Another Morning at the Park

Antonio's Apology

Well, we won't get into details, but it does involve some unsavory kicking activity that he learned in his first week at nursery school.  Julia concluded the treaty with some peace offerings.

My Ladybug after Ladybirds

Going to Ladybirds affords us the possibility of hanging out at some of the prettiest parts of Rome.

On the Bus

Going to our new favorite hangout. The "ladybirds", an English speaking playgroup where they sing songs, eat snacks and have storytime. With Julia's presence, we hear a lot of "mo, mo, mo"s as she requests doubles on each song we sing.  There was, however, an incident when the Old McDonald puppets were taken away before she was ready.

Manina, Manina!

What does a girl have to do to get a Ring Around the Rosie going?

Sunday Stroll in the Village

We went to one of our favorite villages today, Nemi - home of the miniature strawberry.  

La Signorina

Today we decided to do our shopping while carrying our purses.  She was convinced that this required her to hold her arm straight up to the sky, and she never let it falter once.  

 

Waving hello to her Zia Eva who was giggling on her balcony.

Eventually, noticing her fatigue I persuaded her to lower her arm.  And she was right...it fell right off. Suffice it to say, the walk home was completed arm raised.

Ulia Ulia!

Julia was always content with washing her "manine" in the fountain, until she saw Antonio drinking directly from the stream of water.  A high pitched "Ulia, ulia" ensued and she threw her face directly under the faucet.

Julia + Giulia = BFF

Bundled

A slightly overcast sky afforded me the opportunity I had been waiting for - to put on the woolen cap given to her by Aunt Emily.  It proved outrageous even to the old Italian women sitting on benches wrapped in shawls and I was immediately shamed into removing it.  "Esagerata!"  they proclaimed.  Excessive.

Hey! Wait for me!

Antonio grabbed me by the hand and implored me to take him to the swings.  I was happy to comply.  Julia, however, had another reaction...

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

"Julia, it's grandpa's birthday...

and we can't be there to give him a birthday kiss..."

"Don't worry, you know he loves you.  And we love him too."

Zia Lara

Aunt Lara and her pretty baby-belly came to play with us for a few days.  We herded Julia around Rome while she skittered along cobblestone streets, dodged vespas, peeked through windows and darted into stores. 

Throwing out the ciao-ciaos as she saunters down the street

It had to end sometime.

Notice the nose.

Back Home

Well, we are back -  and with us we brought a fondness for kissing images of her cousins on the computer and chanting "nooo-ah tate" at all hours.  Several days later and we are still trying to get into the swing of things, while battling a monstrous case of jet-lag.  Seems it is much more fun to play in the middle of the night and sleep at the park.  Her friend Antonio isn't convinced....

But, since he has the chance....

Campeggio in Giardino

We set up tents in the backyard to sleep overnight.  Pixie slept inside with her mommy, but she didn't miss out on any of the festivities.  

Dance party in the library with a discoball and glowsticks.  Julia was getting down right along with her cousins.

Alla Fattoria