preparing...

it has been almost 3 months of preparing

we have our flights
passports in hand
i have booked hotels in florence, rome, vernazza and paris
most train tickets are bought
reservations to vatican have been made
i just received our tickets to the french open
my wonderful mother-in-law is coming to watch the kids for 6 days
my sweet sister is watching the kids for the remaining 7

package for the kids

my folder, separated by city with our hotel reservations, train tickets and museum reservations

i am nervous leaving the kids for 13 days {i have prepared a package to be sent to the kids half way through our trip}.  but i can't tell you how excited i am to go to italy and paris.  i have been researching for months.  i have read and watched rick steve's books & movies.  looked up most of his hotel and restaurant recommendations.  i have bugged my sister-in-law {who we are going to visit in italy} through many emails.  she will probably be glad when our trip will be done!  2 more days.........