Looking Back at Italy Summer 2024

 These past days I’ve been trying to get photos off my phone and organize them. These are some from my time with the kids in Italy last summer. They will make a stop in California in late May/early June to be with us before their summer in Italy. Both Sofia and Rocco were baptized in Daniele’s home town in southern Italy. This summer their baby brother Michael will be baptized. He’ll be 9 months old in June. It will be his first trip to Italy to meet his nonna and Italian family.

 

 

 

 

Fun Days in Dallas

 Lots of festivals in Dallas. The kids had fun celebrating 60 year Anniversary of the Meadows Museum on campus.  Also today they are having fun at their dorm celebration of the annual "Crowchella".

 

 

Fortune Tellers

 

Up Up and Away

 

 

Tonight we leave on our flight to Australia to see the kids down under! Up Up and Away we go!

 

Off to see these cuties!

 

 

Aria Sets A Table about "Japan" for International Day at Sofia and Rocco's School

 It has been International Festival week at the kids school in Dallas. There were talks given by parents as well as coordinated Passport activities where students could take their passports to different country tables displaying information on countries around the world. Scottish dances being taught in the gym as well as Argentina music. Rocco was so proud that his dad gave a slide talk about Italy and both he and Sofia helped their mom.

 

 

Today,  Friday Aria participated in the International Day at Rocco and Sofia's school by setting up a table on Japan. Sofia and Rocco helped their mom at her table featuring cultural aspects about our ancestral country of Japan.

 

 

Sofia is a Beautiful Name

 

Selfies by Sofia March 2024 9 years old

A recent scientific study has found that the Greek name Sophia (or Sofia which means wisdom in Greek) is the most beautiful name in the world. See GreekGateway.com According to research conducted by Dr. Bodo Winter, a cognitive linguist at the University of Birmingham, the name Sofia stood out for its melodic sound and universal appeal across multiple languages. Dr. Winter’s study involved a diverse group of participants who listened to the pronunciation of 100 different names. Their reactions were carefully analyzed, with a focus on phonetic appeal, rhythm, and emotional response.

Daniele Talks About Italy to Rocco's School and Aria Presents the Japan Table at International Festival

Rocco is so proud!
 

 

It has been International Festival week at the kids school in Dallas. There were talks given by parents as well as coordinated Passport activities where students could take their passports to different country tables displaying information on countries around the world. Scottish dances being taught in the gym as well as Argentina music. Rocco was so proud that his dad gave a slide talk about Italy and both he and Sofia helped their mom at her table featuring cultural aspects about our ancestral country of Japan.

 

Marine Stadium Walk Early April

Mike took the afternoon off and it was a beautiful time to take a walk at Marine Stadium.

 

Quince Branches Spring Memories of Cousin Nancy

 

Lemon Spagetti with Shrimp Giada De Laurentis

 

 I had some smaller shrimp in the freezer and saw that my friend Marcia  spaghetti with shrimp the other night. It inspired me and I made it for dinner - turned out great. Thanks Marcia for a quick and simple delicious recipe. 

https://www.foodnetwork.com/.../lemon-spaghetti-with...