Noto flower festival

Each year the beautiful baroque city on Noto holds a festival of flowers. The designs along the street are made of various flower petals, and other organic materials...beans, coffee grounds, seeds, etc. Each year there is a different theme. This years theme was music. Many watched from the fantastic baroque balconies along the street. A parade marched through the city. It was a great day.

A Day in Venezia

Field Trip to Acireale with teenagers

I went along with Ben and Mackenzie's Italian class on a fieldtrip to the city of Acireale. We visited hangers where the floats were being prepared for the carnivale parade, and the art gallery of the local library. I was amazed at the quality of artwork in their collection. We were told that they had over 400 donated works of art in their storage facility. They lack the space to show all of the work. We also visited an Italian school and had refreshments with a group of English students. It was a nice cultural exchange.

Riley's 10th

Where has the time gone?

Montarosso Almo Live Nativity/ Presepe Vivente

The day after Christmas, Matt and I took the kids on a tour to Montorosso Almo to see a live Nativity. It seems that almost every little town here has their own version of a live nativity, but a bus tour was offered to this particular little village. The festivities began with a procession of Mary and Joseph, and the wise men. We were then directed down a long path with many demonstrations of life during the old days. People were dressed in period clothing, and were demonstrating everything from weaving, to cooking, to playing music and celebrating. The path ended with Mary and Joseph, and baby Jesus lying in the manger. It was a wonderful and very memorable evening.

Calcio

Benjamin continues to excel at soccer or calcio as it is called here in Italy. He plays for a local Italian team, and has made the adjustments needed to find his place on the team. The speed of play is much faster here. The coach and players speak only minimal English. He is also playing with the American Olympic Development team which meets in Germany about once a month. His ODP team participates in German and other European tournaments.

Kenzie's string class played at our local store for the holidays. This is a clip of her duet with her teacher