Oh how I love Spring. The lighting is lovely, I wake more easily to birds chirping, the days are longer, the violet wisteria takes over our front door, everyone is in a better mood and finally say "Tutto bene" (all is well) instead of "andiamo avanti" (we will survive) when you ask how they are, and the cherry blossoms. This is why we've lived in Pecetto for almost 8 years. Spring.
wall watching with Adriana
the 100th Camminata, 6,000 people strong
easily lapping the old ladies on his scooter
our Torre in the distance
speaking of Torre, Forza Torre!!
spring picnic at the Estes
Luca's birthday gift from our Pecetto gang was a trip to the Zoo Safari. The kids loved the animals and the rides. Two theme parks in the 3 weeks! I think we're good for the rest of the year.
7 families packed into a single train cabin
excited up front
the stare down
back at home and free to roam
more daylight with wheels
our aromatic front door
and on April 18th, my nephew Lou Byron was born after only 40 minutes in the hospital.
Happy.
Reactions.
Only two more month and then Auntie E will be there!!
After a seven hour drive through 4 countries, the ABC game, and lots of crumbs we arrived in Munich at the home of our vicini lontani. Doeke and Anna's smiling son, Senne met us and eagerly showed Ella and Luca all his "autos". Little welcome packages with rainy day legos were on each of their pillows and we felt right at home. Tom Hardman, another dear friend from the early Pininfarina days flew down from England for the weekend. The days were filled with sandy playgrounds, a Daddy son/daughter tour of the BMW museum, a good dose of Asian food, a shopping afternoon for the gals, and a few beer gardens for the guys.
On Easter Sunday we were all invited to the Kottmann's home for Easter brunch, former Torinesi. We munched on Weisbrat (authentic white Munich sausages), easter eggs, italian colomba bread, and pastries of all shapes and sizes. The kids enjoyed a chocolate themed egg hunt outside, and we came back inside just in time for the snow to start falling.
On Monday we said our goodbyes to the DeWalles and headed west to magical Legoland. The theme song from the Lego Movie, Everything is Awesome was blaring at the main entrance in German and English on constant rotation. Luca was over the moon and naturally darting from one thing to another like a ping pong ball. Highlights: Lego Miniature villages (at the Munich Football Stadium camera's are flashing, the anthem is played and team flags are unscrolled in a packed stadium), a ride with Ella on a very fast merry go round, she was squealing the whole time, and then watching Ella run up to every person in costume and give them a big hug! I can only imagine what Disneyland will be like.
Perhaps even better than Legoland is Lego Village. Our themed cottage was the Racer. How appropriate! There were several playgrounds, paved paths perfect for Luca's scooter, 2 tricycle test tracks, a bowling alley, a tree park, putt putt, and every restaurant was well equipped with a Lego playroom. The Kottman's with their two kids Theo & Edda joined us the next day for one more run around at Legoland. By 3:30pm we got some last group photos, some tears were shed due to too much fun, and we headed home to Pecetto.
On the way home Luca asked if he could stay at home the next day to put together his new Lego boat. "I have a big job to do, plus I have to sleep." Who could say no to that?!
There were so many reasons to celebrate this March. Three birthdays, Father's Day, and a new family!
starting with a personalized crostata by Valeria using her mamma's homemade apple marmellata.
Ella can't wait to steal one of the stars
Mamme iper-tecnologica (-Angela)
Benvenuta Yi Lan! Yi Lan shares her "faccia brutta" face. Giovanni & Elena are in love.
Buona Festa di Papa! Notice Ella's face is covered in flour after experimenting in the kitchen.
Alice & Luca celebrating 5 years together with Rice Krispy treats
Luca's 5....and we're going to Legoland!
We celebrated the big day by doing exactly what Luca likes most. We had a big strawberry/blueberry crepe breakfast with neighbors Alberto & Giorgio. Then built Legos all day until it was time to go to Caterina's baptism. Played silently (not really) during the 1 hour mass, and partied hard with his best friends from Pecetto, fueled by Fanta, cake and potato chips. In the evening it was time to call the Nonni on Skype. A Skype treasure hunt ensued. They gave him clues to find his birthday gifts hidden in the house. Grandma had to be reminded of her clue, but in the end, treasures was found, and all was enjoyed. We watched a little bit of Despicable Me (Ella calls it "Pickle Me") and then Daddy read the bedtime story with a flashlight!
"Luca, how does it feel to be 5?"
"Good."
"Mamma, when I'm 7, I want to be a babysitter."
"Really? Why?"
"Because when I'm 7, I can drive a big truck and drive all the babies around."
To think it was only 5 years ago that our lives were enhanced greatly by this little bundle of energy. In a way it feels like a lifetime, and in another way, a few days. Luca still has the same zeal for life at 5 years that he did at 5 months old. Mark and I feel trully blessed to be the chaperones.
I think it was more exciting for Mark & I to see and ski under the Matterhorn this weekend than it was for our children who have no idea of the magical fake one in Southern California and Orlando. We headed to Cervinia with the McGraw family in search of the real one...
Alice, Luca & Evan before heading up the gondola to our hotel at 2,555 meters (8,400 feet)
Bridget & Brian and blue skies appear
Mark & Luca head off to the real ski slopes
After a couple wrong turns, Luca and Mark arrive all the way at the bottom. Luca still smiling after the 1,800 foot descent. Mark did have to carry him a few times, but he still wanted to ski the next day. I was proud!
Alice patiently holds Ella's hand down the bunny slope. This was her first time on skis. They made it the whole way without falling. I think she'll be skiing the blues by next year!
Matterhorn shows herself, and now it's mammas turn to go!
Famiglia Coletti, minus a tired Luca
Brian & Evan on the Swiss border at 3,332 meters (11,000 feet).
That night we enjoyed dinner while the kids ran back and forth from the playroom, and then from 8:30pm the classic italian "animatore" appeared to entertain the kids with "baby dance." While Luca and Ella danced to Shakira, they passed Bingo sheets out to the adults and we managed to all stay awake until 10pm.
A look out over the slopes. In the distance is Valtournenche, where I skiied with Amy & Eric back in 2008 in subminus freezing temperatures:
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