to replicate or not to replicate?

Perhaps I was a bit spoiled after living on California's coast, but I think I'm a bit of an aquarium snob now! I had read about the 'Musée Océanique' in Monaco, and was so excited to see what it was all about. I had heard it was amazing, and it was. There were beautiful tanks and the view out into the Mediterranean was breathtaking. (But, as aquariums go it didn't have anything on the Monterey Bay Aquarium, or the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences. Just sayin')

What it did have on the aforementioned aquariums was the floor! I fell in love with the mosaics that cover the entryway into the museum. They were HUGE and incredibly beautiful! The wheels in my brain are spinning fast trying to figure out where/how I'd like to replicate this in our house!

the octopus


the crab


the ship

up, up and away

We're heading back to Europe in about 24 hours. Back to Milan for a handful of days, as that's where Dan's motorcycle expo is, and the catalyst in our European get-away. We're then driving the French Riviera: stopping by Monaco for a trip to the aquarium perhaps, a night in Cannes, a few nights in Marseille, then making our way back to Milan. I brushing up on Italian and French, I'm so ready! Now packing light, as I've been directed to do, is a very difficult task. I'm seeking the wise consult of others: Marie Claire, and even Rick Steves is rounding up some advice for ladies who are seeking light suitcases!

While it will be so very nice having time away from home, to lounge, be out late, drink as much vino as my little heart desires, to nap whenever I feel like it, to drink espresso late in the day with no worry of needing to fall asleep so I can get up with Jack, etc, etc, etc...I am going to really miss the little guy! I hope me missing him doesn't get in the way of having a good time! I know he's is great hands, it's just that I've never been away from him! Absence makes the heart grow fonder. That's my mantra!

CIAO! See you in a week and a half! I'll have some great pictures, I promise!

it's happening again!

In less than a month we'll be in Europe again. Dan is heading there for his 3rd annual motorcycle expo in Milan, and I am tagging along for the second time. Our great friends, Caleb and Marci, will be our travel companions. I'm already making a mental packing list of all the clothes and shoes I want to take with. I am also thinking about all of the yummy drinks we enjoyed in Italy and France.













And of course!


I'm also looking forward to simple things like:

Cute old Italian men who work at little shops like this


cliche European pics


and the age and beauty of old European cities


All this said, every time I think about this trip my heart sort of briefly stops. This will be the first time we're away from Jack for an extended period of time. I've only spent one night away from him. Ever. My family will be watching him, so I know he couldn't be in better hands, and will certainly be spoiled and loved beyond belief. I just feel like I'll be missing out. Every day is so new with him, and it will be strange not cuddling with him in the morning, eating meals with him, rocking him to sleep, stealing hugs and kisses as he wheels his trucks all over the house, etc. I know it's crazy, but I find myself occasionally wondering if he'll remember me when I come back. Or if he'll resent me for being gone for a little over a week. Dan assures me - Jack will remember us, he's not a fish. He won't resent us, he's not a cat. He's a boy and distance makes the heart grow fonder. Wise words from the husband, indeed.

Better start refreshing myself with French and Italian!

IMMA BACK!

Hello faithful friends! I'm back! Our little family has been on quite the whirlwind tour of Michigan over the past month! This has meant very little access to the Internet, which was nice to have a break from, quite honestly. It does feel good to be back though! I will be posting nearly every day recapping our trip (too much for just one post!), with fun things I'm doing for Halloween, personal projects I'm working on, Christmas preparations (yes, already!) and more...

So...where have we been? It all started with a 5 1/2 hour drive north to Mackinac Island. My dad runs the annual 8-mile race around the island, and this year Dan joined him for the run. For those of you not familiar with Mackinac Island, it lies between the Lower and Upper Peninsula, there are no cars or motorized vehicles on the island, you take a beautiful ferry ride over, and if you detest fudge and/or horses you should stay away.

packed in like sardines


greeted by Auntie and Nana


on the Ferry


that's the Mackinac Bridge


not a real horse


the Grand Hotel is truly grand (we didn't stay there)


and just in case you don't get your fill while you're on the island...



Tomorrow - Camping with a Toddler for Dummies and Adventures in the U.P. Part 1

EUROPE!

Our trip was amazing! We rented a little Lancia and toured from Rome, to Venice, to Milan, over to Nice, France, to Pisa, and back to Rome.


Venice




Milan





Nice






Pisa





Rome



I am already planning my next trip!


Check out flickr for many more pics!

moments away

See you soon, cute little car!

just a few

moments that are worth noting:

a skipping contest to the text book room.

shelves! finally - a place for my cherished things - E.T. figure, plush baby rhino, perfect skipping stones, handmade metal goods, etc.

crossing 8 things off of the longest to-do list in ten minutes today

a home-cooked meal never tasted so good - oh yeah, I love to cook...seem to have forgotten



moments to look forward to:

landing in Rome, getting the passport stamped

a 26th birthday in Venice

a break from a busy, busy life

la vita e bella

My semester of Italian in college was 8 years ago...basic vocabulary escapes me. What I remember I've learned from movies.

some favorites from Life is Beautiful:

Ho sono, babo. (I'm tired, daddy)

Ho fame, babo. (I'm hungry, daddy.)

Bongiorno, princepessa! (Hello, princess!)

Andiamo. (Let's go)

7 days. I am counting down.