Finally met Jasper!

After getting a little lost in the train station on Thursday morning, I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around. Shana suggested I walk down to an area called Monti. It is similar to the city center as it is not very crowded and many quaint streets to walk around in. On my walk back, I stopped and had a late lunch at this little outdoor trattoria- it was delicious. I spent the rest of the afternoon before Liv got back from school reading in the park across the street from their house.

This is the park. This building (above) used to be an aquarium, but it is used now for art exhibits, etc. The picture below is their building, from where I was sitting in the park. They are the 4th floor.

After getting Liv ready for school Friday morning, I took the bus with Shana to the Spanish Steps. She had a few errands to run around there so she showed me on the map a few places I would enjoy seeing and set me loose. I enjoyed shopping for a bit, or looking rather! After navigating the busy streets of the Spanish Steps area, I walked up to Piazza del Popolo and then eventually back home. I have been walking a lot. I am a bit nervous sometimes to take the buses, since I am still learning my way around.

Jasper arrived home from sailing camp Friday afternoon, tired, not feeling well, and with lice!! I was so happy to finally meet him though. He is adorable and warmed up to me very fast. He told me all about camp- he clearly has a passion for sailing, and the camp counselor told Shana that he was very good and they'd like him to come back. I know Liv is happy he's back. All afternoon on Friday she kept asking how much longer it would be until he'd be home! Seeing them interact is very sweet- they seem to get along great.

Meredith Kaltz is an au pair in Florence and came to Rome this weekend because her family was out of town. Shana and Tommaso took the kids to their beach house on the coast this weekend to meet up with one of Tommaso's old friends. Meredith and I were going to take the train to join them Saturday, but Meredith needed to get back to Florence early on Sunday, so Shana suggested we just stay in Rome and enjoy a weekend off...which we did! Meredith arrived about the time Jasper did, and the two of us spent time with the kids before the family left for the beach. Liv was excited to have a new person in the house and was hanging all over Meredith, as Jasper told us stories about camp. Liv clearly was upset that we weren't going to the beach with them. Little moments like that, when she hugs me goodbye like she's known me her whole life, are what make me feel at home in such a new place:)