Mateo's 3rd Piano Recital

So Mateo has been playing the piano for a few years and today he had his 3rd recital which really shows the growth in his skills. He started out playing simple songs with one hand progressed to simple songs with two hands and today he played Beethoven's Ode to Joy

Mateo was the 12th to go

He was prepared and happy to see his name in print

Lucia was proud of her brother (although you can't tell it from this squished picture)

To see Mateo's performance, go to link below.

Ode to Joy performed by Mateo

M&L Say Farewell to Auntie Audris

Today was a fun day, a lazy day, a play day and a bittersweet day. Why all of these things? Because Auntie Audris came to visit, but it was a sort of farewell visit because she is moving to California...AGAIN :(

Mateo had a great time playing Bey Blades

And Lucia had a great time playing dress up

We all had a great time hanging out, but 

"We will miss you Auntie Audris!

(p.s. in this picture I think the kids look more like Auntie Audris  than they do Mommy...oh well)

Mateo Goes Sledding

Today before packing up and heading home, Mateo got to do something he has never done before...

Go Sledding! And he had a blast.

Mateo & Mommy Go to the OXO Ski Trip

For the first time since the Vielot Gonzalez clan has been going on the annual ski trip we decided to split up the foursome and go as a couple. Not couple as in Mommy and Papi, but Mother and Son. Eddie had an event in Hoboken that he really wanted to attend and Lucia really wanted to go to her friend's birthday party and wouldn't have been able to ski full-day since she is 3. Mateo normally has so much fun on the company ski trip, so instead of everyone missing out, I decided to take him up to Okemo, VT myself (I did get to buddy up on the driving with a colleague). It was a great Mother/Son & Father/Daughter bonding weekend.

Our cabin was full of kids who woke up bright and early and were ready to ski

Mateo was ready to go in his snow gear and skis

And so was his ski buddy Shay

Mommy on the other hand decided that instead of snowboarding as usual she would try snow shoeing. I discovered it is basically like hiking in the snow. 

Back at the ranch (i.e. Hoboken), Lucia attended Olivia's 4th birthday party at Pump It Up

And now back to Okemo. After a full day of skiing the kids relaxed and played Monopoly. Mateo was obsessed with accumulating money and property...uh oh

Later at dinner, Shay and Mateo were obsessed with iPhones

"Why hello Professor Mateo"

"Uncle Nick" was really entertaining the kids...as usual

M&L Go Mutz

One of the benefits of living in Hoboken is we get to eat the best Mutz (aka Mozzarella) in the world or at least West of Italy. Today the family got to enjoy Hoboken's 1st Annual Mutzfest. The day was a delicious success

The Mutzfest!!

Mateo and Lucia enjoyed lots and lots of Mutz followed by many, many cannolis

The coolest crew in Hoboken - the owners of 5 of Hoboken's famous delis. Of course our local favorite, M&P, won!

All that Mutz took its toll on Mateo. He passed out and didn't wake up until the next morning.

M&L 1st Playdate of the New Year

Today was the very first time in the New Year that Mateo and Lucia got to pay with their "sister and brother from another mother." I am sure you can guess who we mean.

But first a moment from the Angry Birds

Lucia (as Merida from Brave) let Alma (temporarily...very temporarily) borrow her Sleeping Beauty dress

Meanwhile Mateo and Lucas played with some of their new Christmas gifts...together again

M&L Easy Bake Cupcakes

Today the kids were so excited to test out one of their shared Christmas presents - Easy Bake Oven! I must admit, I too was excited because I got to relive childhood memories of cooking by lightbulb.

First you mix it up, put it in the oven and 20 minutes later...

Voila! Teeny, tiny, itty bitty red velvet cupcakes.