Lucia Soccer Practice

Well this past weekend was her first game, so I was able to see Lucia in action then and today I got off of work early and went to surprise and watch her at practice.

Setting up for the end-of-practice scrimmage

Alma is also in her gear and ready to scrimmage

A little stretching...

...hmmm not much movement, lots of watching.

We are going to have to work on that.

Lucia Starts Travel Soccer

This travel soccer season was a little different than the last two because now we have not one, but two travel soccer team players. Both made the Red team. We were a little surprised when Lucia decided she wanted to try out and when we asked her why she said "because I want to be on a team that is all girls." I thought that was a fair enough answer, so we let her and today is the her very first game.

Soccer dressed from head to toe and ready to go

Big bro, Mateo was there to support his sister in her first game.

Look who else was there - that tall girl near the ref is Alma. She and Lucia lined up as the team's forwards.

Alma, during the game, had some good throw ins.

They didn't win, but it was a nice beginning to the season. 

This is their favorite time of the game, snack time!

These two!

MLV - Fall Travel Soccer 2016 Begins

Fall is definitely in the air which means soccer season is starting. Today was Mateo's first game with the new "blended" team, meaning they are now going by birth year instead of school year so some teammates moved to U12 and some from last year's U9 moved up 2 levels to U11.  He was very excited because his main position is striker (forward). Spoiler alert - They won and he scored his first goal of the season hurray!

Warming up before the game ;Mateo (#18) is on the left

Lucas is now on Mateo's team which means sisters are in full effect.

Valentina gets to play with Milla...

...and Lucia is with 2 of her favorite sister/friends - Alma and Zahra

Good times!

M&L First Day of 2nd and 5th Grade

Well, we had a long run at the summer, but today it finally came to an end. Mateo and Lucia were finally heading off for their first day of school (please note: their school started later than any other school in Hoboken)

My second and fifth grader are ready with their new outfits and hairdos.

Valentina will miss having them around and really wanted to join in the picture and who am I to deny that face.

Check out the silver and gold shoes.

Love them!

Now that Lucia is a "reader" she is very comfortable checking out the Message of the Day from her new teacher Abra. 

Can't believe there is one little girl under all of that hair.

She was so happy to be in class with friends Amelia and Sophia

Lucia is a biker

So as you may recall, Lucia got a bike from Santa for Christmas, but it had been such a cold winter that she never got around to practicing. Then spring came, still no practice and well summer came and we didn't have any excuse, but we just never got around to it. Well today, a few days before the start of school, Lucia decided that she wanted to learn to ride her bike. And after an afternoon in the park...

...she did just that.

Looks like she has been riding for years.

This girl will do whatever she puts her mind to, determination incarnate.

MLV at Aba's with LAM

Labor Day weekend, is a sign that summer is on its way out and the new school year is on its way in. Of course the weather is still really nice and that means it's a perfect opportunity for Aba and Abu to host an "End-of-Summer" BBQ at their place. For months the kids have been wanting to show off their grandparents' house to some of their besties and today was finally the day.

Lucia and Valentina, dressed in their  summer finest are ready to go

Of course, we get there a little too early and this girl is bored and frustrated waiting for her friends to arrive...don't worry "soon come"

At last, Alma, Lucas and Milla are here! Milla wasted no time hoping in the kids' car. V took her for a spin.

Mateo, in his gold Nikes, showed Lucas is ups with a game of basketball

Another playmate? Yep, cousin Estella came to also play with V

And more cousins!!! Yes! Antonio and Ayden are here too.

"So exciting" Lucia cannot contain herself.

Can't forget cousin Melanie who came just in time for some front yard sprinklers time with Milla, Lucia and Alma

"Catch me if you can!" These girls had so much fun.

And so did the boys.

Everyone is always excited for the main event - eating!

Was a great day, good food, good friends and fun activities. 

Excellent way to bid adieu to the summer

Our Little Messi or Messy?

The one sure thing that we know about our 3rd born...

...is that she wants to be like the first and second born.

That is Lucia's old doll, and Minnie Mouse pajama top and Mateo's pajama shorts, his current cleats and shin guards. All of this makes her uniquely herself.