Nonna & Nonno Arrive!

On Monday, after weeks of anticipation, Gio finally got his beloved Nonno and Nonna to come for a visit.  My parents arrived in Bologna bearing lots of gifts and goodies from home.  Gio and I could not have been more excited to see them.  They will be here for 2.5 weeks, plenty of time to introduce them to our Italian life....

Nothing like a popsicle to get us through the anxious waiting at the arrivals door....

Every time the door opened, Gio would rush up to see if it was them. 

At last!!!!!

Once back home, Enzo fell immediately in love with Nonno. 

Gio insisted that Nonno join him in the trampoline.  Pretty good for a 70-year-old fellow!

Later we visited our local Parmigiano Reggiano factory.  The owner is a friend of ours so he took us all on a tour. Here are the 8 wheels they had just made that day.  Each weighs about 85 pounds. 

Gio enjoyed adding salt to the baths....

...and more....

...finally we got him to move along after he declared, "I'm just making the cheese taste even better."

 Then we entered the storage building. The longer the cheese ages, the more seasoned it becomes (and also more expensive!).  Some had 2007 stamps.  This factory exports much of its cheese to the US where the wheels retail at about $1000.  

This robot machine captivated Gio.  It runs 24 hours/day picking up each cheese, washing it thoroughly and then returning it to its resting place.  

Today's cheeses being lifted up to a high shelf.  

Gio has a new favorite toy- a child-sized shovel.  While the adults do errands in town he likes to stay near the main square's fountain and "work" on the landscaping.  

This being Italy, a country that adores children, everyone just smiles and encourages his industrious nature. I am afraid that if he attempted this activity in Kyiv he would be soundly scolded by an army of babushkas.  

For the first time in his life Gio chose his own outfit today.  Well done, fashion star. 

We are keeping Nonno and Nonna very busy with lots of soccer, trampoline jumping, tours, walks and, of course, meals.

Embracing life in Italy, Nonno visited Giovanni, the local barber, to have his ample locks trimmed. He declared it the finest haircut he had ever had!

Sometimes all of this action calls for a break for a short nap. Enzo is always happy to keep Nonno company.