BROOKLYN FOR THE WIN

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Last weekend we headed to Brooklyn (noticing a trend here..) for some good eats and quality time with good friends. We ate delicious burgers and mom and dad had a cold beer while Lucas’s drink of choice was milk. I got a little ahead of myself in terms of the weather. I’m wishing a little to hard for Fall and it was warmer than I had anticipated – boo! In any case, that’s why layers were invented, am I right?  My girl Latonya lives in the neighborhood and we were able to meet for crepes and coffee. Her gorgeous little River and my rambunctious Lucas have become fast friends. River is a bit older than Lucas and he just adores her. What can I say. He likes older women.  Did you check out those dance moves? These two have some serious rhythm!
It’s the weekend again. Not quite sure if we will make it out to BK again, but I’m looking forward to another adventure with my boys.

PUDDLE HOPPER

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Yesterday after a mid afternoon rain shower I took Lucas down to play. Now it must be said that I have just been diagnosed with a severe sinus infection and a fever. The culprits of why I’ve been feeling so run down. But a mama’s job is never done and toddlers don’t give a hoot if you’re sick so off we went to run a muck. Lucas is everything little boys are made of and was in his glory rolling around and getting filthy from head to toe. His little friend Alice taught him a few yoga moves (I mean, I die a little of cuteness overload every time I look at the photo of them doing the downward dog). Each time they leaned forward they dipped their heads into the puddle producing sopping wet, extra cute mullets. Lucas also took a few minutes to relax in the puddles. Ya know, really be one with nature. He also might have drank just a teeny bit of puddle water. It’s just rain. It’s just rain. Oy. It must be awesome to be a toddler, not a care in the world. An hour and two soppy diapers later, we all went home. Yesterday nature saved the day and Lucas slept like a rock (not like a baby). Till the next rain storm!

BESOS DE MAMI | LANGUAGE LOVE

 vsco_0-1We have been speaking to Lucas in Spanish since the day he was born. However I have to admit, English is my first language. It is natural for me to speak in English before I talk in Spanish. My mama would ask me a question and my first reaction would be to answer in English. After having Lucas I realized the importance of speaking to him in Spanish right away. I wanted him to be bilingual and feel comfortable talking in both languages. On the grandparents side we are covered. All the abuelitas and abuelitos (grandmas and grandpas) speak to him ONLY in Spanish. This has been an immense help. The hubs and I have made a big, conscious effort to bring this home. I can’t tell you how good it feels to watch him respond, understand, and speak in Spanish! 
These are a few of the phrases/words that Lucas understands:
  • acuéstate // lay down
  • siéntate // sit down
  • leche // milk
  • almohada // pillow
  • dame // give me
  • ven aquí // come here
  • patea // kick
  • quiere agua // do you want water?
These are a few of the words he can say:
  • mas // more
  • pato // duck
  • leche // milk
  • nariz // nose
  • bobo // pacifier (this is more of a slang word, but it counts in my book! 😉 
It truly makes my heart so unbelievably happy to watch him pick up the language so quickly! It’s true what they say: babies are like sponges! If you’d like your little one to learn a second language, I highly recommend starting now. This has been such a satisfying accomplishment and I plan to continue talking and teaching Lucas in Spanish. My love Karla is also writing about language over on her blog and I couldn’t agree with her more. Knowing a second (or third, or fourth..) language can bring you so many opportunities both in everyday life and the work place. This mama plans on giving Lucas every stinkin’ chance to succeed that I can.