Summer camp at the Bioparco

How tired was everyone this morning? Very tired. Instead of feeling like summer vacation, it's back to business. Everyone had to be up early this morning for various activities. Charlotte had swim practice at 8:30am, and at the same time, Olivia and Avery needed to be at the Bioparco for their first day of camp. But this will only be our schedule for the next three days. After that, we'll really be on vacation, and with Avery's cooperation, we can all sleep in every day for six weeks! (Yeah; right!)

How many loads of laundry did I do today? Many. I think I did five loads throughout the day, and Morris did three more when he came in the evening. There is a reason those washing machines in the States are super-sized!

How much packing did we get done? Not much. Between driving the kids around, doctors appointments, grocery shopping, and dealing with the execution of a lease extension that the owner suddenly wanted TODAY, there were many distractions to the task at hand.

How much sun is Charlotte getting in the pool? Alot! Kids here, just like their parents, don't believe in sunblock. Italians turn all shades of dark, chocolatey brown in the summer to the point where people are almost unrecognizable. We are trying hard to keep Charlotte only carmel-colored -- but it's a struggle.

How much fun did Olivia and Avery have at Zoo camp today? Apparently, a lot of fun; the activities got great reviews. And did you know how big elephant poop is? Now, Avery does.

How much did my knee hurt today? It was at times excruciating. I hope this isn't going to ruin my summer fun. By the end of the day I could hardly walk. But 1oomg of Voltaren and three glasses of wine later, I was feeling better. Josh, on the other hand, has the opposite problem. His knee is feeling fine, but the incision has still not closed completely and at today's appointment with Dr. Ticca, he was advised to stay out of the water and off the sand. Not a good Rx for Sardegna. He will visit Ticca again on Friday to see if the Rx can be modified. Seriously though, this would set a record for follow-up appointments in the U.S.. Josh has seen the doctor six times since his surgery three weeks ago; Friday will make it seven! In Chicago, there was a much more do-it-yourself approach -- here's the gauze and dressings, and here's how you do it. Ticca wouldn't hear of it. He always wants to change the dressing himself. More sterile that way. So right now it's looking like I can't walk but I can swim; and Josh can't swim but he can walk. Together we make a fully-functioning person.

Tonight, after we had dinner and the kids were going to bed, Josh and I returned to the festival on the banks of the Tevere where we had been last Friday night. This time, we walked on Tiburina Island. They show outdoor movies there every night at 9:30. All around there are lounges and restaurants set up. We chose one where we could lie down on chaise lounges and look over the river rushing by. While the daytime temps are edging towards triple digits, the evenings are absolutely perfect and it's certainly the best time of day to be outside. We enjoyed the night air. The Ponte Roto was lit up and looked beautiful against the sky. Rome is a beautiful city by night. I will miss it.