MAHLON'S SURPRISE KAYAK DATE

I decided to surprise Mahlon and sign us up for a kayaking trip this weekend. Our outdoor rec manager assured me it was an easy trip and anyone could do it. Even me! So I was kind of excited about it, especially because I knew Mahlon would enjoy it so much. When I told him he was so surprised...I don't think he really thought we were actually going to do it until we arrived! It was a beautiful day to go kayaking in Sicily!  We started in Catania and kayaked north to Aci Trezza.  Here's where we started:

My toes on the kayak!

There were some really neat lava rock caves along the way. We paddled inside for a bit.

It wasn't long before my arms started getting tired. Once we got into the open water it got even harder! Also, I started to wonder how much my kayak looked like a seal from under water. It started getting hard to take pictures.

It felt so great to arrive in Aci Trezza! There are some really cool lava islands on the water there!

We paddled up to the small fishing village to have lunch. I felt like I had earned my lunch!

After lunch we had to paddle aaaaaaaall the way back. It wasn't as much fun. It took all my upper body strength to get back! I felt like a real wimp until I heard several other people say the same thing. Even a guy! I don't know if it's something we'll do again but I'm glad I did it at least once!

 As far as Dexter's concerned, we can go anywhere we want any time as long as he has Leiny!

DEXTER LOVES TO SING

Dexter loves to sing.  He sings all day and when he goes to bed at night he sings until he falls asleep.  Dexter loves music.  He'll sing everything from The Wheels on the Bus to the theme from How I Met Your Mother.  Tonight he was singing up a storm at the dinner table.  Please note that it was crazy hair day at school.

ABCs


  

Jesus Loves Me/Give Thanks Medley

FERLA SCIACCARIATA

Mahlon and I went to a small village Saturday night called Ferla. The town is known for its Easter week events, especially the sciaccariata, which means, illumination with torches! This is the main church in town that was having a Holy Saturday mass when we arrived.

Lots of people were gathering around the square. Many of them were getting their torches ready.
Here's a peek inside the mass. You can see Mary on the right. She has been wearing black to mourn since Good Friday.
Mahlon and I explored the town a little while. This other church had a screen set up to watch everything that was happening down in the main square.

We got food.
A marching band came down the hill. They were going to meet Mary to follow her after the mass.
The main square was starting to get crowded. We decided to peek back inside the mass.

The church was so crowded, it was standing room only! The curtain had come down to reveal Jesus' statue. There was a choir singing Alleluia.

By the time the mass let out the square was packed.

Here comes Mary out of the church.
The statue was paraded around town as she "searched for her son." The band followed in a solemn procession that lasted over an hour.


The big excitement came when Mary went back inside the church. All the lights in town went down. It was pitch black! Everyone started lighting their torches.
Suddenly there were a whole lot of the loudest BOOMS I've ever heard! There was a long series of explosions louder than the 4th of July. The people with torches started running down the street!Suddenly the statue of Jesus appeared out of nowhere. Everyone started shouting!
The men carrying Jesus' statue started running up the hill. It all happened so fast! Everyone was yelling and the explosions were huge! I had goosebumps! It was a great dramatic night I'll never forget!

EASTER EGG HUNT

We took Dexter to the base Easter egg hunt this morning!

Lots of his friends were there. This is Analise.

Analise's parents are our friends, Amber and Nathan.
Dex was so excited to see the Easter Bunny! He was waving at him saying, "HI BUNNY! HI BIG BUNNY!"


This is Dexter's best friend, Jacob with his mom Jessica. Jacob and Dexter are inseparable at school.

There were lots of kids lined up, and this is just the ones and twos! When they let the kids loose, Dex freaked out a little and sat down.

But once Mahlon showed him how to egg-hunt he started getting into it.

He did great until he realized there was chocolate candy inside.

Then he just wanted to eat candy!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

It's a beautiful day in Sicily! Dex and I spent the morning taking pictures at MWR's big Base 2 Base run. After some coloring, of course.




Dexter had a lot of fun watching the runners come in with his friend Meghan!

But eventually he wanted to get up and watch them come in up close.

Our friend Amanda finished the Base 2 Base, and Dexter was so excited to see her cross the finish line!