Piazza Navona

One of the most popular piazzas in Rome and one visit and you'll understand why that is true. Gorgeous architecture, colorful street life and delicious ristorantes dot the perimeter of this must-see in Rome.

Have you read Angels and Demons? If so, this fountain is a famous spot mentioned in the story....Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Famous balcony has got to be photographed a million times...at least.

Our First receives her First Communion

So yesterday was about the most awesome-emotional-happy-fun day for our family. Sofia Vincenza celebrated her First Communion and was surrounded by family and friends that adore her and were happy to witness this milestone along with our little family of five. The star of our day wore a white long gown, with intricate lace detail and simple rhinestone embellishment, handmade by a little old Italian woman from Mesagne oh, about 30 years ago...the dress got a mini-makeover and worn again!

It was a day that was absolutely filled with all the necessary ingredients for a happy, lasting memory.

The weather was perfect, the family was near and the heart was full...

Sofia's school only allows the parents to sit with the candidate receiving their First Eucharist which meant some alone time with the queen-for-the-day in mass. Which was wonderful.

It had been a very long time since the last time it was just the three of us sitting in a pew together.

The children performed the "Our Father" and saying it was breathtaking was a major understatement. I was in awe of their dedication and mesmerized from beginning to end as our choir sang and the children performed the prayer. Thankfully I took a video of it to enjoy over and over again. It was brilliant.

Thank you to Zio Antonio for snapping this moment for us!

That face.

Communion is over, time to get silly!

Reunited...my two little girls.

Famiglia

Sofia and her godparents

Zio Antonio and all 6 Pitocco grandkids!

Nonna Lisa and Nonno Nicky grandkid picture

Most of the 38 children that celebrated their First Communion

Time to party! Naturally, the dessert table is never bare at a Pitcco/Palumbi Party!

Not one, but two cakes for my sweet toothed-gal!

A day overcome with happy emotions, nestled in with family and friends, basking in the sunshine of a beautiful milestone for our Sofia Vincenza! Love my girl so very much!

More from Roma...

The kids were amazing in Rome. Really made me so proud and ready to be doing more traveling with them. Yes, I realize we have traveled to Italy every single summer of their lives so far, but more traveling both within Italy and Europe. This Rome trip really was a lot of walking in the heat, standing in some long lines and dealing with a lot of tourists. They handled it all pretty well considering.

Of course the promise of gelato always helps too!

Near our apartment in Rome...

I love images like this one. The graffiti is a little bit too much but that's city life and unfortunately a reality. There is a lot of graffiti out there that is actually quite cool to look at too though. Check this post our from our trip to Grottaglie in 2013 for some cool graffiti.

The Pantheon. Such a beautiful structure and impressive both from the inside and outside. We arrived just after closing so we weren't able to get in but another reason to come back so the kids can see it too.

I love Rome!

From Pinterest to real life!

I still love Pinterest and proclaim its wonders to all who will listen. I found this little craft awhile back and pinned it knowing it would come in handy one day. And that one day was for Sofia's birthday. 18 girls and a little time at the ice cream shop and I planned for a simple little necklace for the girls to make. Simple fun and their favor to take home too.

This is the tutorial from Pinterest that I found but I changed it up just a bit. I used wooden rings that I found online, the beads I had from another necklace craft we made at Sofia's 7th birthday party and the colorful baker's twine I had already as well. Some of the wooden rings I painted ahead of time with paint that I had at home. Gotta love having a stash of craft items at the ready!

Simple little craft, perfect for the 7 and 9 year old's in your life too!

Daddy/Daughter Dance

My girls were so excited again this year for the school's Daddy/Daughter dance. They love dressing up, getting flowers and being in pictures. Ha! That last one is only really half the time. But no forcing anyone to pose or smile for these pictures. Even little man got in on the action!

The big ol' 9!

9 sounds super old to me. I know it's not but it's the last birthday as a single digit and I can't wrap my head around it just yet. I'm not sure if I ever will to tell you the truth. My birthday girl wanted Daddy's grilled cheeseburgers and chocolate on chocolate cupcakes for her birthday dinner. What birthday girl wants, birthday girl gets. Especially when the requests are this easy to fulfill.

And look at the smile....I think she's a happy 9 year old too!

Love these two together so much! They make my hair turn gray and make my heart smile all in the same breath.

We don't do friend birthday parties every year but this is a friend party year and birthday girl wanted to go back to Koffmeyer's Ice Cream shop in our town for her party. 18 girls, a simple craft project and lots of sugar! Oh what fun we had!

Olivia loves hanging with the big girls too!

March and April Birthdays!

I love the tradition we began years ago to celebrate birthdays together. What I love is that we've been able to add to the initial group of just Sofia and Zio Scotty. Now Chase and Mason get to celebrate all together too and I think the kids really love it.

Zio Scotty got a special little personal cheesecake as his birthday cake. Chase loves blowing out the candles!

Sweet Mason turns 3 in just another week!

Easter weekend...

Unfortunately, our Easter family picture did not come out...someone was always not looking at the camera or making a funny face. And not a funny, funny face if you know what I mean.

But some cute ones of the kids on their annual egg hunt in Nonna and Nonno's backyard...