MLV Mutzfest 2016

Today was the Annual Hoboken Mutzfest being hosted by the Hoboken Family Alliance where I serve on the board as Community Affairs Director. It's always a fun time with good eats, good crowd and fun for the kids.

Vendors start setting up pretty early at the Elks Lodge

More than the Mutz, Valentina really enjoyed the cannolis

This year they also had a selfie station where the kids posed again...

...and again

Good Times!

MLV Celebrate the FIrst Blizzard of the Season

Last year we were blasted with so many days of snow that the kids almost had an entire extra week of school at the end of the year to make up for all of the snow days.  This year we have been pretty lucky, so when we heard a blizzard was coming we weren't too upset. After all, it is the weekend and the kids have been wishing for some snow to play in.

We woke up to this on our balcony. It's about a foot and a half of snow.

"Let's go play!" 

The kids were geared up and ready to go have some fun.

It was so deep it was very difficult to walk in...

..especially for "Tiny Tina" who was unable to walk because it came up past her knees. She was not a happy camper.

Perfect snow angel

Valentina and Papi just chilled and hung out in the snow

Mateo got into the snow-angel action as well

As you can see, the snow didn't let us and continued to whip around and into our faces

Still snowing...this threesome is covered

Frosty hat, pink cheeks and a cute pink nose means it's time to go inside. 

In the end she had a good time, but now it's time to thaw out with some warm milk.

Mateo's Brief Presentation

Today was a Community Meeting at the kids' school and I was told that Mateo and his partner would be doing a presentation on the research and model they had done one the Lenape Long House. Of course it didn't start until 8:45 which guaranteed that I would be late for work and of course his presentation wasn't until close to the end which guaranteed that I would be much later than I originally thought. I guess it's worth it?

Mateo and Jared (on the right) prepare for their "big" speech

"Say what? Um I waited a long time"

"That was worth it...right?"

Mateo & Lucia's Winter Piano Recital

I was on my way back from LA while the kids had their Winter Music Recital. Luckily, Aba, Abu, and Papi were there to record the whole thing so I could see it after. The very first recital I've ever missed :( Hopefully it will be my last.

This was the Program Cover

Mateo and Lucia played one after the other near the end of the 3:30 performance. There was a typo of course...Lucia did not play "Sleepy John" she performed "Part of Your World" from the Little Mermaid. Click on the links below to see what a good job they've done.

Mateo play's Spanish Caballero

Lucia play's "Part of Your World"

from the little mermaid.

Valentina "I Love You"

Today I was leaving Cali to head back home, but before I left I got this lovely message from hubby and V.

Can't wait to see you guys.

"I love you too"

Surprise Trip to the West Coast

So last night I surprised Miss Jess by flying to California to help her celebrate a milestone birthday. I didn't actually get to surprise her in person due to an overly anxious reservation specialist calling to confirm a massage for us the next day, so I was totally busted, but at least it was on my way to the airport, so it was surprise enough. I finally got to see her new digs and hang out with the kiddies on their home turf. It was great. And tonight we had the big celebration. Good times!

This is 40!

And this is friendship

Happy Birthday to my Best Friend 

Love You

MLV Morning Hang Out & Happy Birthday Madrina

We started the day out with a lot of activity. We had more time on our hands than usual, so we started with a serenade and ended with some sibling play time.

Happy 4-0 Madrina Jess !!

Make sure to listen closely for V's shout out at the end.

Lately Valentina has taken to dragging her sister and brother to the ground to play with her and because they are such good siblings they happily oblige.

Fun times for all!

MLV Celebrate Vivy and Shyam

Well today was a double decker day for Lucia and a party day for the rest. In the early afternoon, Lucia was going to a fancy tea party to celebrate Vivy's 7th birthday and in the late afternoon she, Mateo and Valentina were going to help Shyam ring in his 6th birthday at a wall climbing gym. Let the games begin!

Today's style would be hair out in all of it's glory. The tea party was held in one of Hoboken's fanciest restaurants. Girls were invited to dress up and bring along their American Girl Dolls

There was tea, of course, along with mini sandwiches cookies, fancy painting, pearls and Shopkins. 

As you can see they also got to decorate their own headbands..."how Faahncy!" as Lucia would say.

Other friends - Alessia and Amelia were also in attendance

Is it me or does she look like one of the Olsen twins with her gigantic glasses, tiny frame and pearls

Yes that is the birthday girl Vivy and yes she is about 6-9 inches taller than Lucia.

From one extreme to the next. Valentina is ready to take on Shyam's party

There is the birthday boy now

Even in her faaahncy clothes and hair Lucia was a pro at this wall climbing.

1...

...2...

...3...

...and she's done.

Nice work!

Lucas\, Mateo and Kasper took on this intense room of climbing walls

And done

"Speedy Gonzalez" had a great day.

Whew

MLV Smash Gingerbread with LAM

Now that we are back from vacation, of course the kids wanted to see some of their besties so we went over to Lucas, Alma and Milla's home for a little catching up and to celebrate a tradition with them.

So apparently the Laine builds a gingerbread house every year (how did I not know this) and at the end of the season they gather around the table and smash it to bits and eat the devastation. My kids absolutely loved it. Yah!

MLV Get a Visit from Kender - Page

This season has been busy, busy with lots of visiting with family and friends and today was no different. We were happy to get in our annual visit with our besties from the westies! Maddie, Max, Madrina Jess and special visitor Sonia. 

Max is now into chess so he and Mateo got to play a few rounds

Lucia shared her Shopkins collection with Madrina Jess and Sonia

This gift to Valentina was given to her from Madrina Jess who remembered that Mateo loved it when he was around the same age.

It did not disappoint

Of course there was some video game action later on. Mateo tried his best to teach Max Minecraft and Fifa 

Lucia documented the whole visit with her handy, dandy Polaroid camera. 

All and all a great day!

MLV - Going Back Home - New Year's Day 2016

So we woke up very, very early on this New Year's Day to catch our flight back home. Once again, we had a great time in Miami.

So this is very random, but the kids found these two rocking chairs at the airport near our gate.

Hmmm...I guess this is a sign that it's going to be a random, yet delightful New Year.

Happy 2016!