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Friday, May 19, 2023

Cinco de Mayo into Mid May

05-May-23
I picked Dan up in the morning and then we all attended my first work event - Cinco de Mayo.

Nando and BK had fun manning the pinata.

KC took a few cracks at the pinata. Ultimately they cracked it open and handed out whatever candy so all the kids got some. I think the event went really well. Which was great, because it got organized at kind of the last minute.





06-May-23
KC's delivery service coming soon to an area near you.

Watching TV is best with digits in your mouth. Fingers or toes, your choice.

Cheeeeeese!

OM nom nom nom!





07-May-23
Dan woke up this morning to the TV on and KC eating a bag of cookies. She had pushed her stepstool up to the counter, climbed up onto the counter, and dug the bag of cookies out of the upper cabinet. I'm not even mad.

Swinging is better in boots.




10-May-23
KC wanted to be a mermaid in the sand, only, we don't have any sand. Blanket mermaid!




12-May-23
They had a mother's day "spa" thing at the girls' school. I painted KC's toes and she did mine.





17-May-23
Learning to walk like an astronaut.

Who knew packing paper could be so much fun?




19-May-23
And we'll leave you with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.







 

Friday, May 5, 2023

Dan's Work Adventure and Us at Home

25-Apr-23

Once again in my job as a Navy officer, I have to go on a ship.  UGGGGGGggggghhhh.  This was the spring iteration of the Italian Navy's wargame.  I went out with them for about 2 weeks.

KC is not impressed with Daddy's ship.

Maura seems somewhat more impressed, or at least better at faking it.

This is another picture of a the ship.





27-Apr-23
Here are pretty pictures of ships next to ships.

Additional ships.

Me on a ship with a ship in the background next to a ship.




28-Apr-23
A video of some of the exercises going on, this is the Italians practicing if they had to take back over a pirated ship.  (Think like that Tom Hanks movie).  They first helicopter goes up to cover the ship with a gun, then the second one comes in a quickly offloads the security team who would then go and get the pirates (or whatever).





30-Apr-23
The various anti-reflective and anti-glare and water repelling coatings on the bridge windows do some funny stuff in the light. 

Once again I have to fight the ship's laundry services with obscure instructions in Italian.




03-May-23
We had a fancy dinner the one night for a bunch of dignitaries who came and they made a centerpiece helm out of bread.





04-May-23
A more typical meal, on board you get, a primi (pasta or beans), secondi (a meat dish or maybe a casserole) with contorni (usually a veggie side), dolci is available twice a week, wine (of course) and water.  Today it was ceci (chickpeas), pollo (chicken) with spinachi e carrota (spinach and carrots) with torta all crema di mandorle (almond cream cake)

The Italians think its uncouth to drink out of a water bottle and pour the water into cups.  I am an uncouth American and drink out of the bottle.  Also, only water is available, no soda or juice or anything.  I am an uncouth American and bring a little bottle of  flavoring which I squirt into my water bottle.  Next time I'm also bringing a bottle of hot sauce, they're going to hate me.






Meanwhile, at home:
25-Apr-23
KC fell asleep on the futon in the play room.





28-Apr-23
Dan got me this mug for starting my new job.




29-Apr-23
Learning valuable skills while Daddy is away.

Max also tried on a princess skirt for the first time.




03-May-23
Italy in Spring might be my favorite season. Because they don't keep things trimmed and kempt, there are so many wildflowers! The red in the field are all poppies.




Ongoing
So between the dog recovering and small children accidents, I didn't go a single day while Dan was gone without cleaning up pee, poop, or vomit. Fun times for me!

 

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Roma Incontra il Mundo

 22-Apr-23

We went out the convention grounds for "Rome meets the World."

There were a lot of themed spaces and food options. This one was generally "Asian" themed.

This one was "Irish" themed, but then...Scottish drumming and....

Stonehenge.

I think the girls liked this empty stage and the balloons the best.

This one was "American Indian" themed and made me uncomfortable.

KC really enjoyed this obstacle machine thingie.





Friday, April 21, 2023

April Continues

11-Apr-23
Crab Attack!

The Hurricane, doing her interpretive dance.





13-Apr-23
Yay! Going to school!





14-Apr-23
Big helper cleaning up her mess.

Tantalum getting first pets from Max.





16-Apr-23
Max learning to pet Tantalum.

Yay, Daddy!

She got on the scooter with her sunglasses, said "Ciao," and scooted away.





17-Apr-23
Max isn't so sure about whatever is going on.




21-Apr-23
Flower garden of arts and crafts at the school.

KC giving Dan a lesson in how to shoot a basketball.

Max loves to swing.

I didn't know she could climb up in here by herself.


Sunday, April 9, 2023

Easter!

 09-Apr-23

Happy Easter!

The girls had to find their Easter baskets. 
This one is Dan's from when he was little and is the community candy.

A bathrobe is perfect attire for hunting Easter eggs.

Off they go!

I got plastic eggs, which was good, because KC dyed one real egg and was done. 
So I did the other 17 by myself. Ah, parenthood.

Max was very protective of her basket.

We hid the eggs around our patio and the building's community space.

Surveying the haul.

Chocolate drool for the win?

After all the morning excitement, it's time for a story break.

In the afternoon, it's time to be a purple princess who investigates worms.

And digs in the rocks.

I hope you all had a happy Easter!




Saturday, April 8, 2023

Daddy & KC Adventure

 08-Apr-23

Today, Dan took KC downtown for an adventure. 
And every adventure needs gelato, right?

KC's view of Piazza di Popolo.

Rome has a pretty decent kids museum. KC likes driving the helm.

Who doesn't like seeing their voice make digital bubbles move?

I think they call these a flying fox in Bluey, which is a fun name for a zipline.

I am regularly in awe at how strong KC is.

I'm not sure if she's eating that sandwich, or pretending it's a trumpet.

Good times had by all involved.