Atlantis - Day 3

Today was a new day for adventure. Mateo woke up feeling much better and was ready to take on today's sea experience. This time Papi was going to accompany the kids.

A preview of what was to come ... stingray petting!

Before going into the water the kids were really excited about this new adventure

Once their feet go into the water and they felt the rays swarm and bump up next to them...

...fear set in. Mateo was nervous and Lucia freaked out and jumped into Papi's arms

Unfortunately for her they were already committed and Papi was unable to hold her and an entire bucket of chum, so she sat in the middle of Stingray pond and miserably and begrudgingly fed the birds and the stingrays. Not a happy camper.

Once all of the chum was gone, she gingerly made her way back to Papi and...

...jumped back into his arms

Once the kids were back on shore, Papi got some time to go snorkeling where he saw more fish and a stingrays up close and personal

Once the kids got more comfortable they waded back in to shallow waters and gave gentle pats to the stingrays...

...and a starfish. 

Bravo to children who are much braver than their Mama!

After that wonderfully exciting experience, we went and explored more of Atlantis's underwater aquariums

Very cool!

Later the kids had some time by the pool again

"Chileando!"

Even baby V was "chileando"

"Ahhhh this is the life"

"Sun, fun and pina coladas...nice!"

Mateo did some practice snorkeling in the pool

Not much to see but crystal clear water

Later big bro spent some time with his sister...

...Each one of them

And now begins my favorite series of pictures from our vacation. They definitely capture the beauty, joy and absolute fun the kids had on the trip. I also think they look like they could be part of an Abercrombie & Fitch Junior ad... take 1

Take 2 

And final shot...p.s. none of these were staged

Now back to silly pix. The hotel was covered with random sculptures and royal thrones which were perfect for photo ops...as seen here

...here...

...and here

Atlantis - Day 2

Today, our second day in Atlantis, was both a great and unfortunate day. All and all a great Valentine's Day that began happy and ended not-so-happy.

The kids and I were very excited to get to go swimming with the dolphins. Here is a preview for what we got to see up close and personal.

The trainers told us we could feed and kiss the dolphins, but when the kids got close to these giant creatures they were a little nervous about locking lips and instead opted to just feed them fish.

Lucia was even nervous about feeding the dolphin so she just sort of threw the fish in the water near the dolphin...

...but after being around the dolphins for a while, the kids and I were comfortable with giving him a big squeeze

After the dolphin adventure, we decided to hit the beach instead of the pool...

...where the kids had a great time battling the waves

Mateo wiped out a lot but kept on trudging

Litte V took it easy and hung out feeling the warm soft texture of the sand

Lucia took a minute to play with her sis in the sand

Ok this photo is really just to show how super cute she looked in her sun hat...am I right?

After a "tough" day at the beach we needed to take a break to eat

Being this cool makes you hungry

After a nice shampoo and conditioner, Lucia "let her hair down" and channeled ultimate diva for dinner

While Mateo decided to be more  "Cool Surfer Dude"

And V put on a "cute baby" vibe

We all had fun at dinner, but unfortunately shortly after this Mateo proceeded to throw up in the hotel lobby several times. Apparently all of the ocean water he took in finally needed to come out...and it did all over the place. Poor dear. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentina is 8 Months

Well not only is it a great day because we are in the Bahamas, but ...

...Valentina is 8 months  and as you can see very hard to keep still

Family Trip to Atlantis - Day 1

The family (especially the kids) have been waiting for this vacation since we had to cancel last year. We were escaping the cold of the north and flying to the Bahamas. Not just any Bahamas...Atlantis!

Yah!

The flight wasn't too bad, it left early in the morning so we could enjoy a full first day. after the flight we were picked up by the hotel shuttle. You can see we stripped down Miss V since the air was way more tropical than the 20 degrees we left in NJ.

Lucia was so happy to be on the shuttle in the Bahamas heading to Atlantis

Mateo didn't really sleep on the plane, so instead of enjoying the scenery he enjoyed the backside of his eyelids

Like father like son

What is that in the distance? Could it be? Yes it is!

ATLANTIS!!!

"Straight Chillin'!"

"Word"

"Time to hit the pool!"

Our view of the Ocean and the property was amazing

Lucia and Mateo were ready to have fun

First up...some sunning

"It's so hard to be this cute"

After some time in the pool the kids came back wet and chilly...

...but warmed up pretty quickly

That night we ate at Biminy Road, a Caribbean themed restaurant

Ok is it me or do they look 4 years older than their age 

Boys hang

As do the ladies

Totally psyched about dinner

"Feed me Seymour!"

After dinner, we went on a little sightseeing 

They have really cool underground aquariums

Where we checked out all sorts of sea life...including these cool jellyfish

We finished off our first day with a trip to the arcade. 

Well done. Now on to Day 2

Mateo Gets His Green Belt

Busy week for Mateo. First it was his piano recital and today was a day he had been waiting on for months...he was getting his green belt.

Hooray!

See below link for actual presentation.

Mateo gets his green belt

Mateo's Winter Piano Recital -2015

Each piano recital Mateo has you can see that he has steadily improved. This one was no different.

Mateo's Winter 2015 - February 8, 2015

Lucia Has a Play date

Lucia has meshed very well into her kindergarten class. There are several girls in her buddy crew and today she had one of them over. I can tell this is going to be one of many.

Meet Lally!