How the boys coped while we were away...

This brings us to the end of our traveling journal but before we sign off a little about how our boys survived while we were away. It’s the question people keep asking us…how did they go? Was the house a mess when you got home? I bet they lived on junk food. Actually ……no, quite the opposite in fact.

It’s a big thing to leave your kids behind for such a length of time. Sure they’re big kids… Ben at 22 has just moved out of home with his girlfriend Josie and has been pretty independent despite still being at home for quite a few years now. Jake and Alex at 20 and 16 were the ones I worried about as they’d always had someone there to “look after” them, let alone remind them of all they had to do.
So in the week’s before we flew away there was lots of “are you sure you know how to…..” and “do you need me to…..before we go?” and also “Do you know how to work the….” They Did!
They knew what to do and we’re very proud of how they not only coped but thrived.

We had carefully thought through how much money support to leave them with. There was a strict budget for them to stick to, quite generous mind you, but it meant they had to have their thinking caps on when shopping to make it last til the next week. They took it upon themselves to shop around for their bargains and that left them with a bit left over to play!
Christmas was fun for them…Jake was the official Christmas cook and outdid himself. They feasted on Slow Roast Pork, Turkey roll and Rosemary Roasted potatoes and Cauliflower Au Gratin. This was followed by an assortment of lovingly purchased Cheesecakes in two varieties, and homemade trifle. Magnifico!
They shared the meal with Ben and Josie and then spent the afternoon in a war zone as they battled for supremacy of the house in a fierce Nerf War. (Guns that shoot foam bullets) There has been a request that we need a Nerf Gatlin gun for mounted suppressive fire but I think that can wait! They are currently armed with an assault rifle, duel pistols, a revolver, and a tactical assault rifle. Fabulous Festive fun! Apparently there were no victors however the Jake and Josie team gave the Ben and Alex team something to think about.
The fun continued, lots of gaming, having friends over for BBQ’s, Alex bought himself a really cheap pool that turned out to be a pool cover!!! Drats!
Their other project, and Russ and I are delighted with this one, was to resurrect the veggie garden. Its blooming and already we are eating from it. Grand plans are afoot to convert another big part of the garden to veggie garden also. Time for chooks too we’ve decided.




So this is my last entry. Sorry to take so long to get this last part posted….
Thanks to all of you who have followed our travels and relished every moment with us. We feel different now, as if Italy has worked a little special magic inside us. There is something so special about the people and the climate and the food and the golden light that makes it seem a bit like a dream…
Russ and I have bought back so many ideas on how to live our lives, what things are important and what really really isn’t!
Just the change in the way we are eating is impacting on us as we embrace the Mediterranean diet…we are both losing weight slowly and steadily and the boys also ;as they eat what we eat. Molto Bene! (Very Good)
So my final note to you all dear followers. Stay tuned I think there is another blog coming as the seeds of an idea are just germinating now.
Arriva Derci
The Boombahs
Xx ( to each cheek Italian style)