Italian Capers

These guards were ornamental in nature. Unlike the Queen's guards in England, they could move, talk- even take a call on their handy! What a wonderful city.

Stockholm was the first city we visited on our trip. We flew in the night before so we could see the city and so we didn't have to worry about missing the boat. The city was lovely. The people were very friendly and helpful and we didn't have any trouble finding our way around. There are only so many monuments, though, that the kids can handle. The girls and I set out to find some fun, and we did. (The following is a testament to the city of Stockholm and their kind people. When we set out on foot, we must have looked a little lost rather than like the adventurers we were, and a woman went out of her way to ask us if she could help us find our destination!) There was a great park just around the corner from our hotel. But don't forget all the fun you can have INSIDE the hotel- for example with the luggage elevator. Thanks to Uncle Crunchy, the girls got many "rides." Here they are hanging out on the ginormous bed and watching cartoons in Swedish...I guess it's

As you can see by my lack of posting, we are having a fun summer! The weather has been wonderful- nice and HOT! We have been swimming and going to the markets, going to the park, etc. What a wonderful summer- and it's not over yet : ) We took a cruise with Auntie Na, Uncle Crunch and Nanny-o. It was fabulous. The food was awesome, the ports were fun and best of all, it was easy and relaxing. We had so many nice family moments. The girls were so much fun and they loved every minute of it. We sailed out of Stockholm after visiting there for a day, went to Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (!); Riga, Latvia; Gdansk, Poland; and finally Visby, Sweden. This game was in the misty rain....we never let a little rain dampen our fun. H was in kids camp that afternoon. More to come.....

While I do like the idea of using scooters to get around, I am not a fan of the sound or the smell. My Man talks about how great it would be if more follks rode them in the U.S., but I have a few hesitations, amely the enormous cars we drive! I suppose it doesn't make too difference if you ride a scooter and you're hit by a deux chevaux as opposed to a monstrous SUV (no brands/types need be mentioned)- but it seems somehow less lethal. One day we'll use this picture to prove they have been to an ancient coliseum. So, after the lumpy bed for a couple nights, the time had come to move on. We hit the road sans reservation or hesitation! And we drove to Tuscany. People, there's a reason there is a "mystique" about Tuscany. It is beautiful! All you have to do is look out the window- the landscape changes and the colors change and it's breathtaking. No matter where you look- there's miles and miles (or klicks and klicks)of beauty. But where shall we stay?

So, where did I leave off? We drove to Sorrento and used that as our "home away from home." The room wasn't all that fabulous. It feels like heresy, but I am going to say it....Rick Steves' choice of hotels can sometimes be a little shabby for a family! My Mom, and dear Auntie Na and The Crunch all seem to enjoy this aspect. In fact, I think she should start her own tour company and bill herself as "The Shabby Traveler." It would work! There's always an adventure to be had, but with little folks, that "adventure" can seem like a pain in the keester! As an example, apart from the UBER lumpy bed, the light in the bathroom was on a TIMER! Yep, it turned off after a certain amount of time had lapsed- really? When you are trying to get 2 kids in and out of a shower without having someone fall and land on the toilet- it's a small space folks! ANNOYING! I can't even tell you how many times I heard Z shout, "Mommy-o there's no light a

The tallest of the small is 6.5 years old. We had the usual half-birthday fun. At school, on her half-birthday, one of her friends told her that half birthdays aren't real. She mentioned this to me when she got off the bus. Then she asked me if half birthdays are "real." Hmmmmm. "What do you think?" I asked her (love that parenting technique). Well, she explained that lots of people don't celebrate their half birthdays, most people probably. But since we do, they are real for us. Sounds good to me : ) You get to celebrate their lives twice as many times- how can I resist, besides, it involves CAKE people! Happy half-birthday!