July 2021: USA continued

We were all over the place in July.  Maria in Maine, Gio & Paolo mostly in Italy and me in DC.  

Waiting for the 4th of July Fireworks in DC.

Getting a break from the relentless DC heat.

Vaccination time...

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.)

                                         

                                     

A rare moment of action!

And some shots from Maria's 3.5 weeks at Alford Lake Camp....                 

4th of July antics.  Can you spot Maria?

                                    

                                        

                                        

                                        

                                        

                                        

I found out that her favorite activity was sailing. 
I would not have guessed that!

                                       A few of the letters Maria wrote...

                                        

                                        

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.

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"! 

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...

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. 

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)....

...and a trip to Camden's huge candy store.

Saying goodbye to Maine with every intention of returning
for camp next summer.

Maria's first ever US domestic flight (Portland, ME-DCA)

We had a few days in DC before our trip back to Kenya...

Maria continued to wear her camp uniform!

Visiting Montrose Park to get a much needed dose of dogs!

Her 5th COVID test of this trip (this one needed for travel back to Kenya).

Maria's turn to visit the cat cafe.

Getting a few favorite treats before our flight tonight.

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!

Waiting for our Uber.

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!

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

June 2021- USA

What a crazy month June has been! The children finished school (in person!), Gio and Paolo flew to USA, 3 of our dogs headed off to camp, Maria and I flew to the USA, Gio and I got Pfizer shots, we took a road trip to Maine, Maria started at her first sleepover camp and Gio visited Groton...

Watching a favorite horse get new shoes.

The famous trio taking selfies.

Worst part of the month for me was getting shingles.  NOT recommended.

Yes, Gio did this on purpose.  And YES, the school actually put it in the yearbook.  Cannot wait to see what he tries next year....

PJ Day at school.

COVID tests for the boys- they flew a week early to the USA so Gio had time to get both Pfizer shots.

After 18+ hours in Economy a real bed feels fabulous.  

First full day in the USA- shot #1!

Meanwhile back in Kenya we took very good care of Winston who was missing Gio.

There was not much room for me in my own bed...

Do I have ANY photos of Winston awake?

Found one!

Maria off with her beloved trio for a combined birthday and going away party for best friend Amelie (sitting in the middle) who is moving to NYC in July.

Water park fun!

I started packing for our trip to the USA. Winston was perplexed.

The day before Maria's and my flight 3 of our dogs headed off to camp (Ragu stayed home with our housekeeper and driver).

Finally our turn to fly!

And guess what I did the first day in the USA?

Big family brunch with many cousins!

Gio with his two favorites- twins Alex & John.

Lunch with Gio's long time DC friend Caden- they have been buddies since they were babies!

Maria started wearing her camp uniform a week before we headed up to Maine "for practice"!

Road trip up to Maine..

...trying out weird road food.

Always  fun to receive photos from dog camp!

We made it to Maine! 

The water was so cold!

Drop off day at camp was surreal- we were not allowed out of the car, Maria was given a rapid Covid test.  Once she tested negative she hopped out, happily greeted her counselor and skipped off to her tent without looking back.  A good start!

On our way back to DC we stopped at my boarding school Groton in Groton, MA, so Gio could have a tour.  He loved it!

Maria is in tent #1 (the youngest campers) with her fabulous counselor Hannah. More photos next month so tune in!

xoxo.  Clara