independence day

we are now in Maremma for the summer, Saturday Giova had his big birthday party- hundreds of people! They had a mini petting zoo with animals from their farm and surrounding ones, two huge blow up bouncy slides one with water, a pool, a caterer, someone who brought mini gelatos a whip cream machine and a ice cream cake. This party was insane! Everywhere you turn there was wild children. Some of the presents he received were incredible like one family gave him a tackle box with lures as well as a new reel and two new fishing poles, one that is probably 12 feet long and collapsible. I was awed at the obvious expense these guests spent on presents.
     The next few days were full of more bouncy house and pool and a friend Carlo's pool. One day at Carlo's, the other two little boys (Giova and Cesaere) turned against Carlo and Ceseare was in a fist fight in the pool with Carlo- the punishment? a few moments time out. The next day at Carlo's pool he decided it would be funny to pull down my swim bottoms in the water, totally unacceptable! his punishment? none of course. I know its not my place to say but these kids would be so much better behaved if they knew that they couldn't get away with what they are doing!
     I bought my plane ticket to Switzerland!! I will be there from July 14-18. My friend Raphi from Switzerland will pick me up at the airport and I'll stay with his family for my time there. I'm suuper excited! and the weather is not so hot there.
     Today is the 4th of July, America's day to celebrate its independence, so I did a little of my own too! First I painted my nails red white and blue to support :) and then I left Maremma early in the morning with nona (grandma) and went to Firenze to get some clothes that'd be better to take to Switzerland. In Florence I packed my bag and was ready to catch the Rama bus to Grosetto (close to Maremma). I vaguely knew where the train station was and I knew the bus area was nearby so off I went. Past the Duomo, which I use as a reference to everything, if you can find the Duomo you can get anywhere in Florence! and from there on, it was much closer to Santa Maria Novella then I had thought! So i walked around and eventually found the bus station and bought my ticket, then I walked around some more till it was time to board the bus! 2 hours later I was in Grosetto and on my way back to the house. For dinner we "barbequed" in celebration of the 4th of July! we had burgers (just the patty because hamburger buns are hard to find), mashed potatoes ( turned into soup and was potato soup but tasted really yummy), cooked zucchini, and some small steaks from the barby! Finished off with a fruit salad, homemade gelato (AMAZING) and some white wine! made for a great independence day even if I couldn't celebrate it at home on a tube in Devils Lake!