Grape Stomping

The grape is as synonymous with Italian life as fast food is to American life. So, when we found out about an opportunity to stomp on grapes I Love Lucy style we were beyond thrilled.

The day of our grape stomping adventure we boarded a bus and rode to the mountainous Benevento province. Benevento is part of the Campania region in which we live, but is nice contrast to our bustling, dirty Napoli province. Avalon, our final destination, is a members-only vineyard and dining club. We felt privileged to be guests.

The scenes from the vineyard were so beautiful, as is usually the case in Italy. The picturesque views are often something you have to see for yourself. No camera can truly capture the great Italian landscape. 

Once we were in the vineyard we got a quick tutorial and history of the Italian grape. We learned not to ever pick straight from the vine. Grapes must be cut in order to avoid damaging the vine. We also learned that the Italians of Benevento taught the French how to cultivate the Champagne grape (so they say). 

Once we began gathering the grapes AC could not keep them out of her mouth. What can I say, she loves her produce. Her mouth was constantly full!

Ok, some of her grapes actually did make it into the basket.

Parent's of toddlers know how important it is to explain things in detail. Case in point, when we reached the area where we'd be stomping on grapes AC started picking grapes off of her personal bunch and putting them on the ground. She thought we were just going to put grapes on the ground and stomp on them! Oh to be 2!

The children stomped on the grapes first (we are in Italy), and then the adults. It felt exactly like you would expect stomping on grapes to feel like: squishy!

After stomping the grapes, we went inside for an Italian lunch. A weekend Italian lunch can be anywhere from 4 to 8 courses, and lasts at least 2 hours. Our lunch was probably 8 courses and lasted a little over 3 hours. The lunch was served communal style which is very common in Italy. I personally love eating at a huge community table. The food was excellent (of course!), but the best part was the wine they had on tap. Chief had no problem keeping the wine on our end of the table filled to the brim. Needless to say, we were on the fun end of the table!

Three hour lunches are hard on little girls. Italian culture is very child centered, so they don't place unrealistic expectation on the children's behavior.

Ciao for now!

The Carrot Works Better than the Stick

"Choose your battles wisely" strangers would chorus as I held my new baby girl.

Of course this advice meant nothing to me as a new mother. There simply aren't many battles to choose when caring for a newborn. Only now, as the mother of a two year old do I really understand the weight of these words. Thus my current ideas of acceptable behavior from a toddler have been slightly tweaked.

In all actuality, we have been lucky in this third year of life so often dubbed "the terrible twos". AC is a pleaser by nature, and therefore easily adheres to rules. But once we threw an international move into the mix we were bound to have some challenges.

I used to tell people that surely AC would be a dentist. After all her security blanket as a baby (other than me) was a toothbrush. I just didn't realize at the time that toddlers like to throw their parents curveballs.  Now at age 2, the sight of a toothbrush sends her into a tizzy. After two nights of holding down a screaming toddler, prying her mouth open, and brushing her teeth I knew something had to give. Any parent can tell you that a battle of wills with a toddler will surely be lost. I also knew that I could surely outwit her.

I referred back to some knowledge I learned in Psych 101 (duh!) and realized that she needed to be rewarded. The following morning I hastily drew a few boxes on a sheet of paper, and informed AC that every night when we brushed her teeth she would earn a sticker to put in one of the boxes. She understood that once the boxes were filled with stickers she got to pick out a toy.

Duh! The carrot works better than the stick!

That night her teeth were brushed with minimal resistance. A week later we took her to the NEX (Navy Exchange) to pick out her prize. Seeing that she is the progeny of Chief and myself she chose to go to the bookstore. But it wasn't a book she wanted. I happily handed the cashier $2 for glitter Sesame Street tattoos (Abby Cadabby to be exact).

Right now my daughter is covered in glittery tattoos, but she has clean teeth! How's that for choosing a battle?

Ciao, for now

A BIG Thank You

Veteran's Day.
                             

A holiday meant to honor veterans. A day for celebrating their victories, remembering their hardships, acknowledging their struggles. A day that usually passes without much fanfare. Maybe your town has a parade; maybe not. Maybe you have the day off; probably not. Maybe you are annoyed when you go to the bank or post office and discover its closed.

Most veterans are fine with lackluster holiday that is meant to honor them. You see in my experience veterans are humble people. They don't brag about their accomplishments, they don't advertise their feats, and they rarely talk of the struggles that come with serving in the military. They certainly don't expect to be thanked.

Which is exactly why we (non-veterans) should be thanking our past and present service members today.

You don't have to look far to find a veteran to thank. Your grandfather, your best friend's daughter, your next door neighbor, your doctor, your postal worker, your local police officer, your child's teacher are just a few of the possibilities. The veterans that cooked meals, stitched up wounded soldiers, piloted a Blackhawk, provided religious counsel, manned a submarine, or supplied network operation support are all worthy of thanks.

Thank you: two simple words that mean oh so much to the nation's best.

My all time favorite veteran!

Ciao, for now!

Hang Tight

Sorry to keep you hanging. We moved into our house 4 weeks ago, and we just got internet installed a couple days ago. Remember...nothing is fast in Italy. I have so much fun stuff to share, and promise to get it up very soon!

Thanks for sticking with me!

Ciao, for now