Today was a more relaxed day compared to most we’ve had. We were coming off a weekend that had been fun and refreshing, but still pretty busy and packed with comings and goings. We are getting into the late parts of our trip and are beginning to run out of steam a little quicker than in the earlier weeks. So from the get go, today was a lazier one and more focused around what Beren and Silas wanted to do.
We doddled around the apartment in the morning playing games, eating breakfast, and watching some TV. About mid morning we finally were all up and ready. Ever since we were preparing to go to that weird toy store we went to a few days ago, Beren has been asking about getting a toy as a souvenir. We told him that they would have the opportunity to get something and every day he has reminded us he still needs to get something and would ardently ask when that would be. With no firm plans scheduled, today was his lucky day.
We Googled some toy stores nearby and made sure they were non-weird. The closest one was back up in Trestavere, the neighborhood across the Tiber from us. We told the boys where we were going and we went out walking with them jumping around from the excitement.
It was a modest 15 minute jaunt to where Google Maps told us to go and we began looking for the store front. We thought we missed it, but realized where it was and why we missed it. It was still shuttered up, despite saying it should be open online. We quickly went into crisis aversion mode with the boys. By the grace of God, there happened to be a playground right across the street and attention was diverted in that direction.
Allison and I were wondering about what we may have done wrong or why the store wasn’t open. It should have opened about 20 minutes prior. After chatting a bit, we remembered something we read before coming to Italy, that operating hours are more guidelines than promises strictly adhered to. We stayed at the playground for a bit betting it would open soon. Sure enough, it did.
The boys went in and could barely contain their excitement. It was a pretty posh little toy store, but was perfect for their ages. We gave them guidelines on size and told them they could each pick out one toy. Beren ultimately selected a sack of marbles. A wonderful, classic option. Silas had more trouble deciding. He had grabbed a pig figurine, but seemed unsure of it and continued to look at other toys, however, he never put down the pig. Every time we asked him if he wanted to put it down for something else, he said no. When all was said and done, the pig was what he walked out with, not without some tears and hesitation. But, as we walked away from the toy store toward an early lunch, he seemed to become more endeared and named the female pig Mr. Oink Oink.
We were very hungry and the only place that seemed to be open for lunch was Tonnarello, which happened to be where we ate the last time we were in Trestavere. It was really good before, so we decided to go for it again. We got some focaccia, calamari, and fried artichokes followed by some meatballs, codfish balls, and rigatoni pesto. It was a filling and delicious lunch. Afterward we walked back.
The boys went down for nap easily and I took one too. Beren woke up pretty early, ready to play with his marbles and, shockingly, played with them quietly for the next hour. It is always amazing to me how simple toys are often the best ones because they are so imaginatively stimulating. I played with him for a bit until Silas woke up. We ate a small snack and went over to our local playground where we are becoming regular fixtures.
It was much cooler this evening, but the boys didn’t seem to mind and played for about an hour and a half. They rode little toys, swung, and navigated tiny kid sharing dynamics. Beren seemed interested in learning how to ride some of the bikes scattered around, so we practiced on a few different toys. I think this will be something we try to begin learning when we are back home. Soon it was time for our nightly gelato.
The boys got mango and I got pistachio. Before coming here, I always thought pistachio to be a weird flavor and never understood why someone would get something like that for their ice cream. It’s a classic staple in Italy, and apparently the way you tell a good gelato shop from a bad one, so a week or so ago I decided to try it. It was delicious and, not being someone with a sweet tooth, hit the spot perfectly. Now it’s my default. I’m not sure if that will carry back into the States though.
We ate in the Piazza Testaccio, right outside the shop before walking back toward home. Usually, we go home after gelato, but as we passed the playground, Beren jokingly acted like he was going to go in, so I said go ahead and we played for another 30 minutes. I’m pretty sure our total playground time for the day clocked in somewhere around three hours.
Finally, back at home, we heated up some leftovers for dinner and took a shower. Allison’s work calls conveniently ended right when the boys were getting ready to lay down for bed, so she was able to tuck them in and sing My Beloved, which is currently their demanded lullaby.
After they were down, I braved the cold and went back out for pizza. I placed a take out order and waited for a few minutes marveling as I watched them make the pizza in a huge wood-fire oven.
When I returned, Allison and I enjoyed them together. We got a Verdure and a Diavola. The former was a veggie one. While the latter was covered with spicy salami and was the clear winner. Personally, it was one of the best things I’ve eaten here so far.
So, while we saw no remarkable sights or did any remarkable things, it was a really good day. One that contributed as many good memories and moments as any other. I enjoyed my time with the boys on the playground and talking while we licked our gelato. They are funny, kind, interesting, and intelligent people to talk to and spend time with and I love the opportunities to get to hear their thoughts, questions, and perceptions of the world.
In the midst of everything else today, we finalized plans and will be taking a trip to the island of Capri this weekend. From the looks of the pictures, I think we’re in for a treat, and some serious leg workouts. We also finalized plans to go have dinner at the home of Gianluca’s family tomorrow night. I am nervous, but very excited. It will be fun to get to know them better and get to experience their hospitality. I don’t really know what to expect and am just hoping we, at a minimum don’t break anything or make complete fools of ourselves. I guess we’ll see!