Fun times with todders and a visit from Nana

Seriously, you have to do something to stay sane up here in the cold. So we busted out the inflatable pool and fun balls. The kids LOVED it. After a week of having a pool in my living room, I don't love it so much anymore, but they still love it. =) Matteo is especially a pro at getting in and out.

My little cruiser! He walks all the way up and down the hallway with his push toys! Soon he will really be walking on his own! He already takes like 5 or 6 steps, but then decides he can crawl faster so he'll sit himself down and go crawl. Stinker!

Here comes Matteo!


VIDEO - Matteo Cruising (Click here if the video does not appear below.)

We have this fold up playhouse that Sebastian has always loved. Now Matteo loves to go play in it too. He loves peek-a-boo and crawling in and out to surprise you. It's the cutest thing, but no one can make him laugh more than his brother. I think it's one of their favorite games these days.

VIDEO - Playing House (Click here if you don't see the video below.)

I pulled out my Cheerio Cookbook since both boys are such fans these days. We made these "Cheerio Surprises" the other day to take to Titi Arlyn's for dinner. Sebastian had fun hiding a mini-marshmallow surprise in each one.

Cuddle time with Nana!

Making cupcakes with Titi Arlyn.

Carolyn and Matteo.

Having a belated birthday party for Nana.

Matteo finally woke up, but he was a sleepy zombie for a bit. Such a sweet sleepy face!

We decided to let him have a little practice with some cake before his big day next month. He knew exactly what to do!

Trying to get a picture on Valentines Day before church. Yeah. Not happening.

Our best family shot on Valentines Day.

My baby.

Darlene (my MIL) invited us out for breakfast on Valentines Day. We happened upon a little Spanish restaurant complete with a Cuban guy playing music! He gave Sebastian a maraca and that was all he needed. Both boys had a great time dancing and we all enjoyed a marvelous breakfast! We can't wait to go back and try it sans-children sometime. =)

Happy boy.

Bye bye Nana! We had so much fun with you this weekend and can't wait to see you again in a few weeks!

Puerto Rico Part IV - La Fiesta!

So I have finally gone through all the hundreds of excellent party pictures and picked a few to share. We had a wonderful time at Abuela's 80th birthday party and it was great to see her so happy!

Awww!

The boys are ready for the party!

Looking so grown up!

Abuela with all her kids.

With all the cousins (Daniel and Ana - we missed you!)

With the great-grandkids (we missed Logan!)

Me with my Abuela and Apapa.

The cook making the amazing and enormous paella!

Singing happy birthday with her two sisters, Elsa and Mireya.

Beautiful meringue cake.

Hanging out during the party.

Mr. Casanova. =) He kept picking out flowers and giving them to people.

Playing with Chisco.

Our dancer. He spun and spun for well over an hour (and it was midnight at this point!). Everyone had a hoot watching him entertain.

Feliz Cumpleanos Abuela! Y muchos mas!!!!

Our week at home...

This week we were home. As usual.... We really are staying pretty busy, but I sure miss going out every morning as I've always done so it's an adjustment.

Last weekend, we actually visited a playground because it was in the 40s! Sebastian was beyond thrilled, poor kid...

This week we also started our weekly activities plan. It went really well and Sebastian enjoyed most of the things we did. Here he is hiding some toys in a macaroni bin.

We made some new Seasame Street characters for his Elmo and Zoe play kit. This thing is awesome, it really keeps him entertained and has sparked a lot more pretend play for him.

Matteo gnawing on a whole apple.

Beautiful afternoon after a fresh snow. This is the view from one of our windows.

VIDEO - Matteo and Sebastian Jammin'

Paul thinks this video is hilarious. Matteo "dances" like this all the time...

(Click on this link if the video does not appear below.)

We smashed different kinds of berries to make juice and then used the juice to paint some creations.

Matteo even tried some juice for the first time this week and he loved it.

Sebastian hiding during "hide and seek."

We cut out pictures of fruit from magazines and made fruit letter cards. Sebastian loved this activity.

Mami got brave and suited up the boys to play in the snow on our balcony. Matteo even tried to crawl in the snow!

VIDEO - Matteo Crawling in the Snow

(Click on this link if the video does not appear below.)

On the balcony playing.

Making big, big messes with his food these days.

VIDEO - Big Mess

(Click this link if the video does not appear below.)

Happy boy after a diaper change.

Just my boys. =) Love this pic.