snow, snow, SNOW

Finally on January 29th we had our first day of snow, and the weather seemed to be making up for lost time. Here's the view from our balcony at 8am on Sunday morning, after 16 hours of snowfall.

Luca takes to the streets in his one horse open sled.

"Swede" our new volvo station wagon feels quite at home covered in white.

Luca's first "real" faceless snowman. Last years was only 2 feet tall. The pasta shop was a little to busy to give us some carrots to finish him off. 

He may look miserable, but he's laughing with joy on the inside!

Luca's hero, the Tractor clears out the upper parking lot

downhill, that's more like it

the day after

We had our last dinner with nonni Coletti last night. It seems like it was just yesterday when we hung the Thanksgiving turkey banner, attracting the unwanted attention of our landlady. Now 2 months, and too many brioches later, Henry and Ellen are on their way back west.

After dinner last night, I will fully admit to having a little break down. Sure, some of it could be the hormones raging from baby "nutella" now 5 months along, or lack of sleep, but when I really started reflecting on my in-laws time here with us, it brings tears to my eyes. Upon their arrival, they were 100% grandparents and loved playing, reading, watching, listening, singing, and talking with Luca. This morning I didn't know if I could handle his reaction to walking past their door and outside without their companionship. However, Luca made it easy on me by beating me down the stairs where I had to stop him just before walking out the gate and into a precarious driveway. Every stop we made, people asked about "i nonni." We went to have our cappuccino, and Luca his daily bread (piccolo croissant), and I was reminded of how difficult it can be to pay the bill, put his coat on, chase him with a hat, and put my own coat on before he runs out the door. The beauty of having 4 extra hands and watchful eyes!

After our walk, we headed home, and it was time to clean out their apartment of the last remaining items. We had enjoyed the space an extra apartment affords a little too much. I think it will take me the weekend to sort through and store everything that I left in their closet. As soon as we opened the door, Luca made his way to grandma and grandpa's bedside, where he was known to offer grandpa his shoes and clothes, a little hint that it was time to get up already! However, this time the bed was stripped, no grandparents, no ipad, no clothes. He turned on the light, and I said "grandma and grandpa went bye bye." Luca said appropriately, "ciao!"

So, for now, Ciao! Henry and Ellen. It was a real treat having you for as long as we did. And it's comforting to know that in a few short months you'll be back to give kisses, and get kisses, roll play dough balls, build towers of legos, go on passaggiate, share a brioche, sing Pavaroti, and play Angry Birds.

Much love, M E L & N

Good Morning Video

Chef BoyarLuca

Ever since Luca discovered his kitchen hidden in Nonni Coletti's apartment next door, he has been sauteeing legos, rolling out play dough to make ravioli, and getting cups full of water to boil on the stove top. He is very generous when it comes to sharing his culinary delights. Here are some of my favorite shots:

making ravioli

 organizing the cupboards

 Luca finds himself a stool

 taste this

legos are especially fun and colorful to cook with