Monday, February 13, 2012

As of February 13, 2012

So far this month has been COLD here in Sacile. Snow 3 times--first time nothing stuck, second time was a little thicker, the third time it snowed enough to play in it and eat it!

We went to the Annual Chili Cook off at the legal office. Mine won for the spiciest--I was a little surprised since there isn't really anything spicy in the chili, but I'll take it nonetheless.

On our afternoon walks, I have been bundling the boys up in their bear outfits. They usually grab them for me and they are super cozy and warm for our walk. Evan calls them his little wookies.
This was the second timed it snowed--just enough to stick to the ground but not enough to play.Porter crawled into the podium in the courtroom, and got his little hand stuck in the teeny hole in the back. Porter:
-helps me put the canned goods away.
-pushes all the drawers in on our chests-of-drawer in our bedroom.
-closes doors that are usually closed (bathroom, pantry, utility).
-when the music comes on, he grabs the mat by the window and has to sit on or next to it. I have no idea where this came from.
-helps put the toys away before bath time.
-Collects books, cars, and item of multiples and stores and sorts them multiple times during the day.

Eli:
-dances a lot.
-talks to himself and Porter during play time.
-likes to sit in his bedroom chair and sit with a book. Sometimes it's upside-down but he sits and talks to the pages.
-grabs a toy to put away, gets side-tracked, plays with Porter's toy that Porter just put away, then gets up and leaves again. Meanwhile his original toy is sitting somewhere along his path. Focus, focus, focus.
-While I get Porter in his pjs, Eli dances around in Porter's bed (closest to the changing table) naked. I throw his towel back on him to keep him occupied and focused on something other than tee-teeing in Porter's bed, which happens every now and again. When it does happen, he is so surprised at what is happening. As I'm like, NO! Wait, Eli, and then I apologize to Porter a hundred times.

Both of them:
-Take old burp-rags out of their drawer in the kitchen and clean up the dining room area where they eat.
-Move the 2 big chairs together and sit next to each other in the dining room and get really quiet. This is how I know they're in the chairs while I'm cleaning off their trays/bibs, because it all of a sudden gets quiet. They are usually talking to each other in a low voice.
-Takes the other one his drink when one gets his cup.
-Say please when prompted and sometimes without a prompt. Eli says thank you for a lot of things, including things that don't need a thank you. Porter will say it with a prompt.
-Climb all 3 flights of stairs.
-Give hugs and kisses.
-Eat their cheerios in the morning at the windowsill and wave to the Italian kids when they cross our street at 7:40 a.m.
-Know the button on their dog that plays the "Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes" song and press through all the other prompts to play it over and over.
-Like to do the motions to "If You're Happy and You Know It", especially the stomping feet part.
-Take their shoes to the basket when we take them off once we get home.
-Put their clothes in the basket when it's time for bath.
-Notice dogs when we are on our walks or from the windows. They bark (woof) at them and Porter especially gets very excited and squeals sometimes. They have both seen Cash on Skype recently and bark at him too. Can't wait until they're all together.

They also do plenty of things that aren't as charming or cute. Such as when Porter screams or swats towards Eli when Eli grabs one of his collectibles. Or when Eli just stands next to Porter and for no reason at all takes the ball in his hand and bops it on Porter's head. But besides these two issues that are off the top of my head, I prefer to focus on only those cute and charming behaviors above. At the end of the day, I still take a deep breath that not only is the day over and we all made it, but that tomorrow is another day and we all get a do-over.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Carnivale in Venice

Carnevale was first celebrated in Venice in 1094. Every year for the few weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday, the city transforms into masks and elaborate costumes. Evan and I made it this year. We missed our local Carnivale celebration in Sacile when we were in Rome, this day trip made up for it!
We arrived early and stayed for the day. Masks were everywhere--for sale, in windows, and people were wearing them along with their costumes. We talked to people from all over who visit Venice just for this and stay through the big celebration on Fat Tuesday--walking the streets in their costumes, taking pictures with tourists, and "becoming" a piece of Carnivale history.
Sidenote: The large fish market we pass each time we visit Venice, was finally open!Everywhere we turned we were met with people in costumes and masks. We made it to St. Mark's Square where the main festivities occur. There was a huge stage and a costume contest going on at the time. There was a wine tasting outside Doge's Palace. See the actual wine in the fountain. We had a great time meandering around, buying masks, and taking in Venice. It was cold in Venice. FREEZING cold! And windy and downright cold! We woke up to this the next morning. Snow! Glad we went the day before to see the sights! These are a few pictures of the next few mornings of the boys at their pre-breakfast spot--the windowsill. They eat cereal off the window and discuss the city street below."Really? You're taking us out in this weather?"

31st Fighter Wing Annual Awards

Evan was nominated for Company Grade Officer of the Year for the Annual Award Ceremony. What an honor to be nominated with four other deserving officers. There were 13 categories and there were 3 nominees in 3 different categories from the legal office. There was a great representation that night as so many from the office showed their support for Evan, Chris, and Sonia.

This is prior to the medal ceremony.
Waiting in the wings to receive his medal.
To start off the event, all the nominees walked through a saber arch with their escort. I was his lucky date!The nominee.
The Robinson.The Watsons. AKA The Boss and the guy who nominated Evan. Thank you for the opportunity!
Dr. Sonia Posocco and her Mother. She is an Italian attorney in the office.
Chris and her firefighter husband, Michael. Chris is the resident cook, diva, and front office person at the office.
We did not plan the black and red theme.I am really proud of Evan and all he has accomplished this year and the past 4.5 while we've been on this adventure. Try something new and different turned into Little Rock. It turned adventurous coming to Aviano. It turned life-changing with the birth of the boys. All the while he has plugged away at the office. As long as he's happy, I'm happy.