We were all over the place in July. Maria in Maine, Gio & Paolo mostly in Italy and me in DC.
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| Waiting for the 4th of July Fireworks in DC. |
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| Getting a break from the relentless DC heat. |
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| Vaccination time... |
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| The day the boys flew to Italy I took Gio back to his favorite spot in Georgetown- the cat cafe! Shots of 75% of our dogs at Yappaville (Ragu stayed at home. A 13-year-old dog just does not really want to go to camp.) |
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| A rare moment of action! And some shots from Maria's 3.5 weeks at Alford Lake Camp....
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| I found out that her favorite activity was sailing. I would not have guessed that! |
A few of the letters Maria wrote...
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| Meanwhile in DC we got to celebrate my mother's birthday. Her sister Molly flew in from Chicago which was a treat for all of us. |
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| And over in Italy Gio got to meet Bianca for the first time. Even though she is officially a cousin Gio declared himself "Zio Gio"! |
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| Watching Italy defeat England to win Euro Cup was a highlight of the summer! Gio and Paolo headed to the Dolomites for 4 days of hiking with some friends... |
Gio jumping into a 2C/35F glacial lake...
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| I flew up to Maine to pick up Maria on July 22. As you can see from her eyes she was very sad that camp was over. |
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| I cheered her up with a dip in our hotel hot tub (followed by a LONG shower which she loved after strict 3 minute showers at camp).... |
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| ...and a trip to Camden's huge candy store. |
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| Saying goodbye to Maine with every intention of returning for camp next summer. |
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| Maria's first ever US domestic flight (Portland, ME-DCA) We had a few days in DC before our trip back to Kenya... |
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| Maria continued to wear her camp uniform! |
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| Visiting Montrose Park to get a much needed dose of dogs! |
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| Her 5th COVID test of this trip (this one needed for travel back to Kenya). |
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| Maria's turn to visit the cat cafe. |
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| Getting a few favorite treats before our flight tonight. |
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| Priority Packing. To explain- Jagger is obsessed with tennis balls but they cost $5/ball in Kenya. So I buy used, dead ones on eBay and bring them back. This supply (even more in another bag) cost me $20! |
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| Waiting for our Uber. |
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| Final meal in the USA at Dulles. She insisted on a video call with Gio so he could see this and cry. |
Back in Nairobi and Winston's first visit to Karura. He loved it!
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| I do need to figure out how to walk 4 dogs when Maria goes back to school! August will bring Gio and Paolo's return from Italy, Maria's 8th birthday, Jagger's 5th and a return to school (hopefully in person). xoxo. Clara |
