We were up early and headed to the airport. We spent the night with Aunt Kim and Grandmommy drove us to the airport early that morning. We got there and got checked in. We were all getting hungry so we split some Auntie Anne's pretzels. How convenient that it was right next to our gate!
We were on a smaller plane. Hudson and I were sitting together and the girls were sitting together.
The girls had a HUGE grin because we got to pre-board because of Hudson's broken foot. We were so thankful for this because we were bringing a sewing machine as a carry-on. Only the first 20 carry on bags were allowed and the rest would be gate checked all the way through to your final destination. So we got to put our bags on first!
We had a layover in Philadelphia. We saw the Liberty Bell ;)
made out of Legos
Katherine's sketching during the flight...it's looking out of her airplane window with a squirrel hanging on for dear life. haha!
Again, got to pre-board in Philly. This time they took the kids up to see the pilot in the cockpit! I wasn't close enough to get a picture, but Katherine took this one for me of Hudson. He was so excited! Actually, the girls were pretty excited to see it, too!
Yep, jetlag is a beast.
pretty skies in Rome
I think the puppies missed us!
Rachel and Brice are in the states and stopped by to see Regan!
It was the puppies birthday. We brought them back each a sheep. Diana bought them the other toys for their b-day.
We drove to Diana's to pick up the dogs. She asked us to stay for a meal so we could chat and let the dogs stay a little longer. They had these bow ties on.
Such happy babies.
Shadow loved getting presents.
Scout just watched ;)
Lauren knew that Scout wouldn't be too thrilled with the toys so she bought the dogs a treat with her own money.
Tired babies sleeping just alike
Well, being back in Rome means that the girls needed to work on their room. Lauren made the double bed into a single and added all of her stuffed animals.
Some of our friends here in Rome.
Why? Because I have literally been wanting a toaster since we moved here. All the ones we had found previously were either too expensive or sold out. Jonathan was exploring a new part of town for work and found a shop that had lots of household things. He bought me a toaster! Guess what I've been eating for breakfast ;)
THIS seems to be my language life right now. I am studying for the Italian driver's test. It's going to be a beast.
This is the smile you get after someone shaved for the first time!!!
The girls room
They redid their dresser.
cuites
That look on Scout's face...hilarious!
Awe
Lauren said I should get a car like this ;)
Well, some of the books have come. I'm thankful that at least some books could be passed down from last year, but they decided to change curriculum in about half of their classes.
Another view from our balcony
Katherine's desk is all set up and ready for school to start! (Complete with a tiny bottle of migraine medicine)
Diana bought them a tandem leash. She loved it. I am not a fan. Their personalities are too different and I already have a routine with each of them. Shadow couldn't run his circles around me with this leash, and they kept running into each other. Crazy dogs
proof
First day of 9th grade! High school already?!?! NorthStar Academy (online)
First day of 6th grade (middle school) at St. Philip Bilingual School
First day of 8th grade...last year of middle school
These two actually start today (Monday) Katherine and Benjamin start tomorrow (Tuesday)
Katherine got up for first day of school pictures. Benjamin did not.
They are excited to be back and to see their friends!
Katherine's friend James asked one Friday night if he could come over on Saturday. I said yes, but by the time I replied he was already at his mom's work. So, we invited him to join us after school on Monday. It made Katherine's day. He was one of her good friends at the school.
She was practicing pigs in a blanket from scratch. She said when she makes it for her party that she will use less bread.
Benjamin's first day of school pictures :)
12th grade, senior year (but doing a 5 year high school model)
Their official first day of school!
She thought it was hilarious that her first math assignment was to take a picture of herself with her calculator so that the teacher can see that they have the correct one.
Ms. Cristina loves our treats from the house. Katherine made some cupcakes and brought them down to the school when dropping off L and H. It was finished before Hudson made it in the door ;)
Giorgia came home after school. It was quite funny. The first week of school I had a different parent calling and asking if I could pick up their child and let them play at the house for a bit. It actually made me so happy that we could help in this way and that we could be a part of these families lives. Shhhh, Giorgia loved the macaroni!
School is exhausting :)
These funny dogs. They are so happy that we are home.
We were invited to our friend's Chinese restaurant. They brought out some sushi for Jonathan.
Sunday afternoon, we went to Rome Baptist Church. Afterwards, we ate at the MscDonald's. My kids say McDonald's in the US is gross (except Hudson) but they like it in Italy because you can get wings.
This kiddo likes the loaded bacon cheese fries
A common site around Rome, people on the streets doing some kind of artwork to sell. This guy was using spray paint for all of his. Not my style, but still.
First full day of class for Hudson was apparently for kids and parents!
They had a ribbon cutting ceremony in the hallway for the kids as they start their middle school journey.
The kids sat at their desks while the parents were on the perimeter of the room. The principal gave a speech.
Then three of the students from 8th grade passed out flowers to the students in 6th grade welcoming them to middle school.
After that, the parents were told to come kiss their kids and head home.
This is Scout's new spot. he sits here whenever Hudson plays the piano.
My ride up to Manziana to see a car. It didn't tun out that this car would work for us, but it was pretty none the less.
I got off the train and was confused how to leave. After the train left, I realized that you have to cross the tracks to leave. small town
Manziana.
I ate lunch at one of the few places that was open. I wish prices in Rome were as good as this place! I was shocked at how little this meal cost.
I was trying to get a photo of the dogs sleeping under the table...love that Katherine got in my photo, too!
She wanted to know if I could see her through the frosted glass :)
I didn't do it. I am in Katherine's lap. Completely innocent.
This one likes his duck. It's nearly as big as he is.
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