Today's News: Fall Clean up and Bagels

Caroline and Victoria have quickly become little 3 yr old girls over the past month, at least that is the way Mama y Papa feel.  The stuff that 's coming out of their mouths now is quite humorous.  Here are a few recent photos from the past several weeks.  They are anxiously awaiting "Santa come down chimney and bring presents to Christmas tree"- as Victoria explained to Mama this morning.

C is our Upper East Side bagel eater- she loves them, including green onion cream cheese and onions- she sometimes will take smoked salmon on the side, but prefers to skip the capers.  She has definitely evolved into our brave eater- she'll try most anything, but always asks first "?Esta Pica?", which means "is it spicy?"  Some of her out of the box favorites are oatmeal, grapefruit, bagels and acorn squash.

Who needs a dog to fetch the paper when you have Caroline to do it for you.  She was overjoyed to grab the paper for Papa this morning.  Of course, Victoria wanted her turn afterward...

Papa and the Girls made some Ward Cleaver pancakes with buttermilk (a combination of a couple different recipes).  The Girls loved them.  C wanted more and V said that "Caroline eat mas and look like Santa".  Caroline thought that was funny as did Papa.

A few weeks back C and V with their buddy Elle, all having a little dessert party.

Papa has to admit, the Girls are actually quite helpful when it comes to the Fall clean-up.  C especially likes scooping up the leaves and dumping them in the bag.  They also like to get the super blow  dryer when Brian fires up the leaf blower.

C loves to submerge her head in the bathtub, with V  just recently feeling comfortable enough to join her.  V also has been putting her face under water, slowly conquering her tepidness of the water.  Pretty soon, we're either going to need a bigger bathtub or this isn't going to work so well.

The Girls made a visit to visit Great Nonny Lo shortly after Halloween to show off their costumes.  Nonny was very happy to see them as they were her.

Fall Photos

We decided to stay local for our Family Photos and meander through P.R.  The Girls were great sports and had a lot of fun with our photog, who also spoke Spanish.  They were happy in their matching outfits; Victoria has become somewhat of a fashion consultant, sometimes offering a "Mama, I like that (pointing to Brooke's shirt), that's pretty".  And Caroline pretty much says and does everything and goes everywhere "-Toria" goes.  She is Victoria's little mini-me.

One of Caroline's funny looks.  She loves to say, "hey, look at this face".

Caroline and Victoria, happy to do a sister pose.

BFF's.  At bedtime now, they will sometimes without prompting offer besos y abrazos to each other and say "I love you so much" to each other.  Very cute.

They are very good at smiling, but it took a while to teach them that they need to also keep their eyes open. V has it down in this shot.

Papa has this one in his office downtown.

Halloween, Halloween and More Halloween

The Girls wore the hides off their Minnie Mouse costumes this year and loved the idea of getting Treats at every turn.  They enjoyed a number of Fall outings including some hay rides, petting zoos, the Brookfield Zoo and more.

The Girls on their Bday scooters.  Day 1 they didn't know what to do with them, but by Day 5 they were speed-scooting all over the neighborhood. They love 'em!

Dance Class- this is the Flamingo Move (I think).

C just doing her own little thing.  She spent a lot of time rolling and playing on the floor.

Ms Lindsay and the Girls doing their Horse Gallup.

Papa took the Girls to the courts for their first tennis lesson.  Not sure C will make it to any Grand Slams, but she is still a cutie!

V on the other (left) hand, seemed to enjoy a little hitting.  And it is official, she is a natural southpaw!

Grandpa and C feeding the animals.  C has no fear of the animales!

V the Arteest!

V, Pop and C at a Family Farm.

Abrazos!

C likes to take the wheel, part I

Face Painting.  C was as still as a statue during the make-up process.

Supposed to be a rainbow on V.  Afterwards, she says "Look, a match!" pointing to her head and coat.  She did actually pick the colors herself.

The Cat, The Rainbow and The Mums.

V behind the wheel, part II.

M-I-C...K-E-Y and Minnie Mouse I see!

What exactly is Papa's costume?  Don't worry, unless you are Puerto Rican or Brooke, you wouldn't have a clue...but he is Daddy Yankee (Puerto Rican Rapper).

The Girls and their Cousins.

Halloween Fest at a nearby church.

Southpaw.

Need to put 200 plastic balls on the Xmas list.

At 3, this is V's first Carousel ride...she was too scared for the first 3 years of her life, but we're proud of her.  she chose the Rana (frog).

C chose the Flamingo, but only because it was right next to "Sissy".  C is pretty much attached at the hip to her "little" sister.

Wow Birthday (#3)

The Girls just knew that they wanted a Wow Birthday Party and cake.  The rest was all gravy for them.  For Caroline, the whole experience was a bit overwhelming, including the singing of Cumpleanos Feliz.  All in all, they had a wonderful time seeing their buddies and diving into a Pinata pile of candy.

V showing off her swing

C getting ready for a tire ride

Aidan, the Turtle Fan, making bubbles.

Cousin Evelyn safeguarding the Pin the Tail on the Burro.

V getting ready to pin her first tail.

Just missed the board!

C giving it her best shot.

Johnny H. getting very close.

Weee!

C and V's buddy Emmit looking cool.

C enjoyed floating between arms today, here with Areli.

Elle sporting her new bling bracelet.

Jazmin having fun w/ her little friends, C and V.

Post Pinata breaking...C devastated that she couldn't get in the scrum and get her fingers on a Lollipop.

A smile...likely after a lollipop.

Getting ready for the Bday Cake.

C was upset because the Bday serenade was "too loud". V did a great job blowing out the candles.

Smile, I'm 3!

Big B and Chuck corrupting Quinn and his App inventory.