November brought parents back on campus for evening performances and Gio was ready with two evenings of entertainment! It was such a treat to feel a bit of normalcy and to see the campus after almost 20 months. But first to the orthodontist....
...where Gio got fitted for an orthodontic mouth guard for the start of rugby season...
...and poor Maria had to start wearing this contraption every night (to pull her upper jaw forward). She is, as always, a very good sport about it all.
Best friend play date. Extra fun when your friend has an extra swim suit in your size!
Gio's gang came over for an overnight in the tent.
Paolo spent two weeks this month working in DRC. He had to do most of his travel in boats as the roads are controlled by rebels. We were all relieved when he got back home.
These two stooges are never apart. Although Gioia is 19 months older than Winston it is debatable which is more of a puppy.
It took 8 years but Maria has finally had a taste of Rice Krispie Treats.
Gio's performances.... in the first clip go to the last 9 minutes when his skit takes place. His is the voice you hear throughout as the "monster"...
Curtain call.....
When one of your favorite classmates moves into your neighborhood!
Less than a week after Gio's play came a band concert at school. Note: I did send Gio to school with long trousers....
Thanksgiving with the wonderful Rex Family!
We kept Nicky Rex (Gio's best friend) for the long weekend. They spent 3 nights in the tent, with lots of time in the pool and practicing the trumpet.
December will bring Gio's 13th (!!!) birthday and a lot of travel. Maria and I will be heading to the USA for a bit and then on to Italy where we will meet Paolo and Gio to celebrate Christmas and hopefully do some skiing.
October's highlight was a trip to Amboseli. Gio has been busy with early morning swim team workouts, band concerts and play rehearsals. Maria's days are filled with parkour, swim team, musical rehearsals and riding. The dogs keep themselves focused on monkey chasing and beauty sleep. No one knows what the cat is doing....
An early morning visit to Karura.
Concert band performance day!
Winston loves walking around in Karura with Mandhi who indulges his stick obsession.
Pool time with her bestie.
Sleepover antics.
Karura Forest ride.
Birthday party for two of Gio's gang at the waterpark.
Salt continues his tour of odd napping spots.
Breast Cancer Awareness at school. Gio took it seriously in honor of his nonna.
During the school holiday we drove to Amboseli for a few days of safari....
A visitor came to great Maria outside her cabin when we arrived.
A quick dip before we headed out for an evening safari.
A dusty sunset in the park.
Early morning is the best time to see Kilimanjaro as it is usually cloud covered the rest of the day. We were up for a morning safari.
Buffalo, elephants and hippos in the swamp.
Hyena.
My favorites are the baby elephants. I could watch them all day.
Flamingos
Maria continued her 6 year habit of sleeping through safaris.
On our last morning the children did a camel safari. Luckily the camp has only two camels (rescued from a meat factory) so Paolo and I could stay behind. Phew!
Book character day at school- Captain Underpants!
Hard to find room sometimes.
Haircut at last!
Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood. Despite the face Maria loved it.
Trick-or-Treating, night #2. Visiting the neighborhood where our best friends live.
The lion drove. Hope his tail recovers.
November brings Gio's play performance, some new orthodontic work for Maria and the rainy season (we hope!).
September was marked by braces for Gio, a visit to Olipenga Farm and Paolo's first work trip in 19 months (to Angola and South Africa).
Jagger Pillow
Salt has all sorts of odd napping spots. Currently his favorite one is Gio's Lego box.
Waiting for the school bus.
Rainbow bands on the new braces!
A new favorite dinner treat- homemade foccacia.
Our younger dogs continue to go to daycare on Thursdays for some socialization, playtime and grooming.
Winston comes home exhausted from daycare. Gio's school bags are his favorite spot to collapse.
With a long weekend on the school calendar we drove up to the Mt Kenya area for a visit to Olipenga Farm.
The big appeal of this farm for Maria was a chance to ride!
Since Gio was not interested in the horses he hung out a lot at the pool.
The farm has 4 resident dogs. This Jack Russell puppy was a huge hit with the kids. They built her forts on the couches and watched over her while she napped.
Bread making class...
...with two GIANT puppy supervisors.
More riding.
Visiting the farm's organic garden and chicken coop.
A favorite spot.
As soon as we got back from the farm weekend Paolo left for a 2 week work trip. While he was away Maria got a purple streak in her hair...
...and I dragged Gio to the shops to find dress clothes for a band concert he has next month.
Practicing for the concert with a faithful audience.
The school arranged a weekend day for parents to finally get to visit the campus to see the new Middle School. My favorite part is the pigeon mosaic Gio has designed and is being installed on one of the walls.
Maria takes her bike to school on Thursdays (on the school bus!) for an after school mountain biking club. She loves it!
Wait for the bear attack...
The entire gang!
October will bring a safari trip to Ambroseli. Tune in soon!
