Frosty the Snowman

Yes he was a bit shy..... but so darn cute that melted our hearts. Hope it melts yours too :)

Here is Bernardo at his school's Holiday Show!

A full year of memories

Speaking of new traditions.... and taking advantage of my favorite time of the year, I decided to start our first Christmas tradition. Really, is there anything better than photography and xmas time?? Only if it was photography, xmas and somewhere in Ireland! Or maybe Matchu Picchu :)

Our tree from now on will always reflect a year worth of great memories - and when time comes to take the tree down I'll put all the pictures together in an album. Good uh? Feel free to copy!!

Postcards

I forgot to tell you..... I decided to start a new "travel tradition". Since it is a new tradition, of course I forgot all about it during my past two trips, but I'll strive to keep that in the back of my mind in all travels still to come :)

My brilliant idea? I buy postcards and send them home, addressed to the kids, telling them a little bit about where we were. Since they are so little and don't quite grasp all the beautiful places they have been priviledge of seeing so far, I hope the cards will strike their curiosity and make them itch to go back.... to see it all with a different perspective in life. It is all a big hope....... but for sure souveniers that I already treasure so much :)

Translating the one below:

Bernardo & Miguel

Tomorrow is our last day in Paris, at least on this first time here. Being able to see you both playing and running in front of the Eiffle Tower, without noticing the magnitute and grandiosity of this monument, already made this trip worth while. Your sparkle truly is much bigger than the Tower at mid night. Love you, Mommy

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving has come and gone... but I guess is never too late to register my gratitude to those close to me, one way or another.

To my handsome husband, that besides all the nagging and complaining I am capable of doing in a 24 hours period (and believe me, I'm a pro!!), has proven time and time again that there is no one better in this entire world of taking care of us, making us feel loved and protected :) Chiquito, you are the best at 6am in the morning when you let me sleep for an extra hour while you give Miguel breakfast, even when you wake up in the worst mood and make me feel guilty for laying in bed!! You are also the best for rolling on the floor and pretending you're a warrier with the kids, for giving me a tight hug when I need it the most, and for telling us that you love us no matter what - everyday. We love you too!

To my parents - for  for teaching us what values really are, for standing up for what you believe in regardless of what the society tells you, for standing your hand and offering help even when we are not in need, for being humans and making mistakes throughout my up bringing so I don't repeat the same mistakes now with my own family but try some new ones :)

To my brother - that on his own special way teaches us day after day that we only have one take at this life and we better live it to the fullest

To my family - for being crazy and disfunctional, bringing much excitement and laughter at the right time (who would want a boring all perfect family???)

To my dear friends - for the experiences shared throughout the years, for the trust, for knowing I can count on you no matter what. You know who you are!!!

And to my kids - for being so special, for brighting up my day, for making me loose my mind just to a second later remind me that I truly am the luckiest person on Earth! I coudn't imagine my life without you and it has been a priviledge to be your mom and see you both grow into beautiful boys day by day!

XOXO
Mariana

Paradise Island

Yep, we took off again for the long weekend (our long weekend I mean :)....... and this time it was my kind of vacation: 45 minutes flight - gotta love that! The itinerary of choice was the Atlantis hotel on Paradise Island, Nassau Bahamas. Everybody talked so much about this place that got us itching..... and as you all know, when I itch, I go!!!

The place indeed is all that I heard about: beautiful, full os attractions to guests of all ages (including my boys), gourgeous swimming pools, impecable service and of course, a little too pricey. But the positives by far outweight the negative..... and if you plan ahead you don't get trapped on any of the pitfalls.

Although a great hotel is a dream come true, my bread and butter is really the history behind the place and the locals. So off we went for 2 days with Tyrone, a great taxi driver, that besides taking us to 'unusual tourist places' told us all about growing up in the island, Bahamian food and beer :) Who can complain???

We also had two very windy days..... but when you have a 1 1/2 and a 3 year old, all you watch is Dora, Diego, Backyardigans, Little Einstein and Max and Ruby - and completely ignore the hurricane sweeping over the Caribbean. Thankfully it was just wind on our end...... and a lesson to at least check out the news online!! And for those of you doubtful that traveling with kids is no fun........... I guess a picture means a thousand words???

Til our next itch my fellow travelers! Cannot wait!!

Something 'old', something 'blue'

In this crazy society that we live in, where people are always after the newer, bigger and better; where you can buy (and loose) everything you have in a split second..... it's always comforting to realize our objectives are a bit different than 'the norm'. Yes, my dad would say I have an expensive taste (who doesn't??) but at the end of the day give me my family, my few dear friends and the opportunity to travel, to see and to show the world to my kids and we're all set :)


Friendships particularly are few and further apart, some that started some 20 years ago and some that are recently blossoming but still so dear. An old friend is kind of like the love we have for our grandparents...... it's been there for so long that you just cannot imagine yourself without it . The newer friends is like a new boyfriend... so darn exciting and so much to learn from each other that you see yourself making plans 24/7.


I can see Bernardo starting new friendships in school and that to me is just so beautiful. I don't expect him to be close to all his new friends forever, but I do hope he keeps these memories close to his heart for as long as he can remember (last not forget, he's only 3 years old!!).


Jay has been his buddy since they were 9 months old; and Christine mine :) Watching them grow together has been a privilege and a blessing.







Victoria and Erna have also been a good surprise these last couple of months. Great family from Iceland with priorities and goals similar to ours. My weekly breakfasts with Erna (when I can remember) and our family outings are just tremendous!

This post is then dedicated to the little in size but huge in heart friends of Bernardo :)

Mouth Wide Open

This one is loooooooong overdue but better now than never - plus the pictures are so worth sharing that I couldn't resist!!!

Halloween came and went and we already miss it :) This year our Halloween was very special to us, since Bernardo now incorporates a new persona depending on the polyester costume he has on for the day. It was just amazing to see his little eyes looking at all the good and evil doers out and about asking for treats, with their big pumpkin bags. Between Tinkerbell, Spiderman, Superman, Captain Hook and the cutest little ghost I have ever laid my eyes on, I think that was the day Bernardo kept his mouth wide open and his stare look on the longest :)

Even more magical then watching your kids live this fantasy world? Seeing the parents, some dressed up from head to toe (not me sorry, just thinking about storing all these costumes gives me chills!!), adding fuel to our not-so-little-ones amazing imagination! Bjorn, you did it again!!

When it came time to eating his treats, all I heard from Bernardo was 'this is too yucky' - with the exception of M&M's. Daddy is not complaining....... nor Miguelito with all those lollipops!!

Til next year Halloween :)

xoxo

Mari

Swing

I absolutely LOVE swing pictures!! I'm not sure if is the joy of seeing my kids with a big thrilled smile on their faces or if is those cute curly locks flying around, but I just really enjoy them.

Bernardo keeps asking to "fly higher mommy", while Miguel starts shrinking into his seat and dreads the moment I start pushing him to the sky. I hope he comes to like the swing one day as much as we do :) In the mean time, I keep trying!!

xoxo