for Grandma

Thanks for the pretty dress!

the flying dutchman

I love performances, especially when they involve music, so I was more than a little excited to see an opera in Italy.

We got dressed up.

 


We grabbed some friends.

 

We went to a gorgeous, old, Italian opera house, the San Carlo Theater.

 

We sat at the edges of our seats only to be bored to tears. The opera went on and on and on and just when the soprano would hit a high note and fall to the ground and make you think the curtain was about to fall, she would get back up and keep on singing. And singing. And singing.

 

It was particularly boring because the opera was in German with Italian subtitles, so we had difficulty following along, even though I'd read the story of "The Flying Dutchman" prior to going. The story seemed simple and wonderful. The opera seemed complex and not as wonderful.

We got hungry and had to make our dinner reservations, so we left before it was over. I've never walked out on a performance before. I felt so un-classy.

 

 When we returned home, our babysitter, who is a member of the Navy Band and has played this opera before informed us that sometimes "The Flying Dutchman"  can run up to 4 or 5 hours...

Consider yourself warned.

a love story on a friday

It was a quiet, sunny afternoon at the t-ball field. The children were happily frolicking around the field waiting for practice to begin. Alaina was joyously crawling (still not walking) through the grass and picking flowers. She stopped to check out a handsome basset hound when she was suddenly blindsided and pummeled by a lively 2 or 3 year-old-boy.

"Brother bear" came unleashed. Graham jumped from the bleachers yelling, "NO! STOP THAT! LEAVE HER ALONE! YOU CANNOT DO THAT!" Once Alaina was safe in my arms, Graham went straight to his coach who happens to be the mother of the  lively boy and exclaimed, "HE JUST TACKLED MY SISTER! HE TACKLED HER!"

I simultaneously calmed both of my children and responded politely to the apologetic parents of the lively boy and ensured everyone that it was all okay and we were all going to be okay. On the surface I was calm and collected and altogether pretty amazing. Inside, I was bursting with pride for my son. He stood up for his sister. It was nothing short of awesome.

On the drive home, I told Graham he did the right thing. I told him that if he ever sees anyone mistreating his sister, whether by accident or on purpose, he should tell them to stop it and then go tell an adult. I told him it is good to look out for his sister. When Alaina is old enough. I will tell her the exact same thing. I will tell her to look out for her brother. Because looking out for each other and protecting each other from lively 2 or 3 year-old kids is what I call love.

Love is all you need.

no pictures?

Were you able to see the pictures from the previous post?

If not, I'm sorry. You'll just have to imagine, I guess, because I can't figure out how to post them.

I'll try to get better with my technical skills...

can't get enough Roma Roma Roma

I must have done something really great in a previous life, because this one is so full of good fortune.

I am beyond fortunate to have met these girls. My only complaint being that I didn't meet them sooner.

These girls make me laugh until it hurts (in a good way).

We met because we are all trying to be good women, good mothers, and good friends. We try to support each other in all our maternal and womanly endeavors.

Part of that support involves encouraging one another to cut lose. To let go. To don sequins and hot pink tights and dance the night away.



 

Before I left, Graham asked, "Mom, why are you going to Rome with just girls? Again?"

"Because, Bud. Sometimes, girls... Well, sometimes, they just wanna have fun." 

a theme

I think you're going to start noticing a theme around here:

that we are trying to soak up as much Italian goodness as possible before they force us to leave this summer.

We went to Paestum on Saturday and cried because it is such a magnificent place and we may never see it again.

 



 

 

On Sunday, we ventured into Naples. I purchased some tickets to the opera, which has been on our list of things to do since we got here. April 26th, we will finally go see an opera in the longest running opera house in history (so they say).

 

Everyone was out with the sun on Sunday.

 

It was glorious.

 


 Although we might be done with our visits to Paestum, we are not even close to being done with visiting the city of Naples.

 

Well, maybe a little bit close.

I guess I should stop denying it.

last weekend

Nothing like taking a few moments to reflect on an amazing weekend to get through a Thursday and ready for another weekend!

Last weekend was perfect.

We spent two nights in Montalcino.

It's a quaint town with nothing much to see, so we took some time wandering around the Tuscan countryside. 

We relaxed at a little cantina where we were treated like royalty by a sweet old man who kindly asked us to purchase some Brunello. We couldn't say no.

And we drove over to the Tuscan coast and enjoyed some sunshine on the water.

And somewhere along the way, Graham and Tony got hair cuts.

It was a lovely and carefree weekend.

I can hardly wait for what's in store for this next one...

a tuscan sunrise

there's more where this came from

just trying to gather my thoughts and put the experience into words

feel this moment

We are holding on tightly to our last few months of living in Italy. In an effort to fully feel and make the most of each moment, tomorrow we are driving to a little town in the region of Tuscany called Montalcino. 

I'm looking forward to sharing what is bound to be a pleasant experience here with you.

As we travel, this song will be playing in my head and on the radios over and over and over and over, because I really do just wanna feel this moment oh whoa a oh.