but first the last jumping and piano lessons of the year....
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| An overnight flight to Germany (this is the only minute Gio actually sat with me- the flight was so empty that Gio took over a row of 4 seats and managed to sleep for a few hours). |
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| Meanwhile Gioia and Jagger headed back to their camp outside of Nairobi. The cats and Ragu stayed at home in the care of Paolo's driver and his family. |
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| Our overnight flight began just as my birthday (Dec 4) was ending and Gio's birthday began our first full day in quarantine. Luckily a friend was able to bring him a cake. |
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| Monday came quickly and I had to wake both children in the pitch dark at 6AM to begin school (Italy is two hours behind Kenya). What helped that first early start? When the sun finally came up this surprise greeted us! |
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| In between Zoom calls they raced out into the snow. Maria's was annoyed here because I forced her to stop for a photo. |
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| Zoom PE class. |
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| Once we all got negative Covid tests we were allowed to head to our favorite gelato shop where we ordered this cake- birthday cake #3 for Gio. Why not!? |
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| We invited Stefano who lives in our downstairs apartment and takes impeccable care of our house and garden. Maria immediately roped him into playing her unicorn game. |
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| Maria took charge of the tree this year. |
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| Did I mention that one of our suitcases was left behind in Frankfurt? Even though we had a 7 hour layover?? It took Lufthansa 12 days to get it to us. I tried not to be grumpy about it. |
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| Our beloved brother-in-law/uncle Tucker (aka "Funcle" and "Zio Tuckerino") was the first family member to get a COVID vaccine. He is a hospital doc in Reno, NV. |
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| Cookie day. |
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| One of very favorite people here- Lele. He had come to take Gio for a day playing in the snow higher up in the mountains. Of course, before he left Maria got him to play her game. Notice a pattern? |
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| More camp photos! |
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| One of these newborn puppies (born Dec 20) will be Gio's surprise belated birthday present. |
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| Biden's vaccination day was big news in Italy! (Vaccinations in Italy began Dec 27th). Christmas Eve Antics |
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| Ready for Christmas Eve Dinner with Paolo's best friend and his family. |
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| Prepping for Santa before the guests arrived. Since Maria is Italian-American she offered him both wine and milk. |
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| More Christmas Eve antics. |
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| Santa must have liked the wine! |
Acchiappa la Cacca (Catch the Poop)
was a blast to finish off Christmas night.
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| More snow for Boxing Day. |
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| So many Legos to do.... |
How cute are 8 day old puppies? Don't show Gio!
We head back to Nairobi Jan 2 and spent the rest of our holiday playing in the snow, reading, doing Legos, Polly Pockets, walking and spending time with Angelo and his family.
Next post in 2021. Good riddance, 2020!
xox. Clara
