Pheww! We made it. We survived Hallowe'en. Now we just have to survive the sugar rush for the next few weeks! It was certainly different than our last Hallowe'en, spent in Italy, but it really was nice to be back to our old traditions - minus the rain.
I suppose you could say our Halloween started Tuesday with a visit to the pumpkin patch and then carving pumpkins Thursday evening - but I don't have the pics ready to go up for that so stayed tune. But please note that we, as parents were crazy enough to give Kyle full run of the pumpkin carving tools (supervised!) and he carved his very own pumpkin!!!!
Hallowe'en actually started Friday morning with Kyle heading off to Dads and Donuts at his school. It was also Storybook Character day so he was all dressed up as Peter Pan as he headed off with Papa. Dad, dressed as Cpt. Hook met up with them and I guess they were quite popular for the cameras. (I'd love a picture if anyone has one to share!) Kyle returned home as he actually attends school in the afternoon. The morning continued with one of my favourite traditions. The moms' group I belong to arranges for the children to go Trick or Treating at a retirement home. The residents and staff are always so excited to see the kids and it really is a fun experience for everyone. It is also very fun for ALL the adults to dote over all the adorable costumes worn by the kids. For this Kyle went as Cpt. Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Vika went as Little Bo Peep (which I'm proud to say I made - and the emphasis is on "I", as my mom only did one hem and that has to be a record!)
Kyle then headed off to school , still as Cpt. Jack and had a great time with his class Halloween party.
Saturday Trick or Treating began at Ami and Papa's with all of us in costume. (Mental note - skip the wig when I already have a headache!) Then we headed off to the mall for indoor trick or treating in hopes of avoiding some of the rain. I guess most of the area had the same idea! It was very well run, but too crowded for us! So we came home. We lit up our Jack O Lanterns and took the kids trick or treating on our street - in the rain. The advantage of only two families on the street having kids - our kids get LOTS of candy - but I'm starting to think that's a disadvantage from a parent's perspective! The kids had a great time! The only let down was a lack of other trick or treaters for Kyle and Brian to scare! They love to hide in the bushes and around corners and scare the older trick or treaters. I think we only had about 12 kids -more candy for us! :0 And that includes the 3 teenagers!
The kids, and myself really had a great time! Halloween is my favourite time of year and I'm so happy when my family enjoys it too!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Kyle's back to school
Once again, I'm a little late with things, but it seems I am slowly making chronological progress and will soon give up on catching up and just live in the current moment.
Here is Kyle off to school - his first day of Kindergarten - sort of. It's his first day of kindergarten in the US. He completed a year of kindergarten in Italy because they start there at 4 yrs old. Now he's 5 and starting Kindergarten all over again - and he's totally excited about it! He is in half days. We were not initially thrilled about afternoons but once our schedule got readjusted we felt threatened when they announced they were adding another morning class and we could be switched. Thankfully Kyle is still in afternoons.
Kyle is thoroughly enjoying Mrs. Fogg's class and practically runs to school everyday. It's worked out especially well that most of the kids in our neighbourhood are in his class and we walk home with one of his classmates and his little sister who is the same age as Vika. It helps that there is a park that we have to pass on the way home so the kids can usually get some time to burn off some energy.
Vika still misses Kyle fiercely everyday and can't wait to get her hugs from him when he is let out of school.
I can't believe my little guy has turned into such a handsome, smart and humourous kindergartener already!
Here is Kyle off to school - his first day of Kindergarten - sort of. It's his first day of kindergarten in the US. He completed a year of kindergarten in Italy because they start there at 4 yrs old. Now he's 5 and starting Kindergarten all over again - and he's totally excited about it! He is in half days. We were not initially thrilled about afternoons but once our schedule got readjusted we felt threatened when they announced they were adding another morning class and we could be switched. Thankfully Kyle is still in afternoons.
Kyle is thoroughly enjoying Mrs. Fogg's class and practically runs to school everyday. It's worked out especially well that most of the kids in our neighbourhood are in his class and we walk home with one of his classmates and his little sister who is the same age as Vika. It helps that there is a park that we have to pass on the way home so the kids can usually get some time to burn off some energy.
Vika still misses Kyle fiercely everyday and can't wait to get her hugs from him when he is let out of school.
I can't believe my little guy has turned into such a handsome, smart and humourous kindergartener already!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Last day of school
I know I'm back stepping a little bit but I wanted to share this with some of our family and friends closer to home and share the pics with our friends abroad who may have kids in them. And, hey, it's not yet Kyle's first day of school here so I'm not that late! :) (well it wasn't Kyle's fitrst day back at school when I wrote this. Too bad blogger won't post my
Kyle’s last day of school –
The decision to put Kyle in Italian Kindergarten this year was not an easy one! I had it in my head that he would be attending preschool one more year – three half days a week. In the end we decided to send him to an Italian International school in the next town. He attended Italian Kindergarten – full days, five days a week. In the end it was a fantastic decision. The language of instruction was Italian and it was a challenge for Kyle. However, he thrived! By the new year he had made a huge transition and was pretty much fluent in Italian – well as fluent as a four year old can be! Kyle had a fantastic year! He made some wonderful friends from all around the world – Finn from Ireland, Elspeth from England, Adam and Ian from the US, Alessia and several others from Italy, and even more friends from places like Spain and Greece.
The school year did not officially end for Kyle’s class until June 30. With everything going on, including our move, we decided to pull Kyle from school early. I had been told by other parents to do whatever I could to make sure we didn’t miss the year end celebration. We made sure that Kyle – and all of us, made it to the celebration on June 19 – Kyle’s last day of school. It was an incredibly hot and humid day. So hot and humid that at one point at about 9:30 am I looked over at the mom next to me and we watched the make up melt down each other’s face – and the parade hadn’t even begun! The classes of the infant school marched out on to the parking lot and did the most heartwarming performance! Several times I was fighting the tears – and I didn’t even understand the Italian!
The morning was the perfect way for Kyle to finish a fantastic year! He spent it with some very important friends and his wonderful teacher Miss Ira, and he got to see Miss Hannah and Miss Iris – his very valued English teachers!
Kudos go out to all the staff at The International School of Lago Patria! We – I mean Kyle – had an excellent year! His education has a positive and strong foundation set and he has begun to develop a true love of learning – all of it giving him a fantastic experience that we will treasure for many, many years to come!
Kyle’s last day of school –
The decision to put Kyle in Italian Kindergarten this year was not an easy one! I had it in my head that he would be attending preschool one more year – three half days a week. In the end we decided to send him to an Italian International school in the next town. He attended Italian Kindergarten – full days, five days a week. In the end it was a fantastic decision. The language of instruction was Italian and it was a challenge for Kyle. However, he thrived! By the new year he had made a huge transition and was pretty much fluent in Italian – well as fluent as a four year old can be! Kyle had a fantastic year! He made some wonderful friends from all around the world – Finn from Ireland, Elspeth from England, Adam and Ian from the US, Alessia and several others from Italy, and even more friends from places like Spain and Greece.
The school year did not officially end for Kyle’s class until June 30. With everything going on, including our move, we decided to pull Kyle from school early. I had been told by other parents to do whatever I could to make sure we didn’t miss the year end celebration. We made sure that Kyle – and all of us, made it to the celebration on June 19 – Kyle’s last day of school. It was an incredibly hot and humid day. So hot and humid that at one point at about 9:30 am I looked over at the mom next to me and we watched the make up melt down each other’s face – and the parade hadn’t even begun! The classes of the infant school marched out on to the parking lot and did the most heartwarming performance! Several times I was fighting the tears – and I didn’t even understand the Italian!
The morning was the perfect way for Kyle to finish a fantastic year! He spent it with some very important friends and his wonderful teacher Miss Ira, and he got to see Miss Hannah and Miss Iris – his very valued English teachers!
Kudos go out to all the staff at The International School of Lago Patria! We – I mean Kyle – had an excellent year! His education has a positive and strong foundation set and he has begun to develop a true love of learning – all of it giving him a fantastic experience that we will treasure for many, many years to come!
Ok, so it's been a while since I posted. Slowly I will try to bring you up to speed.
First I just have to share how proud I am of my nephew! He is not yet 9 and he is a sponsored BMX rider. He is great! We're all so happy we can watch his races now that we're closer. He lives to ride! He will do ANYTHING if it means someone will take him to the track.
Here's a photo I took of him last week.
First I just have to share how proud I am of my nephew! He is not yet 9 and he is a sponsored BMX rider. He is great! We're all so happy we can watch his races now that we're closer. He lives to ride! He will do ANYTHING if it means someone will take him to the track.
Here's a photo I took of him last week.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Please meet Diego and Nemo and 6 of their friends
So how exactly does something like this happen? Well, it started a couple of Saturdays ago. I hear Kyle yell from the front of the house, "ZORO'S BACK!" It took me a minute and then I remembered Zoro is the name of the dog that "lives" at the house across the street. The family only uses the house in the summer so it's been a while since we've seen them. Kyle wants to go say hi to Zoro and in the course of conversation - about the frogs singing, we are taken to the pool and shown hundreds of tadpoles! Kyle, of course, being 4 and a boy, wants some. We fill a jar with 6 tadpoles and now are proud new parents! (And just exactly how does one rear tadpoles? I think I knew more about this at age 6 than I do now!) We (I) read up on it on the internet (mostly because I want to avoid any tragedies and making tadpole funeral arrangements) and Kyle is now the proud owner of a small plastic aquarium with six tadpoles who feast at least once a day on frozen spinach.
Jump to two Tuesdays ago. Kyle was so excited to show Eva his new pets. Although he struggled to find the Italian words he needed to relay his excitement Eva definitely understood. So much so, that when she came this Tuesday she had, in a jar, two goldfish, whom were quickly named, by Kyle, Diego and Nemo. I thought the jar was a little small and wasn't sure if tadpoles and goldfish can co-exist. Kyle now has two small plastic aquariums.
Now just who is it that brings new pets to a family only six weeks before they move! OK, the tadpoles - with a little luck they'll hop away before the six weeks are up. But Nemo and Diego? With our move approaching Kyle has been working on a list as to what of his possessions will be sold, what will go home with us and what will he give away and to whom. His venus flytrap (which he feeds fairly regularly with still moving insects) he'd like to give to his mate Elspeth but since they're moving it looks like Finn may be the lucky winner. And I, like a good parent, will start conferring with Dorianne, Alessia's mom next door to see if she will take on Kyle's Diego and Nemo.
I'm thinking babysitters, at least our very loving Polish-Italian one, must fall into the category of "aunt". The people in that category can get away with things with my children that no one else can! (Right, Lisa?)
Now if Kyle would only admit that the tadpoles tails are getting shorter and not growing longer as he claims! If they are growing longer then I may really have a challenge!
Hmmm, I think I hear a cricket singing outside the front door...perhaps I should go and warn him to move on.
I actually wrote this blog entry well over a week ago and never got it posted. So here is the update: Poor Nemo did not stay with us very long. Kyle was not particularly bothered as he simply renamed Diego - "Diego-Nemo". And all is fine. Since this posting we have actually had an encounter with a cricket that found it's way into our house, as well as a baby bird that fell out of one of our trees (put it in a shoebox and hung that from the tree and the next day it was gone), and a litter of three kittens (maybe 5 days old) at our friends house. Oh and our tadpoles have legs.
Jump to two Tuesdays ago. Kyle was so excited to show Eva his new pets. Although he struggled to find the Italian words he needed to relay his excitement Eva definitely understood. So much so, that when she came this Tuesday she had, in a jar, two goldfish, whom were quickly named, by Kyle, Diego and Nemo. I thought the jar was a little small and wasn't sure if tadpoles and goldfish can co-exist. Kyle now has two small plastic aquariums.
Now just who is it that brings new pets to a family only six weeks before they move! OK, the tadpoles - with a little luck they'll hop away before the six weeks are up. But Nemo and Diego? With our move approaching Kyle has been working on a list as to what of his possessions will be sold, what will go home with us and what will he give away and to whom. His venus flytrap (which he feeds fairly regularly with still moving insects) he'd like to give to his mate Elspeth but since they're moving it looks like Finn may be the lucky winner. And I, like a good parent, will start conferring with Dorianne, Alessia's mom next door to see if she will take on Kyle's Diego and Nemo.
I'm thinking babysitters, at least our very loving Polish-Italian one, must fall into the category of "aunt". The people in that category can get away with things with my children that no one else can! (Right, Lisa?)
Now if Kyle would only admit that the tadpoles tails are getting shorter and not growing longer as he claims! If they are growing longer then I may really have a challenge!
Hmmm, I think I hear a cricket singing outside the front door...perhaps I should go and warn him to move on.
I actually wrote this blog entry well over a week ago and never got it posted. So here is the update: Poor Nemo did not stay with us very long. Kyle was not particularly bothered as he simply renamed Diego - "Diego-Nemo". And all is fine. Since this posting we have actually had an encounter with a cricket that found it's way into our house, as well as a baby bird that fell out of one of our trees (put it in a shoebox and hung that from the tree and the next day it was gone), and a litter of three kittens (maybe 5 days old) at our friends house. Oh and our tadpoles have legs.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Rescue Hero
Thursday evening presented a very memorable event. One that I doubt Kyle will forget for a very long time.
On our way home (late) from a birthday party we noticed a fire burning in an abandoned building in our village. It was obviously just started because the smoke had not gone very high in the air but a whole room was already lit up. Kyle and I agreed we needed to "call it in" but we did't speak enough Italian to give the details. We tried calling a friend but couldn't reach her, we drove past the police station but there was no one around, so we turned to our next door neighbours. We went over and gave them the details and they called it in while Brian put Vika to bed. After the call was made we were assured that everything would be taken care of. I don't know what I was thinking when I thought that would be end of it. We came through our front gate and just as fast as any firefighter, Kyle had his gear on and was ready to go! I politely bowed out and told him that it's not really a good thing to go watch a fire but he could go talk to daddy. Of course he did and of course they went, with a head light attached to his helmut - and they beat the fire trucks there!
Kyle learned the importance of making sure all equipment is in working order. The firefighters' chainsaw wasn't working and then they had to resort to bolt cutters to cut through the locks to get onto the property. (Why didn't they use the bolt cutters first?) Once they had access to the building it took all of 30 seconds to extinguish the fire. Then, as Kyle says, "They just noticed me!"
Here's how Kyle tells it: They just noticed me. They just talked to me. One spoke English!!! Do you believe me! They asked me about everything actually, like who called in the fire. They wanted to know where I go to school and I really surprised them that I showed them I speak Italian. They really liked my uniform and theirs is the same even with a light! Then they just took me over to their truck and I got to sit in it. And they turned on the siren for me!! Then they got me out of the truck and I got to get my picture taken with them all! They actually were all nice!
The part Kyle doesn't tell is coming home when the Carabieneri (sp)(police) decided to stop Brian and Kyle and check Brian's documents (not unusual here). All Brian could think about was - yeah, the one who sets it comes back to the scene - oh -oh , here I go! It was shortly after that thought that Brian realized his Sojourners permit (permit to be in the country working and living) had expired 4 days earlier. Lovely. Thankfully Kyle had charmed the firefighters to the point that they considered him one of them and stood up to the police and asked them to let Brian and Kyle go!
(Did I mention how proud I am that Brian actually thought to grab a camera as he ran out the door!)
On our way home (late) from a birthday party we noticed a fire burning in an abandoned building in our village. It was obviously just started because the smoke had not gone very high in the air but a whole room was already lit up. Kyle and I agreed we needed to "call it in" but we did't speak enough Italian to give the details. We tried calling a friend but couldn't reach her, we drove past the police station but there was no one around, so we turned to our next door neighbours. We went over and gave them the details and they called it in while Brian put Vika to bed. After the call was made we were assured that everything would be taken care of. I don't know what I was thinking when I thought that would be end of it. We came through our front gate and just as fast as any firefighter, Kyle had his gear on and was ready to go! I politely bowed out and told him that it's not really a good thing to go watch a fire but he could go talk to daddy. Of course he did and of course they went, with a head light attached to his helmut - and they beat the fire trucks there!
Kyle learned the importance of making sure all equipment is in working order. The firefighters' chainsaw wasn't working and then they had to resort to bolt cutters to cut through the locks to get onto the property. (Why didn't they use the bolt cutters first?) Once they had access to the building it took all of 30 seconds to extinguish the fire. Then, as Kyle says, "They just noticed me!"
Here's how Kyle tells it: They just noticed me. They just talked to me. One spoke English!!! Do you believe me! They asked me about everything actually, like who called in the fire. They wanted to know where I go to school and I really surprised them that I showed them I speak Italian. They really liked my uniform and theirs is the same even with a light! Then they just took me over to their truck and I got to sit in it. And they turned on the siren for me!! Then they got me out of the truck and I got to get my picture taken with them all! They actually were all nice!
The part Kyle doesn't tell is coming home when the Carabieneri (sp)(police) decided to stop Brian and Kyle and check Brian's documents (not unusual here). All Brian could think about was - yeah, the one who sets it comes back to the scene - oh -oh , here I go! It was shortly after that thought that Brian realized his Sojourners permit (permit to be in the country working and living) had expired 4 days earlier. Lovely. Thankfully Kyle had charmed the firefighters to the point that they considered him one of them and stood up to the police and asked them to let Brian and Kyle go!
(Did I mention how proud I am that Brian actually thought to grab a camera as he ran out the door!)
Friday, April 24, 2009
A quick update
I am pathetically behind in keeping up this blog! I guess that's life - when you're busy living it it's hard to find time to write about it! We've been keeping well, obviously busy. We had a fantastic visit with Lisa and Zach followed by a wonderful visit with Brian's parents. Of course the kids were thrilled to see Ami and Papa and were sad to see them leave. We did take the advantage with Brian's parents to see a little bit more of Italy. We spent some time in Orvieto and also made a trip to Sicily, fulfilling a dream of mine to see Mt Etna, glowing lava and all. Now we start the countdown to my mom's visit in May.
In the meantime, here are a few pictures to keep the grandparents happy! Some were taken around the house and some at a birthday party we attended last weekend. Enjoy.
In the meantime, here are a few pictures to keep the grandparents happy! Some were taken around the house and some at a birthday party we attended last weekend. Enjoy.
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