School experience in Italy

This last year, with the boys in Italian school, has had its challenges, but really they had a pretty good experience making new friends, and learning the language. They both did very well--mostly Ottimo and Distinto (best scores). They had really great teachers.

We wanted to thank the teachers, so each boy designed and helped make a hot pad for his teacher (Maestra Sara and Maestra Mirella), and another one for the sweet Antonella who welcomed them everyday and helped make sure they were on the right bus, and such.

The long bus rides to and from school(one hour each way--we don't actually live that far away, but...), were helped by kind bus-drivers (Eli actually gave one of them a Book of Mormon).

They will be home with me again next year (not because of negative experiences at school, but because I really feel strongly about homeschooling right now). They both want to be home-schooled, though I know that they will miss their friends.

We will try to speak Italian more at home, so they don't lose all that they have learned.

Grazie tutti alla scuola di Sacro Cuore!!

Isaac is ready to chow down!

After noticing Isaac was so ready for the blessing on the food (arms folded on his own, so cute--though certainly a fluke), I decided it was time.

So, Isaac finally got his first mouth-full of something other than breast milk. We chose squash.

He was so funny. He wanted the spoon, of course, so I held down his hands and pushed the squash through his lips. He gave a new-experience look, and shook like you do when something really grosses you out. However, when he thought I was taking too long to do it again, he started to cry. This process continued for a good 6 or 7 bites and then we stopped (time to go get the boys out of the pool and ready for bed).

I don't love the pureed food stage, but it is fun to see their expressions as they try these flavors for the first time. Maybe next we will try cavallo, coniglio, or formaggio--some local baby food flavors (horse, rabbit, and cheese), or maybe not!.

GO GABRIEL!

Gabriel has been in underwear for over 2 weeks. Yeah!
Okay, I know he is closer to 4 than 3, and it is about time, but I have to say that this was cake.
All I had to do was keep myself from caring what all the other parents think (you know, the ones whose children were all potty-trained by 2 max.), and just decide that diaper changes are so much better and convenient than cleaning out poopy underwear and footprints of the same from the carpet (okay, you may not agree, but really diapers are easy!).
I had faith that if left alone about it, he would eventually want to stop the diaper changes. I must admit to a few moments of doubt as to whether this would happen before age 6.
I provided as much motivation as I could without pushing, but nothing seemed to entice him.
Well, when David went to the US last month, I had him buy some spiderman underwear, and I ordered some lizard and frog underwear (likes super heroes and animals). I washed all these and showed him the stack of underwear waiting for him "when he was ready" (FYI: I had tried the cool underwear tactic before to no avail). This time, he liked the idea and asked to put some on.
I reminded him that if he had underwear on he would have to use the toilet. He had one pee accident that day. I just reminded him that if he went in his underwear he would always get wet like that. We cleaned it up (one big hurrah for all-tile floors), and then I asked if he wanted more underwear or a diaper (I may have made one sound a bit more thrilling than the other, but not enough to be obvious--hee, hee). He chose underwear and has been wearing them ever since.
I tried to gear myself up for the many bathroom runs and reminders, but later that day I just found him in the bathroom on the toilet pooping "I'm doing snake poops, mom." "Okay!!"
*Just one more perk for the late trainer--tall enough not to need my help or even a stool, just climbs on up there and, wa-la!
So, you may be one whose 1 year old is begging to use the potty just like her big sister, but if you're not and you don't have the pressure of potty-training in preparation for preschool (I never sent mine before 4, so this wasn't an issue--though close enough, I suppose), this approach isn't so bad. All it takes is CONFIDENCE (of course, you can totally fake the whole confidence thing, like me. Just start practicing when they are born and by the time you really need it, you may be able to fake even yourself out!).
Go Gabriel!!

How we know Eli has spent some time on the toilet.

I had to smile when I walked into the bathroom the other day and saw this left on the floor. Some of us take a magazine when we know we will be hanging out, but he decided he needed something funner, like dominoes! This is a Brachiosaurus, just in case you can't tell.

*yes, that is a bidet in the picture--remember, we live in Europe!!

Cute Isaac--6 months old!

Just thought I would give you another glance at our Isaac. Isn't he so sweet?!

On June 4th he turned 6 months old. Sometimes it seems like forever ago that he was born, and other times I just can't believe how old he is.

So fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!! 33!!

Yes, David is getting old!




I just thought I would let you all see how he looked in years past (this is him at the age of each of our children--
6 months, 3 1/2, 7, and 9).
Isn't he cute?!

I can see some of him in all of my kids, but especially in Adam. It is so strange to think that they will one day be 33 years old themselves!


We celebrated his birthday running around a bit with kids' school programs and such. Of course, we did find time to sing a few rousing renditions of Happy Birthday! He had an ice cream cake and received more David Attenborough DVDs (birds and mammels) from us.

He and Eli had gone the day before to a cool place called Skypark. They will post some pictures and tell you all about it soon.

We love you Daddy!