We have been a little absent from all of you for a while now, who reads this anymore? Mom Dad? Anyone else? Well, for your enjoyment here are some photos to catch you all up to speed with the girls (and us). We've been awfully busy!

After a pretty short and easy winter where we were attacked by snow for 24 hours straight (and I might mention it started on a Friday night so no snow days were handed out), spring has sprung and we are all enjoying the nicer weather. Alessandro and I went with some friends to the new thing to do, "Escape the Room" (ours in particular had an actress playing a zombie.) We had 60 minutes to escape the room (we left all four of our children with a sitter to do something childish ourselves.) To escape alive we had to put clues together with about 12 other people (random strangers) to escape from a room that had a zombie (actress). Every 5 minutes her chain was extended about a foot making it nearly impossible to get away from her. She didn't really bite but threatened to do so. We found so many of the clues and nearly made it out of the room but alas, we were turned to zombies ourselves. So watch out the next time you see us!It was fun and exhilarating and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

And back to the kids, we went on an adventure over winter break to our favorite science museum and they had an incredible interactive digital exhibit where they had to balance ecosystems. I don't know how it was put together but it was pretty darn cool. The first picture is Penelope with one of her closest friends, Niove, creating plant life.

 And the darling Lucia...

And Lucia as a mini astronaut...

We went ice skating on the last day of the season (March 6) to Bear Mountain Inn where they have an outdoor skating rink. Then we went on a hike up the mountain and found some great walking sticks which we would like to sculpt and carve into. Just have to find the time to do it. We even found one that had hair like Donald Trump. I'm looking forward to cutting off its head.

Here is Alessandro with the Trump walking stick. I need to find my saw.

This past year Lucia and all the fourth graders have been learning how to Ballroom Dance. She is not so bad at it but when asked about it she said "It's AWFUL!" I guess its good she isn't into boys yet, but here she is below with the son of one of our favorite friends, Max. She didn't let me know she was dancing with him altho' she knew it all along. I guess she knew I would gush all over her in excitement! She even got dressed up for the occasion! This girl is tom boy thru and thru but when she has to dress up she will.

Penelope finished another session of Piano classes and had a great recital where she played Russian Sailor Dance and Lightly Row. She did a great job.

We also had a visit from our California buddies Sam and Henry. I'm so happy to know that they look forward to seeing each other. This summer its our turn to visit So Cal. (Southern California). 

 Below is my old roommate, Claire, the mom to the two boys (she is on the left). We are with some other girlfriends from NY, Katherine on the right and Wendy in front. 

We are so blessed that Lucia is so creative. Here she gathered (stole) a bunch of items from the house and then left a note on the stuffed pillow cases which contained all the loot. The note read, "Sorry we robbed your house. We needed it to practice stealing so we can go on a mission to rob the evil alien Zorgs house. From the Martians."

And to top off all of this, we had a visit from Amy Flynn and family. We wandered around Chinatown and had a yummy meal at a noodle shop. Found some great places too!

Below are Penelope, Lucia and Zoe, very happy to have found each other again. 

 From left to right, Ale, me, Lucia, Penelope, Zoe, Max and Dan (Amy was taking pic).