Tilden Hike

Mati and Santi rock!  Literally.  We took them on a hike, about 3.5 miles up to Wildcat Canyon View in Tilden Park.  It's a moderate hike for adults, but rather strenuous for little legs.  We did it in about 2.5 hours.  They collected crystals, ate wild blackberries, climbed trees, drew, saw insects and animals and admired the view ... and yes, they complained a bit.  Specially Santi who ran up the first 20 minutes of the hike!!

Memorial Day Weekend with Tio Cucu

One of the most special things about being back in California is being close to family again.  About two weeks ago, my brother came up for the weekend and the boys LOVED having him here.

TENNESSEE VALLEY BEACH HIKE

Playing Wii at Home

Happy Father's Day!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

We are lucky, but more so my boys, to have such a loving and giving Father.  I asked them today why they loved their Daddy, and here's what they said:

1. "Because when he comes home from work, he always gives us a hug."
2. "He reads to us every night."
3. "He gives me good advice."
4. "He plays soccer with us."
5. "He takes us nice places."
6. "He makes pancakes for us ... with chocolate chips!!"
7. "He protects us."

Nico is away in London today.  And even though the boys didn't have the chance to tell him all of this, I know he knows that they treasure every day with him.  We love you!!

Recently ...

A couple of recent pictures of the boys ....

Best Friends

Yesterday I had one of those sweet parenting moments.  I took the boys to get Santi's hair cut.  While the hairdresser clipped Santi's bangs away, Mateo entertained him by making silly faces, which obviously got Santi cracking up.  The hairdresser asked, "Do they always get along this well?  Every time you guys come, they always seem to be the best of friends!" While their fighting can be extreme and constant, they ARE the best of friends and that makes ME swell up with joy.

And the Gold Medal goes to ....

Santi has been doing gymnastics for well over a year now and continues to enjoy it very much.  In his words, "I LOVE gymnastics as much as I love candy."  Pretty strong statement from our little gourmand!!

Mateo started about 8 weeks ago and has really taken a liking to it.  Nothing, though, replaces his love for soccer.  He's not as strong, agile or coordinated as little brother is, but he gives it his best and enjoys the hour and quite honestly, that's good enough for me!

Here are two videos taken last week:

Mateo:  http://youtu.be/y_OWQIvOxLA

Santi:  http://youtu.be/cHhDw4vVLYQ

Ice Cream for Santi

One of the things Nico and I have been working on with Santi is to teach him better eating etiquette.  We remind him to slow down, to chew, to cut, to hold his fork and knife correctly and lets not forget, to wipe his mouth (and arms, and hands, and ....!!!) However, when it came to eating his ice cream on a warm evening a couple of weeks ago, he showed that all our efforts are pretty much fruitless because he enjoyed his frozen treat pretty much however he wanted to!

 Santi with a chocolate mustache

 Close up of Santi with a chocolate beard

End product: chocolate all over his face, on his tee shirt, hands and knee!! It was "Delicious!"