The Big 2!

Alexander - Yesterday you turned 2! We can't believe it. As I was telling papa, time flies when you're having fun.

Let's just say that we have been celebrating your birthday since two weeks ago. Last year we decided to have a huge birthday party for your first birthday, but this year we decided to do it a bit different.

Two weeks ago we went ahead and left to Orlando, Florida - We went to Disney World! It started off with breakfast with the characters. Titi Nexi also joined us with your primita Analise, and Emma, also including our friend Anibal and baby Anibal as well. We had a blast. It was the first time you have ever had some type of encounter with any huge character, and I must say that you did amazing!

It was also priceless to see you with Analise & Emma - Ana with her sweet smile, and Emma making you hold her hand. After breakfast we walked around, and were able to share some time as a family.

During breakfast we were able to take pictures with Donald Duck and Goofy! The breakfast was incredible.

We then, headed to our hotel which was also in Disney property, and headed to the hotel pool. Your abuelita Fanny, came over and joined us. You had a blast.

In the evening, Titi Nexi, Tio Hector, Titi Tata, Emma, Analise, Anibal & baby Anibal joined us for dinner at the hotel. Then we all headed to Downtown Disney. 

Disney Day - Disney World was "Magical". You're a big fan of The Mickey Mouse Club House cartoons, so to you going to Disney World was like being in another world.

I think the pictures and videos will say it all, and I can't wait to take you again.

After Disney World, we left back to Miami, and on the actual day of your birthday we decided to take cupcakes to your classroom, and have you enjoy your birthday with all of your friends.

At the end of the day we then celebrated it with all of our amazing close friends that we share a lot of our time. Actually, they are also all of your babysitters, when Mama and Papa want to go out on an outing. These people are terrific and we hope that they stay part of your life forever!!!! Also let’s special thank them for their friendship, and love that they have offered you since the day that you were born!

Thank you: Padrino, Titi Rosdaysi, Titi Kristen, Tia Naty, Tio Adrian, Titi Jessica, Tio Oscar, and also abuelita Ivette that also attended your celebration. It was so much fun! We played Ping the Donkey, sang you happy birthday, and you opened all of your presents!

We love you Xander’s! You bring joy to our hearts!!! We pray that God gives you many years to enjoy what God, and what Papa and Mama have to offer you. You have been an inspiration to our lives! Thank you for being our son – Adrian Alexander Sanchez! 2 and many more!!!!!!  

An Active Child

Evidence indicates that Americans are becoming increasingly sedentary, and inactivity has a dramatic impact on a person's health and overall well-being. Children learn and form habits associated with activity level very early in life from parents. In fact, research indicates that children's activity level during the preschool years is an excellent predictor of their living habits as adults. Children need learning activities that involve their senses and bodies.

I truly believe in this fact, and as parents we try to live by it with Alexander! 

Ever since Alexander was three months old, Manny and I made it a habit to take him out. Whether it was a stroll in the park, or a walk through the Botanical Garden. We would speak and explain to him how the trees are green, and how we need them for oxygen. Of course, I also took the time to make it a picture day, and make it an event. We did the whole strolling him around the park until the day that he learned how to walk, and then it became a different game time - It was then as it still is now a play time at the park, with slides, monkey bars, swings, dirt, tree climbing and all that good old park stuff.

At around 10 months, we realized that the park was not enough, so we decided to enlist him in swimming classes. Now this has been a purely great investment. Alexander is now 23 months and I must proudly say that he is swimming like a champ! It's a parent and me class, and not only does has he learned how to swim, but how to also follow directions. He has a blast which I think it's the most important thing of all. He knows that every Sunday morning, mama & Papa are taking him to swimming classes. 

School for Alexander has also been a factor - Monday through Friday he attends a great school around our house, which includes art, music, reading time, play time, and bible study.

Each child is different - You can do all of these things on a day to day basis, and it does not mean that one child is going to be smarter than the other, or that the child is going to become a CEO - Lawyer - Doctor, it just means that from his early childhood all he knows is to be an active person in life, so the probability for him to be an active and healthy person as a teenager or an adult are very high.

                                          3 months old at the Botanical Garden - Being very active lol

                                                      at the farmers Market

Grown Up - Tricks - No!

Xander's, this week you have reached a lot of milestones. You have decided to be a grown up. You don't want mama or papa to feed you. You want to do it all yourself. 

Also, you want to be "Mr... I know how to do tricks" - This week we went out to dinner and all of a sudden you decided to try to hold your spoon up with your mouth, and every time that it would fall you would laugh and try it again. I thought it was the cutest thing! We were amazed about your trick techniques.

Last but not least, everything is NO! Not a funny "no" but a serious NO! For example; do you love mama? "NO!" Do you love papa "NO!" Do you want to go bye-bye? "NO!" - Everything is NO - NO - NO! We are hoping you learn that beautiful word called "YES!" :)

We love you Pumpkin Pie!