Buon Natale from Roma!

As many of you know, I was fortunate enough to have my mom come over here for Christmas, but I was able to enjoy a bit of the holidays in Rome before and after our trip. The kids' last week of school was filled with different Christmas concerts, fairs, etc. to get everyone in the holiday spirit. After their last day of school, we went ice skating, which was a blast, and then took them to a Christmas decorations arts & crafts workshop. I wish I had taken pictures of the ice skating, but I was very occupied with Liv and her friend! Here are a few pictures from Jasper's Christmas musical. (The school's music teacher got in an accident on the way to school that morning and was the only one who knew all of the songs on the piano, but unfortunately she was in the hospital after her accident... Ten minutes before the musical, Shana offered to play the piano for the musical (she is a professional musician, for those who didn't know) and saved the Christmas play! It was very sweet. Jasper was so proud, and everyone else was very thankful too!)

Jasper is the cute little "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Kanga(roo)" sitting on the far right of the picture.
Jasper's dance! He's the one on the far left.

While my mom and I traveled, Shana, Tommaso, and the kids spent the holidays in St. Barts, so we exchanged presents when we were all back in Rome. The kids loved the gifts I gave them, but the most priceless reaction was from Liv. For those of you who have lounged with me before, you know that I rarely walk around the house without my Ugg slippers on- that hasn't changed here. Liv always asks to wear my slippers, have them kept in a special place in my room so she can find them, and longs to have them in a "4 year old size." So, her most special present from me was a pair of her very own Ugg slippers just like mine! She was SO surprised and excited when she opened them, she took off running around the house holding them up in the air, and now she wears them all the time! It's absolutely adorable.

Opening their presents from me. (Liv with her Uggs on)

Jasper's new roller blades from his parents.