POLKA DOT

Today we took Mateo to his first Open Air concert. The band was a local kiddie rock band named Polka Dot. There were dozens of toddlers rocking out, eating ice cream, playing with balloons and balls and having a great time. Mateo was a little confused at first, so he gripped his basketball and soccer ball and used them as security blankets.

Still a little unsure of all of this chaos

Crowd of screaming toddlers jamming to Polka Dot

By the end he was rocking on stage with the band..."Polka Dot!!"

Deja Vu

So yes Mateo did celebrate his 2nd birthday last weekend with his Madrina, Maddie, Grandma, Abuelo, Papi and Mama, but this weekend he celebrated with some new people - Padrino, Tia Kimm, Tia Mima, Tio Erich and cousins Alex, Isabel, Antonio & Ayden and some familiar faces - Grandma, Abuelo, Papi and Mama. We visited a lot of the same places and had just as much fun

The cousins - Antonio, Mateo, Isabel, Ayden and Alex

Mateo plays catch with his Padrino

Practicing his gymnastic moves for the 2022 Olympics

All Smiles - Mima, Alex, Kimm, Ayden, Antonio, Adrian and Isabel pose in the park.

Mateo and Ayden play conducter on a train ride at the St. Ann's Festival

Birthdays, Bambinos & Best Friends

This weekend was full of fun and celebration. Mateo turned 2 on July 21st and Grandma, Madrina, Maddie, Abuelo, Mama and Papi were there to celebrate at an intimate gathering.We also spiced up the celebration with a trip to our local St. Ann's festival. Although this year we were pretty low-key about the celebration, today we gave Mateo our gift to him...a trip to the Children's Museum of Manhattan to see the Dora & Diego exhibit. He was in heaven being surrounded by games and sets dedicated to his favorite characters. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATEO !!! We Love You!

Mateo hanging with Happy Birthday Diego

Hanging out with Papi at an authentic NYC deli restaurant.

Riding by himself at the fair. He's a big boy now (clink).

Family pose at the St. Ann Festival

Grandma, Madrina and Maddie chow down on Italian treats.

CHEESE! Mateo masters the art of the fake camera smile.

For the 2nd year in a row Mateo freaked out about the whole birthday cupcake deal, but this year he did manage to blow out the candle.

Pure bliss. Mateo races through the park with his ball-themed birthday balloon.

(A look into the future) Maddie stakes claim to Mateo's ride and he agrees, but insists on driving.

Mateo with his two favorite presents...a Dora balloon and a balloon filled with images of "foccah balls"

Mateo plays the shy (or sly) role with his Madrina and Maddie.

So about 10 years ago this photo would have been so different: instead of a park - a beach; instead of backpacks - bikinis; instead of babies - daquiris. I had a blast then and I am happy to be sharing this new and wonderful adventure now.

Maddie meets and impresses her possible future father-in-law with her ability to pretend to be completely engrossed in a Yankee baseball game.

I have been sold since day 1

Jamaica Me Crazy!

So we had our very first international trip as a family. I was super nervous about the whole thing at first. What was he going to eat? Is the water safe to drink? What about a car seat (not all of the cars there have seat belts)? Would he be overwhelmed? What about his schedule? How would we manage in one room? On and on... Well I learned that he is a lot more flexible than I would have imagined. He is really a great traveller. We had a wonderful time and he got to visit with family and play in one of his many "homelands." Jamaica really was "No Problem Mon!"

All dressed up and ready to go to Uncle Tony's 60th birthday party

Discovering sand, he loved the texture, weight and endless supply.

On a walk through the River Falls with a real Rasta man

Chilling by the pool

Mateo and I attempt to build a sandcastle 

Mateo's Passport

Swimming with Papi

Well clearly the theme of this summer is fun in the water. Mateo started swimming lessons about 6 months ago and loved every minute of it. Eddie also loves being in the water so they make the perfect pair. This past Sunday we went to Family Swim at Stevens Institute and the two of them paddled around while Mama took the pix.

1!2!3! Jump! Mateo has no problems leaping into the water because he knows Papi is always there to catch him.

On Gaurd!

This was really interesting. Eddie would throw the rubber ducky into the water. Mateo would then jump into his arms and then "swim" to retrieve the duck and then "swim" back to the stairs, pull himself up and then start the whole process over again. They did this at least 6 times.

Discovery of Another Water Source

So this weekend we went to the Puerto Rican Festival down by the pier and Mateo spotted this fountain and of course had to partake. Summer has officially started and I think (much like his mother) this may be Mateo's favorite season.

Happy Father's Day

For Father's Day we went to the park and then to a BBQ at Eddie's cousin's house. It was pretty laid back, but the day was beautiful and Eddie and Mateo (who looks like a mini-Eddie in some photos) just hung out enjoying one another.