Slobbery Smooches to Uncle Matt

We love you and miss you.  Sure wish we were all together so Julia could put you through the spanking machine. 

She wants you to know that she drew the eyes, nose and mouth on those suns. That's right.  All by herself.

A Mess

Back in Mamma and Papà's Old Village

We spent our Sunday morning in Castel Gandolfo - she loved the fountains, the old doors and the pigeons.

My Latest Photography Challenge

Here is the problem -  if we are walking and I want to take a shot, I turn around and snap while walking backwards.  And then, to get on her level I have to crouch down.  You can witness my dilemma below.

A Morning with Pietro and Giulia

Old McDonald Had a Farm

Eating cous cous with frend Maria Althea.  More than actually eating it, her pleasure derives from saying it.

Mo' Mo' Mo' Collages

This morning when she saw her collage from yesterday, she mo'-ed me all the way to the store for more contact paper. 

I imagine this is what she will look like when she considers herself too old to pose with her artwork.  I can see the blue eye roll already.

This Much

Our Autumn Collage

This morning we selected our favorite fall leaves and stuck them to contact paper.  We were on the hunt for small leaves and you will be happy to know she hasn't upgraded her gestures to indicate small and big.

Sometimes She is Even Helpful

Not always and not often...but sometimes.

She Made that Banana

Okay, even I can grudgingly admit that the banana was probably a mistake, however she jumped up and proudly pointed at it, announcing "bamama!"   It was at that point we both chose to believe she had projected and completed it according to her own personal specifications.

A Friday at Ladybirds

Toy Store Adventure

 Julie and I hopped on a bus to visit the new mega toy store they opened in downtown Rome.  On the way there I nervously outlined the rules:  you can pick up one animal at a time, and never throw them on the floor.  She nodded solemnly and I rolled my eyes and said, "hmmmm....."

That girl picked up every doll and stuffed animal in the store - hugged, smooched or snuggled them before lovingly replacing them and moving on to the next.  We were there for hours....

She turned to me and explicitly asked for permission in the form of "kiss manina minnie mouse?"  She couldn't help herself from going back for more and more and more...

More Parkin' About...

A Breakfast Companion

Saturday Park Day

Happy Birthday Jane

Yes, I am well aware that at two years old Jane is capable of writing Mitt Romney's concession speech, but Julia has now learned her cousin's name and we are proud.  Happy Birthday sweet Janey girl.  We love the present your mommy and daddy got you.  Can't wait to come play with you.

Bundled Up at the Park

More Window Shopping...

...with her new boots.  The current state of affairs is often - very often - narrated.  An example would be "Dulia boots, mamma shoes", "Mamma boots, Dulia shoes."  and so on...and on and on.

Window Shopping

Jules has been feeling under the weather so we have been sticking close to home and window shopping in the neighborhood

Passing a Cloudy Day with Giulia

She's hanging out in the piazza with her purse and her pizza.  What else could my little Italiana want?

Yes, we woke up in one of those moods this morning...