Swimming Lessons

So just after Mateo's spudball season ended we started swimming lessons. I was a bit apprehensive as Mateo has suddenly become deathly afraid of the water. I didn't even think he was going to get in the pool but each day has gotten better and he seems to be getting more comfortable. This doesn't mean that he doesn't start crying at home before we even leave but I think these pics will tell the story... Janeta is ready to go!

She is already giving her big brother a kiss as he is starting to cry AGAIN...

Yep here's the face worth a thousand words!

Dada and Janeta ready to start their lesson. Mateo and his sister are in the same pool for their lessons. Mateo's teachers come get him from the side of the pool and put him in the water crib (crying).

Janeta practicing her kicks.

Cesar and I switch off every day with Janeta and she does great with him as long as she doesn't see me...she just spotted me in this one! lol

Mateo has let go of the side of the crib and is attempting to kick...

There's only 3 kids in Janeta's class and one is our good friend Maria's son Diego so that has been really fun.

Mateo starting to join in on a game....

Moving both his arms and legs (mama is shocked)!

Janeta and Diego in the crib. She loves this thing. She jumps and surfs and blows bubbles like a big girl!

Janeta thought it was better time spent relaxing with her kickboard. Phew, swimming lessons are tiring!

Dinosaurs

So we were on our way to Palm Springs and we decided to stop by the dinosaur exhibit again. Well I took lots of pictures here and none in Palm Springs (I'm gonna start working on that!). So here's me and my two beautiful babies. Cesar is always commenting on how big Mateo's hands are so here is a pic to verify.
Panning for gold with those big hands.

Janeta looking adoringly at her brother like she always does. She just waits for a glimpse of his attention.

Digging for dinosaur bones!

"Janeta, boys are scary like dinosaurs so you should just stay away from them for a very long time!" said Dada.

Chilly Beach

So we took a half day trip to Newport Beach but had no idea that the sun wasn't going to even break through the clouds! It was quite chilly and I didn't bring one single jacket for myself or my kids. Mateo was just fine and well Janeta just wore two outfits on top of each other!

There were a ton of dolphins out and they weren't afraid to get close. Notice the thick marine layer... I think Janeta ate about a pound of sand but she could care less.

This was hilarious. I look over and Mateo is eating chips as if he has to eat them in secrecy. HA!

Enough said.

Spudball and Walking

Well this isn't a picture of Janeta walking but SHE IS! She never wanted to walk assisted by us but decided a week or two ago that she was ready to take off. She loves our cat Ramoney so she thought she would get at eye level so he could hear her and play.

Ok so this is Mateo before his first spudball practice. He was so excited ready to "smash" the ball as he says. Notice in the rest of the pictures of the actual practice, he is invisible. Well that's because he was the only kid not participating. I was disappointed but he told me he was shy and next time he would try to not be shy. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed since dada is the coach!)These 3 year olds were adorable! They were so excited to play baseball!

Coach Cesar about to do a team cheer!

Cesar and I went to the Churon Inn and Winery for my birthday. It was beautiful and we had NO kids!

Janeta turns 1

Ok, I had to start with this picture because it was one of the most endearing things I've ever witnessed. My father-in-law is not a "warm and fuzzy" affectionate man but he is puddy in Janeta's hands. He presented her with a pink guitar and sang her the very same song he sang to Cesar when he was born. Janeta stared at him in awe and it was so incredibly touching. I adore the relationship my children have with their grandparents. This is Nana Cynthia (Janeta's middle name) and she is what makes the world go round. My children think Nana is the most precious, funny, creative being on the planet and SHE IS! We are so very thankful to have her in our lives!
Hitting the Hello Kitty pinata! She didn't quite understand why kids would want to beat the daylights out of her good friend Hello Kitty!!

Janeta and her daddy

Janeta playing with her cousin Roman after inhaling her birthday cake, you can't tell that she engulfed a thousand calories of sugar can you?!?! lol

Cake. Enough said.

Me and my baby girl.

We had a marionette puppet show and it was amazing. Here are the kids enjoying the show.

Center Stage

Easter

Mateo carefully mixing colors for his Easter eggs! Finished products
Janeta sat here and played with her and Mateo's Easter goodies for the longest time!

Hhmmm, this egg doesn't taste so good!

Me and my handsome Mateo

My uncle was here and it was so wonderful to see him. He's my last living relative and I haven't seen him for almost 10 months so this visit was so great. The kids had a great time and weren't shy at all!