A Carousel in Florence & Thoughts on Traveling with Little People

For the past couple of days we have walked by the carousel in downtown Florence without the littles noticing.  But on a slow Monday afternoon, we finally indulged them much to their utter delight.  I mean, really, do you have to fly all the way to Italy to get on a carousel?  Let me tell you something.  Seriously.  This is the most beautiful carousel in have seen in my life!

There were no lines, it just kept going and going regardless of how many people were on.  And only cost 1 Euro a ride, although admittedly, we did get a couple of free rides too.  Gabriel and Magdalene went around and around and around.  They just couldn't get enough.  It was lovely!

Pizza in the piazza.  Don't go for the knock-off pizza cut and served by the grams.  Go for the real thing.  You won't be disappointed.  

Best backdrop for a carousel, really.

The ceiling of the carousel were painted fresco imitations, the base of the carousel was beautiful wood flooring and the horses were elaborately decorated with glass and beads and gorgeous fancy plumey feathers on their heads.  It was sort of a piece of art!  Which suits the city, I would say!

Italy is an interesting and complex place to take children.  We haven't seen any playgrounds here...  So the streets and the sights are our playground.  It's been an interesting experience finding creative ways to help our children understand and appreciate what they are seeing but they are doing extraordinarily well so far, I feel.  It's been a lot of queuing into their interests in whatever we see.  For example, spotting the "rowing boy" in the river caused quite a bit of excitement.  As well as traveling on the "moving stairs" and the various "trains" (trains/metro).  Counting boats in the maps in the Sistine Chapel, spotting Santa Claus while traveling.  There has been a lot of carrying and cuddling and suckers and ipad/screen time (on the train or in the apartment during down time). There has been a lot of eye-spy and chasing birds and petting horses that draw carriages, a lot of watching fountains and sipping hot chocolates.  Puzzles and sibling silliness.

We've mostly really, really appreciated having other family who can take charge and be fun sometimes--playing the "Ghost Game" or reading stories and doing puzzles.  The most helpful thing was purchasing and gifting them special toys they have been asking for over the past couple of months.  We held out for so long and finally gave them on Christmas morning which was half way through the trip.  This created a great deal of excitement and new creative play.

As I sit here at 10:30, typing, I try to think of tips to give parents who may be taking their very little people to Europe.  I am not exactly sure where to start!  But one thing I have realized is that we should never under-estimate our own children's natural desire to see and explore new things.   We have been very surprised at how much they take in and understand and appreciate, especially when we are excited about what we are seeing and doing.  I feel that this is the biggest component of traveling with children.  They feed off our energy and excitement and share in our interests and passions when we share them with them. 

Roma! A Date and the Ballet

Jordan and I were married 10 years ago and made Rome one of the cities on our honeymoon destination.  We loved it then, threw the proverbial coin over our shoulder and swore we'd return.  Here we are ten years later, in the exact same city we visited then.  It's cooler, but remains unchanged in so many ways.  

A couple of days before Christmas, Jordan and I were able to sneak away for an evening shopping and dinner date at the Spanish Steps.   This was certainly the city's most festive Christmasy area.  The streets were all strung with lights and little outdoor patios were decorated in Christmas cheer. 

One of the places on my must-see return trip to Rome was Trevi Fountain at night.  Ten years ago we saw the fountain in the day when it was swarmed with people.  While it was still busy at 11 o'clock at night, the fountain all lit up in the late evening is the best time to see it, in my experience.  

Christmas Eve, we got all dressed up in our Christmas fanciest--red lace dress, a white tutu dress, suspenders and ties.  Rachael and Derek took us to see a matinee of the Nutcracker Ballet.  The children were absolutely delighted to see ballerinas dancing around and to hear the symphony orchestra.  Gabriel watched intently, holding back some moves of his own.  Magdalene was a little too excited and couldn't stop talking about everything she could see.  So we had to pop out a few times and then sit at the back where she would pirouette in a row all to her self while eating Smarties and lollipops to keep her quiet.  Of course, puppy came along and had to see everything too. 

During the intermission, we could an empty ballroom where the littles practiced their twirls and pirouettes to their hearts content.  Naturally, Gabriel had all the moves.   But "Bella" Magdalene stole the show with her blonde ringlets, white tutu princess dress and puppy side-kick.

Mia familia bellissimo!

Later we went back to the Spanish Steps for a-walk-about.  The kids practiced their twirls in the square while nibbling on lunch.

And we went for tea at Babbington's on the square.

 Merry Christmas from our always energetic, often chaotic and full-of-love family to yours!

Fourth Date of Christmas: Toronto Christmas Market!

 
YAY!!  We made it to the Toronto Christmas Market!!  Over the past couple of years this has become one of our favorite things to do around Christmas time--head down to the Distillery District, see the lights, the big tree, go on the carousel with the kids, buy some poutine and check out the local shops and vendors. 

I think it has been months since we have gone out as a family to do anything and I was really, really missing it. Our kids are so much fun and full of life.  They really take in everything--exclaiming over the lights and stopping to count them, wanting pop into places and look at everything, dance and twirl to the music, petting little doggies in Christmas sweaters, sipping hot chocolate.

Because this has become an annual tradition, I feel like in some ways it really helps me to see the changes that have occurred over time.  I remember taking Gabriel (at almost 2) here when I was pregnant with Magdalene.  We got that picture with him sitting on my bump.  And he was running every which way through the crowds terrifying us with the thought he might get lost.  Now, he very often holds my hand and we walk and talk as we go about everything we see.  Meanwhile, Maggie (now almost 2) wants to do the same thing--run around like crazy while someone chases her. 

The big carousel is always the big ticket item.  The kids just love it.  They ride up and down pretending to race each other, yelling YEEEEHAAWWWW!  

I loved this moment today of Jordan just crouching down and talking and laughing with Magdalene.  I feel like it's just been so crazy and busy this fall that I have missed so many little tiny precious moments like this. 

One of the highlights for us today was watching Gabriel as he took pictures of us.  He was delighted that I would let him hold my camera (GASP!) and let him take a picture.  He is such a natural.  Anyone passing by would laugh and exclaim how cute.  But he really does know what he is doing you know.  He aims it right at you and almost perfectly centers it.  And when he's really on his game, he says, "SAY CHEESE!"  

Poutine!!!!!

 The tree!!  Best decorated tree in the city, I think!