Mati Back to School!!

Tuesday morning rolls along and I wake Mati up. The first thing he asks me is, "Are we going to school today?" "Yes!" I answer, trying to sound as excited as possible. He jumps out of bed with a "Yupppie!" and asks for his breakfast (Surprise #1). He was SUPER excited to put on his new uniform, a blue smock! He was beyond himself in happiness - he is now a BIG boy!! While I know Mati grew a lot more secure of himself this summer, I was still afraid of tears and separation anxiety at school. Therefore, Nico had agreed to take him to school (I can't bear to leave my little one crying, I would melt in sorrow and bring him back home!!). At 9:10 Nico calls to give me the 411 - Mateo asked him to please leave (Surprise #2)!!! Just like that. It didn't matter he didn't know the teacher or the other kids: he was FINE. Confident. Secure. AMAZING!!! Everyday has been like that. Extreme happiness to be going to school!!

He has an older woman by the name of Marta as his teacher. Hopefully she'll have plenty of energy because she'll have to deal with Mateo and his good buddy Jero!!! I don't know how it happened since we had been warned that the gang of 4 was going to be separated, but they are both in the same class!! If there's one thing I love about Mateo going to this school is that he has fostered wonderful friendships. After the first day of school I asked him how it went and he answered that he had had lots of fun playing with Pablo, Juan Lucas, Jero and Jaco. I feel that regardless of what class he is in, so long as he can play with his buddies at recess, he'll be happy.

Below are pictures of a very happy boy greeting the early morning and ready to head off to school!

Sitting in the "adults-only" couch ... a special treat for a big boy!

Paris - Trocadero

This is the last set of pictures from our trip to Paris and hence from our vacation. Enjoy!!!

Standing all by myself!!!

We came across a group of dancers at Trocadero. Mateo was immediately captivated by their moves and quickly started to choreograph his own dance moves. The crowds LOVED it (really!!!) and even gave him a round of applause, which startled him a bit; I guess he thought he was putting on the show just for himself!

Greeting each other: dancer to dancer.

Looking on ... perhaps to steal some of Mati's dance moves???

Paris - Pompidou & Place des Vosges

Mateo received a lot of attention from the locals at the Place des Vosges when he was feeding the pigeons because he talked to them with such love and affection ("Come here my little pigeons, I'll feed you."). If only he would talk to us like that all the time!!!

"What do you mean we are going to give this bread to the pigeons???? I'll eat it!!"

Centre Georges Pompidou

Dinner with Damien and Nathalie

Damien and Nathalie invited us to their place for a delicious pasta dinner (FINALLY we got to taste Damien's cooking!!! We were pleasantly suprised!!! :)) MERCI!!

After dinner, Mati learned a trick or two from the guitar master.

Picture taken on the iPhone by Mati

Picture taken on the iPhone by Mati

Paris - Eiffel Tower

On our second day in Paris, Nico and Mati did manage to go up the Eiffel Tower. Mati was totally impressed with the elevator and Nico with the views. In the meantime, Santi and I played in the park (until Santi slipped with the sand and scraped his forehead!!). Since we went in the evening, we decided to have, once again, another picnic and watch the Eiffel Tower light up at 9pm. After that, we leisurely walked back home ... a perfect way to end the day.

Tios Brandon and Cucu: check out my 6-pack!

Paris - Jardin de Luxembourg

Talk about a summer of accomplishments. On the one hand, Santi finally decided to crawl on all fours, stand on his own, and start taking baby steps. On the other, Mati has become more confident with his body and as such is more physically adventurous, although he is still very cautious.

Look at this!! Mati climbing this rope structure would have been unthinkable before we left Bogota!!

Paris - Champ de Mars

We spent 4 glorious days in Paris. Even though most of our activities were designed with the boys in mind, we still enjoyed the city so much.

On our first day, we took them to the Eiffel Tower. Mateo was obviously loving it and even more when we sat down to have a picnic. Nico tried to go up the tower that day with Mati but the lines were so long, that we opted instead to take both of them to a park to play in the sand and then to drive some cars.

Get ready to eat your hearts out. Following our some beautiful pictures from Santi!!!

Paninis for lunch!

Almond marzapan for dessert - he didn't share :(

Making new friends at the park. It's great to see how Mati, speaking three languages, can spark up a conversation with just about anyone in the world!!

Parallel play

Sheer joy!!!

Look at this face!!! To die for!!! Oh, and the dimple ... ADORABLE!!

Mateo trying to negotiate with his father for one more ride.

Daddy said no. Santi was just a little upset!!!