The Lopez Spot: October 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Andrew's Birthday!

It was Andrew's birthday in September and I finally got around to post this...I often forget to take pictures or make a video these days so I'm trying to be more mindful because time speed us by and I want to remember as many detail as possible of moments like these...I only caught the last line of the song (and the dear "Daddy" part). Devin loves blowing out the candles whether it's his birthday or not. Serena still has no idea what is going on...except she knows she is getting some ice cream afterwards!

First Day of School!

Devin started his first day of school right after Labor Day: the real PreK. Last year's preK was more like a nursery school & he only went in for half day. He was excited to go back to school & really couldn't wait. He kept wanting to be in PreK4 last year when he was in PreK3. He even knew all the teachers by name & face from the PreK4 class while he was still in PreK3.

When I went to pick him up at the end of his first day, he came out crying. I asked him what happened, he said the teachers took his blankie away. I tried to explain to him that he has to leave the blankie there because it's for his nap time. But he said it was too special with his ABC's & animals on it that he couldn't leave it at school. So we bought it home & switched to a not-so-special blanket. And since then, he's been quite happy. He even enjoys doing his homework which he gets Monday through Thursday.

Last year, he would tell anyyone that would listen that he's going to become an astronaut after kindergarten. So we'd tell him that he will need to be in school for a while yet, like go to college before becoming one. So now he tells people he's going to college soon...how cute is he!

Getting ready for his first day of school.

Making a funny face...trying to disguise his excitement.

This was taken after I picked him up & reclaimed his blanket. I think he was telling me how special the blanket was to him.

Holding onto his special blanket & in deep thoughts.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

US Open'09

On Labor Day we went to the US Open. It was a beautiful day, but a bit on the warm side. And I wasn't feeling that great so I ended up going in & out of the stadium carrying Serena with me. The people around us must really love me (being sarcastic here!) because on top of that, I was going in & out with Devin too. He wanted hot dog, then ice cream...he really couldn't sit still for the game (he IS only 4.5). Then finally I just took Serena with me & stayed out...but I was feeling better after lunch so we took Devin & Serena to the Smash Zone (mostly for kids). And Devin really enjoyed it. Serena was napping but she woke up at the end & we did a balloon game together.

I think we'll just do the kid's day for the US Open next year until the kids are old enough to sit still for the games OR we just go by ourselves. Hmm...not a bad thought. All you babysitter volunteers out there reading this-we'll be hitting you up!

The view from our seats.

Devin at the Smash Zone: Concentrating...

Forehand!

Even Andrew got to play!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

The Next American Idol

Devin loves musical instruments, especially the drums. But he also likes to play his keyboard (his piano) & guitar. And on this one fine summer day, he decided to play his guitar & sing! Enjoy!

Singing "Life is a Highway" from one of his favorite movie, "Cars".

Friday, October 2, 2009

Happy 6th Birthday Elizabeth!

Our niece Elizabeth turned 6 this September. To mark this special occasion, she had a Build a Bear birthday party. It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Each kid get to pick a stuff animal, and then they get to stuff it, fluff it & put a heart in it & pick an outfit for their stuff animal to take home. How cool is that?!

And afterwards we all went to Elizabeth's house (Andrew's brother's house) for lunch & cake. It was such a fun-filled day!

All kids picked out their stuff animal...

The birthday girl, Elizabeth is standing in the far left corner. Notice Devin is in the front. I don't remember what exactly everyone was doing...flexing their muscles? Hmmm...

Serena Loves Devin

Serena just adores big brother Devin. Whatever Devin is doing, she wants to be doing the same thing. Whatever Devin is eating or drinking, she wants to at least have a taste. When Devin is lying down (tummy on the floor), Serena climbs onto his back. She just can't get enough of him. As for Devin, I think the expression on his face in the picture below explains it all.

Serena loves Devin

Summer's Over?!

September seem to have snuck by me! I don't know what happened! I wanted to catch up on so many things but I didn't seem to get too far. But I made tonight the blogging night so I'm going to TRY to catch up with all the photos & events...

This summer, we went to visit quite a few museums around town. It all started with the Intrepid Museum back in May, then we went to the Hall of Science, Brooklyn Children's Museum and the Transit Museum. And when my friend from Switzerland came to visit with her 2 children, where did we go? The children Museum of Manhattan (Unfortunately I don't have any good photos to share for this one). Devin & Serena loved all the museum visits because there were so many hand-ons exhibits. And they were all geared toward their ages. As for us, we liked our visits too, and loved seeing our children exploring & experiencing new things. But I must say, I'm going to need to invest in a pair of sneakers so I can keep up with them on these visits!

Hall of Science-Outdoor Miniature Golf Course