Oops

Julia, your mom forgot to send birthday wishes to BOTH your Grandma and your Aunt Lara...

Abundant apologies.  We love you both very much....

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch and picnic held by the Girl Scouts of America, Troop Rome Italy.

Munching on pizza and browsing the information stand.

 

A turf dispute that ended...well how things often end with our beloved Antonio...

...with his mother ordering him to dish out an apology kiss

I stand corrected.  I really thought they would love to scoop out the icky insides.  We opened the pumpkins to get this reaction from Julia and worse from Antonio.

Window Shopping

I can't get this girl back in her stroller to save my life.  Here we are sauntering down one of Rome's premier shopping districts after a full morning of Ladybirding. 

Running Errands

I was a running late getting out the door today and Julia got me back in line.  "Mamma purse" she announced while handing me my bag and "Julia purse" while placing hers on her arm.  So off we went, running our errands while leaving the sound of giggling in our wake.  She insisted on waving to each and every person we passed with a very loud and cheery "Ciao, ciao!"

Valerio's 3rd Birthday Party

This gorgeous little boy is the son of my good friend Gaia.  We went to his birthday party in a beautiful villa outside of Rome.

Gaia handed Julia a cookie on a lollipop stick covered in sprinkles.  Things were never quite the same after that.  She never actually took a bite of the cookie, but spent the duration of the party licking the sprinkles off that one and several others. 

Now that he is a big brother, Valerio has a protective streak in him.   Julia, however, has a protective instinct only for her lollipop. 

One Enthusiastic Ladybird

Oh, how she sang, bounced and danced  today...I don't know how she had the energy to stop by and greet her beloved Noy.  Or Lions if you need a translation.  And no, it does not resemble the word in Italian either. 

My New Sleep Training Technique

The slow process of shoveling peas in her mouth and slurping strands of spaghetti seem to have a sleep inducing effect on her.  I have been giving her a side bowl of spaghetti at every lunch for no other reason...

Tightly Clasped Fists

This is no photoshop trick.  This is Julia on a big-kid swing all by herself.  Think her cousin Jane could compete with this?  Doubt it.

Her First Lie to Mamma

So, this is where it all starts, I suppose.

Just Another Day of Parking...

Grandma Says I Can't Call her Weird, but....

No one could have predicted it.  We were calmly eating lunch, discussing the various dogs we had met in the park - when she raised her water glass and promptly dumped it on top of her head.  She was in quick succession:  startled, slightly amused and then began laughing hysterically while clamoring for mo-mo-mo.  I am slightly ashamed to say that I gave her mo.  Here we are trying out new hairstyles with her wet head.

Teeth

My poor sweet angel sent from heaven.  Can't get those fingers out of her mouth.  I dare you, take a hundred pictures and each one with come back testifying to her teething woes. The best part - or rather most heartbreaking part - is that she keeps smiling right through those fingers. 

More Ladybird Fun

After singing our hearts out, we met Papà for a treat in the piazza before heading home.  

I actually caught this video at the end when she was at her calmest - or shall I say most exhausted - but one thing is for sure.  She loves to get down.

An Evening Stroll

After her nap she picked up her purse, pointed to her stroller and said "no no no".  Went to the door and said "manina", hand.  Her vocabulary may not be vast, but she certainly knows how to get her point across.  The stroller was left at home and we strolled through the streets hand in hand.  

Bald, Blonde and Blue-Eyed

It was a natural affinity we felt towards our new Canadian Ladybird friend...

At it Again...

Well, it is a new tree and the experience is enhanced by the addition of a partner and a spray bottle.  I think it's great - it certainly keeps them contained and out of trouble.  Well, that's not true.  The spray bottle contributed to some very tumultuous episodes that did not always end well for our corner.

Slides, Swings and See-Saws...

Who needs 'em?  We spent our morning at the park picking dried bark off trees.  And I mean all morning...