Trip to Italy

Last week we had visitors all the way from Wyoming - Kara, Greg, Ben* and Teo. They are doing a grand European vacation, stopping in Zurich on the way out and the way back, with a sojourn in Italy in between. So we accompanied them on the first leg of the trip, and hired a huge people carrier to travel to Lecco/Malgrate on Lake Como in the north of Italy. Before we were even over the border Ilona announced that she wanted to live in Italy for ever. I assume this is because of the food, pasta, pizza and ice cream forming the majority of her food pyramid. This was also a nice way to celebrate my birthday, especially as we found a sea food restaurant for lunch.

*Ilona was heard to exclaim several times "there's 2 Bens" with great wonderment

Birthday Lunch



For some reason it was necessary to remove flip flops and drop them in the water



On the way back we stopped at a service station for lunch, and Leroy-Della, Ilona's Scottish sheep make a break for it, and fell out of the car. Fortunately someone found her before he could get too far, sticking her in a tree where she couldn't be missed

Ilona's Motorcycle

We've been in Switzerland 3 years this summer - and one constant has been Ilona's love for this motorcycle in the playground by the river

#1 - 26th September 2014 - note how much her hair has grown since then



#2 November 28th 2014



#3 March 13th 2016



#4 June 26th 2016



#5 July 10th 2016



#6 - Sunday, May 19th 2017

Ersatz Birthday

On May 11th I went with Bluet to school for her belated birthday celebration (delayed because Kindergarten was on holiday on her real birthday). This year, we took some chocolate muffins. There was all the same rituals as last year - including a special table for Bluet to sit at, and some games to play. Yet again, Bluet's favourite bit was standing on the table, banging on the drum.

 

Down by the river

This Sunday we took a walk down to the river as it appears to be summer. The kids did paddling for a long time, despite the lack of actual swimming costumes. We also enjoyed some coffee and croissiants

Botanical Gardens

the weekend before last I took Bluet and Ilona to the botanical gardens, which is kind of like the Zoo, except with plants instead of animals*, and it's free. Bluet is especially interested in the carnivorous plants. The greenhouses are also very useful when it is raining, and there is a big, fake tree to climb.

*aside from a some fish inc. piranahs