Family Day at the Park

We had a lovely family trip to Villa Doria Pamphili last Friday and we took a lot of pictures. As we were walking in, we got hit by a nice fresh breath of air, one of the first we've gotten in the big city.

 Not far in there was a playground. We made our mandatory stop there.

 Emma and I came to this playground once before. So she wanted to show Dad her awesome climbing skills.

 Then she wanted to be caught at the bottom of the slide.

 Leon got a workout on the see-saw...look at those squats!

 Stella was also very excited to be there. Estatic really.

 First thing Emma says on the swing, always: "Really big"...meaning really high.

 She's getting so big it's crazy!

 Leon insisted that he take a few pictures to prove that I live here too.

 So I got a turn pushing.

 Stella is just out of control when it comes to swings. We had to restrain her.

 She was a little challenging at the park. I don't know if we'll bring her back

 The little ham.

...with the big ham.

 How many pictures did you want of swings?

Ok then. Just a few more. :)

 I think these ones make it worth the wait.

(Guttural) "Aaaaaaaaaahh"

 "OH NOOOO!"

 Aaaaand we've lost contact.

Juuust kidding.

 Then horses...

Time to move on. We saw lots of neat things at the park. It was such a lovely day.

The pond was filled with wildlife, living wildly.

This man was throwing bread into the water and at first you think it's for the fish. But there are dozens of turtles poking their heads up.

I think that man actually had pitched tent there, beyond the "Do Not Tresspass" iron gate.

I really was facinated at seeing so many turtles at once. I don't think I've ever seen such a big bale of turtles in my life. (Yes, that's the official word...not flock)

This one I'm adopting as my guard turtle.

"What is it, boy? More turtles?! Holy reptiles, turtle boy!"

We'll mark this shot as "3 and a half months pregnant, not fat"

And we saw big fish.

And more turtles.

And cool, cave-like bridges.

New Facebook profile: check.

Watch me move this big rock.

Amazing shrubbery. I want some like this but about 7 feet tall in a maze. The kids get bored and I'd send them out into the shrub maze and then not have to worry about them until dinner.

Oh yeah. Our stroller can handle that.

The palace of the rich family that the park is named after. (I'd make a great tour guide, dontcha think?)

Their personal chapel! So beautiful!

A great mosaic on the top

And we could even come here for Sunday mass.

So we did get a little "lost" on the way out. We had a few almonds, but no lunch, and it was nearing two o'clock. I wouldn't say we were desperate or anything, but now that I think of it, I may reconsider that garden maze idea. That's just cruel. And lovely. 

Immigration and Zuppa

After spending the entire afternoon in the Immigration office watching a video about living in Rome (1-4pm) we were all exhausted and ready to go home. I was actually interested in what some of the video had to say but unfortunately the volume was just a little too low. I could hear questions about medical care, schooling, and visas, and blah blah blah, but the answer came from a person with a low drone voice that blended into the background of chatting people. The kids did amazingly well. We brought a blanket to spread out on the nasty tile floor and threw out dry erase markers, dolls, and books. After a while, Emma went and sat with one of the Dominican sisters' lap and tied her forever long rosary into tiny knots. That's an integral part of their relationship, I think. After an hour Stella took her nap, putting herself to sleep in the stroller. Meanwhile, Leon and I are trying to stay awake in a baking hot, sweat-smelling room. It was really quite lovely.

Then we got home pretty smoothly, me with a headache, probably from lack of food and boredom. Emma was without a nap and just as exhausted as us and so nearing nuclear melt down. I tried the nap, but since my patience was just about as long as a broken toothpick I had to give up the effort and save face. Instead, I decided on an early dinner and bedtime for everyone.

But this was my biggest joy of the evening: A new recipe pulled off with almost all the right ingredients and it was delicious for everyone. And it was picture perfect. So I took a picture :)

A successful dinner!

Isn't that pretty? Its a red lentil soup with chickpeas, with a cumin and tomato base and finished with fresh cilantro. It really is amazing that I had all the ingredients for a randomly chosen red lentil recipe. And that it tasted good! Who'dathunk? Emma ate it up until her arm was so tired she couldn't feed herself anymore and she fell off her chair fast asleep. At least that's how I hoped it would go. We actually did reach nuclear meltdown point. But we won't talk about that. We'll just remember the soup. Mmmmm, soup. How pleasant. 

Staying in and then then leaving

 An easy way I structure this blog is by uploading all the pictures I’ve taken since the last post and just talk about them. It works pretty well, but can sometimes be a jumble. But I’m going to do it again anyway.  Pictures just say a lot more than I could. They’re worth, like, 478 words or something like that.

We don’t always have exciting adventures every time we go out. So I’m not always inclined to bring my camera. But then, of course when we do, I probably don’t have it. Like last night! I wish I could have captured the street performers playing in Piazza Navona last night. They were awesome! It was a guitarist, an accordionist, and a hammer dulcimer-ist. They were amazing. All very talented jazzers and tearing up their solos playing Gypsy jazz. But I have no proof of that one. O well. I’ll try again.

Like I said, sometimes we just stay in…so here’s some of us staying in and Skyping our family.

"Hey I know that person!" -Stella 

talking to grandmama

 So cute.

Since we don’t have a ton a toys right now the girls have fun playing in random parts of the apartment. Like the kitchen cabinets.  And the washer.

 Stella usually can't get down from this one.

If this were me, I'd be playing drive-thru window. "I'll have a large Whopper and a curly fry please!"

"Come out of there, I dare ya!" -Stella

This could be a professional model shoot

Then, sometimes we go out. This is how we use the bus.

It's not always this spacious, trust me. 

Yesterday we were so crammed on a bus that I could barely get far enough so that the doors didn't hit me. And we were a foot away from a teenage loving couple who were so close it was practically mandatory to make-out. And then caress Stellas face. And then go back to making out. I can just imagine her thoughts, "Everyone is just so beautiful!" They continued when they got off the bus where we did also, so I guess it wasn't the closeness of the sweaty bus-mates that brought them together.

Then sometimes we go to playgroup. Here's some random shots there:

We made ladybirds the first week. I thought that was just a made up bird, but they really mean lady bug.

The one and two year olds were champs and glueing and not eating the product.

Here's Stella traveling at warp speed.

Then one time, I left my camera at playgroup and had sick kids and so we just stopped by for a minute to grab my camera and then we went here:

Piazza del Populo

Ya, that's an awesome 360 degree shot.
It was very cool and full of statues. Like a lot of Rome.

Next to the Twin Churches.

Don't forget the pretty dump truck

This one was taken because I wanted to use my zoom all the way across the Piazza. But I thought I'd stop it this far to give a more complete shot... of the whole picture. :)

Then there are real hieroglyphics (thank you spell check) on big pole thingies in the middle.

I think our churches should have more ducks in them.
You know, for the children.

Again, thank you zoomy zoom camera.
You couldn't see them this well from the ground.

The beginning of Ancient Christian nose jobs.

As we continued our walk to Villa...something from a rich rich family long ago, we passed these:

I want one in my garden

My great-great-great-great grandfather.

I love the angels all over the place.

After that , my camera died because it had been sitting at the playgroup for a couple of days. Too bad, cause it's a fantastic park.

Then at home, sometimes we nap. Here's proof.  (he he he)

This girl has grown so much!
I want this side by side of a "napping with daddy" shot from a year ago.

Stella waking from a nap.

"I'm just blinking I swear"

See?

Very awake

Oh! Eyes! Almost!

We got these off of a most wanted photo. 

Have you seen these criminals?

Actually these were our over-priced passport photos. We had them done professionally. They guy touched our chin to adjust our faces one millimeter, just to look official I suppose. Cause he could have done this with out even looking at us. They actually have booths here that you can pop into on the streets to get passport shots. For 2 euros. 

These are the professional shots
after they went through the wash.

It was really quite a feat that Emma let the man take the picture while actually looking straight at him. I forget how much candy we promised her. Oh, wait! It was because we went to the shop twice, said she was getting a picture the first time, but then we left without getting hers. So naturally, that's all she wanted. We did have to go back to get both girls and these were the results. Super cute.

So that was something of life in the past week. Maybe this week I'll remember to take my camera out. I didn't today and we visited St. John Lateran, the main Papal Cathedral. It was awesome. More to come on that later.

Playgroup, Shopping, and Deodorant

We went to our first playgroup today! I took some pictures to show you, but then left my camera there at the church. Oops! I really have to get that back. As soon as I do, I'll have more for you to see. We all had a very good time although I didn't realize the snack was to share so I lost my travel snack for the way home. That was ok though...we stopped at a nice cafe and got a couple of pastries instead. I mean, I HAD to. It was a long walk home.

I realized afterwards that had we gone just 3 blocks farther north, we could have hit a huge piazza and an awesome park that has a zoo. I don't know if that is free though. We'll definitely be adventuring that way again soon. Maybe after the next playgroup when we are prepared with proper snacks.

Yesterday we went to the Esquilino Market again and bought a whole bunch of rugs. Our living room is way homier...and smaller looking now. It was really nice to see both of the girls rolling around on it and laying down to read books. Its just what we needed. Shopping in Euros is still tricky because you look at something and your like, "Hmmm, 90 euros seems pretty good...that's should be about $110?" No, it's $120. Close, but it's that sort of difference that makes it hard to tell if you're getting a good deal. 8 Euros for 3 muffins and a coffee? That's $10 and a complete rip off. However, it was a delicious muffin.

We got a couple of kitchen runners that I ended up regretting. A little too old lady for me...AND I completely forgot about the Chinese store! We compromised on the length and the design. The Chinese store had just what we wanted for the same price, maybe cheaper. We were on such a roll at the market that we just got a little carried away... hehehe. O well. When any of you visit we can sell you our runners for a very good price. :) Great present for your grandma.

I was also trying to do some online shopping for the girls today, but this time I had a hard time figuring out if it was worth it because no where does it tell me the shipping price for individual things. Or maybe I just didn't keep track of it well enough. I was hoping to get 6 Fancy Nancy books (Emma's favorite right now), a couple of Dr. Seuss, a penny whistle, a kid's microphone, and a scooter. I think we're going to go through with it because these girls really need a little bit more in the house. And I want to play the penny whistle to go with my backpack guitar.

I feel guilty talking about my shopping woes and successes while in Rome because, well, we're in Rome. Shouldn't I be happy enough looking at the awesome buildings? What a travel destination! I know. But I've got to figure out a budget when we're getting paid in dollars and spending in Euros. Everything is so friggin expensive here too! And frankly, shopping is just apart of everyday life for a mom. I go grocery shopping constantly because I can only stock up with whatever I can carry home. We're still trying to set this house up so it doesn't feel like a stark hotel room. I realized the other day that as I was cleaning I was getting more and more depressed with the whole house. Because once the mess was off the floor, it was a bare tile floor and it didn't feel like a home anymore. Not a lot of motivation to clean. Yet its so small, that if you don't clean, it takes over pretty quickly. Which brings me to shopping....naturally. :) I need to fill this place up with crap! I mean necessities! I exaggerate a little, but it's true. We're just dealing with a lot of stuff issues.

One funny stuff issue that I was working on the day before we flew out here has to do with deodorant. I made a special trip the night before we left for a few little necessities, one of them was deodorant. I don't like anti-antiperspirants and I don't want alluminum. But I've only found one that actually works...Arm and Hammer. I couldn't find it and was like, "No biggie. I'm sure I'll find some deodorant when I get out there."

Well, it took me 2 and half weeks before I got a deodorant that's smell didn't make me gag (baby powder is gross! And it didn't work) I got another that smelled really good, but I still have doubts about its efficacy. And now, I'm wishing I had stocked up while I was still in the States. Especially with my pregnancy super-nose powers, I'm just grossed out by my own smell! I can't stand it. I looked on Amazon.com, and it would be $15 ...no, euros, for 1 stick. Fortunately, I did spy in our friends bathroom the deodorant I need! I just need to ask her where she got it. That won't be an awkward conversation..."So while I was in your bathroom, I noticed your deodorant. No, I wasn't searching for it. It was just out on the shelf..." *Sigh* I'm sure that's way more than you ever wanted to know about my personal hygiene. I am taking like 2 showers a day because of this dilemma.  But again, tmi.

Over and out.

Markets! Yay!

Finally, something to be excited about! Not that everyday isn't in someway exciting, but now I feel like the  hours of  travel was really worth it! I finally made it to a market today and I think that it will make my grocery shopping affordable. I haven't been keeping very close track of the individual items and their prices, but my general impression was that just about everything was cheaper than the grocery stores.

I couldn't even get bulk items like rice, beans, nuts and dried fruit at the store. AND they had a different section that was clothing,  childrens' shoes (still not Goodwill prices, but o closer), and exactly what we've been looking for...rugs! And even tapestries! At affordable prices. Sinc!e my cart was already laden with food I didn't get any other goods, but I will definitely be back on Monday.

We're having dinner at our friend's house this evening. Ya, that's right! I have a friend! Leon hasn't met them yet and he may have to be late, but I'm sure it will be great. And the other friends that we have to pay for through the playgroup - that begins on Wednesday. Things are looking up!

Ciao!

Crazy Times

We've had so many days that have felt like fiascos that a fiasco is starting to feel normal. It's what makes children who claim not to be tired just pass out on the arm of the couch. Exibit A:

 She could have at least saved a spot for me! What a couch hog!

 I actually had gone into the bedroom to put Stella to bed and this is where I found Emma when I came out.

Anyway, today was another one of those fiascoes, trying to get to the police station to be fingerprinted and accepted as foreigners or something like that. We got a late start, missed going with the group of seminarians and also hadn't gotten 4 copies of our passport photos yet. I won't bore you with the details of trying to get the pictures and all the waiting, but it's probably enough to know that it took about 5 hours and nobody ate any breakfast before we left. Good thing we have almonds and cranberries. Had. Now we need  more. It's amazing how good they taste when your soooo hungry.

Then, to get home and to consider the rest of the day. It's hard to go out again because what I need is find something different than what I've done. (example: I need spices. The grocery store doesn't have much) But to find something new requires me to do a lot of research online. Then I need to make sure I have what I need to make the trip (often cash and bus tickets) If I don't have what I need, then I add another hour to the trip, give or take to find what I need to get started. Then the kids need to be cooperating. And it can't be too close to dinner. Which, by the way, am I prepared for? Only marginally. Because again, the grocery store didn't have everything I was looking for for a particular meal. So do I continue with a trip that I'm not even sure will be successful, or do I change course and try to just make sure I feed everyone (myself included) well. 

Well, tonight is a long night because Leon has rehearsal. And its 3:30. Hmmm. Jury's out. 

This is what I did yesterday to just help keep the kids sane after probably something that felt like a fiasco:

I made them a prison... I mean house, out of the stroller box.

 It was a big hit. It managed to keep Emma from doing serious bodily injury to her sister.

So it's not really big enough for both to sit down without hurting each other.
O well. The walls keep the screaming down.

 First we went to the "Chinese Store" (aka mini very crammed Wal-mart like store, run by Asians) to get some orange paint. Then I whipped out my Exacto Knife and told all the kids to back up before I did something crazy. Actually, I just told them to take a step back while I worked on my masterful creation.

I'm sure she's NOT being kicked out, literally

 Success! One of the few :)

Sunday, Crazy Sunday

Wow. Who would have thought trying to get to church could be such a fiasco. But then again, now that I say that out loud, that's actually what a lot of people experience Sunday mornings. Either way, this was a new fiasco for me.

I was determined to make it out to the English-speaking parish this morning, basically so I could make some friends. Sound a little desperate? Well...no comment.

Leon told me mass was at 11:00. I started looking up the church around 9:30 to find out it was at 10. At this point the only way to make it on time was to take a taxi (after everyone ate, dressed, cleaned, and packed in 15 mins). But I couldn't find any cash. I knew Leon had some and considered busting into his 9:30 mass to get it. I almost gave up on the whole ordeal.

Meanwhile, Stella is undressing herself and throwing her shoes in remote places of the house. I "calmly" gathered them and put them in the bag. I'm glued to the timetables of the bus. We've never ridden the bus before. I'm not entirely sure how to do that. And it would get me there at 10:45.

I decided to do it, hoping but doubting the mass is at 11. If it's not, then I'll just mob the people at the end of the mass and try not to look too sweaty. "Hi! I need friends. Do you come here often?" (For the record, I left out the first sentence in the introductions)

In all of our running to busses, I think Emma fell down at least five times in her very fancy church dress. Turned out the mass was at 10, but there was an 11 Italian mass.We stayed, and I didn't understand a thing. There were only about 15 people there and I had the only kids. Normal, I suppose.

 I met one couple at the end of mass who come there "sometimes" they have a 1 year old named Michaelangelo. Yes, I made an artist joke and kind of regret it. I met the Fr. there and he was very new himself. But he said there was an 11 across town at some school. (Leon told me later, that this was the English-speaking family mass that he was talking about)

On the way home Emma ran a whole five minutes to the bus station, only to get on the wrong bus, jump off 6 blocks in wrong direction, walk back to the original bus stop, cross the street to the same number bus, headed in the right direction. The only plus about the return trip was witnessing a Vespa crash into a fruit stand while we were waiting for the (wrong) bus. It really was everything they make it out to be in the movies.

At home, my lovely husband had just returned from the Papal address and grocery store and made us sandwiches. I drank about a gallon of water and wanted to pass out. We stayed in for the rest of the day.

Next Sunday, we'll try the right bus, at the right time, to the right church. Then maybe we'll make some friends.