Back in Kiev!

You've missed me, haven't you?? Well, we are back in Kiev and ready to get started on our 2nd year here.  The air is already crisp and leaves are started to change color as the daylight begins to fade by 7 in the evening.  Enzo is thrilled with the new temperatures and has become much more lively.  He has some good buddies now in the park for playtime.  He is a popular playmate as he is always up for a romp and the other dogs know that they can very easily out run him! At 6 months he is already the size of a small horse, with another year of growth ahead of him.  Yikes!
Gio will begin school in December (on his 3rd birthday) so we are enjoying our last few months of leisurely mornings and relaxed bedtimes.  He is becoming a "big boy" in so many ways now- saying goodbye to diapers, riding his scooter faster than I can keep up with him and building elaborate airports and garages with his Legos and Magna-Tiles. What an amazing age!
Below are a collection of shots from my camera, which unfortunately met an untimely death last week.  Until I find another, we will have to rely on my phone to document our adventures. Enjoy what you find below and and a very happy early fall to everyone.

Last visit to the National Zoo's elephants before departing the USA in July.

Visiting a swanky beach club along the river in Kiev.  I did not dare swim in the river but Gio and Paolo did.  Ick.

In mid-August Paolo and Enzo headed off in the Volvo for a 4 day drive to Italy.  Here he is back in his homeland! Gio and I flew to meet them once they arrived.

 

What follows are shots of our new house in Italy.  Progress has been made! We were even able to spend a few nights here- such fun! We hope many of you can come for a visit once construction is complete.

A loft above the main room.  Playroom for Gio, perhaps?

A view of a castle from our bedroom!

Laundry room, where a washer and DRYER were soon installed.  Yes, as a proper American I insisted on that one, though they are rarely used by true Italians!

Perhaps a wine cellar?

The future home of my dream car- an original Fiat Cinquecento? Can you picture me driving one around with Enzo's big head sticking out?  Fabulous.

The future soccer pitch...now a fantastic dirt and mud playground for Gio.

Enzo, age 6 months.

Yes, we bought a red fridge.  Why not.

Since the bedrooms upstairs are not done, we slept in the dining room.

A new buzz cut.

On our drive to Tuscany. 

And I wonder why my camera broke?? Gio's self-portait.

First of many delicious meals with Gio's god fathers Tim and Jay.  What a wonderful week we had ahead of us!

Visting a small Tuscan village on a search for gelato, wine & hidden treasures.

Blond shaved head, Crocs, polo shirt and no pants? Yep, that's an American.

On the move with some focaccia.

Yes, Gio is only wearing underwear.  He pulls it off nicely, no?

nice.  perhaps our Christmas card shot....

Yes, Gio thorougly embraces the Italian cuisine.

On a silly march with Jay.

First of many wine purchases.

Our villa was right on the beach which was where we spent most of our week.  Even Enzo joined us in the mornings and late afternoons.

Enzo wanted NOTHING to do with the water, so watched Paolo and Gio swimming from afar.

My very happy boys.

Wait! Is that...no, can it be? Yes, that is ME!!  Wow.  A rare glimpse.  Notice Enzo's relaxed pose. 

Sunset on our vacation, my camera and this post.