Yesterday was "International Day" at the school.  What that entails is a group of folks from one nation setting up a table of yummy offerings, maybe crafts, info on their homeland.  The central courtyard of the school was lined with tables around the edges and filled with tents and seating in the middle.  I ate my way through Germany (sausage with curry ketchup, beer), Indian (rice and curries), Argentina (meat and spiced stuffed pockets and 3 leches cookies), France (quiche, nutbread), and GB (Tea, scone, cheesecake).  I skipped The US, Italy, Japan, Spain, Mexico, Scandinavia because I simply had no more room.  There were tons of people and kids running everywhere.  Fun was had by all.  GP and I came home and napped.  Then Grace's friend's arrived.  We sent them merrily off to have pizza at a nice little place walking distance from here and I made a chocolate-coconut cake.  GP and I skipped dinner but had to try the cake and ice-cream to make sure it was edible.  Grace's friends had prepared a birthday video that was fantastic with little clips from friends and family in The States and here.  Then they presented their gifts.  Knowing what a huge Ellen fan she is, they had ordered a few things from the Ellen Shop and had them delivered to an address in the US.  From there it traveled hand to hand through relatives, colleagues, friends, until arriving in Torino.  They also e-mailed and telephoned the agents and managers of dozens of celebrities that Grace admires until they got her some signed photographs!  Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson and Chase Crawford have all said "Happy Birthday Grace" in writing and she couldn't be more thrilled.  The effort the girls put into these gifts is amazing.  She has been very lucky to have found them.  As Grace said, they may never replace her friends from home but they are certainly a wonderful addition to her "friends roster".  This morning it's pancakes for all so I have to get cooking.  xxoo me