Mayfair and Retake Rome party

We had a late french toast breakfast this morning before heading off to Mayfair. Mayfair is the school's spring fundraising event. But it's not unique to RIS; AOSR and the New School were hosting their May fairs today, and certainly all the other international schools host the event as well. I was very pleasantly surprised that the affair was so well-organized. There were professional banners, inflatable bouncy things for the little kids, all kinds of carnival games, a treasure hunt, and a disco (the Italians are really into their disco). There was a BBQ with hot dogs and hamburgers, and tables set up with international and regional foods for sale. Of course there was also popcorn and cotton candy! There were also representatives from local shops selling all kinds of things from flower pots, to handbags, to artiginal honey. There was even a representative from Rome's first and recently opened bagel shop: Roma New York Bagels (and they deliver!!)

It was very hot today; we kept ducking into the shaded picnic area, or inside the school to keep cool. The kids had a lot of fun. After her backpack was filled with toys and prizes, Olivia announced she was ready to leave.

It was time to to go to our next party -- at Torretta di Massimi for Retake Rome. Anita Garibaldi (granddaughter of Giuseppe Garibaldi) was there, and the Girl Scouts, including Charlotte each received an award for their efforts to clean up Rome. Avery had been sticking to me like glue most of the day (including the 2 1/2 hours we spent at RIS this morning), but finally with some space to run free, he began to play and enjoy himself with the other kids. It was quite an elegant affair, and coming straight from Mayfair, I was a bit underdressed (although you could argue, wearing shorts and a t-shirt, I was underdressed for Mayfair as well). We were served cocktails and appetizers before lunch. Delicious strawberries for desert. Judging from the number of tables set, our hosts were expecting more guests, but there were about 40 of us in attendance. Everyone had fun. It was still very hot in the sun; too bad we didn't swim (the property has a pool) but the girls said the pool water was very cold.

Was 6pm by the time we came home. Shortly thereafter, Josh came home too. He had an incredible time these past four days following the Giro, meeting the athletes, the organizers and so many in the cycling industry. He had access to the restricted areas at the start of each stage, and to the Giro club at the finish. Yesterday, he even met Alberto Tomba at the Giro club. With Stefano, he also rode parts of the Giro route in Le Marche and in Abruzzo.

As soon as he arrived home, I put Josh on "project hot water." After speaking to the plumber and the realtor and leaving messages for the owner, there was still had no hot water but we were promised a visit by the plumber first thing tomorrow morning (which, given it's a Sunday, is a very big deal). Then, we worked on getting the kids settled -- which tonight was no small task. Finally, we sat outside and had dinner in the garden while Josh regaled me with Giro stories.