Spring Break: Day 8 - Roman picnic and St. Peter's Basilica; Olivia's dinner

I was very happy to be back in Rome. The day was sunny and bright. Since Avery had been asking to return to St. Peter's we decided to make that our outing for today. But first, he and I went to the grocery store. He loves to go grocery shopping and carries "the list" on a notepad that hangs around his neck. He loves to pick out some items and put them in the cart.

Back at home, I made a picnic lunch and we headed off to the park behind Castel Sant'Angelo. The added bonus of this picnic location, is the playground where all had fun. After we'd eaten we walked to St. Peter's. Unfortunately, as the day was wearing on, Avery's behavior was also deteriorating. He was warned that he would not be able to go up to the top of the Basilica if he carried on this way, but the warnings went unheeded. After we'd cleared security (only a 5 minute wait), he hurt Olivia and lost his chance to go up.

Josh took the girls to get tickets for the Cupola, while I took Avery, whining and crying, inside the Basilica in the hope that his "church manners" would take over. Inside St. Peters, however, you lose the feeling that you are actually in a church because it is so so big. Apparently for Avery, this time church rules didn't apply. A few minutes later, Josh called to say the line for going up was so long, they were aborting. But, as Avery and I began to walk out to meet them, I got another call. A guard had spotted Olivia crying and inquired. When Josh explained that it was because the line was too long to wait, and Olivia had wanted to go up, he took the three of them around the back and sent them up in the "down" elevator. No line, no waiting, no tickets! It was really nice. Olivia's tears and pouty face are incredibly powerful.

By the time they came down, Avery was calm but tired. I hope he learned a lesson; but I'm not sure. We went home where the boys took a nap, and I went to the gym. Later, Charlotte had a quick dinner before heading to swim practice. We thought that the team was on a break all week, but apparently not. I think they only had a couple of days without practice. We had booked Morris for tonight so Josh and I could go to a movie. But in the end, the show-times did not really line-up with Charlotte's required pick-up time. That was okay. Josh and I had told Olivia last night, that we wanted to invite her to a dinner out, alone with us, to reward her for her sweet behavior. Plus, Josh and I thought it would be really fun and special to do something alone with her. So, we decided that we would do it tonight.

Morris cooked a burger for Avery. Avery wanted to come with us, but we explained that if he could show is that he is ready to sit still through an entire meal at home, he would then be ready to go out with us. That seemed to sink in -- at least for the moment. We drove into town and chose a restaurant called Buca di Ripetta. It had a great, traditional Italian ambience. We were seated at a corner table -- Olivia between the two of us -- and it was a really nice dinner. Olivia shines, and we are really enjoying her!