Saturday, June 28, 2014

Off to Italy for the Summer!

The end of the school year is always crazy here but this June has been particularly busy with far too many good-byes as an unusual number of families are moving away from Ukraine this summer.  Poor Gio has lost every one of his 5 best friends.  Definitely a downside of the ex-pat life. I am fitting in one more Kyiv-based blog entry before we relocate to Italy for the  next two months....


My super boy on his way to school. 
Enzo and his daughter Enzita (she belongs to our wonderful dog-walker Lucy)!


For the last two months I have been taking Gio out of school early once/week to have a Mamma-Gio date.  It is a rare opportunity to have some one-on-one time and I love every minute.  We usually go to our favorite spot, Milk Bar, for Uno and grilled cheese sandwiches....  
...and red velvet cake!
Spring time means the stilettos get even steeper!
Gio feels it is time for Maria to learn her letters....
We spent a lot of afternoons in the sandbox with Maria's main man, Jackson. 

In June Maria finally perfected her roll.  Her very first one was onto Enzo- a perfect spot to land!




We brought Maria to Milk Bar.  She was very disappointed that we did not order her any red velvet cake.  
Another weekend, another going away party.... Sigh.  
Big brother swing time.  No better way to spend a sunny afternoon. 



Maria eats an apple nearly every day.  She LOVES them!
Hanging out with sweet Pepper.   


Baby's first mojito.  
Don't panic.  It was a virgin one!
Every morning after we watch Gio get on the bus we have some sand time with Enzo. 


Gio took a field trip to the zoo. 
We had quite a few rainy afternoons so Maria, Gio and I often ended up at the play area in Ocean Plaza. 



More morning sand time....






Enzo and his best friend Annuta.  

Maria discovered the joys of grocery shopping!
Snacks help...
One lazy weekend morning we all took a trip to the hair salon so the boys could get their hair cut.  


Maria adores her other big brother!

Bath time is always a hit for Maria!
Another Wednesday, another Milk Bar date with Gio.  On this one he discovered their amazing milk shakes! 
Another raining afternoon spent at Happylon!

Gio won the jackpot- 500 tickets!
Megamarket began carrying maple syrup. Now if they would just get some brown sugar!
Final book club of the year!
Watermelon!

An interesting hair day....




Pepper had a bad accident- falling from our balcony and getting hit by a car.  He ended up needing his back left leg amputated.  The day he came home from the hospital he immediately climbed to his favorite perch 7 feet off the ground.  Amazing cat!
Summer in Ukraine....
We often spend time on the swings while we wait for Gio's bus to bring him home at 2:15.



Gio's class. 
Yes, we had a lot of rain this spring! 



And, yep, he won the jackpot AGAIN!  Got to get this boy to Vegas!
Sometimes I resort to this to try to rouse Gio in the mornings.  Not an easy task!
Fashion choices in Ukraine are often alarming.  This was a 60-ish man sporting this belt!
Pepper found a new favorite spot in Paolo's old briefcase.  

Graduating from pre-school earned Gio cake AND a milkshake!


 
The day after graduation the boys (all 4 of them!) headed off for the 3 day drive to Italy.  Maria and I will fly to join them on Monday.
An ice cream ad in Ukraine.  Sigh.  (Photo courtesy of my friend Andrea HK- thanks!)
A raspberry walk. 


And, for those of you who are amused by Maria's mealtime antics....



Happy Summer to all!  Next post from Italy....