The Lure of Los Roques

There's not much to say ... three glorious days in paradise!! For anyone who wants to come visit, more than welcomed anytime we are here!!!

P.S. Thanks to Papounet for some of the pics!

Christmas Shows - Mateo

Mateo's show was scheduled for January 28th, the Friday we were scheduled to leave for Los Roques. Since we weren't just about to miss going to Los Roques for the music show, the music teacher invited us to attend the last rehearsal show so that we would at least see Mateo in action. Well, let me tell you that I'm glad I didn't change our Los Roques plans! Mati didn't know any of the lyrics or rather, chose not to sing them that day. I was a bit disappointed in him because in the end, all he did was act like a clown. But oh well ...

Christmas Shows - Santi

Both CIC and ECA cancelled their Christmas shows because of the torrential rains in December and rescheduled them in January.

Santiago's show was first. To be his debut show, he did okay, but was overwhelmed by the experience. As soon as the music started playing, he stood up and started shaking his wrists, which had bells tied to them. But then his buddy Eydan started crying and Santi was overcome with emotion and was paralyzed. He was on the verge of crying. He pouted and looked lost but would rejoin the singing every once in a while. (Of course, at home, he doesn't stop singing!!) I cried like Eydan and enjoyed every bit of the show. Mateo came along and took pictures with his camera. He was thrilled to be part of audience and cheer on his brother.

The vedette

Pouting

Joining in the singing

Feeling lost again

Christmas Time!

My serious pirates ... one of their favorite games this Christmas. I love their creativity and imagination!

Decorating his ginger bread house ...

Ooops ... I got a little frosting on my finger ... gotta lick it ... again and again!

Ayyy Mati!

Los tres chiflados! One of my FAVORITE pics ... a lazy Sunday morning, cuddling up, watching some TV.

Venezolano

Life happens ... when did he get so big?????? I want my baby back!

His eyes .... pure trouble!

Okay, so I'm a bit late with the holiday season pictures, but life happens and I'm enjoying (and sometimes NOT) my little cherubs so much in all their innocence, mischievousness and joy! Santi in particular has been keeping me busy ... he has blossomed in so many ways. Just the other day, he decided that napping was not his thing. He got up and went to Mateo's room, which is right next to his. He played with Play-Dough: spread it on the rug and on his hair; he took the wipes (which I bring from the States and forego precious cargo space for!!) and cleaned the windows, and decided that all of Mateo's clothes were dirty and very diligently put them in the dirty clothes bin. And when he told me all that he had done with those big brown eyes expressing nothing but facts and innocence, it just made me melt ... and thank that I had a helper to clean up all the mess! :)

Santi-isms

Coming back from Santi's school, I have to fight against him falling asleep in the car, so I ask him lots of things, try to maintain something faintly similar to a "conversation". Here's the exchange, brief and to the point, that we had just the other day.

P: "What did you eat Santi?"

S: "Oh, I don't know mommy."

P: "Who didn't go to school today?"

S: "Bruno."

P: "Did anyone go to the thinking chair?"

S: "Isabella."

P: "Why?"

S: "Mommy, please don't talk." And with that he folded his arms behind his head and started dozing off.

Mateoisms

Abuelita Rosi: "Mateo, do you like your school?"

Mateo: "Yes."

AR: "How many teachers do you have?"

M: "Two."

AR: "Why two?"

M: "Oooh, in case one dies, we have another one!"

Skiing at Big Bear

No need to say much about "Skiing in Big Bear" ... except that it was inhumanely cold. How do people do it in the East Coast (or elsewhere where it's below freezing!!!)???? Everyone, although some more than others, had a great time! To summarize, in the words of my awesome five year old: "Dude, dude, dude!!! It was freaking!"

The Chief pointing to where they need to install the chains ... after 30 minutes, they decided to pay a professional to install them. Disclaimer: The ones they had bought were too small.

Bonding

What is Santi up to?

Just a little bit cold ....

Get me out of this mountain!!!!

"Look at that awesome pizza wedge, mommy!"

While the big boys were skiing, Santi and I went to the zoo.

I love how Santi is in the picture, not really wanting to be there ...

Before taking the lift to do the bunny slopes. Mateo came down all by himself!!!

"Jamaican beaches next year!!!!"

Snowman #2

Come on Tio Cooks, show me what you got ...

I love the expressions on these.