Today's Recap

The kids and I packed the bikes into the car and headed to the playground on base to enjoy a good old fashioned play time together.  We love lots of things about our home here in Italy, but it doesn't give us a very good bike riding spot and we're a bit starved for playgrounds out in town, too.  We played as long as we possibly could (we were so sweaty that a friend asked if we'd come from the pool!) and then got a quick lunch at the food court and headed to the library to cool off and get some new books.  We haven't had a "regular" schedule for a while, so it was refreshing to do some favorite activities together on base.
This evening we went out for gelato to celebrate Caleb filling up his marble jar for keeping his undies dry.  Everyone enjoyed the cool treat and I think Caleb was proud that he'd accomplished his goal.  He was also quite pleased to coin the term "potty party" at some point during the evening.

Quotables:
When we were leaving the gelateria the kids noticed some whistle pops by the cash register and asked what they were.  Since it was a "special event" we decided that they could each get a lollipop to save for tomorrow.  As we were leaving Elise said, "I saw a little boy get one of the those lollipops and I thought I wanted one too.  Thank you so much for getting one for me.  I was thrilled when you said we could have one.  I'm glad they didn't even cost you too much money.  I'm really thrilled."

Lucas is quite the one hit wonder these days...here are a few questions we ask him on a regular basis - Note: His answers never change!

R: How many ______ are there?
L: Two, two, two

R: What color is that?
L: Blue

R: What letter is that?
L: B...always B

Now that you're five...

...tell us a little more about yourself!

 

R: What are you going to do now that you are five?  

E:  Learn how to write 

R: What is your favorite food?

E: STEAK!  I like fruit too - pineapple and watermelon, mmmmmmm!  I also like when mom gives me cappuccino. Oh, yeah...and sushi too.

R: What do you worry about? 

E: When people jump out and scare me.  

R: What do you want to do when you grow up?

E: I want to drive my own car to New York City. 

R: Who is the funniest person you know?

E: Uncle Grant because he can jump upside down and he plays funny games with us.

R: Who is the smartest person you know?

E: My Daddy.  He makes up a lot of games and he knows how to make stuff.  

R: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

E: I would go the States to play with Grammy and Granddad and everyone.

R: Anything else you want to say about being five?

E: I'm going to school!

Elise is FIVE!!!

Our dear Elise Amani turned five today.  She just beamed with birthday excitement the whole day.  We're so thankful and blessed to have such a silly, cheerful, helpful, sweet and independent little lady as our firstborn. We started the morning with a story about the day she was born along with a special birthday breakfast at the San Leonardello Agriturismo on the eastern slopes of Mt. Etna.  We enjoyed the fresh fruit and tasty homemade pastries and the little old man who owned the farm even brought out their own lemon granite for everyone!  Aunt Gail, Aunt Beth and Uncle John (it was the last day of their five day visit) surprised Elise with a beautiful ceramic dish that she had been intrigued with in Taormina, too.  We spent the rest of the morning soaking in the sun and cool mountain breeze and then headed to the airport with our family.  Had a quiet afternoon and Josh came home from work early to see the birthday girl.  Then it was an all-request dinner with hotdogs, sweet potato fries, edamame, watermelon and strawberry lemonade to drink.  This was followed by a trip to our favorite granite shop in town for dessert.  The Garbers joined us there and we got to sing and celebrate together.  A happy day for Elise!