School's Out for the Summer!

It was bittersweet closing up my classroom for the summer this year - 3 months to the day that I last had students there.

I left this date on my board and looked at it each week when I virtually taught out of my classroom.  

 Sherri's talented niece made us these awesome shirts!  

We sported them at our Google Meet Dance Send Off on Tuesday morning

 Cupid Shufflin' Colleagues :) 

 LOVE these ladies!!! 

Emma hung out with her friends on base.  The wonderful Le'aito family made this frame in honor of the last day

 Gabriela, Emma, and Roxanne

 These 2 kids are AMAZING! 

An 8th grader who is getting taller than the 10th grader

As we begin Summer Break 2020, it's going to look a lot different than summers past. We have always kicked off Summer Break with a getaway... 

2012 was our first trip to England (Cambridge and London)

 In 2013, the kids and I went to Scotland

 2014 One Direction Concert in Paris

 2015 girls' trip to London

 2016 had us heading back to the states for Nathaniel and Callie's wedding 

 In 2017, Chris went on a guys' trip to Dublin

 Back to La Maddalena in 2018

 In 2019 we saw Ed Sheeran at Firenze Rocks, then Emma and Chris headed to the Women's World Cup in Paris

Summer 2020 was kicked off today playing some games...

...and enjoying a wonderful lunch with a few friends.  We were just finishing our delicious seaside meal and had to run for cover when a torrential downpour snuck up.  Hopefully next time I'll get a picture of us with the beautiful view!

That's A Wrap, May!

I cannot believe today is June 1!  The past 3 months have been unprecedented, but May was a blur!

Chris and Emma continue having a blast co-hosting Name That Tune 

 The quarantine "mop" is gone! Camden finally got a haircut

 Once the travel ban within our region was lifted and the girls were finished with all of their AP testing, Emma had her dear friends over for an afternoon at the pool.

 The last time Roxanne, Lena, Gabriela, and Emma all really spent time together was their Basketball Euros trip to Germany! 

 It wasn't our usual Memorial Day Weekend trip to Sperlonga, but we loved having a BBQ at Jim & Amy's house

 Squirt gun attack!

 A little badminton sibling fun

Then, Coach Davis challenged Camden

PIVOT!  

Emma and Camden worked together to get our new balcony table upstairs (while Herky supervised)

 Off to Mass for the first time since March 8! We were so happy to be there to celebrate Pentecost 

 A beautiful Sunday afternoon poolside reading and enjoying an Aperol Spritz 

Happy 13th Birthday, Camden!

How is this adorable baby a TEENAGER now?!?!

 This year his birthday fell on Memorial Day. 

Camden opened presents by the pool 

The Hilley family made him this awesome sign 

So happy to be reunited in the pool!

 Camden made a wish blowing out the candles on his slice of snickerdoodle cake

70 Days

Wow! Today marks day 70 of quarantine here in Italy.  The country is staring to open back up and we are slowing getting out and about.
Here's a bit of what we've been up to the past few weeks...

Herky tested out a new spot to nap

 Afternoon virtual class is better when you have a Shirley Temple (with an umbrella)

 Herky decided to claim Emma's usual "school spot"

 When he is not in virtual class or working on assignments, you can count on Camden chatting with Dylan and Jake

 The first Saturday in May calls for a dip in the pool

 Of all the virtual programming Chris is putting on, his Sunday afternoon chats with Jojo are some of his favorites!

 Cinco de Mayo margarita

 Virtual Happy Hour to celebrate

 The temps rose to the mid 70s and both kids decided to take the plunge!

 Chris had an extra special guest on What's Next, our DoDEA European Director, Dr. McMullen

 Emma's weekly culinary assignment was to make a dessert

Camden helped out with some fresh whipped cream to go on top

 Enjoying my new Mother's Day gift

 Emma finally moved from the judge's seat to the singer's seat for Name That Tune!

 My 2 greatest blessings on Mother's Day

 Another warm afternoon called for a float in the pool

 Emma on an evening run getting her mind and body ready for her late night AP test

 10:00 p.m. start for her AP Human Geography exam

 So happy to cuddle with this pup

 Emma's weekly culinary assignment was to make a copycat version of a restaurant favorite.  She chose Chick-fil-A's Frosted Lemonade

After 10 LONG weeks, we were able to get Dom's for dinner on Friday

 Loaded up with our food and heading back to Mel's house

 Oh pizza, how I've missed you!!!

 Camden let Emma do his hair :)

 Steamy Saturday afternoon by the pool

Dynamic Name That Tune Duo