Look back and looking ahead to 2017!

It has been some months since we last updated this blog. The good news, as many of you have concluded, is that Isabella is doing well and we have been busy with many other things.

Flower girls this summer

I am writing this while sitting at the hospital for Isabella's monthly check-up. After a VERY long day we have concluded that Isabella's body needs a break from the current medication, 3 out of the past 4 years she has been on this medication, the toxicity is undoubtedly building in her body. We are able to take a three week break on this trial, she will then be due for her next MRI and we will assess whether she should continue with a reduced dose (and hopefully limit some of the side affects)  or stop the medication altogether. Stopping sounds pretty good but the unknown does cause apprehension as we don't know exactly what the treatment options are, should the tumor regrow. We will cross that bridge when we get there. In the meantime a Christmas break without having to remember to take the pills twice a day on a completely empty stomach or worry about the latest possible side effect will be a relief all round.

Ahhh, collapse on the sofa with a good cup of tea.

Time for Tea

Atop Rocciamelone

Looking back at the past six months - we had good summer that included a stop in London to catch up with friends and family. Cultural highlights included an evening at The Globe, getting lost in the maze at Hampton Court and afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. We then had two very relaxing weeks in the Italian Alps with i nonni and also a visit from the English nephews. We visited our favourite haunts, hiked our preferred trails and got our fix of gelato and other Italian goodies. The highlight was Mati conquering Rocciamelone at 3538 m with Gregorio and a couple of friends. Thanks to modern technology -  photos and messages were instantly beamed down to the valley and I think the whole of Susa, from the hair dresser to the post office knew about the granddaughter who had climbed the mountain and then written a very special message to the Madonna di Rocciamelone praying for the other granddaughter. An emotional day.

L'ultimo gelato all'aeroporto di Torino

Sightseeing in London

No matter the age, all want to climb up there!

We returned to DC at the end of August and dove right back into school and I think we are only now catching our breathe as we wind down for the Christmas holidays. Matilde traveled with the school to Florida for a week in November to participate in an inter school sports competition. She talked a lot about the swimming and archery in which she represented her school but I think Disney World and her first ever roller coast ride also left a big impression! Gregorio traveled to Turkey, his last work mission there, now that he has moved to covering warmer climes in the Caribbean. The girls and I took a whirlwind trip to New York to see an old friend - it was the perfect autumn Sunday in the Big Apple. I had two great work trips this autumn - a wonderfully luxurious whirlwind tour to

one of many in Italy!

with cousins in the Alps

Moscow and St Petersburg. I knew it would have changed since my last visit in 1988 but I could not have imagined by how much. The grey Soviet era is firmly in the dim and distant past. The beauty, opulence and great food were truly memorable. Sadly I don't see us sending American travelers to Russia soon. This trip was followed by 10 days in Oxford and London - a quintessentially English experience to feed my annual nostalgic needs. I managed some annual rituals with bonfire night, Remembrance day, stocking up on tea and treats from Fortnums and clothes shopping on the King's Road (thanks to the great exchange rate!) to name just a few non work related things I squeezed in.

Back to School Sept 2016

The girls are growing up and becoming very independent. They are both happy and working hard at school. Isabella has started her IGCSEs and will be taking a couple next summer - under four years and she will be flying the nest! Hard to believe. Swimming is Mati's life - practicing four times a week and then swim meets on many week-ends. The bathroom is filled with wet swimming costumes and towels everywhere! Meanwhile Bella continues to sing with the Children's Chorus of Washington. Last week's Christmas concert was beautiful, the new director has breathed some new energy into their repertoire.

Oyster festival in Maryland

2016 has been quite a year around the world. I was in London the night of the US election. The result was a surprise and shock for many of us. It was the second time this year, I have felt let down by 'my' country. I am at home in England and America though I have no voting rights in either. The US presidential election and the Brexit vote came after very contentious campaigns and left me, first with a major identity crisis (I have since filed my papers to become an Italian citizen) and the second, apprehensive of what the future will bring.

Kid's table at Thanksgiving

economic students...a few years later

As a dear English friend's father wrote recently, while the future remains uncertain, there will always be friendship. And this year we have certainly relished the friends we have. We were visited by the Italian friend who first introduced Gregorio and I - some 22 years ago - he certainly looked the same, not sure about Gregorio and I! We reconnected with a number of friends in London after several years to celebrate my birthday this summer and we were visited by other dear friends who previously lived in DC. This week we have sadly said goodbye (for now?) to some friends heading back to live in Europe. We've had plenty of fun times with friends to be thankful for this year. Thanksgiving at the Impavido household has become a tradition with our dearest DC friends, they are practically family - a big one at that, there were 32 of us sitting down to turkey and trimmings in November. For Christmas we will be at an equally warm gathering of close DC friends. Preceded, as always, by Gregorio's traditional Christmas Eve fish meal - Mati is not particularly fond of fish but she believes the menu is sacred and cannot be changed!

cena nel cortile!

The "usual" English walk in Virginia

We are looking forward to a relaxing Christmas break and ready for new adventures in 2017. We wish you all a magical time with your family and friends and the brightest and healthiest of New Years.

Lots of love,

Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Matilde. x

PS can you ever have enough Emmas in your life?!?

Bonfire night - Up, Down & Sideways!

in NYC