Exploring Italy

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What a Morning!

Guess what we did today!!!

We overslept! Christopher woke up at 8:09am and said, "Mom, do I have school today?" Considering their bus picks them up at 8:10 and it's a 5 minute walk to the bus stop and we still had to get dressed and eat breakfast, there was no way we were going to make it...so nope he wasn't going to school. I suppose that if this would have happened on any other day, I would've gotten them out the door as quick as possible and jumped on the metro, tram & bus (we have to take all 3 to get to their school). But, of course there was a transit strike today! I guess these happen fairly often here, and they announce them ahead of time (that's how I knew) but this was the first one since we've been here! Go figure!

Since they already missed a day of school this week (for a head lice scare) Brian and I figured they should go to school. So...the kids and I got ready and ended up taking a Taxi. I do have to say that the Taxi ride was nice. It gave the kids and I time to chat with no real distractions. Kyleigh reminded me that this was the first time she has been in a car since we arrived here. The last time the kids were in a car was on 8/29! The day we arrived here and the Marines picked us up from the airport. She said to me, "Mom, it's weird to be in the car again. I haven't ridden in one in a long time." I didn't even think about it, but was so surprised to see the Taxi ride from her point of view. (I was busy scoping out some local stores and places we could maybe try out and visit.) Christopher saw a store with some aliens in it. The name of the store is Space Trip. He said, "Mom, is that in English?" Of course he didn't know. He sees the same letters and he is just now starting to read, so even things written in another language that use our letters say something in his mind. He just doesn't know what language it is in. He did say that Uncle Scott would LOVE that store! It's funny how much you can learn or absorb just by 30 mins in a Taxi.

Well, just so you all know, we got to school around 11:00. It was just in time for Christopher to have lunch. I walked the kids in to their class and then jumped back in the cab and headed home. Of course, the traffic today was a NIGHTMARE. People who usually take public transportation had to drive and that just crowded the streets. Then there was an accident (big surprise there, I know) a motorcycle was laying on it's side and there were ambulances and police cars and part of the road was closed. But, in the end, I made it home! And, it only cost me 60 euro, which is...are you sitting down for this? $90!!!! EEKS! I should've kept them home!

Can I get any more boring?

Wow! I'm sure getting brave! Brian and I went to lunch at a Japanese restaurant today. There is nothing scarier than ordering Sushi in Italian, and not really knowing what you are getting. I have to report that the we did OK, and that the food was FANTASTIC. Although I stuck with the California Maki Salmone, which I assumed had Salmon. I also ordered something else that had a little bit of everything. Both were GREAT!

It's been rather cold here lately, as I'm sure all of you got from my last post. It's been raining for the last 2 days. I actually ventured out yesterday to get some ingredients for a homemade soup. I made Spicy Tortilla Chicken Soup, minus the tortillas. I kind of toned the spiciness down because of the kids, but of course, it was still "too spicy". I added some cheese, sour cream and avocado afterwards, and Brian and I really liked it. Of course, you all know how I am, so guess what I did... I sliced the heck out of my finger cutting the avocado. So, there I was walking around the kitchen with a paper towel wrapped around the end of my finger. When I first did it, I ran my finger under cold water, and just kind of started giggling. All I could think of was that I am definitely my Grandma's granddaughter. From as long as I can remember, I would walk into Gram's kitchen, and she would be standing over the sink and then wrap a paper towel around her finger. I'm surprised my Grandma Mall still has the ends of her fingers! I think if my Aunt Debbie cooked, she would be the same way. Lucky for her, she has a hubby who knows how to cook...and very well I might add. (Love you, AD!) Wow! I really love remembering such silly things.

OH! On a positive note, I've been watching weather.com, and it seems we may have 2 days of 70+ degree weather! I'M SO EXCITED!!!! But, then of course, it goes right back down. But, beggars can't be choosers, and I'm gonna take what I can get.

Well, there isn't much to write about, but I know so many of you (all 3) wait day and night for an "update", so...here it is!

Brrrrr....... and I mean BRRRRRRRR!!!!!

I can definitely say that the weather here in Northern Italy is not what I am accustomed to. The days of flip flops in winter have come to a screeching halt. I sure miss Southern California weather. It is getting colder here by the day. We had an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day on Sunday. Perfect weather to be outside and enjoy the fresh air. Didn't need any jackets and in fact, we took the kids to the park and spent the late morning, early afternoon there. Little did I know that Sunday would be the last "warm" day. We woke up Monday to small amounts of rain, LOTS of wind, and COLD weather. We went out to buy Christopher a sweatshirt because for some reason (maybe because in CA you rarely need one) he doesn't have any. Well, good thing we did! It was COLD again today. Ok, now remember when I say COLD, anything below 70 degrees is cold to me! LOL But really, it is to the point where we are putting on sweatshirts and we've been looking for scarves, and heavier jackets before it's too late.

Christopher started boy scouts last Monday. He is really enjoying it. He is a "Tiger Cub" and there is only one other little boy who is his age. Brian has taken on the "pack leader" roll for these two. (I have no idea how boy scouts does it, so bear with me. I could be totally wrong. I know there is a den and a pack and I just don't know in what order.) Of course, if Brian is working or has something he can't get away from I will step in or another parent will. But I am really excited to see Christopher so interested in something. It makes for a late night considering he is usually in bed at 8 and that is what time it ends. He'll get used to it though...we all will. OH! And the biggest news yet...Buddy should be losing his 2nd tooth ANY DAY!!! I will post a picture when that happens!

Kyleigh will be starting Girl Scouts next week. At some point this year, her Girl Scout troop goes camping in Switzerland at the girl scout chalet! Lucky girl! Who would've thought that at 10 years old, she would be travelling to Switzerland, or for that matter...who would've thought we'd be in Italy! She is taking gymnastics one day a week and is doing good in school. We finally found something that she enjoys reading. She LOVES comic books! She must get that from her Uncle Scott...because, I am definitely not a comic book reader.

OH! And, I have the funniest thing I have to share. Picture this: Kyleigh, Christopher and I on the bus. We are driving past this intersection and there are about 10-15 men dressed in long brown robes. Of course, most children, especially a 9 year old, would know that they were Monks. Well, my 9 year old yells out, "Look at the Jedi's!!!" Well, of course, that got Christopher EXTREMELY excited. I tried explaining to them that they are Monk's and work at the Church, etc. etc. Well, my son (who is 6 mind you) emphatically insists that these men are Jedi's. So, every time we pass by one, he makes it a point to show me this Jedi and then proceeds to have a conversation about where is light saber is. I think it is adorable, my 9 year old and 6 year old walking around Italy thinking we live by Jedi's, but I'm sure some (if not most) of the locals don't find it funny.

Not much else to report on. Brian is staying busy at work. I'm staying busy with...whatever it is I stay busy with. I am still taking Italian classes twice a week and I am starting a Yoga class this week. We are going to get our first visitor next month...SO EXCITED!!!! And then in the Spring we already have some visitors with plane tickets! I can't wait to show everyone around our new home. It's a beautiful country with so much to see and do. Hopefully by the Spring, I will be fluent in Italian (yeah right!) LOL

Here are some pictures I thought you all might enjoy!

Brian & I at a Cocktail Party! 10/9/09

Me! Ladies Night Out! Wine Tasting &

Aperitivio. 10/1/09
Ky & Buddy 2nd Trip on the Subway.

(Mom forgot the camera the 1st time.)

Ky & Buddy on one of our MANY trips on the

bus! In fact, on this trip, the bus broke down

& we had to get off, run across a street because

we were stopped in an intersection making a

left turn. We had to run back to the last bus

stop and start our trip again! FUN TIMES!

And, where is Brian when all this happens???

10/1/09

Wow! It's been a while since I've posted! I should post more often, but I don't want to post too much and then bore the heck out of all of you. Hence the reason why I have been trying to keep them minimal.

Well, let's see, since the last time I posted I was able to take a tour of Milan through Ky & Buddy's school. We went to an Abbey that was near the school, then to The Castle Sforezca & The Duomo, (which Brian the kids and I have already been to.) It was fun though. I learned a little bit of information that I didn't know before.

I'm still taking my Italian classes and slowly but surely picking up the Italian. Brian is taking it also, and has the bright idea that one night a week, we should only speak Italian to each other! LOL. I doubt that is an option at this point, that's for sure! We know very few words, and we definitely can't put proper sentences together. Give us 6 months or so and we could probably do it, until then, I'll stick to speaking English...Thanks!

The kids are still doing good. They had their first sleepover last Friday night. This Saturday those same kiddos will be here for a sleepover. It's going to be nice having kids in the house again! I can't wait. We are going to watch movies, eat popcorn, just hang out. Hopefully, the weather stays nice so we can go to the park on Sunday and ride the cars.

I really need to get some pictures up here for everyone. Maybe I can do that later tonight or tomorrow. At some point, I am going to have to start studying my Italian. There are so many rules with masculine and feminine nouns and pronouns and adjectives. Then, there is always "an exception". UGH! I do have to say, I am catching on better than I thought I would.

Brian has been busy, of course! He comes home for dinner and will go back to work. Luckily we live close enough to the Consulate, he can come home or we can meet for lunch or dinner.

Well, that's about it for now. I will update more soon, and will be sure to post pictures.