V and Estella

Today was a pretty average Sunday filled with soccer practice and lazy lunches, but there were two pretty cool activities...

...the kids went to Nelsito's house where Valentina got to hang with cousin Estella, and...

...once again I helped out at the Hoboken Family Alliance's annual Mutzfest!

A good time was had by all!

MLV Try the Epiphany Cake

So apparently there is a tradition in France to bake a cake made of pastry puff around the new year. The interesting part of the tradition is that a little king and queen figurine is baked in the cake and the lucky person who gets one is crowned king or queen.

"Oh look who is the lucky winner!"

"Papi got the King!"

"And Mateo got the Queen!"

Mateo & Lucia's Winter Piano Recital 2017

Well let's get to it. Today was a great day for me because it was piano recital day. One of the reasons I love it so much is because I get to see how the kiddos are progressing and I am never disappointed.

The usual capture of the program...

...and these two are ready to go.

Of course we can't forget little V. She is not old enough for piano yet, but she is not too young to support her big bro and big sis.

First up Maestro Mateo

As you can see, he is set to go at 2. You will also see that Lucia's name is missing. That is because they actually assigned her to a recital later on today.

Mateo plays Sincerity and Sonatina in G Major

Well done, there was a little pause, but great job nonetheless.

Since we had a break between recitals, we decided to go have some fun at Elysian Park

Monkey bars anyone?

A little hide-and-seek

"I see you"

"It's the jacket isn't it? Very hard to be inconspicuous"

Alright, let's do the slides!

Hair and legs...does this position even make sense?

Even Papi got in on the action

Now for the swings

And spider web

Finally, it's time for Lucia's recital

And there she is listed under the 4PM recital

Lucia playing Musette and Dinosaur Stomp

Bravo to Mateo and Lucia!!!

You both did a spectacular job.

Valentina - Our Newest Super Soccer Star

Finally after 30 months of being lugged to her siblings games, recitals, practices and lessons, Valentina gets to take a turn at her own sport. And what sport offers lots of running and kicking and having fun? 

Soccer of course!

Not only did Valentina start at Super Soccer Stars, she actually has the same coach, Coach Dennis, that both Lucia and Mateo had when they were her age.

Obstacle course?

"No problem"

Kicking skills?

"No Problem"

"Now where are my stickers?"

Lucia Goes to Vivy's 8th Birthday Party

Today Lucia went back to Chelsea Piers, but this time it wasn't for summer camp it was for Vivy's birthday. I was pretty excited because it was an Ice Skating Party so I was finally going to get to see Lucia do her stuff.

Of course one of Vivy and Lucia's best buddies, Amelia, was there and they got to chatting right away

Not the best shot, but there is birthday girl Vivy (at the end of the table with dark hair and turquoise top)

After the treats comes ice time

Lucia seemed to hold her own

Slow and steady wins the race

Celebrating Aba and Abu's Anniversary

Today the Gonzalez familia went to Del Frisco's to celebrate Aba and Abu's 42nd wedding annivesary. What was great was not only did they have their kids, but also all of their beautiful grandkids.

This shot took a lot to get to, but I would say that Valentina, Elena, Lucia and Mateo managed to scrape together some pretty nice smiles for the picture, so...

...in exchange I let them do one of their own as well.

And this one was specifically for their wonderful grandparents

Did I mention we also got one of the first significant snowfalls of the season.

"Happy Anniversary from Angel Lucia"

New Year's Day 2017

Well it's officially 2017. Let's see what the day has in store.

"Just chillin' in my Judy Hopps slippers"

Lucia was exhausted and had a nice sleep in her new tent that she received at Christmas

Once everyone was awake, it was time for a play date with their besties, Alma...

...and Lucas

Let the games begin!