Snow in Florence, aka Italy wasn't prepared and neither were we

We arrived at Camp Darby with great plans to bowl and eat on base, only to find that the base was pretty much closed due to snow.  It was the first snow fall in something like 30 years.  We were as totally unprepared for this as Italy was.  Dinner therefore was microwaved mac-n-cheese ( and a big bottle of wine) from the base mini-mart.  Thank goodness that was open.

The next day we thought we might go to Florence as it is only an hour away.  As we were leaving base, I was trying to read the road conditions in Florence, "wait," I said, "I think it had black for road conditions in Florence."  "No matter," the Big Duck says, "we are going."  Well, 2 plus hours later we arrived.  The good thing about 8 inches of snow in Florence?  No crowds.  The bad thing, well, none really, unless you are a totally organized parent like myself.  The ducklings had rain boots, but no hat, no gloves and no scarf.  It wasn't really cold, but as I mentioned, 8?!! inches of snow.  So, $150 later the girls had hats, gloves, scarves and mittens.  Still, they only had rain boots.  They would be fine, I figured.  At least their feet would be dry.

What $150 buys hat, mitten and scarf wise in Florence.

Outside the city walls.  Before they got really cold.

The "stairs of death" which lead us down into the city.

Well, they were fine.  Except for the poor littlest duckling.  It has to be hard getting all the hand-me-downs.  Especially when the hand-me-down in question has a tiny hole in the heel.  Luckily, we dodged frost bite...this time anyway....and the next day, added the very classy plastic bag to her fashion repretoire.  All the truly fashionable French kiddos wear plastic bags over their socks and under their rain boots to keep their feet dry.

If for a moment, I forget the incessant whining, of "I am cold, Mommy", it was a pretty good day.  Florence was beautiful.  We saw David.  We had a good lunch.  We have another great memory of time as a family and we will all remember our trip to Florence.  Really,  during the holiday season, there is nothing better then Forced Family Fun, or F cubed as we call it. So to all of my family and friends, may you all survive your own F cubed, and have a wonderful holiday season.