March brought Maria's first time on stage in a production of "Olivia" and her first swim medals (all on the same day!). Later in the month Maria and Paolo traveled to Italy for Spring Break while Gio and I headed to the USA....
Some shots from doggy day care...
Our housekeeper Christine and her adorable new baby Zaki.
Cast photos up for the production of "Oliva"! Maria is the police officer.
Weekly chemo for Jagger. Maria was able to come along this week as it was conference day at school.
My brand new Italian passport!
Her first swim meet in a LONG time- collecting medals!
Gold, silver & bronze with Coach Anthony
Later that same day she took to the stage!
We started a fundraiser for Ukraine- selling these beaded bracelets.
Middle of the night flight to Frankfurt for Spring Break.
In Frankfurt we split up- Paolo and Maria flew on to Bologna while Gio and I headed to DC.
Right after visiting my parents and getting his Covid booster Gio and I headed up to Bethesda to visit Gio's cousins John & Alex (and their new dog Beau).
There were lots of displays supporting Ukraine around DC...
Gio's new favorite t-shirt.
Meanwhile in Italy....
Gio and my mother plotted a tour of chicken wings (a new favorite food) in DC.
We spent an afternoon at the zoo. The pandas were a big hit with Gio along with the small mammal, reptile and Amazonia exhibits. It was fun to watch him so excited!
Visiting the Ukrainian Embassy.
In Italy Maria and Paolo had a fun visit with Paolo's brother Marina and his partner Marina.
A visit to the aquarium in Genoa.
Maria had a terrific time with Paolo during Spring Break but I sure missed them both!
Reunion with Winston after a week away.
The 7th grade spent two days doing day trips around Nairobi. For his first day Gio visited a farm.
Their team won the scarecrow decorating contest!
Day 2 was rock climbing!
I will leave you with this. In these dark times a giggle is always welcome.
A short but busy month with some scary news at home and abroad. Without further ado....
Maria is clearly my daughter as she loves puzzles as much as I do. She can tackle 1000 pieces without fear. Currently she is halfway through one without any help from me. Gioia offers moral support.
This was NOT a theme day at school....
Our sweet Jagger (only 5 years old) was diagnosed with lymphoma. He is battling it with chemo and steroids. So far he is not showing symptoms but we know our time left with him is likely short and so very precious.
Jagger has many friends at our beloved Karura Forest. Some have been leaving tennis balls around to cheer him up.
US Summer camp requires TB tests for our children. They both passed!
Paolo and Gio headed to Diani Beach one weekend to get SCUBA certification. We took the girls-only weekend seriously!
Paolo and Gio loved their SCUBA course and are now fully certified.
Jagger's support team.
International Day at school. Maria did her two passport countries. Gio added his beloved South Africa (hat is for a Pretoria rugby team).
Gioia has many napping spots but our bed is her favorite.
On Feb 23rd I officially became an Italian citizen! It took us 5 years of effort.
Maria's work is often interrupted....
With the horrifying events happening in Ukraine I wanted to post a few pictures from our 5 wonderful years living in Kyiv....
This was the street (Kreschatyk) outside of our apartment building. This was the year Gio insisted on wearing only PJs (even to school) and went nowhere without his beloved Basset Hound stuffy "Big Tom". He loved stomping in puddles and riding the metro (subway) to his school. So many fond memories in a place now being attacked by a mad man.
Our children spent their early years in Kyiv (Gio ages 2-6 and Maria birth-2). This statue was one they both loved. Maria insisted on siting with the babuska nearly every day when we visited Shevchenko Park.
This was both Gio's and Maria's favorite thing in Shevchenko Park. While it would not have met with US safety standards it provided years of fun for both of them. Sometimes 12 children were crammed on it with the older ones swinging it wildly. It is heartbreaking that no children are on it now. Picture above is Gio at age 2 in 2010. Picture below is Maria at age 2 in 2015.
Gio at the baracades during the Revolution in 2014 (reading Captain Underpants).
Enzo was a beloved visitor to Shevchenko Park. Our daily visits were often met with cheers when this gang of children was there. It is heartbreaking to know they are now old enough to be defending their country.
