Gianicolo and Pizza at the Pantheon

After the kids left for school, Josh and I took Kathy and Jack to Trastevere and then up to Gianicolo. We showed them Bramante's Tempietto in the cloister of the Church of St. Peter in Montorio. Then we took photos at the Fontanelle. Finally, for the grand finale, we watched as the howitzer cannon was wheeled out and set off to mark the noon hour. Jack loved it, as all kids do.

Afterwards, we drove home where Kathy made sandwiches before she and Jack headed out to the Zoo. Josh and I ate in the garden, and then, believe it or not, I was so tired I tried to take a nap. I was not too successful but it was nice to just have a rest. It was extremely humid today with overcast skies and some sprinkles. I am waiting for the thunderstorm to break up the heat.

Shortly after I returned to the villa after school with the kids, Kathy and Jack returned from the Zoo. They'd been gone for nearly 4 hours! and apparently Jack had a ball. Kathy and I couldn't decide between a coffee and a cocktail; so we had both -- coffee first. I made dinner for Charlotte (and Olivia) and then we all set off to drop Charlotte at Aniene. Josh stayed home since Avery was napping -- a much needed nap!

We watched Charlotte swim for a little bit, and then drove into centro. I wanted to take Kathy, Jack, and Olivia out for pizza in a typical Roman piazza. I chose the Pantheon. In fact, I drove right into the Piazza del Pantheon. I was tempted to park right there but thought that was a bit too audacious, even for me, so I ended up going around the corner. We took a brief walk and then settled in for some pizza. Afterwards, we had gelato from Fiochi dei Neve. It had been sprinkling on and off this evening, but we were lucky in that there were no downpours.