Eggs and So Much More

The day after my post about searching for an Italian preschool I did what I should have done at the start of my search. I finally went to visit the Sicilian family that Karen, Kari, and Coleen told me about before we even arrived in Sicily. As we drove down the country lane to their house we were transported to an Italian oasis of fig, olive, and orange trees and warmly welcomed with hugs and kisses by a pair of Sicilian grandparents. It quickly became apparent that this would be the place for Camille. One of the first things out of Bina's mouth was that she believes children should spend most of their time outside learning from the natural world....they take walks in the surrounding countryside, they feed the family's pet tortoise, they feed the chickens, they pick fruit from the many trees around the yard (fig, pear, orange, peach), they pick flowers, they run, they play, and they are happy. They also learn Italian because Bina and Antonio do not speak any English. Camille (and two little friends) will spend two days a week with them. I will be spending part of that time taking Italian classes (I found a private teacher in the closest town). And did I mention Camille comes home with fresh eggs?