Mateo & Santiago: February 2012

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Boys in the Pool @ Breck

I told you guys I would take advantage of fast Internet connections! Here's the last installment of pictures from our ski vacation. It's so surreal for me to see the boys in their bathing suits, playing in the water while the snow, freezing temperatures and wind were on the other side of the window!!

Our last morning :(

Friday, February 24, 2012

Breck 2

Taking advantage of the fast Internet speeds here to post some more pictures of this wonderful vacation we've had.
Ski report: despite the snowing, wind and freeeeeeeezing temperatures, the boys have made so much progress in their skiing. Mateo has been skiing all day with his instructor. By now, he takes the ski lifts about 4 times a day and does green and blue trails. Nico has been picking him up at 3pm and doing another run with him. By the time his little head hits the pillow, he quickly falls asleep. Santi has also done a lot of progress. We all know Santi's special character, so the following shouldn't surprise anyone. He has taken a special fondness to skiing ... backwards!! Yup, he starts the hill normally, does a hockey stop, does a 180 degree turn and continues down the hill backwards. When he sees that he's close to the end of the hill, he opens his little legs and does a pizza wedge to come to a complete stop. He doesn't stop surprising me though! Today he went with Nico on the lift and it seems he still has a ways to go, but not bad to be his first time!

When not skiing, playing bowling. Here an anxious Mateo hoping he knocks down some pins.

High five!

Santi telling the ball where to go.

A happy Mati after he had had a BIG meltdown because he kept on throwing gutter balls!

Butts.

A snowy beginning to the day.

The boys bracing the snow and wind.

When not skiing, movie night: The Lion King.

Santi, the penguin, skiing with Daddy.

Eating Skittles, or as Santi says, "Junk food!"

Monday, February 20, 2012

Breck I

The boys are ENJOYING to the fullest their skiing experience. On day one, both have made already great progress. Today they immersed themselves in a full Americana ski experience: ski camp, lunch with new friends, and more skiing with Daddy after camp. I packed them both some raisins for their snack, but Santi decided that the M&Ms they offered him were a much better option! I hope to have more pictures later on of their progress, in the meantime enjoy this first preview!

Mateo on his first ride down the magic carpet

Nico teaching Santi the basics and Santi LOVING the thrill of feeling the speed on his feet!

This picture totally cracks me up!! I love it!

Santi is on his own!!

Santi turning to stop, while Mateo is on the ground!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Christmas in NY

Christmas in New York. It was a well-spent two weeks with Mamounette and Papounet, finally meeting long-lost cousins, and discovering a city that lives up to all expectations and clichés. Our now tropicalized blood had some adjustments to make and some of us fell ill but we still managed to have an incredible time and eat amazing Indian, Japanese and Mexican food – three of our favorites! One of their lasting experiences was having extraordinary sushi. When they had the first bite of sashimi, they were both ecstatic, "yummying" and giving praise to the quality of the fish!

The boys loved riding the subway, especially Santi, but we didn’t particularly liked seeing so many rats! They also enjoyed riding the ferry to Staten Island and Mateo learned a thing or two about Lady Liberty. He was intrigued by two things: why her crown has seven rays (they represent the seven seas and continents) and what was the book she was holding (book of law). Mateo also liked going to the Top of the Rock and watching the sunset and the cherry on top was the Spiderman show we saw on Broadway. It was priceless to see their faces when Spiderman came swinging close by and of course their rendition of Spiderman moves after the show!!

But definitely the down side to NY was going during Christmas time. The crowds were insane – lines and lines and lines for everything and anything. Two hours to get on the ferry, 50 minutes to get an order of hot chocolate at Starbucks, 20 minutes minimum to go to the toilet (which is torture with small kids who just LOVE to wait till the last minute to go!) …

Having said this, I would go back tomorrow, in a heartbeat, but without the boys (the small ones). Nico, HINT, HINT!! ;)

Till next time!