L'Erbavoglio

Today we went to Dylan's first play group at L'Erbavoglio, which is a community center for kids up to three years old. The name "L'Erbavoglio" means "want grass" or "want plant" and it comes from an Italian expression that says "'Want grass' doesn't even grow in the king's garden," and it's a way to teach kids to say "I would like" instead of "I want." Capisci? It reminds me of in elementary school when the teachers used to say "You CAN go to the bathroom but you MAY not." Different situation but same idea.

Two-and-a-half hours of playing during what would normally be Dylan's nap time completely wore him out. But he had a great time. It was also good for me to have some face time with the other mammas, and I think it's absolutely necessary for me to survive here as a mother. Seeing as though I don't always have a pediatrician I can call, and I'm not really sure how things work here much of the time, it's all that more important for me to be looped into the mommy network. During pregnancy I just kind of gave up trying to figure things out and found myself feeling confused and helpless much of the time. I realized that that was a huge mistake and that "knowledge is power," and now I'm going to master this mamma thing even if I have to be the leader of the pack.

Pediatricians and teachers watch out. SuperEmpoweredMamma is going to be the biggest thorn in your side! "Buongiorno, Mr. School Principal. Italian penal code 4,000,238, section 175 says that schools should supply toilet paper and parents shouldn't have to bring it so I fully expect there to be toilet paper in the bathrooms by next week!" Or we'll just move back to the U.S. before Dylan even gets to school. That'd be easier. If the economy doesn't crumble, that is.

But I digress. Below are some photos:

"Man, it'd be cool if we could fill the bathtub up with these!"

Snack time over. Back to playing

Our bud Enea from neonatal massage class. Born two days after Dylan. "How about that teething. No fun, right?"