The 52 Project: a portrait of my children once a week & every week in 2014.

Lena: She’s such an acrobat these days! Her light, strong little body is figuring out how to do so many amazing things… which is part terrifying and part amazing. The phrase I hear most frequently is: “Yook, Mama, yook what I can do!” (Also, “What time is it? What does that mean?” and “Can we make something yummy in the kitchen?”)

Gil: I finished his sweater yesterday just in time for him to wear it to church! I’m so proud of it. Be warned: you might be seeing a lot of it between now and warm weather.

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I had kind of a frazzled morning. (Snacks! Coloring! Screaming! Nap time! Reading! Clean up! Tears! Laundry! Repeat!) When we finally decided to go on a walk and headed down the hill, I felt like a fresh breeze blew through me. I felt light and strong as I munched an apple and let the weight of the stroller carry itself down the hill under my hand. Crisp air filled my lungs, and suddenly everything seemed sharper and brighter as my mind took in the sights and sounds: the bustling piazza, the old men walking in and out of the municipal buildings, the farm trucks filled with produce harvested that morning, the glittering beauty of Mt Etna rising in the distance.

“We live in Italy,” I realized with a jolt. “Live here. Not just visiting.”

And so I started taking pictures as we bought produce, snacked on bread sticks and pizza from our favorite panificio, and played on the playground. Later we added artichokes, balsamic, basil, sausages, arancini, and wine to the stroller basket. We shall eat well tonight in celebration of living in Italy!

My stroller is as big as a Fiat!

Prettiest house (and potted plants) on the street.

A view of the castle outside our house as we round the corner for home.

And home sweet home. Oh Italy, we love you!