Autoworld

This weekend we made it out to Autoworld to see the Italian car exhibit before it closes at the end of the month. 

This is the third museum in Cinquantennaire park. 

Lamborghini Ferrari Ducati Maserati

The boys were in heaven 

Emmy found the pre-auto section and fell for a wedding coach 

In the historical section we saw an original motor home 

And played in an F1 racer

It was a fun afternoon even for those of us who are not car people! The artistry and nostalgia of cars was very cool to witness. 

Frozen fountain

The fountain near the school was partly frozen and kinda beautiful. 

Repose

Today was half day for Em and Sam at 11:50. 

Then assembly for Cal at 1:10. 

What to do? Grab sandwiches at the grocer and hangout at the parents' house on campus. 

So we made the assembly! 

Styling III

Peacoat, umbrella, and scooter

Wednesday market

Our little neighbourhood has a market every Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday's are also a half-day for Sam and Em. Until now they napped in the afternoon so we haven't made it to the market. 

Today we did. 

It was 3pm and the booths were just getting set up: fish, deli, bakery, preserves, vegetables, and more. We picked up some fresh organic veggies for dinner. 

Kids' choice!

Managing expectations

There is a curious little 'e' that I've been wondering about. It's on all food packaging here. 

It's apparently a Belgian thing. It means "estimated but not less than". And here I was thinking there were euro-grams!

Galette des Rois

Another holiday another pastry! It's the epiphany or feast of the kings and everywhere you see "galette des Rois". 

Being a European adventure and I haven't made a good post in a while I figured we should try it out. 

The cake comes with its own crown that it apparently must wear. The cake is a flake pastry filled with fruit - in this case chocolate pear. It's kind of a giant turnover.

It was a worthy grocery store test. Next year get a good one at the bakery! 

Roman Holiday part III

Our last day in Rome brought us to, what we soon learned, the tourist trap area of town - Trevi, Pantheon and Piazza Nuvona.  Funny the buskers and hawkers were not as present at Vatican and Coliseum

Trevi fountain was very popular and was far bigger than Peter expected. Crowd navigation was tough here but gelato made patience last longer. 

Pantheon was very order with a natural counter-clockwise flow of traffic. The inside fully lives up to Roman reputation with art and sculpture. A Sunnier day would have made the oculus even more striking.

We did as much as we could in the time we had!

Roman Holiday Part II

Day two brought us to the Coliseum, built in the year 80, and used for games for the following few hundred years. We went on a tour of the underground where animals, performers and gladiators all prepared for the time in front the crowd! The scale of the building is still impressive  and must have been spectacular in it's day. The best part was that all the walls and railings were thick so Peter had no fear of letting the kids get close to the rail. Just be sure to dodge the phalanx of selfie sticks! Don't have your own selfie stick? Many 'merchants' outside offer 'selfie, selfie' for sale. 

Across from Coliseum is the Paletine Hill and ancient Roman Forum, the downtown of the day. This was a great place for the kids to run but unfortunately lots of really old things Dad didn't want kids climbing on.  

Finally around the corner was the Capotiline Hill with with another set of impressive buildings. But by this time in the day gelato and dinner were a greater priority for he kids!

Roman Holiday

Vatican City was incredible! Saint Peter's Square (a circle really) was huge with at least 90 plus unique carved statues looking on around the perimeter! The only thing more impressive was Saint Peter's Basilica where every Pope seemed to need to outdo each other until every corner, wall and cupola was filled with art sculpture and scripture. Greater forces than Mortal Peter (Cindy, really) must have been present to help the kids through one and a half hour entrance line. Well worth the wait!

Ciao Roma!!

We took a little New Years trip to Rome. 

Here are the top three things about Rome from each kid:

Aemelia (Emily)

1) I liked when we went on rides. The merry-go-round in the big square

2) meeting other kids. I met someone who spoke three languages. 

3) I liked the apartment we stayed at. I slept on the couch. It looked like a bed. 

Calvino (Calvin)

1) I liked the gelato. The melon and watermelon were made with real melon and watermelon.

2) I liked the coliseum because I learned a lot that I didn't know about it. The barbarians ruined the plumbing system.

3) the forum because it was cool and we saw a hedgehog. 

Salvatore (Sam)

1) I liked them the Roman animal cages in the coliseum. They kept elephants, bears and lions!

2) I liked the carousel. It went round and round. 

3) I liked the gelato. The chocolate flavour.