August 22, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMMY!!

This time it is his real birthday. Two years ago, today, Momma and Daddy were at the Saint Joseph Krankenhaus in Schweinfurt, and touring Timmy's sixth country was the last thing on our minds. But, that' what we did today - the Vatican! Timmy didn't get a birthday cake today (since he got one a week ago, and we still didn't know where to find one), but he did have all of the genuine Italian gelato he could eat. A nd he could eat alot, especially in the 90+ degree heat.

Timmy was bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning. Momma and Daddy were not. We all still managed to get out the door with much moaning and groaning and Timmy singing "go bye-bye! go bye-bye!" We actually got off the bus a stop early so Momma and Daddy could partake in Italian coffee, i.e. espresso. And it was good. Refreshing. Life-giving. And Timmy shared some of Momma's ham and cheese croissant, but mostly just the ham, as we walked the perimeter of the wall surrounding the Vatican until we reached St. Peter's Square.

The sun hadn't yet risen over the walls and statues of the square, and there were only a few people walking about so early in the day. We cut Timmy loose in the square to burn off some energy before a few hours cooped up in the extensive museums. He went straight for a flock of pigeons. The pigeons didn't seem to concerned about him, and stayed just out of reach. The passing nuns and priests just smiled.

The crouds soon started gathering and we passed through security into St. Peter's Basilica. It was beautiful. Timmy's favorite part was a statue of a pair of baby angels (or cherubs?). He likes pointing out their toes.

Afterwards, we stood in a long line to get into the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (sorry, no pics). Correction, Daddy stood in line, while Momma and Timmy went around the corner and down the street to get a couple of gelato cones. Lemon and blackberry. Mmmm. In the museums we picked up some roasaries and took some pictures, although most of the areas didn't allow cameras.

After the Vatican, we strolled downtown and happened upon Piazza Navona, in which Timmy slept while Momma and Daddy shopped the open air market for local paintings. We then stepped into the Pantheon, where timmy enjoyed his very own carton of blackberries. Next was Trevi Fountain, in which Timmy dipped his hands. Last was the Spanish Steps.

The Spanish Steps may have been Timmy's favorite part of the day. He climed all the way to the top of the steps - to include the steps into the building at the top. He then walked all the way back down the steps. Very enthusiastically. The boy loves stairs.

On the way back to the room, Momma and Daddy picked up a bag of bread, cheese, and salami for dinner. Of course, Momma and Daddy later found out that hard Italian cheese is best left to salad and spicing with crumbles - waaay too strong to eat cubed. The salami was flavorful and very good (Timmy liked it). Momma and daddy also enjoyed a bottle of Prosecco and a few cups of tea, but timmy was already fast asleep.

Here are some pics for the day.... in no particular order... enjoy!!