There were some real highs over the last two months but also a devastating low with the loss of our dear Ragu who succumbed to cancer at the age of 14. I had to condense two months into one entry here as we put him down on December 6th (also Gio's 14th birthday) and I did not have the energy/motivation to work on the blog during that time. So without further ado....that last two months of 2022 with the Belli family....
Gio performed twice in a private lesson concert in early November. First playing the sousaphone with his friend Lorenzo...
And then a trumpet duet with his friend Nicky....
Gio joined a rugby team where most of the players are college-age.
He loves it and practices with them 3 times/week.
A day off from school usually means a ride in Karura for Maria. This time she brought along her friend Abi. They had a great time with our usual guide Duncan.
Gio brought home his school photos. Cannot wait to see which one turns up in the yearbook....
Swim gala!
And then some sleepover baking.
Winston has started to appear in all sorts of strange places. He finds a way even with those little legs. Today it was our puzzle table.
And to continue our strange pet trend, Salt now spends most of the day sleeping on our cars. On this morning it was raining but he still found a way...
This billboard has begun to appear around town. Cracks me up.
When you take Gio to a classical music concert...
Jazz concert where Gio (1) played the sousaphone...
(2) served drinks and desserts, and...
(3) shocked us with a solo he never told us about!
And the grand finale....
Gio and his friend Nicky created this giant fort in our living room and spent two nights in it. Winston was hired to guard it.
Nicky's family just got a Golden Retriever puppy named Molly. Winston fell deeply in love.
Daycare shots where Bernese Mountain Dog Emjey has joined the gang. You can see why Winston comes home exhausted every Wedneday!
Again Winston appearing places he should not be. This time it was on our dining room table after we had gotten up to begin clearing it. Bassets are docile, stubborn, affectionate and above all NAUGHTY.
Speaking of naughty, Gio had 2 friends over for the night and sent me this photo long after I had gone to bed of their late night KFC delivery order....
And just like that our larger than life boy turned 14. It was a very tough day though as we also had to put Ragu down that day but Gio, as always, was a good sport about it. He understood that ending Ragu's suffering was more important that making the day special for him.
RIP Ragu, 2008-2014. He stole all of our hearts and even though his death was expected it still tore us all up. When we are ready we will adopt another senior dog from a shelter. Adopting him was the best thing we did for our family.
Paolo had to leave for a long trip the day after we said our last goodbye to Ragu. He traveled to Zambia and South Africa. The children and I spent a long weekend mostly at Karura (Ragu's favorite spot) with Gioia and Winston. Gio built this structure proving that even 14-year-olds still like to play with sticks.
In a moment of humor/disgust: Gioia's morning ritual of cleaning Winston's ears.
About 3 mornings/week I take Gio to the gym at 5AM (!!) for weight training to improve his rugby strength. He loves it despite the hour.
Gio has been chosen to go to Mumbia in March with a small group of MS students to participate in a drama workshop. One requirement for the trip is a dose of the oral polio vaccine.
He said it tasted terrible!
We traveled to Italy Dec 16-17. On Dec 18th Paolo and Gio drove to Milan to pick up Yoav at the airport. For those of you who have followed our Kenyan adventures all along you may remember Yoav as Gio's best friend in 4th and 5th grade. Yoav and his family moved back to Israel at the end of 5th grade and these two have remained best friends all of this time. We have tried for 2.5 years to get them together including for Yoav's bar mitzvah but every time COVID cancelled our plans. Finally they have been reunited for a week. Cannot think of a time I have seen Gio happier!
We had many yummy meals with Yoav.
Maria and I decorated our tree.
We took Yoav to see a Parmigiano Reggiano factory near our home.
We took him on quite a few hikes.
For his final two days the boys hung around Milan.
While the boys where in Milan Maria and I stayed home and collected chestnuts...
...and made LOTS of cookies!
Christmas day. New accessories- a favorite gift from our dear friends Linda & Allen!
...and new outfits. Maria would wear this axoloti onesie for the next week straight!
Gio did this hike with our friends Adamo, Lele and Lele's super dog Menta. It was a very windy day!
Paolo, Maria and I did more tame walks.
A day to visit a winery with friends.
Cheers! Here's to being 14 and looking 21!
The new year will take us to the Dolomites for a week of skiing and then back to Nariobi.
October took us to DC for two weeks. Paolo had his annual World Bank meetings and Gio had an interview at Groton along with some standardized testing to complete. It was a treat to see spectacular Fall weather in both DC and around Boston.
Starting the long trip to DC.
We made it! On our first day we headed to get flu shots and ran into a dear Ukrainian friend from Kenya who is in her first year at Georgetown University.
After only two days in DC we flew to Boston where Maria got to see her first ever Fall colors. Gio had seen them when we lived in Ukraine but Maria was too young to remember it.
We took no pictures during our tour and interview at Groton but here we are after it was over. A rare moment when Gio is dressed well!
Back in DC and enjoying the museums, this day at Natural History. Of course we had to focus on the oceans and SHARKS!
On the metro up to Bethesda for Gio's SSAT testing. He was super excited about it.
My parents treated us to excellent shows at the Kennedy Center. Gio and Paolo saw "Hamilton" and the next weekend Maria and I went with them to "Guys & Dolls" which we all loved. We had lunch with our favorite cousins who also happened to be attending the show.
Waiting for the bus.
Twinning.
I love walking around Georgetown at this time of year.
Meanwhile back in Nairobi Gioia and Winston were enjoying camp!
We all got the new Covid booster.
Gio still enjoys swinging!
A trip to the zoo....
Highlight of our visit was seeing the orangutans swinging above us!
A bit of fun before our flights back to Kenya...
We enjoyed our trip to DC but I was very happy to get back to our gang...
...and silly Salt with his odd napping places.
Another injury, luckily this time only a mild sprain.
Monochrome day at school. Gio, as always, took it to a new level.
Trick or treating.
Bowling at Westgate while Gio worked with his trainer at the gym upstairs.
Gio and I took care of trick or treating in our neighborhood. Maria was booked with two parties this day so was not able to join in.
November brings the start of musical ("Alladin") rehearsals for Maria, two concerts for Gio, football and rugby matches for Gio, swim galas for Maria and travel for Paolo.
