Lucia Riding Solo

Lucia has officially claimed the Diego car as her own. She takes it to the park, to the playground and she rides it around the house. I think she was envious of Mateo's wheels (his scooter) so she wanted some of her own. Before she required someone to push her, but now she can make it on her own.

"Move it or lose it buddy!"

M&L Love to Dance

Everyone knows Mateo loves to dance, but it looks like it didn't stop there. Miss Lucia seems to have caught the dancing bug as well. And when anyone is around them they also get dance fever. It's contagious.

Mateo and Lucia (and Buzz) take a rest on the sofa and prepare for their performance

Alvin & the Chipmunks inspire the kiddies to dance their bums off

Mateo's Last Day at Stevens Cooperative

Well we knew this day would come, but it felt like it came so soon and I was happy for new adventures to begin, but sad to see what has been Mateo's first experience with school end. We have met great people and he has made good first friends. We will miss Stevens Cooperative next year when he goes to another school, but are appreciative of everything they have done for him. As they did last year, the school invited parents to come and participate in the last day of school.

The Stevens AM 3s gather in a circle and prepare for a riveting game of "Duck, Duck, Goose"

But first - it's time to lay out the parachute - Naharika, Mateo, Lucas and Katie help to straighten out the parachute

Nate was the first person to kick-off the game and he chose Mateo. Here is Mateo running at super fast speeds trying to catch Nate (please note - 3 yr olds have a hard time running around the circle just once so there were several times when adults had to instruct them to find the spot and sit down in it after they had run around 3 times)

Next up - bubbles supplied by Maggie's mom

Logan and Mateo enjoy yummy cupcakes supplied by Sofia's mom, Joanna (Mateo also supplied brownies - remember those ones he couldn't eat )

He stopped by the tattoo station to get a pirate tattoo

Then he and I played a little baseball ( a cuter, smaller version of Jeter)

Mateo and Jack D. share a hug

"Hi Mommy!"

Nikhil's dad, Michael, came on his bike and surprised all of the kiddies with balloons. It was a big hit.

And for the last time the children got a song and story from Elsa

and Gail

Mommy and Mateo end the school year with a bittersweet smile

Mateo claimed his balloon

and finished the day with a picnic with friends

and a little scooting

M&L - Sunday Stuff

Most Sunday mornings Lucia and I sit at home having breakfast and playing around, but today we were motivated enough to go see Mateo play soccer and also to bake. Pretty productive for a sleepy Sunday.

Mateo and Papi kick around the ball before practice

"He shoots...he scores...GOAL!!!!!!"

When we got home Mateo and Lucia decided to play with a favorite childhood toy -pots and pans "Yahhh!"

"Doesn't this strainer make a nice accessory?"

We also decided to bake brownies...Mateo was my little helper

Here he is looking sad and dejected after discovering that you must wait 30 whole minutes after you lick the bowl (notice the fudge mark on his cheek) before you can enjoy the fully baked brownies.

M&L Are Wagoneers

Today we went for a walk around Hoboken to run some errands. Since we don't have a double stroller we have decided to use the new wagon as a substitute. It is super handy and the kids still really seem to love it.

Lucia and Mateo, in their Yankee gear, are ready to roll

M&L Do Lunch & Dinner with Friends

Today Mateo and Lucia had lunch with their after-school regulars and dinner with their at-home regulars. It must be nice to have all of those friends.

Mateo and Lucia (in the background) dine at Will and Claire's house and were joined by Logan (in blue) and Maggie (lower right)

Nothing like lunch in a Bumbo to get you going. Earth's Best - "Mmmm mmmm, good"

After their nap, Mateo and Lucia (and Buzz) went down to the 3rd floor to have dinner with the Palermos

The gang - Lucia, John, Mateo and Luke (in the foreground) rest after a big dinner

M&L Go to the Blue AND Purple Parks

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. And as such, Mateo and Lucia went to visit not one, but two parks today. What a nice life.

First up, they hit the blue park. Here is Mateo trying to climb up the corkscrew

While Lucia grabbed a snack...she is really digging these Ritz crackers

More climbing

And still more climbing

Miss Lucia doesn't have the upper or lower body strength or coordination to climb so instead she toddles and socializes "Hey, what's up peeps!"

The story of their lives - he climbs up and she chases after him. Don't worry little miss, one day you will catch up.

"I know I will...one day, you just wait and see"

On to the purple park, where Mateo focused on climbing the rock wall

"I am sick of this climbing business, let's go home"