Happy Birthday, Bopbop!!!

Eleni & Zoe send birthday wishes to their one and only Bopbop.

Greece 2009: The cousins

Eleni's and Zoe's cousins, Eleni Maria (7) and Dimitris (9), were brimming with excitement for the girls' arrival in Greece.

I was a little worried that the novelty of a couple of 3-year-olds would wear off quickly.

I am pleased to report that I was very, very wrong.

The four of them were inseparable the entire time we were there. Having no cousins myself, it was absolutely delicious to see them all together.

Plus, what stronger incentive to speak Greek than to talk to your cool older cousins?

Greece 2009 -- Jumping in the Deep End

After three years of going no further than an hour's drive with the girls, we thought a great way to introduce them to the concept of vacation would be to take them to Greece for 2.5 weeks.

I believe this is the same philosophy as teaching someone to swim by tossing her in the deep end.

*splash*

There are no direct flights from Chicago to Greece so the trip included four plane rides, and -- miracle of miracle -- there was only one incidence of ear pain (Zoe) on one leg and only for 10 minutes or so. There was, however, a rather dramatic nosebleed upon our arrival back in Chicago, that also led to the discovery that Eleni is not so fond of tight spaces. Or maybe just airplane rest rooms.

In between the two sets of flights was 2.5 weeks of time with Kostas' family and friends -- in Athens, Lirkia (the village where he grew up), and Tolo (resort area a couple hours from Lirkia).

With nonstop family, food and attention -- especially from their cousins Eleni Maria (7) and Dimitris (9), the girls were in 7th heaven.

Among the hundreds of photos I took on the trip, we managed to get one with all four of us, taken in the mountains near Lirkia.

Will post more photos and stories from the trip over the next few days.