one of my favorite times of the week. The thought that this is the last morning I have to do this routine of hustle and bustle to school makes me happy. When I go in their room in the morning to wake them up, I always say "it's Friday, the last day you have to do this, tomorrow is Saturday!" Now that Cloe and Brody are in school, I live for the weekends. Does anyone else feel this way about Friday morning?
this is a great essay my friend wrote about motherhood.
Since Cloe turned 6 this year, it seems like so much has changed that I'm not ready for but have no choice. I've noticed when I carry her to the couch in the morning, if she doesn't hold on, her feet hang down passed my knees. I was so proud of her the other day at school after talking with the nun. There is a little boy in her class that is adopted from Russia, his parents are split and they both work a lot. He is quite a trouble maker. He has marked on Cloe's uniform with marker and threw one of her toys and lost it. One day I was talking to Cloe about him and told her how he came from an orphanage like "Lewis"(from "Meet the Robinsons") and that she needs to be nice even though he is mean and act the way Jesus would. Last week while I was dropping her off, he ran out of the class and gave her a big hug and said "buon giorno Cloe!" and a few days ago I noticed when I picked her up, he grabbed her hand and said "ciao". I asked the nun if he likes Cloe and was nice to her and she smiled and said yes. On our walk home we talked more about it. But I was just so proud of her maturity and ability to love. She has such a sweet heart and sometimes I feel she looks at me like "silly mom, if you only knew, one of these days you'll figure it out". I should be doing the teaching, not her :)
But to write something about my other sweet kids, I've always wanted to blog about Abbey and her scent. I LOVE how she smells. Whenever she's sitting on my lap, near me or laying with me, I just sniff her. Sometimes I even tell her to let me smell her breath. But she does have serious farts, not so sweet smelling but funny when she announces them and laughs at herself.
I love how sincere Brody is. He always compliments me and is so sincere. On Sunday, the Relief Society woman sang in the middle of sacrament for a rest hymn. When we were done, I was walking back the back row, of course where else, and Brody stood and clapped and yelled "bravo". He had the biggest smile and when I sat down he said, "mom, that was so good, I could hear you singing so pretty". 
One more story, remember, this is also our journal. We have 9:00 church but sacrament is last. Which means we don't get to church until 10:30. But I was talking with someone in the hall and told the kids to go and save a seat. I came in and couldn't find them so I grabbed the back row and chatted some more. I needed to go look for them but only had my purse and didn't want to lose our spot. I finally noticed all three of them sitting in the second row center, all with hymn books, looking forward. I got Cloe's attention and told her to come back and she shook her head no. I went up to get them and they complained saying "we never get to sit up here, can we please sit up here??" I finally bargained that we would sit there a different Sunday (on opposite day).
Sunday I was hoping to go to another close city in Tuscany but when Ryan said he didn't want to go if he couldn't paint for a few hours, the trip fell through. It was going to be a family trip not a painting trip. Instead we went up to Piazalla Michelangelo and it was a gorgeous day. In fact, too gorgeous to go to church. We took the bus up, had a picnic and the kids played around. The sun was warm and made me want to take a nap. But don't be too jealous of the warmth, now it's raining and the nearby hills/mountains are topped with snow.
waiting for the bus to go home
some of the old city wall and part of florence
During Lent, until Easter, every Sunday there is a big market at the Cascine park by our house. After our picnic I wasn't through enjoying the beautiful day. So Cloe, Brody and I went to the market and then walked back home along the river bank. Cloe asked if we could stop and rest for a little bit. I had to take these pictures with my phone but this girl sure knows how to relax
yes, this is our front yard. We also have a backyard! I love bubbles (outside of course), they are cheap and they entertain so easily.
Spring is springing here and it is so exciting. The thought of warmth and leaves again! On our way home from school, Cloe picked this little Spring bouquet.
The other day as I was hurrying the kids to school, I noticed a sign in the window of a store, "ciocolato senza zucchero". Which means "chocolate with out sugar"! You better believe I made a mental note of that store! Today I made a stop and besides having sugar free dark chocolate, it was the cutest candy store. But after eating 2 pieces I realized it wasn't that big of a deal, I mean to be eating chocolate again. The taste was great and wasn't lacking flavor it just didn't do anything for me to be eating chocolate. I've cured myself and exorcised the sugar demons, they no longer posses my body. Until Palm Sunday of course.
Last night while visiting teaching (a 3 hour process for one visit!), the ladies house that we were at "reads" eyes. What is that called again? I have very clean retina???? And she also told me things about my personality, kinda cool. And I need to live by large oxygen sources, like the ocean, mountains, etc. I can agree with that.
Ryan has been going back and forth on the decision of when we go home. At the beginning of December he was talking like he was in his last trimester and we were going home first of January. Then he started a new trimester in January and said it was his last one and we were going home April 10th. The price of the euro will do that to you! But he has finally realized that he should stay till the end of the trimester in June, and because they FINALLY gave him a scholarship. Which we both feel good about staying. I've made some good friends here and I enjoy my life here and am not in much of a hurry to leave. But the price of a euro keeps me focused on going back to America. SO, for those of you who said you were going to come visit and haven't, it's getting down to the wire. And those of you who haven't made promises but want to come, mi casa e' tu casa!! We love having company so please come visit!
I'm now down 8 lbs! finally safely below my post Utah weight from this summer! Costa Vida and peanut butter m&ms can really do a number on you ;)
Here are some of Ryan's recent works. And they are always for sale and buyers are always welcome. 
The 20th was Abbey's birthday and she's always thrilled to wake up on her b-day because she has seen what Cloe did 2 days before, open presents. I have found that singing "happy birthday to you" in your sleeping child's ear, wakes them up in no time.
I took her to her playgroup because they were having a party for her and then we went to Cloe's school. 
birthday princess eating her snack
decorating her cake
making a wish
sitting pretty
Wednesday is the day for celebrating birthdays at Cloe's school. We took in some cake and juice and all the kids sang to Cloe and Abbey. She felt pretty special being sung to at the big kids school and loved feeling like she was at school with Cloe and Brody.
this is their lunch room and all the kids.
That evening she requested hot dogs and french fries for dinner, easy enough. I went to the international store to buy cake mix and spent 5 euros! Yes, I have a recipe to make cake from scratch but didn't have the time with all the celebrations. When I asked her what type of cake she wanted, her response was "a dark blue one!" That is her favorite color, dark blue. We sang to her again, and she finally got to open her presents. 
her favorite present, "frankie". She is such an animal lover and loves anything that is a dog or cat.
Then I put my baby to sleep.
I came across these jobs today and thought I'd share for those interested.
one-day bicycle tour company looking for a full-time tour guide. English mother tongue and driver's license required. Please send resume to info@bicycletuscany.com
Photographers, hairdressers, babysitters required. Long established London-based Tuscan wedding planners require the following for spring and summer 2008. Babysitters: experienced, English-speaking sitters to care for children of all ages. Independent travel and full references essential. Hairdresser(s): Highly qualified, English-speaking hairdressers to offer a full wedding service to our clients at the venues. This would include hair, make-up and manicures. Photographers: highly experienced, English-speaking wedding photographers to offer full photographic service. This would include liaising with the couple, and discreetly photographing the entire event in a variety of styles (reportage, photo journalistic, traditional)including the production of an album. Quality is of the essence. Independent transport and references essential. Only experienced photographers please. Please contact Anna on anna@loveandlord.com or phone 0044 7872 635090. www.loveandlord.com
Temporary Tour Managers required for American university groups in Europe this summer. Minimum 4-6 week period between mid May and mid July. English native speaker and fluency in at least one other European language essential. Experience working with students and knowledge of European travel/history/art desirable. All accommodation and transport costs provided, salary dependent on experience. Apply with CV and covering letter to lbennett@aifs.co.uk clearly stating relevant experience and availability. www.aifs.co.uk
train with lindsey
and mention my name!
first in English
Then the kids and missionaries sang in Italian
make a good wish!
and blow! The missionaries made her that cute crown.
her presents received her approval
Yesterday was Cloe's birthday and what a good day it was. We have a tradition that whose ever birthday it is, they get to choose the menu for the day. Cloe woke up and was thrilled to have her special day ahead of her. We had pancakes covered with syrup, powdered sugar and of course rainbow sprinkles. Then we were off to school (it wasn't President's Day in Italy) and Cloe was greeted by "happy birthday to you" in Italian and then in English. Of course she couldn't pick her lunch because they all have to eat school lunches. That evening, the sister missionaries came over for dinner and FHE. Cloe chose spaghetti with meatballs and then chocolate cake with coconut frosting. Because I think brownies taste better than cake, i took the liberty to make her brownies (sugar-free!!) with frosting. I made myself a few muffins with the leftovers so I could enjoy w/o the sugar frosting. She got some great presents and had a good time. When I was putting her to bed, i was talking to her about her day and finally asked "what was your favorite thing about your birthday?" she said "tutto!" ("everything")
I looked back on our blog from her birthday last year and we had asked her what she wanted to accomplish this year. Her response: Learn to read, learn Italian and go to Disneyland Paris
way to achieve your goals girl!!!
This year she wants to: go back to UT
because I'm on a diet, i asked my family what THEY wanted for dinner on V-day because they definitely wouldn't enjoy so much what I would choose. One request made by Ryan was cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Not only am I on a diet, I'm not eating sugar. (it's been over a week and still going strong, most of the time). So, to show my love, I made them cinnamon rolls with pink frosting. Twice as I was mixing the frosting, it flicked onto my finger and I resisted the temptation set before me by the sugar devil to lick it. I actually washed my hand off, yes, I wasted that sweet cream cheese frosting down the drain! I better lose at least a pound this week! ;)
