Happy Birthday Olivia!

Birthday dinner at our favorite restaurant, La Pariolina

Olivia was awake and downstairs watching TV when I got up. Happy Birthday Olivia! Morris slept over last night, and was going to make a pancake breakfast, but first we had to wait for Charlotte and Avery to wake up. We were waiting a long time. Finally, by 10am, we took action and woke them up.

We had a very nice breakfast together outside. Then it was time to get cracking and get packing. We pretty much worked all day today, with short breaks. We sent Olivia and Avery out with Morris to Villa Glori for one last pony ride in Rome. Charlotte and I went for our pre-vacation waxing. Josh made another trip to Stefano's office with more boxes.

It was so hot out today, it was oppressive. We had to eat lunch inside where it was cooler. I took Charlotte to her very last swim practice at Aniene. This time it was my turn to go poolside and thank the coaches for such a great year. In the afternoon, it was hard to keep the kids entertained while we packed some more. We couldn't send them outside to play -- it was too hot! The plan was to be finished with all our packing by 5pm, so we could then all go out for our last night in Rome. We didn't finish by 5, but on the other, we couldn't have gone out anyway -- too hot!

Favorite gelato place, Gracchi

Finally, by 7pm some sprinkles rolled in and cooled things off -- but just a bit. And, finally by 7pm, we had gotten enough done that we could call it a day. Tonight, we were off to do a "greatest hits" routine to celebrate Olivia's birthday, and our last night in Rome (or at least almost last -- we'll be in town again before our flight back to Chicago). First, we went to Pariolina for dinner. While most of us had pizza, Olivia never took a liking to the pizza in Rome and went with a gnocchi dish instead. We ordered a white chocolate desert to share -- it came with a candle -- and we all sang tanti auguri to Olivia. From here, we drove over to our favorite Roman gelateria, Gracchi. On a hot summer's night, the place was crowded -- but without a tourist in sight. The heat also meant we needed to eat our gelato quickly; the melt quotient was high. 

Insuring a safe return to Rome

Onward, we drove to the Trevi Fountain. In fact, we were meeting some friends, along with their kids, to say goodbye. Just like the gelateria, the Trevi fountain was packed; but here the crowd was all tourists. And, it's no wonder -- the fountain is really a beautiful, particularly when i lit up at night. We gave all the kids a coin, so they could each make a wish and throw it behind them into the water. We met our friends and took a short walk. Along the way, Olivia picked out a custom-made wire letter holder with her name on it for her birthday. Then, we bought Avery the gladiator suit we'd been eyeing as a Halloween costume for him. I think it's safe to say he'll be the only gladiator in Chicago! Charlotte also picked out a trinket, a bracelet similar to one she had already had.

Saying goodbye to Morris

It was 10:30pm by the time we arrived home. Avery, without a nap, was beside himself and fell asleep within seconds of his head hitting the pillow. Then, there was some drama as Olivia discovered that she was missing her new silver ring -- a birthday present from her Babi. Josh left to take another car-load of boxes to Stefano's office. Meanwhile, Morris came back over with Rita so we could say our good-byes. We thanked them for all their help this year -- particularly Morris; his assistance and great attitude really allowed us to have a wonderful year in Rome.

Later, Josh found Olivia's ring in the car. She was very happy. All was well. It was nearly midnight; and it had been a long day.