Happy Birthday Antonio and Giosia!

On Sunday we went to the Perillo house to celebrate Antonio's and Giosia's birthdays. It was a beautiful afternoon. The kids had a water fight and played in the yard. In case you can't tell, everyone was supposed to be wearing stripes (inspired by "The Bee Movie" and Independence Day--Not the movie). The Perillo house is one of my favorite places. Just look at the pictures and you will understand why.

My Creativity Spark Has Been Lit

In case you couldn't tell, I'm in "creating mode". I have not had the time to do this kind of thing in years, but I wish I would have made the time. It's relaxing, and I'm enjoying doing something for myself, and it usually turns out to be for someone else at the same time. My latest thing is card making/painting. Here are some cards that I made for Antonio's and Giosia's birthday party (the present was the "Flying Dutchman" pirate ship, so there is a theme here). I hope you like them as much as I do. I know the boys did:)

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream Cake!

I have had my handy dandy Ice Cream cake pan for over 2 years now. Every once in awhile I remember that I have it, think that it would be nice to try out, and then completely forget about it. Well today I finally did it. Yum. Ice cream. Cake. What could be bad about it? Here are some tips that I learned if anyone wants to try to make one:

1) I used a Betty Crocker pan. I think it would be really hard to do without the right tools.

2) Cool the cake COMPLETELY before adding ice cream. You are reading this and thinking, "Duh!". But you would not have done it if your mouth was watering. Just be honest.

3) Fill the cake with soft ice cream. Put it back in the freezer before you add the bottom layer.

4) Read the directions BEFORE you start.

5) Don't let the kids see it, because then you will have to share:)

Star Spangled Fourth

What a fun Independence Day! We spent it with our really good friends who are Americans living in Italy but are not affiliated with the military. We went swimming and had lunch at our house, then we went out to Carney Park (an extinct volcanic crater that the US government has rented out as a giant park for the military community to use) to ride carnival rides, eat, and watch the fireworks. It was a great day with an ending that could have been really bad, but we were fine in the end. Well, nothing good ever comes of "do you think we have enough gas to get home?" We would ordinarily have been fine, but we were not counting on the 2 1/2 hour traffic jam that prevented us from leaving the park. Fortunately, even though the gas gage was below empty, in such a way that it wasn't far from spinning around to full again, we managed to not spend the night on the side of the road (thank you Cathy and Ciro for staying with us!).

My 4-Year-Old Won a Wet T-Shirt Contest

Really. Oh, but it isn't what you might think. She has been taking swimming lessons this summer, and her class had a relay race involving swimming in a t-shirt. Grace's team won. Included in this post are some pictures of her class. She is coming along "swimmingly" and is doing far better than I expected. I think that she has a bit of a crush on her coach because she goes beet red everytime he says her name, "Miss Grace".

Farewell Barnes Family and 1st Papercutting

Having a husband in the military means that we have to say goodbye a lot. Today we had to say goodbye to our friends the Barnes' (okay, so they aren't leaving for another month, but today was the party). It has been gorgeous and hot all week, but just a few minutes before the party it started thundering. Still, we stayed dry and nicely cool. The hostess, Rosa, made delicious Mexican food. It was a fun afternoon. As you can see, it wore little Sophia out. And yes, that is MY tanned shoulder that she is drooling on, for all of you who thought it could never happen.

I created cards (a going away card and a birthday card) for the event. I tried my hand at papercutting (see perilloparodies.blogspot.com). This was my first real attempt at it, so I went for big, basic shapes. They aren't great, but I am fairly pleased with the results.

The Rainbow Bridge

Dedicated to Abby

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown

(My Aunty Kathleen's dog Abby recently passed. My friend Kelly gave this poem to me when my dog Eva died, and it really mean a lot.)