Block Party

Today was a good day. The weather was perfect (last weekend of summer) and we went to a block party in Hoboken. One of Eddie's friends from one of his many political activities invited us to the party being thrown on her block. There were tons of kids of all ages, good food,fruit,  sangria and cupcakes. There was also a fun surprise from our local fire department. The little ones loved it.

Mateo enjoying fruit with Papi

Yah!!! Mama and Mateo

Mateo - checking the tires of the fire truck

Now he wants to check things out in the driver's seat

Mateo really enjoyed hanging around the fire truck. Thanks Ladder 1!

Week of New Beginnings

This past week has been both exciting and nerve wracking for the Vielot-Gonzalez household. Last week , September 4th was Mateo's very first day of school at Stevens Coop. He is in a 1/2 day 2s program. The main objectives for the year -handling  separation (i.e. teaching them that when you leave you are coming back) and socialization.  We thought that school was a big enough change for us to handle, but a couple of other "firsts" also popped up. Scroll down to find out more.

The night before his first day we needed to prepare some backup items for the teachers in case there were "accidents, spills and poops."

All smiles and unaware that this is his first day.

We thought this rugby or footballer look would help him prepare for the rough day ahead.

I was probably more nervous than anyone. I think the separation they are teaching is also for the parents. Eddie was actually the one to take him on his first day, so I wanted to be around for as much of the early morning preparations as possible.

Breakfast of champions - Cheerios and a Girl Scout Cookie (he snuck that one in)

This is the FIRST time Mateo has trusted anyone, but Eddie to hold and swim with him in the pool yet here he is having a great time with Nelson and cousins Nelsito and Melanie.

Another FIRST that happened during the weekend that is not pictured - Mateo crawled out of his crib. We woke up on Sunday morning and when Eddie opened his room door, there he was standing there with blankets in hand and a sneaky smile on his face. And so begins another chapter. We have decided to leave the crib rail in its lowest position now in case he decides to attempt it again. We do realize that pretty soon we will need to convert it to a toddler bed. He is growing up so fast...clink...

This Wednesday was my first time to drop him off at school. Here is a picture of his cubby.

Close-up of his mailbox.

Mateo was pretty calm with the goodbyes as you can see with his enthusiasm for this whisk. My heart was racing as fast as this whisk.

Here is a collage that they made in class of the special people in their lives. It is their comfort spot and something to look at if they are feeling a little sad or regressing back into separation anxiety. We are happy to report that today's (Thursday) drop off was tear- free.

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.