Hanging around Catania

After all of our trips, we decided to spend a few days just exploring Catania.  Sophia and Jack really enjoyed strolling around, eating the local cuisine, and playing there! I was able to advantage of the end of the month sales, and got some great clothing at super cheap prices.  

Sophia eating an arancino, which is fried rice ball filled with tomato sauce, meat and cheese  Jack and Sophia ate these all of the time.  They were super cheap (1-2 euros) and very tasty!

Full!

Sophia and Jack love the snacks

I did my best to eat healthy on the trip especially since I indulged at night with lots of pizza, pasta and vino.  I tried to eat a salad for lunch every day.  Here is my tomato, mozzarella, tuna salad.  It was scrumptious and the bread was amazing!

Jack LOVED the cannolis in Catania.  I am not a big fan of cannolis but these were delicious!

Sophia is happy after her snack.  Both Sophie and Jack slept so well in Italy and adjusted famously to the time change.  

Love that smile!

Sibling love!

Jack loves his granita.  His favorite flavor was strawberry with lemon.  

Getting ready to meet Daddy after he finished work. Carl worked from about 7 to 6 during the weekdays.  He had the weekends off, and we really enjoyed our time exploring Sicily.

Our little girl is getting so big!  Sophie at 15 months.

Our last day in Catania.  Jack wanted to ride the train one last time.  Carl joined us, and we got to see all of the main sights of Catania one last time.

Jack and his train

Hanging with daddy.  When Carl comes back from work, Sophie is always so excited to see her daddy.

On the last night, we took the train around the center of the city, and then we went and grabbed drinks at a neat little cafe near the Elephant.  Jack had a lot of energy after the train ride, and ran around in circles giggling and laughing.

Carl "captured" Jack so we could go to dinner!

The kids having a blast!

I have to admit I was a little skeptical of taking both kids on this trip to Italy.  There were a few moments during the trip where it got a little dicey with just me and both kids.  In the end, Carl was able to do a lot of good for the soldiers that needed orthopaedic care and the kids and I got to explore a beautiful part of the world.  We tasted all sorts of new and exciting foods like rice balls and Sicilian pizza, and drank LOTS of great Italian wine.  The beaches and architecture were exquisite and the people were so kind.  I am so glad we had the opportunity to go.  On to the next adventure!!!