Monday, August 20, 2007

Gratitude, edition 2

After these trips I need to remind myself how lucky I am. That despite four days of being force-fed like a foie-gras goose, and despite a particularly obnoxious freak-out by our utterly tactless sister-in-law, we are blessed. One for each day:

1. Listening to conversations like this:

"His name was Rinaldi, he's married to, you know, that Nardelli girl."
"No, i'm thinking of one who's married to a Bertucci."
"Is it the one with the twins?"
"What was his name? Dominic? Frank? No, was it Nick?"
"Who did that Alunni marry, was it a Crespi?"

Seriously. Like being in the back room at the Bada Bing, only with 80-year-old women.

2. Very smooth travel. Scary smooth. And that's including the two-hour delay on our very last leg. The kids were amazing. Jo kept busy for hours with movies on DVD plus an extremely dopey Precious Moments coloring/activity book she received as a gift. Opie played with a 25-cent plastic airplane and on one car trip, a tiny flashlight.

3. Besides their awesomeness at traveling, their overall awesomeness.
a) Opie, on seeing an airplane (one of hundreds): "Ooh. It's PWETTY."

b) New art from Jo (mama elephant with baby):

elephants












4. Three cousins, one slip-and-slide.

slippin' and slidin'











Back soon to discuss truths and lies.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I look forward to hearing the deets of the freak-out.

In the meantime, I'm so glad the travel was easy. Precious Moments can be good for something, right?

PunditMom said...

Slip-and-slides rule!

Lara said...

so glad to hear you had a good time. :) welcome back!

Lady M said...

Welcome back! I love that slip & slide picture.

I've given you an award, see my post today. Shy smile. :)

Magpie said...

#1 is a riot!

Welcome back.

Girlplustwo said...

nothing screams goodness like a slip and slide.

Bon said...

that slip and slide photo is so perfectly composed...they look like a mini conga line.

big fun.

and the elephant picture is lovely. you tell Jo, please...i think she's a very fine artist.

Lawyer Mama said...

That last picture is too freaking cute!

Lisa said...

Welcome back and yeay for happy traveling experiences.

Jennifer said...

My extended family would be so much more interesting if they sounded like they were from the Bada Bing! But I suspect it can get old very quickly.

I'd forgotten all about slip and slides!! Fun!

Unknown said...

The elephant rocks!

Jenifer said...

I love the 80 year old ladies thing. My family is the same way however when all the old ladies get together they all speak French...leaving most of us out of the loop :)