School is here!

As many of you know, we've decided to take a little break from homeschooling.  While we're in Italy we have the option of the base school and down the road, if DJ learns the basics of speaking, reading, and writing in Italian, he has the possibility of going to school out in town.    

Overseas base schools generally have a great reputation.  They pay the teachers a generous salary and housing allowance, so it's very competitive.  It's a little sad for me to stop homeschooling, but we think this is best for our family right now.  I realize DJ and I can still work together on homework/learning after school.  The base school is brand new, and his classroom size is only 16.  He had his first day of 2nd grade yesterday!  He was all smiles.  DJ really liked school and when I picked him up after school, he wished the day wasn't over yet.  

Getting ready to leave the Navy Lodge - school starts at 7:45 am.

Home sweet home.

While we're waiting for our rental house out in town, we're able to walk from the Navy Lodge to school.  

Standing in front of the school.

In the courtyard where DJ meets his teacher and new classmates.  

We still can't believe he's a 2nd grader now!  DJ lost his two front teeth just in time for the first day of school.  

The kids found their name tags on each table.  

DJ's teacher, Mrs. Andre.  She seems great.

Time to empty the backpacks with all of the school supplies.

Alright, enough pictures.  I should probably leave the classroom now!  

School day ends at 2:15 pm.  

  

First fishing trip in Italy

Yesterday, we celebrated the last day of summer vacation with a guided fishing trip for dad and son.  I think they had a fun time, while I stayed back with Noah and Lincoln.  A few other guys from base went too.  Only one of the guys caught a fish (a barracuda) and the fishing guide cooked it for them with a little grill right on the boat.  

PS - see if you can tell which one is the Italian fishing guide.  

PSS - if you guess him, you are correct.  

Saturday in Taormina, Italy

Yesterday we decided to get out of the Navy Lodge and go to the beach.  So far, one of our favorite towns is Taormina.  We hadn't actually been ON the beach in Taormina yet.  The beaches are all different here.  Some have beautiful white sand, others have volcanic, thick rocks, and others have rocky, smooth pebbles.  The spot we found in Taormina was the rocky, smooth pebble kind.  At first I thought I wouldn't like it as much, but then we realized how great it was.  After our day at the beach, we left without being covered in sand or getting sand all over our car.  

We had a great time.  You have two options with beaches here.  Unpaid beaches and paid beaches.  The paid beaches are called lido beaches.  You pay a small amount (18 euro) for a spot on the beach with an umbrella and two beach chairs.  Totally worth it.  I still need to figure out how I can watch the baby and still lay out in the sun.  I ended up under the umbrella the whole time so I could shade Lincoln from the sun.  Tom spent most of the time with DJ and Noah in the water.  It worked out nicely.  Then we had some fresh fruit at a nearby snack bar.  We felt like we were on vacation.   On our way home, we stopped for gelato.  Yum!     

These are the crazy signs at the entrance to an intersection.  They are pretty funny.  I'm still nervous about driving here.  Tom has done most of the driving so far.

This is the path that led us to the lido beach.

Getting settled in our beach chairs before heading out to the water.

DJ said the water felt great.  It was the perfect temperature.  So beautiful and clear.

Tom and DJ going for a swim.

This is the Ionian Sea.

Noah really didn't want to wear a life vest.

DJ and Noah 

DJ trying to get Noah to pose for a picture.

DJ loves his baby brother.

A day at the beach.

Proof of Lincoln's two first teeth!  They popped in at the same time.

Maybe we'll take a boat ride next time.

Noah insisted on wearing his rain boots, even though we've only seen sprinkles twice in the past 50-something days. 

A shot of the lido beach.

Getting ready to head home.

Attempt No. 1 at getting a shot of the boys.

 

Attempt No. 2 at getting a shot of the boys.

The next pictures were taken as we drove through the streets of Taormina.

Our car finally arrived!!