Catching Up with Kai and Keila

Happy Birthday, Kai Kai…Happy Birthday Kai Kai…Happy Birthday dear Kai Kai…Happy Birthday to you.

We spent a nice and relaxed birthday at home where we had chicken adobo and salmon, and chocolate cake.  Ninang Eugenia came over, and so did Tita Goldie, Tita Lauren, Mateo, Tito Jose, and Paul's family.

The party turned into a Pool Party for Kai as well — he LOVES to swim. I can't believe you're 2 years old now Kai.  I love how you've grown to be such a caring, gentle, sweet, empathetic, affectionate little boy, who makes everyone around him feel so special. We love you, Kai!

Check out Kai's impeccable rhythm and timing! Here he is playing along with one of his favorite movies "Love Actually". He's such a romantic (or maybe he has no choice because Mommy loves romantic comedies.) He started playing totally on his own, and ended the song on his own too!

On Saturday, Auntie Liz took Cyn, Paul and Kai to the Big Apple Circus!  It was Kai and Paul’s FIRST time.  We had a blast.  We had front row seats, and at times, got startled by how close we were to the action!  Kai got a little nervous, when the huge horses gallopped in our direction!  He stopped watching the show for a little bit, and then came around.  🙂  After the show, we ate at “Room Service” Thai restaurant, and then watched Michael Jackson’s “This Is it”.  It was an action-packed Saturday.

     At Big Apple Circus 

                                                      So excited to watch the show!

                          Enjoying yummy Thai                                    At the movie theater

Cyn, Paul and Kai came back to NYC on Thanksgiving Day!  They arrived at 8PM, just in time for the Thanksgiving Party!

So excited that Cyn and Kai were here for Thanksgiving! If you didn't already know, Cyn is expecting a BABY GIRL on February 1, 2010!

  

                             Thanksgiving Feast!                             It was also Tita Jaygee's Birthday.

Kai always has fun with Tito Mel.

Cyn celebrated her birthday in Haiti this year — it was weird to not celebrate her special day with her.  But she'll be here on Thanksgiving! Can't wait.

Happy Birthday, Cyn!!!

I can't believe my last post was August 18th! Soo bad.  Thanks Auntie Goldie for applying the pressure on me to post something.  Auntie Liz (aka "Bubba" to Kai) was in a show that took a lot of her time, but I know, I know, that is no excuse.

Kai, Cyn, and Paul flew into NYC on September 29th to attend Auntie Bubba's "Imelda" Opening Night.  Actually, Kai wasn't able to watch the show because he's not old enough, so Ninang Kyong baby-sat him.  They were here for a total of 10 days, which just flew.  Every day, Auntie Bubba took Kai to the swimming pool — he just loves playing in the water.  Every morning, we would wake up to Kai saying "pool, pool" and his arms would make the swimming motion.  More pics to follow of their 10 day trip in NYC.

They're back in NYC in November! Can't wait!

On your ENGAGEMENT! We can't wait to celebrate this new chapter in your lives. 

We love you.

Newly engaged, Ninang Shar and Nihar

Kai loves his Ninang Shar and Tito Nihar.

Ninang Shar loves to spoil Kai.
Kai, don't put your hand in the tub o' ice cream!

Thanks for sharing your hat with me, Tito Nihar. I love that you like to play with me, and
teach me how to play soccer.

They're currently in Haiti right now, but back in NYC next week. I miss my Bubba so much! So, I just look at old photos of him and smile.

I love how mischievous Kai looks!

I meant to blog about this way back when — July 18th.  One of the main reasons we love living in NYC is all the fun events that happen here — there's ALWAYS something going on every single day!  We knew Kai would love all the music at the African Music Festival in Brooklyn — we even brought his flute and drum, in case he wanted to play along with the bands! Kai's sense of rhythm is amazing — he's got beat (phew, thank god!)  It was such a beautiful day, and made us love living in NY even more.  We enjoyed hanging with good friends, food, and music.  What more can you ask for?

With Ninang Ardith and Tito Brian — Kai ordered Tito Brian to play the flute pronto!
Kai knows what he wants, when he wants it.

                   Play Tito Brian! Play!                  With beautiful, newly married Tita Joan

                                                                Mi familia

 

Kai's racking up stamps on his passport! We travelled to Montreal this past weekend for a music festival that Boukman Eksperyans (his grandparents' and dad's band) performed in.  It was all of our 1st time there — Cyn, Paul, Auntie Liz, and Ninong Ray — Montreal is so beautiful and clean — so much history and we love how everyone speaks French!  Kai wanted to be onstage with Boukman so badly — during rehearsal, he slyly took the drummer's sticks so he could make some beats of his own!  The sight of the drummer wondering where his sticks went was HILARIOUS.  Apparently, Kai steals his drumsticks all the time.  We are amazed by how Kai can drum completely on the beat — thank God he has rhythm! How could he not with both parents being musicians.

Kai with several members of Boukman Eksperyans, outside our hotel,
Hotel Le Saint-Andre.

We drove by Montreal's famous Olympic stadium — they hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics — you can totally feel the 70s vibe!

Family Portrait

Kai backstage jamming with his Mommy.

Kai ordered me to take him onstage when he saw all the fun they were having. He had just
taken a brief nap and was upset to see Gabriela dancing onstage! Gabriela is like his big sister. (She's the one holding Kai)

The Casasola clan just got back from our family vacation in Rio! Cyn, Kai, Ray, and I stayed for 10 days, and Lolo and Mommy Remy stayed for 2 weeks.  We had the time of our lives, visiting with good friends in Brazil, taking in the sun at Ipanema Beach, seeing the sights like Corcovado, enjoying good quality family-time, eating, drinking caipirinhas, and more eating! Kai loved everything about Brazil — the people, the food, the ocean, and the music.  He was constantly surrounded by music there — he impressed everyone with his great sense of rhythm, and his passion for the drums and guitar! He picked up a new interest in learning to play the flute (thanks Tio Carlos!) Although it was winter in Brazil, we still enjoyed gorgeous weather in the 70s and 80s.  There were a few rainy days, which Lolo and Mommy Remy loved (because it reminds them of their dating days).  We were sad to leave, but we know we'll be back.  Enjoy some of the highlights from our trip.

Kai enjoying Ipanema Beach — he's such a beach boy.

 
Enjoying the view atop of the Corcovado. 

The Corcovado (Kai loves this new pose for the camera — where he lovingly puts
his head on your shoulder)

 
Mom and Kai Photoshoot overlooking Rio

 
Our wonderful Hosts: Tia Amparo & Tio Paulo, Anna and Bruno.  They took us
to some of Rio's best restaurants. We love the food there!

At Tia Amparo & Tio Paulo's family-run restaurant — DELIRIO TROPICAL.
Our favorite restaurant in Rio, hands down.

The Malta Family (Carlos, Gabi, and Marcela) hosted a dinner for us in their beautiful home.  Tio Carlos is a world-reknowned musician and plays many wind instruments. 
Kai was inspired by his flute playing skills.
 
Here's a youtube video of Carlos Malta playing the flute — he's amazing:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH7tt8qd1Pw

 
Kai treated us all to a drumming session!      Kai playing with Vicente.  Kai was scared

We love how he puts the drums between his legs.           of the laughing Elmo.

 

More jam sessions with all the amazing musicians at
Tia Amparo & Tio Paolo's beautiful home.

Kai fell in love with this little guitar called "cavaquinho"

FOOD, FOOD, and MORE FOOD! Nothing like Brazilian home cooked meals.

We enjoyed the market. Fresh, super-sweet fruits. Mommy Remy put
her bargaining expertise to work!

             Kai loves his Tia Gabi! Thank you, Gabi                        Kai loves Vicente.
                for taking such good care of us!

         Kai's new Brazilian buddy, Vicente.       Kai enjoying all the colorful balls at Porcao.
                                                                                             

Kai's new rock t-shirt, custom made by Gabi's good friend, Ale. She has her very own baby clothing line "V.I.B. — Very Important Baby".
Kai loves this shirt because he likes to pretend to play the guitar!

 
 Enjoying Ipanema Beach – Can you tell we went to the
beach a lot? Lolo loved his quality-time with his apo.  Kai and Cyn with the lovely Dois Irmãos ("2 Brothers") mountains in the backdrop. 


Kai and Ninong Ray (Ninong Ray loves
experimenting with Kai's hair)

 
Kai loves the ocean. (Thank God, because his name means "peaceful ocean"!) 
He wasn't scared at all of the big waves of Ipanema Beach.

We'll miss Rio but we'll definitely be back!