Mateo

Snow day (yes again!)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 02:39:00 +0000

Guess what - it snowed again. AND school was canceled (again). So I stayed home with Mom and Dad (again). HOORAY!!!!!! I love love love snow days!!

After lunch Mom & I headed outside. Check out this mini-slide I made right outside our house (thanks to Dad's shoveling this morning):

Here's what the corner of our street looked like. Did I mention that they don't plow the streets here in Philly (unless there's more than 10" of snow)?

Well, there's no school tomorrow (canceled because of the weather; its snowing more tonight). Darn.

Saturday at the Instrument Petting Zoo!

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 16:33:00 +0000

Went to an Instrument Petting Zoo at the symphony today. I was skeptical, very skeptical, but as it turns out I had a great time! As you'll see, mom did too!

Mind puzzle

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 22:08:00 +0000

Avi brought us a great puzzle: two twisted nails. The game is to try to untangle the nails.

I quickly figured out the trick (in case you can't see the video in the email, check out the original post on the blog):

Magic!

Snow day (again!)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 03:41:00 +0000

Philadelphia got another snow storm (Janus), which shut down the city & Penn. The snow came down fast; here's a picture of 9th street around 5pm:

So today my school (actually all the schools in Philadelphia) were shut down, and Penn was also closed, so Mom planned a bunch of activities for us (Dad is battling a cold & was resting most of the day). We started out making some snow art, which Cinco really enjoyed.

Then we bundled up & headed out to the snow. Here's how I measured the height of the snow:

The snow was so light and fluffy. I tried to take a nap in the snow. I quickly got cold.

Then I had an idea: sledding!
So Mom & I built a small slope on the steps & I used the shovel as a sled. Brilliant.

I love Wii

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 01:43:00 +0000

I can't get enough of playing Wii! One of my favorite games right now is Mario Kart - I've figured out the boxes with the question marks (and the ones with the upside down question marks), unlocked new courses & tournament cups, and figured out the fastest car for racing. When Avi was here visiting, I told him all about the game, and asked [begged] him to give it a try.

I let him use the special Mario Kart steering wheel (to help him out), and then started the race:

By the second lap I took the lead (top panel) and Avi was slowly figuring it all out:

Burrrr....this winter is cold

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 21:39:00 +0000

Poor Abuela - she has had the chance to experience crazy cold temperatures last week.

We have slowly thawed out since then, and here are some pictures of us exploring the city together.

Here we went for ice cream (!) at the Franklin Fountain, an old fashion ice cream shop. Yes, ice cream is an odd choice for dessert in the middle of winter.

Here's a picture of me anxiously awaiting my mint chip ice cream:

A video

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 02:46:00 +0000

This is what happens when I'm stuck in the car while running errands on a Sunday afternoon...

Ice skating on New Years Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 15:03:00 +0000

We flew back to Philly with a special person: Abuela! She is staying with us this month (Avi is traveling in Barcelona). We also got another special visitor for the first few days of this month - Uncle Brother! On Jan.1 we all went down to the ice skating rink (I really really wanted to do some ice skating). Mommy agreed to skate with me (she had no idea what was in store...).

I had some trouble with my balance, so she would hold my hand for the first loops.

Occasionally I'd lose my balance & tilt back...oh no, trouble...

...and down I would go (laughing a lot along the way).

Mom & I had a lot of fun on the ice (it was just 5 loops around, with mom holding me up the whole time). I didn't quite get the hang of ice skating - the 'gliding' concept was too strange, so I would just walk on the ice while she held me up.

Eventually we stopped skating & got some warm drinks (hot cider & hot chocolate), and played Jenga in the lodge. Abuela is very good at Jenga.

Hanging out at Balboa Park on Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 14:44:00 +0000

This year the weather was so sunny & warm in San Diego, so we went to visit our favorite places around the city. One of our usual stops is Balboa Park.

Here I'm standing next to the bell tower next to the museum of man.

We found a nice shady spot & asked my Dad to take some pictures...

Of course we found some time for silliness - can you see Avi & Abuela in the background on the right watching us?!

Christmas 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 14:22:00 +0000

Santa brought us so many presents this year! I'm happy that Elliot my elf reported all my good behavior to Santa.

Here is a picture of an awesome book about the Avengers, and I'm part of the story too (thanks Uncle Brother & Tia Christine).

He must have also delivered my letter to Santa, because I got a bunch of transformers. Here's one of the transformers: Bumblebee!

One of my presents was a Star Wars lego set - which I figured out to assemble with the help of Roger, who is my mom's cousin from Spain. He's a cool guy & I really liked hanging out with him. I hope he comes to visit me soon in Philadelphia (hint hint Roger!).

The zoo at night with Sara

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 22:57:00 +0000

I went to the San Diego Zoo with my cousin Sara. We picked a sunny afternoon (actually every afternoon has been sunny), and stayed to see the lights.

Sara loves the pink flamingos:

My favorite are the monkeys & gorillas:

We loved all the Christmas lights:

But the best part is the sky tram.

Promotion: Director of Decorative Services!

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 18:01:00 +0000

Yup, this year I was promoted from mere observer to lead designer for both the Christmas tree and the Nativity (whatever that is?!). My parents, Avi, and most importantly, Abuela, thought it was time for me to step up and lead the efforts. Normally, it is a sacred process, closely overseen by Abuela. She must really trust me to let me take the reigns! Here I am with my assistant, Avi ... selecting the right spot for each ornament is crucial. I think it went pretty well!

Things were starting to come together when the twinkling lights were added (thanks Google!).

After completing the tree, I moved over to the Nativity. As you'll see, I took some artistic liberties and added some of my favorite characters to personalize the narrative. It's still a work in progress, so you may see some additional updates soon.

And to our amazement, the Lord made it snow in San Diego and inside the house. The miracles are starting early this year!

(Note: You might have a better viewing experience on the web version.)

Catching up with cousin Sara!

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 01:19:00 +0000

Today, Tia Maria, Tio Scott, and Prima Sara arrived from Orange County. Yeah! Sara is starting to be a big kid like me now, which means even more fun! Among lots of other fun activities, we decided to sit down and peruse some of our favorite literature. First, I read an all-time best seller, "Elmo Says," to Sara...

Then she decided to tackle a book on her own!

After the reading session, Sara had a thought-provoking conversation with Tia Montse!

Then and now ....

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 01:04:00 +0000

Greetings from San Diego! After a long day of travel yesterday, with a delay in Dallas, we made it to sunny southern California. Keeping with tradition, I unpacked and played with some of my favorite west coast toys and books, including my wheeled vehicles. Of course, I couldn't resist taking a spin on the old Radio Flyer, which reminded me that I've been loving this hot rod since I was barely old enough to walk! I found this pic taken one month after my second birthday ... and the one below was taken today. Good to know that all of those promises from mom and dad about eating and growing appear to be true! Stay tuned for more updates soon!

Me @ 2 yrs, 1 month

Me @ 5 yrs, 8 months

Holiday travel begins...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 14:35:00 +0000

Elliot my elf brought me a gift!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 02:25:00 +0000

This evening I found a present & a note from Elliot! He brought me a special toy from Santa (a Ninjago Lego set). I am soooooooo happy - I assembled Kai all by myself. Then I talked about how cool this toy is all night long ('this is the best toy ever').

I can't wait for Christmas - just 1 more week!

Getting ready for Christmas with Avi

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 13:55:00 +0000

Palumbo Park held their tree lighting ceremony, and Avi & I went to check it out. There was a big Christmas tree and a rather small menorah too (see it in the background?).

There was also a cool band playing Christmas music, and we got some free hot chocolate too.

He's back!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 18:37:00 +0000

My elf Elliot appeared in my house last week!

He's appeared in various places around the house, like above the kitchen stove:

One day he showed up without his hat (which Daddy put back on his head. Only parents can touch the elves without their magic disappearing).

Elliot also found my gingerbread house, and I gave him permission to eat some of the candy.

Philly Art Weekend...

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 18:25:00 +0000

It's been a cultural weekend...we went to the art museum on Friday night to hear and fine French jazz music, then back again on Saturday to see the art that we missed the night before ... and today, we're off to the Barnes Institute! Anyway, the point is I really liked one of the murals so I had dad take a picture and then I made my own rendition of it. Of course mine is a little smaller than the museum's version which is 20 feet high by 30 feet wide! Hope you like 'em both!

Chilly fun

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 01:36:00 +0000

It's cold in Philly (poor Avi & Abuela!).

It's Winterfest down by the Delaware River.

My first gingerbread house...

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 18:34:00 +0000

Recently a package arrived in the mail from grandma and grandpa Paulson that contained a new and wonderful holiday item ... a gingerbread house construction set! Yesterday, mom and I decided to tackle it. Here are some pictures of the event.

Happy Thanksgiving!

More from the Philly art scene...

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:14:00 +0000

Little did I know what was in store for me when I moved to this new city ... I knew there would be new parks and playgrounds, and that we'd get to spend less time in the car (being city dwellers), but I had no idea I was going to live in such an art mecca. Everywhere I turn there are murals (in fact, Philly has the largest collection of outdoor murals in the world ... you can check them out HERE), sculptures, and museums!

Now it has come to my attention that my art collection from Kindergarten is in an online gallery, called Artsonia. Below is my most recently posted work .... if you'd like to see a few others, you can find them HERE. Hope you enjoy them!

Artsonia Description: "After hearing the story of "Rainbow Fish" students drew their own large fish using simple shapes and wavy lines. They colored in the scales to make them colorful, pressing hard to get ready for watercolor resist. Students painted their oceans with blue and green watercolor. Finally a shiny "scale" was pasted on as a gift from Rainbow Fish."

Surprise, surprise!

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 13:56:00 +0000

Last Friday morning, mom and dad had their first (of many to come) parent-teacher conferences at my new school. I think it went okay .... they heard the good, the bad, and the ugly of my work and play! That's all well and good, of course, but the real highlight of the morning was learning that, because I had no school, we were going on an unannounced trip to see Grandma and Grandpa Paulson! Yeah! It turned out that it was really a double surprise since Jacob and Adrienne were also there when I arrived. As you can see, we couldn't restrain our enthusiasm...

The day was filled with lots of playing ... inside, outside, downstairs, upstairs, all together, by ourselves, ... you get the point. We capped off the day with movie night, where we all snuggled in and watched a classic Disney movie and ate homemade popcorn (not the kind that arrives in a space-age bag)!

As you can image, I had a great time. Thanks mom and dad for planning such a wonderful surprise!

My first art showing!

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:02:00 +0000

I've been going to an at center for several months now - first as summer camp and now after school - and this week, for the first time, one of my pieces was selected for display in the center's gallery! Hope you enjoy :)

Late lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 18:22:00 +0000