Italian Summer, Part 1

We have been in Italy now for about 3 weeks....well, all but poor Paolo who finally arrived last night.  What have we been up to while Paolo has been working hard in Ukraine?  Lots of swimming, camping and enjoying a (blazing) hot Italian summer....

Gio has attended two different camps so far.  His language skills are improving rapidly!
Tonight he is actually camping overnight with his group.

A full moon stroll.  Enzo prefers to take walks after 8 when the heat finally fades a bit.

Maria does like her berries!

Especially when I add blueberries (it was the 4th of July, after all!)

A "conversation" with Maria.....

When Gio came back from his first day of camp complaining about his feet I realized his shoes were much too small.
Here is one of the new ones I bought next to my own.  Yikes!  he will pass me by very soon (and I do not
exactly have small feet myself!)

This girl knows how to pull off a swim diaper.

Maria got new shoes, too!

She really likes them!

Our local pool really helps us get through the hot hot days.  

Gio is close to being entirely toothless....or so it seems.
Luckily there is plenty of gelato around here!

A view of our backyard on a typical evening...

Gio has become really excited about practicing his reading skills.
We are so proud of him!

One evening at the grocery store we ran into this family.
This boy and Maria were born within an hour of each other.  We shared a hospital room for 3 days!

Gio is really mastering the photo bomb....

Sitting on her big brother is a new favorite activity.

Hitting him is also fun.....

Maria thinks Enzo's water bowl is a LOT of fun!

Some more Gio-harassment.  

Checking out some live chickens at a local market.

A Masha balloon for Masha (Maria's name in Russian)

If you have never seen this cartoon try to find it on YouTube (Masha and the Bear).  It is terrific.  

...perfecting her right hook

My idea of a bath these days....

Of course, not to miss out on the fun....

And then this....

....BAM!

All is well.

Somebody LOVES focaccia.  

Something I find so funny about Italy- gym hours (at least in our part of the country).
My USA friends- can you imagine if a gym opened at 8:50 in the morning???
PS- I do not go to the gym.  It just happens to be the local pool place!

An evening stroll.  Yes, that is actual scenery behind our house. 

Our house from the top of the hill.

Later this weekend we catch a boat to head to Sardegna.  We will be hanging out on the beach for about 10 days.  Meanwhile Enzo and Pepperoni will stay at home with our nephew Giacomo who will keep them well fed and (hopefully) a bit cool.
Here's to a happy midsummer to all!

Clara