My MacBook appears to be dead.  One day Safari (the internet application) kept shutting off about 30 seconds after I would open it, the next day it won't turn on.

There is power, because it lights up and it shows a white apple, but then it just turns and turns and turns . . . . 

Oh my.

Italy Excursion - Siena

It seems like forever since we went to Italy, so I know I'm behind with my posting. But since Siena, Italy is one of THE greatest places in the world, I had to include at least a couple of photos and make some comments about this adorable Tuscan town.

It was impossible for me to capture the character of this town with a little point and shoot, so please click here to get an idea of the allure of Siena.

Inside the Duomo:

Exterior of Duomo:

The Piazza del Campo

The fountain in the Piazza

Dave explaining to Sam about the Palio. On a side note, Dave and I just happened to be in Siena on the day of the Palio in August of 2003. We stood in the piazza, surrounded, no: crushed by a sea of Italians waiting to see if their contrade would win. It was one of the best travel experiences we have ever had!

For the kids, I think the hotel room was the best part of the trip. We stayed in one room (four beds) all together right in the center of Siena.

Of course, you can't go to Italy and not do a little of this:

or indulge in A LOT of this:

My favorite was the Amarena. Yumm. I think I need to go back . . .

One night in Italy we went to a restaurant. Dave ordered the pheasant.



Can you see the bit of buckshot there at the end of his knife? I'm going to say that was one fresh bird.

Our Little Halloween

When Sophie realized it was Halloween and we hadn't planned anything, she went crazy. She insisted we do something, so she organized our own little party at home. She didn't seem to the mind that she was the only one in costume.

We had ghost shaped chips, caramel apples, worms (cheeto type things) and blood (red fanta).

Dave must have been inspired, because then he decided to join the fun. He's so handsome.

The Dentist: A Painless Experience

Sam has been complaining that his tooth hurt, and sure enough, when I took a look, I saw a huge hole in one of his molars. Not too hard to diagnose that a trip to the dentist was necessary. On Friday I called to make an appointment.

Today (Monday) I took him to the dentist. It is the first time I have been to a dentist in France.

Sam's appointment was at 1:30. We arrived a few minutes early because I thought I would have to fill out some paperwork or something. Nope.

The dentist immediately took Sam to the back and Carter and I went into the waiting room. Not even fifteen minutes later, he was finished.

I paid the dentist 87 euros for filling two cavities, Sam picked out a little plastic toy from basket and we left.

Talk about a painless trip to the dentist!

Quick Update

Since my last post:

Dave has a new flight schedule to Paris. Now I get to take him to the airport at 5:30 a.m. and pick him up at 10:30 p.m.

Sam has a huge cavity in one of his molars. Ouch! We finally got an appointment for tomorrow-and learned the pediatric dentist is retiring. Double ouch!

Abby decided to tell me the last night of school vacation that she had to 1) write a report about the similarities and differences between St. Andrews, Scotland and a local town and 2) collect 5 leaf specimens and make a little booklet. I'm pretty sure that only have 2 out of 5 = bad grade.

I got sick. Lots of aching. Headache, Body aches, stomach aches.

I visited with a friend that I met in 6th grade in Ohio - here in Mougins! Lots of good laughs and catching up. I hadn't seen her since Abby was a baby (11 years ago!)

I booked a flight to Paris for Tuesday afternoon. I am going to finally meet some of Dave's colleagues and see his "other" life in Paris.

Carter cried a lot and lived up to his nickname: THE HUMAN WRECKING BALL.

xoxo

Italian Excursion: Lucca

Aah yes, our Italian B&B. We found it on our way into Lucca, before we explored the town a little and ate dinner. We pulled up and a very nice Italian lady poked her head out to see who was making so much noise. She showed us her cute little guest house, totally remodeled and clean as a whistle. The only problem was . . . it was FREEZING in there. We told her we were going for dinner in Lucca and would or wouldn't be back later. (Very decisive, right?)

Needless to say, after checking out the prices of two other B&B's and two hotels . . . we went back to freezing cold Casa Gaia. At least our Italian host brought us lots of extra blankets!

The next morning we were happy to eat breakfast in their house, where it was nice and warm!




(Have you ever watched "Happy Days" in Italian? Now I can say we have!

She served us some hot chocolate (Nesquik, to be exact), bread, some yummy tomato sandwiches on foccacia bread, and some kind of apple tart. After breakfast, the kids explored her yard a little. The found this in the backyard:





Here's Dave, checking his blackberry in the sunshine:











After we took warm showers (which was great until it was time to get out!), we got dressed and headed in to Lucca. We rented bikes for 2.50 an hour and rode all around the edge of town on this awesome path they have. This was the first time I think any of our children have ridden in a baby bike seat!







We rode the perimeter twice before Sophie started to complain that her bottom hurt. We returned the bikes in exactly one hour, then let the kids ride the carousel FIVE times each!









After the carousel, we took the car into Lucca, and parked right next to the church. Dave tried to go in with Sophie and Carter, while I waited at the car with a dizzy and nauseous Sam (there was a teacup on the carousel and Dave was at the wheel). I made another round of salami sandwiches and we had a nice little lunch. Until a man told us that only residents were allowed to bring their cars into Lucca . . . so we finished eating and left!

We left Lucca and weren't sure what to do next. I made the executive decision that we should drive to a little town outside Florence where they have some fancy outlet shops . . . like Tod's, Burberry and Gucci. It really was in the middle of nowhere, but I had a great time looking at all the still-but-less-expensive than usual items.

I was in Burberry when Dave called my name loudly from the entrance. Sam and Carter had been rough-housing and Carter had a bloody nose. A BRIGHT RED bloody nose. I was cleaning him up with some tissues when a nice employee motioned for me to bring him to their bathroom. (I KNEW those stores had secret bathrooms that they don't let anyone use!)

Anyway, Carter was fine, I bought a cute jacket and a scarf in lieu of a Gucci purse and we decided it was time for the adventure to continue.

Stay tuned for our last day in Italy . . .