake was too perfect...I had to take a pic

Family - Tim, Cara and Wyatt lead the "Happy Birthday" song for Cabot

And before the day ended the kids practiced skipping rocks on the Hudson

When we got home we headed to the Hoboken street fair where the kids had more treats and more fun...a busy, but very pleasant day.

Mateo & Lucia's First Day of School

Well, I can't believe this day is here because it seemed to have come so quickly. The day that both my children go off to full-day school. Part of me is in denial I mean after all it is only Pre-K, but I know what it means...it's the beginning. There was a lot of organizing that needed to be done because both kids start the same day, around the same time, but at different schools and we both wanted to be there. It was a challenge, but we made it work.

First, a good breakfast... a breakfast of champions...Cheerios

Then accessories, cute headband and cheetah shoes

Next - big bro, little sis pic (they both carefully picked out their outfits for the first day)

We then all went to drop off Mateo and it was so chaotic and he was being a bit shy (for some odd reason) that we only got to take a picture of his very first locker. Can you believe it, 1st graders get a locker...he was so excited.

Our last stop was to Lucia's Pre-K class with Miss Joana and Miss Denise. Our baby is such a big girl. "We love you, good luck on your first day!"

Lucia Goes to Soccer

Today was Lucia's first day of her new soccer season. She like soccer, but doesn't like the uniform, so she got together her own stylish outfit and we headed to soccer.

Lucia, in her Peruvian outfit, hustles for the ball

And then plays defense as goal keeper

M&L Soccer, BBQ and Birthday

Today was a super busy end-of-summer day. We started with soccer and ended with a meet and greet BBQ and oh yeah...along the way there may have also been a birthday party and swimming lessons whew!

"He shoots! He scores!"

Miss Lucia was less than enthusiastic about having to hang out during Mateo's practice

She was really ready to head out to the BBQ at Joe's place

Mateo had a great time running around, but he needed to take a break...

...In order to go to Lyla's (on the left) birthday party at Columbus Park

After the birthday party we headed back to Joe's where we found Little Miss Lucia happy as a lark and covered in watermelon juice

Papi and Mateo were enjoying themselves playing pool

And Lucia's night ended well with a stroll around the premises in Campbell's (aka Sweetie) red wagon

Lucia Previews her Pre-K Class

Today was  good, but slightly bittersweet. We took Lucia for a preview of her class Room 211 with Miss Joana and Miss Denise.  In Hoboken's early education program they have a really good process of ramping the kids into school. It first started with a home visit one week ago and today she gets to check out the classroom for a short period of time in a low pressure setting. Next Monday will be the big day, but I am sure she will be ready.

Clink...looks like she will be ok...such a big girl now