DellaCiliegia: ottobre 2014

lunedì 20 ottobre 2014

belgian invasion

Dear friends Ann-Sofie and Kris, (ex-torinesi) visited us this past weekend. They came back just in time for one of our favorite wine festivals, and with the excuse that they were running lowing on wine. Their little boy Emile is one month a part from Ella. Ann-Sofie and I had our baby showers together when they were still living here nearly 3 years ago. Their adorable 5 month old Juliette also tagged along. She almost never slept, but enjoyed the chaos around her, and the attention that big brother gave her, or Luca who would constantly check in on her, tickle her, and entertain her with toys. It was fun to reunite the kids now that they're old enough to play together, fight over toys, and all this in 3 different languages!

4 little monkeys jumping on the couch

Tractor model Ella, Emile at the helm, and Luca loading up the wagon

the Langhe, beautiful in the mist

Ella's belgian twin

curly heads in the tub.

lunedì 13 ottobre 2014

Hip Hip for Poppie!

Poppie showed up for the last 3 days of our visit with Nonna. After 12 days of golf in Scotland, i think he was looking forward to some down time, little faces, and better food. With only 2 full days together, we opted to focus on good food, and good wine. First stop, Langhe wine country.

Last one off the plane, with his 50lb body bag (golf bag) trailing behind him

the kids sporting their scottish hats

pretty in cashmere

touring the Rivetto cantina with Signore Rivetto (Doc)

the original cantina

Serralunga D'Alba in paint and in the fog

Luca scales the Barolo castle wall

Poppie carving Luca's scary face

Cappucci time at Ristretto

Carmine & Piera treat us with 200gr of Truffels and Risotto, living like kings

Buon Appetito

Happy October!

In the end, even Poppie ate shavings of truffel, Piera brought some cooked peas as back up.

It's always so fun to have the nonni here, but it also means we have to say goodbye. The moment always comes when the kids run across the hall to the empty apartment and realize that they really are gone. By now I should know that life is full of welcoming and goodbyes, but it never gets easier. The good thing, is in 2 short months, we will see them, along with the whole Ellingson clan, to ring in the New Year in the french Alps. Life's not too bad afterall.

My Nonna!!!

Nonna’s here!! Leading up to the days of Nonna’s arrival (Ella’s chosen name for Nonnie), Ella couldn’t stop asking about when Nonna and Poppie were going to come. She also made it clear that Nonna was all hers. Luca had Poppie. The day arrived, and Ella and I had prepared the welcome banner and the apartment across the hall where they would stay. I packed both kids into the car and we left with plenty of time to spare to get to the airport. Less than 5 minutes from home, Ella puked all over herself and the car. We turned around, washed the car out, and left Ella home with Daddy who was sick. Luca and I decided to take the quick way to the airport only to be turned around by a team of police who had blocked the roads for a day long bike race. In the end we made it to the airport only after Nonna had been waiting for us for 30 minutes. Oops. That was just the beginning of our memorable adventures together….

Launching paper airplanes for Nonna.

storytime, Ella clearly preferred Nonna over Mommy for almost everything. That meant also wiping her bum after she had done her business. I was more than happy to hand off the responsibility!