M&L Do Homework with Papi

So today was a "home day", but we did do an activity that is very common for a school day. We got out some workbooks and did a little academic work at home. We are trying to get more balance in their lives so we came up with a plan - they are able to earn iPad credits by reading and doing educational practice lessons. They complain when we start, but always end up wanting to do a few more pages.

Papi helped Lucia trace and Mateo do math.

M&L Get Cabin Fever in 2013

The past few winters have been pretty modest, but what we didn't get then is coming back with a vengeance this season, so when HFA's annual Cabin Fever event came around this year it was much needed. Parents and kids had a fun warm place inside to play and eat. It was a great success.

Juice box and balloon sword are indications of a good time...

...and so is the a spooky mask

Mateo Gets his Yellow Belt

So last week Mateo was so excited to earn his yellow belt, but unfortunately his excitement got the best of him and he did not focus during class. This resulted in him not getting his belt, so he tried even harder this week and he got it.

Lucia was so proud of him and took it upon herself to inherit his blue belt

"Way to go big brother!"
"Thank you little sister!"

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