In Roma!!

I'll try and make a lot of quick posts to keep up with the all the action from Rome. We are here safe and sound and the boys were real troopers on the long trip. As always, they earned rave reviews from fellow travelers for their behavior on the planes. The first plane, to Toronto, was small, and, as often in the summer flying from Houston, it was bumpy. The boys laughed hilariously through a turbulent take-off, punctuating every bump with a "woooohhh!" that had everybody on the plane giggling along.

Then the long trip to Rome. We had to work a little to get seats together (thanks United, for putting us all over the plane!) but once we were settled, they got into movie and video game mode. I tried to get them to settle down at some point, but there was really no hope. Only as we descended into Rome, of course, with literally about 20 minutes to go, did they both decide to be tired and curled up to snooze. Jamie woke upon landing and Connor soon thereafter, ensuring two tired boys. We cruised through passport and customs and found Mommy with no problem.

A cab ride later we were at our snug apartment in the middle of room. Before the landlady had finished showing us the room Connor was fast asleep on the couch. Jamie lay down in the bed to read, but after about 1/2 hour he was out too. I snoozed for a while as well but managed not to fall too deeply asleep, which was good I think. It was tough rousing them at about 4, but we managed when Sarah came back from teaching and set out for a walk along the Tevere, stopping along the way for their first taste of real gelato. They were duly impressed. Jamie got chocolate chip (straciatella) and dark chocolate, while Connor got strawberry and chocolate.

It was good for a while then Connor in particular got tired and hungry. We eventually made it to a ristorante for pasta and pizza. Jamie is very pleased to be in the spiritual home of pasta. They went to bed surprisingly well, given the nap. Connor, as far as I know stayed asleep all night. Jamie and I both woke up about 3. Jamie was distressed for a whole and says that once it got light enough he read for a while. I finally fell back asleep around 5 or 6 I think. Some time after Sarah left Connor crawled into bed with me. Next thing I knew it was about noon and I had to work to roust the boys. So all in all, a success.