kids say...

There are a few ways to get around Venice when your bones are tired of walking over all the bridges. There are "vaporettos," which are basically buses shaped like boats. They are crowded, sometimes difficult to navigate, slow, you have to go on their schedules, but, they are cheap. Then there's the romantic gondolas, which I'm sure you're all familiar with. They are expensive and slow, but fun, I suppose.
 

Finally, there are boat taxis. They are sleek, shiny, gorgeous, fast, on your own schedule, and unbelievably expensive.
 

If you know anything about the Ramblin' Fam, then you don't have to spend much time wondering which form of transport we chose. The cheap ones.

 

Graham gazed in awe at the sleek wooden vessels with cushy seats as we stuffed ourselves into the "bus boats" and told him there was no way we could possibly afford to ride in a taxi boat unless he chose not to eat for the rest of the month. He understood and quit complaining.

 One day, we took the bus boats to all the surrounding islands (Murano, Burano, and Torcello.). It took forever, but we enjoyed it. As we were running to catch the vaporetto out of Torcello, we noticed the nice couple we'd just shared a guided tour of the church with in one of those fancy taxi boats. We smiled with envy and kept on truckin' until they demanded that we get into their boat with them.

And so, Graham got his taxi ride. Happy was he.

 

As we zipped across the lagoon, Tony and I discussed whether or not to offer to pay for half the cab fare. We certainly didn't want to pay because that would mean we would have to starve for the next half a month. Since they offered the ride and didn't mention anything about sharing the fare, we decided not to bring it up and to just say, "Thank you."

At the end of the ride, I said to Graham, "Wasn't that great?"

Graham said with a giant grin and loud enough for people in the next region to hear, "Yes! And it was FREE!"

Fast forward a few minutes.

Tony and I were strolling down the street, still on cloud 9 about the whole free boat ride thing (which resulted in twice as much time in Venice that afternoon for us than if we'd had to catch the slow bus boat) when Tony placed a love tap on my derriere.

Graham said, "Hey, Dad! That's not nice. God does not like you to do that."

We're not ones to usually state what God may or may not like, so I said to Graham, "How do you know that?"

He said, very nonchalantly, "Because. I'm smart." 

on the road. yes, again.

All of a sudden, it is Thursday.

All of a sudden, I am packing for another road trip.

On to Venice tomorrow where we'll stay until Monday.

Then, on to Garmisch, Germany where 007 will work for two weeks and I'll lounge around with the kids.

On the way home, we are going to hit up Lake Garda.

Once again, I will do my best to blog along the way.

scenes from our weekend

Carney Park was the theme of our weekend. On Saturday, Graham and I participated in a mud run. Graham ran a whole mile! On Sunday, we joined some friends for a picnic in the park. Much was eaten. Fun was had. In between park time, we dog/beast-sat.

Yep, life is good.

swimming, toys, and rice

Sorry for the lack of posts. I think all bloggers have to apologize for this every now and then. All part of the experience, I guess.



We've just been trying to survive the August heat.

 

A lot of swimming has happened. A lot.
 

Alaina got a new toy. She loves it because she loves to stand.

 

And she's had her first taste of rice. It was far more successful than trying to give her a bottle. Girlfriend is only interested in milk coming straight from her motha. Yo.

Oh, and I've been researching the fine art of kindergarten homeschooling (Lord, help us). More on that, later. 

Enjoy your weekend.

growth

Alaina and her buddies don't fit in the chair as well anymore...

Notice how they are still in the same positions? 

And they can sit, now, too.

Sort of.

Alaina needs a prop.

Happy Monday!

some pictures I like

I'm just sitting here kinda bored, kinda hot, thinking about what a great summer it's been...

Have a nice weekend.

my new nephew

I had a nervous stomach all day yesterday, and I didn't know why. I didn't feel like eating. My mind was elsewhere, but I didn't know where. I just felt strange all day. Then I talked with my brother. He told me he was in the hospital waiting for his son to be born. It all became clear to me. I was nervous for him. Sibling connections run deeper than I ever imagined. I said goodnight to him as the nurses were beginning to induce the labor. I didn't sleep well. I kept checking the computer for updates. Alaina woke up earlier than usual, so I was thrown off this morning and didn't know what to do with myself. I couldn't eat. I couldn't relax. I couldn't exercise or clean. I just stared at my computer waiting for the news.

I was not prepared for the flood of emotions that hit me when the little "ding-dong" rang on my screen. I couldn't get a word out because I was crying before I even saw my brother. Then I saw my mom. Then I saw my cousins. I lost it completely. I cried because I was happy for my brother and his new son, because I missed my mom and my family, and because, damn it, I was jealous. I wished my family could have been there for me when my kids were born. But, mostly I cried because I wanted more than anything to be there with them at that moment. I wish I could have helped welcome my nephew, my children's cousin, into the world...

When I do meet him, though, I will be able to make him pasta and tell him stories of a far off land they call "Italia."

I absolutely cannot wait for that day.

Congratulations to my big brother. I am over the moon with joy and hope for him right now.

Good luck, brotha!