And so it begins...

AGAIN! 

I promise it makes sense that I have everything I will need for the next 60 days in a bathroom!

Can't go anywhere without the golf clubs! 

About six weeks ago I was in Scotland visiting the traveling salesman and got this phone call... "Hey I need to discuss something with you, stay at the apartment I'm headed there now." In case you don't live my life I'll translate for you "We got transfer papers"

And so began our third international move in two years- This time however we are returning to the "motherland", the land of red, white and blue, and much to the traveling salesman's delight- the land of baseball! That's right y'all we are going home! We are headed to Sugar Land, Texas and can't wait to see our family and friends very soon. 

I promise to document this journey much better than I have the last two and share some moving tips that we have learned along the way. While I will miss quite a bit about our life abroad I am excited to be "home" where I speak the language, know the culture and can shop at Target. Look out USA here we come again!

Five on Friday!

Some random things I'm enjoying this Friday...

1. Breakfast at the cafe. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to whip up a breakfast so on those days we head to Costacafe and let them froth my soy milk and hand us some brioches!

Isn't it pretty?

2. Today was such a beautiful day that I caved (rather rapidly) when E-rie asked to stay home from school. She was awfully polite when she asked! So after buying some much needed groceries we headed to the park. And are you ready to be jealous- I stood there with no coat on and wearing sunglasses! Perfect Friday! 

Note to self: Find E-rie's sunnies so I can keep mine!

3. I know I'm late to the game, but Kid President absolutely cracks me up! I found this one today and think it is perfect words of wisdom for everyone. And who doesn't love a corn dog?

4. Carson comes home today! My kiddos have missed their dog so they are pumped. When I broached the subject that the doctor had to remove his leg to keep him from getting sicker E-rie's only response was "It's okay. He will still be my funny dog Carson!" Gotta love the way that gal looks at life! 

The morning I was taking the dog for his surgery. I hadn't said a word to her about it but she still asked for a picture with her friend. Talk about breaking a mama's heart!

5. The Piazza del Popolo turns into an organic farmers market this Sunday. You better believe we are going to grab some gelato and meander the streets!

Happy Day!
Erin

Wednesday Ramblings...

I can not seem to focus this week, so in that vein here are a few of my random thoughts.

1. I'm pretty sure I've officially decided that being an adult just plain sucks some weeks. Last week was one of those weeks. E-rie's bestest friend Car-Car (aka the dog) had a tumor on his leg that was growing uncontrollably. So for the past SIX weeks we have been at the vet's office at least twice a week. Finally all of the test results arrived and it was time for some heartwrenching decisions. In the end we made the decision to amputate the dog's front leg. He is currently with a foster family recuperating and hopefully should be home this week. And then comes the last part of the cruddy adult stuff- explaining to a 2 and 3 year old why their dog has only three legs now. Throughout this whole thing I really just wanted to play ostrich. Unfortunately that whole sucky adult thing kicked in and I couldn't do that!

2. The Italian weather gods have decided we get to have a taste of spring! All this week we have been enjoying sunny days in the 50's and 60's. With weather like that we have been at the park every day and relishing every second of it. Here's hoping winter doesn't decide to rear its ugly head again. 

3. A bridal shop has opened in the shop space underneath our apartment and it is lovely! If I am going to live over a store I can't ask for anything better than frilly dresses, delightful designers and kind clients. Every morning when we leave for school E-rie comments on the "bootiful princess dresses" and always wants to go say hi to the "nice ladies". And they have decorated our courtyard and street entrance too. I get welcomed home by twinkle lights and flowers- seriously the best thing! 

4. Since I have not been able to focus I have had no motivation to tackle any projects around the house. However the lovely consequence has been that the Wildman and I have played together every morning. It has been so much fun and eye opening as to how much I miss when I'm racing around finishing up stuff. And since my time with him is racing by ( he starts school in September)  I have a feeling my house will be a little more messy and very few projects will be done over the next few months. I'm just going to work on being a master train track builder. 

I told you it was a rambling kind of day...

Happy Day!

Erin

Hotel rooms and other such nonsense...

I swear that all hotel rooms were designed by men- And men with bad hair and skin too! Have you ever noticed that in hotel rooms the desk is always under a picture and it has a plug on the lamp? BUT the mirror is all the way across the room! They make it physically impossible to sit down and put on your makeup and style your hair...and don't get me started on the lack of plugs in the bathroom or the horrible hair dryers they attach to the wall. I swear no woman would have ever designed rooms with an appalling lack of functionality! Is it too much to ask to not have to sit in the floor with a hot curling iron to do my hair? 

Mr.Sandman...

Sleep has been elusive in our household for the past few weeks. Ever since the Wildman graduated to a big boy bed, he figured out how to flip over the crib rail, and the paci fairy came to visit he has decided to not sleep! It honestly takes at least 90 minutes for him to finally settle down. I have tried everything and I really mean everything. I have put him in timeout, placed a baby gate in front of his room to keep him in, and finally took away all distractions. I even moved him and his sister into the same room so I could convert his room into a playroom. This way there are no toys to entice him out of bed. Finally last night I started sitting outside his room and putting him immediately back into bed once he got up. It took only 1 hour to get him to sleep and today at nap time it took 45 minutes. Here's hoping this works because my rump is going numb sitting in the floor! And this gal could use some beauty sleep.

Anyone else have any secret tips?

Happy Day!
Erin

Winter Wonderland

Tutoots is convinced that snow means Christmas so when it snows she says "Merry Christmas" 

 We woke up today to some HUGE white fluffy flakes coming down.  I had all intentions of following our regular routine and then heading to school, but you know what they say about intentions. Everyone was up, dressed and bundled up so we headed out to take the dog out, one of the not fun aspects of city living, which is about three blocks away. When we left it was just starting to come down pretty good. By the time we got back we had about an inch on the ground! I decided I was not walking a mile to school to be told they were closing school. Instead we are all bundled up in warm jammies and have decided today is a movie, hot chocolate and art project day!

I think his winter has lost its wonder

I need warm jammies. I need cookies. I need a movie! Mama can we just go home?

Even the dog was excited for a bit, and then decided he had enough.

This girl knows how to do comfy!

It sure is pretty from inside though.

Winter in Ravenna
Basilica San Vitale

Gotta run, my hot chocolate is ready!

Happy Day!

Erin

Fabulous Friday

Foil Lady!

Does it get any better than haircut and color day? I swear it is my favorite day and I look forward to the next one the second I leave the salon! And this time it was much needed I had roots so long I looked like I had ombré hair. After a few hits and misses I found me an amazing guy who is willing to put up with my hair craziness! And he isn't afraid of my highlights-something Italian ladies don't do often.

And you know what else made this Friday fabulous? Aperitifs with friends! Aperitifs are the Italian version of happy hour and since a wonderful friend was willing to watch my kiddos tonight I got to go! I usually only get to go in the summer time when we can gather at the outside tables and let the kids play in a nearby piazza. And after the craziness of this week I enjoyed every minute of hanging out! We had such a good time I forgot to snap a pic.

Happy Day!
Erin

A visit from the Paci Fairy

In our house once you blow out two candles on your birthday cake it is time for you and the pacifier to go your separate ways. Since we were leaving for the States a few weeks after the Wildman's birthday he got a short reprieve, but no more. Now with Tutoots ( who is all into pageantry) we excitedly skipped around the house with a basket finding all of the pacis and left them on the front porch for the fairy to come pick up with a nice note. She snuggled with Mama for a few extra minutes and after she got her new "pink pawoo pajamas" the next morning we never heard another peep about a paci.

She even brought big sister some slipper shoes for helping her brother adjust!

I'm sure you can guess I did not get so lucky with the Wildman. Forget pageantry- he wanted nothing to do with finding all of the pacis, he just kept re hiding them. Once I got all of them in a tray and on the table he was just plain mad and kept screaming "No Note! Ciuccio Back!" Being the wonderful wife that I am I proceeded to sneak out the door to have dinner with friends and left my husband to deal with the aftermath! If I am being truly honest he has way more patience than I do so it was probably better that I was gone.

How cute are these dinosaurs pants? 

Well a few days later he is still screaming, throwing toys and leaving bruises on all of us. In fact he is so mad at the Paci Fairy that he refuses to wear the dinosaur pajamas she left as a big boy gift and heaven forbid you try to put the slipper shoes on his precious feet. Mimi (my mother) keeps saying it will only take a few days and he will be over it, but I think she is under the assumption he is going to live those few days. One more train to my head and the Paci Fairy is not the only gal he will have issues with!

Happy Day!
Erin

Tasty Tuesday: Ratatouille

Let's be clear I am no chef. I would at best categorize myself as a good "nap time" cook. Meaning I whip up dinner as much as I can while the kiddos nap. The Wildman is just too wild and curious for me to be wielding  a chopping knife while he is awake! Today's recipe fits the bill perfectly, I complete the chopping and dicing during nap time and am ready to go. For full disclosure this is not my recipe I got it from my mama and I'm not sure what cookbook it came from- but it sure is yummy!

With all of this goodness how could it be bad?

Ratatouille

2 zucchini cut lengthwise and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small eggplant cut into 1/2-inch pieces (peeling is optional and and I opt not to- why do the extra work?)
2 red peppers cut into 1/2-inch pieces seeds removed
2 medium onions peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (15 ounce) can organic diced tomatoes
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon of fresh thyme, finely diced
1/4 cup of parsley, chopped
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup of vegetable stock (possibly)
salt and pepper

• Sprinkle the eggplant lightly with 1 teaspoon sea salt and place in a strainer. Set aside for 10 minutes. After eggplant has rested, rinse off with water.
• In an 8-inch sauce pan heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add eggplant to the pan when oil is hot. Slightly brown eggplant and remove from pan and set aside. 
• Add the zucchini and let brown slightly, remove from pan and set aside.
• Add the red peppers until they soften. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute the onions until soft, and then add garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes. Cook another 5 minutes. 
• Add the eggplant, zucchini and peppers and simmer for 20 minutes. If necessary, add 1 cup of vegetable stock. Finally add your herbs and season with cracked pepper and pinch of sea salt. Simmer for another 10 minutes. 

From beginning to end dinner is on the table in about 45 minutes, with pre-chopping only about 35 minutes. I'm not a huge fan of leftovers but since we are a small family they are pretty much inevitable. So I love it when a dish is just as good the next day and this one is. It still has all of the color and flavor so all I have to do is add fresh parsley to it and dinner is re-served!

I meant to take pictures of it completed but everyone was so hungry it was on the table and we were digging in before I even thought about it!

Happy Day!
Erin

Reset

Whew! I made it through the past year, visited 3 countries, saw the family quite a bit and welcomed an adorable nephew. But that was last year and now it is time for a New Year. I know it started 12 days ago, but for me it doesn't start until we arrive home and recover from the jet lag. And I swear this trip the jet lag was the worst it has been. So today is the day I reset. Back to better eating, working out and back on schedule! Well the laundry is done, clothes are ironed, shoes are polished and the kitchen is clean- I'm ready to take on the week and reset this year!


How about you?


Happy Day!
Erin

Out of the mouth of E-rie

This gal just cracks me up, but as she gets older it is scary to hear my words come out of her mouth. This week she has been home sick all week so I've been able to catch even more of her funny quips- Enjoy!

Rocking her costume from when she was only 17 months old!

While snuggling in the chair...

"Mama I'll make you a deal. I'll play clean up in my room if you make muffins!"

And later...

"This is not a good deal. The mess is making me sick" 

I think she was trying to say she was sick of the mess ;)

She has recently started calling me Mom and I don't like it- it just sounds so whiney and big girl. So whenever she does it I correct her by saying "what is my name?" So while putting her hair up this went down...

"Mom yous is killin my piggie!"

"What's my name?"

"If I say mommy will you stop killin me?"

On the way to the doctor for a follow up...

"Mama I'm not going to the doctor."

"E-rie we need to go so he can listen to your lungs and you can feel better. Daddy is going with us won't that be fun?"

"No mama, daddy is going to get pejato (gelato) because that is fun!"

What a silly gal...

Tasty Tuesdays: Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

We are committed to a healthy, preservative free, whole food way of life. That means we cook every meal and every snack for every single day! Since I spend so much time in the kitchen I have a ton of recipes and tricks to make it easier. Thus we begin- Tasty Tuesdays! Where I share a good recipe I found or a tip that makes cooking with two kids under my feet a happier, smoother experience.

For me , and I'm pretty sure everyone else, Fall=Soup and Butternut Squash and Apple Harvest Soup is one of my favorites. It goes together quickly and is great leftover too!

Add caption

I originally found the recipe on my All Recipes app but have made a few changes to make it fit our whole foods lifestyle and dietary needs- omitting the wine and light cream and use a homemade stock. Even without the cream the soup is still smooth and creamy, however with the homemade stock I find it needs more salt. Since I chop up the leeks, onion and carrots at the beginning of the week I can have this dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. If you find yourself with extra time definitely try roasting the squash- it really makes for a completely different but still amazing flavor!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of butter

2 large leeks (white and pale green parts only)- chopped

1 large onion- diced

1 large potato- cut into 1/4 inch cubes

2 cups of cubed butternut squash ( I can find frozen cubed raw squash)

1 cup carrots-diced

1 Granny Smith Apple 

I quart of stock

1/4 cup of dry white wine

1/2 c light cream

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

chopped chives for garnish

Directions

1.  Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in leeks and onions, and cook until onion softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes. Add potato, squash, carrots, apple and stock. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes. 

2.  Carefully puree the soup in batches in a blender, or use a stick blender to puree the soup right in the pot. Once the soup has been pureed, return it to the pot and stir in wine and cream. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper, simmer gently for 5 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped chives. 

Buon Appetito!

Erin

Fun in the Sun

So my husband travels frequently for his job which means I get to travel frequently to see new places too! Whenever he gets an email about a meeting or a training course he has to take his first move is to call me and say "How do you feel about..." Well this summer it was "How do you feel about Cyprus?" And let me tell you I feel amazing about Cyprus!

I know we saw a good amount of the island, experienced quite a few new things but in all actuality it felt like we were in the pool all the time. And I'm completely okay with that! Me and the kiddos started every day by hanging out in the pool for a few hours, then while they napped I hung out on our balcony and worked on my needlepoint project and after my husband finished up "working hard for the money" we went off to explore something new.  It was the perfect summer vacation formula: a little sun, a little history/sightseeing  and a ton of fun!

Mr Cool and look at princess touching the Sand!

I will admit to being a bit bummed when we walked off the plane in Cyprus because I was thinking Greece and got Tel Aviv. It looks very Middle Eastern and not the least bit Greek- all sand, hills and a little green not the least bit white with crystal sapphire blue water. Getting over that I saw the palm trees, felt the near constant breeze and decided I could enjoy this :)  and enjoy we all did!

Yummy lunch by the pool

Not straying far from the pool even for food

On Sunday afternoon we crossed over the border, through the Demilitarized Zone into Turkey. It was amazing to see the difference and they are less than a block apart. I love that the UN chose to use olive trees to delineate the border. What better reminder that peace is achievable?

Young olive trees

Now remember that I am a huge history nerd, so seeing an old cathedral turned into a Muslim Mosque was cool. It was like neat to see in real life exactly how conquerors and religions just absorb what is already there and make it fit the new regime or religion. 

Stained glass replaced by Arabic writing.

You can just barely see how a steeple was replaced by a parapet. 

The saints were removed from the arches

We also saw a Greek Monastery, friends and took the kids to their very first movie. But by the best part of vacation- two zonked out babies! Nothing like sun and fun to wear em out.

Hines up and zonked out!

Cha Cha Changes

So the day I have been dreading since last winter has finally arrived, my "bestest friend E-rie" has started Scuola Materna.  To be truthful I did not think it would be such a huge transition in our life, but just goes to show you I don't know much! It seems like this one change has affected almost every aspect of our lives from daily routines, to budgets and meals too.

My day starts when my phone alarm rings out at 4:55, then the fitbit buzzes at 5 and my ipad starts singing to me at 5:01 (I'm tough to wake up!).  After all that I'm still not usually flinging back the covers until 5:20 and then its exactly 60 minutes to get myself clean and dressed. Kiddos up at 6:30, hair done, shoes on and sitting at the table by 7 (we don't put on clothes until after breakfast) and out the door to take the dog on a walk at 7:40. And by 8 we are all headed to school so we can drop her off before all 26 kids are in her classroom. Even though I know exactly what this is supposed to look like and have it planned to the minute I'm still feeling cranky and rushed just trying to get the dog out for a walk. Thank goodness E-rie and Wildman entertain each other the whole 20 minute walk because that gives me enough time to get over my bad mood.

Since the Wildman is, well, wild we then hoof it to the park for him to play. Thankfully there is a great cafe there where I can sit, enjoy my cappuccino and spend about 10 minutes preparing my plan of attack for the rest of the day. Usually after I'm done Wildman has decided I'm worthy to be in his presence and we do some serious playing for like an hour. Poor guy misses his sissy so much during the day that I try to do everything I can to make it as fun much as possible. He is beyond excited when he hears my phone alarm go off at 3:30 because he knows it means we get to go see sissy! "Sissy Mama... Shoes and feet... Sissy Mama"

Once we are home from school it is dinner, baths, taking the dog out again, stories and bed. After they are snoring away I can do all of the stuff that needs to happen to make the next day roll smoothly- you know iron clothes, pick up and hose down the kitchen!

Have you noticed what's missing? My workout! I can't seem to figure out where to fit that in so it still makes sense. I'm usually a get up and do it in the morning but I tried that and it got skipped more often then it got done. I guess I will have to try it at night, but by then I've usually lost my mojo. For now I'm just glad that my usual routine means I'm walking anywhere from 5- 6 miles a day.

I never said we were thrilling, exciting people- just traveling fools! And since she is in school we have to actually plan those trips before the week before now. But never fear we will be hitting the road at least once this fall, Edinburgh Scotland.

Who knew that starting school was such a huge change? Thankfully everyone here seems to be adjusting and loving it!

Happy Day!
Erin

Whoosh... It flew by!

I don't know about you but I feel like I blinked and my summer was over! All the way back in May I was feeling like there was a ton of time to do everything I had thought up and more and now I feel like we got a whole bunch of nothing accomplished. Considering the amount of pictures I have from this summer I must have done something besides sit on my rump. So here we go, a photo recap of my jam packed but fun nonetheless summer.

First up it was a trip back home.  A great time to catch up with friends, soak up family time and meet my little nephew.

A toast to the new family of three!

Then it was a quick stop in Italy and off to our "vacation" in Cyprus. It was really a work trip for my hubby but the kids and I decided to tag along and hang out by the pool, the beach, see some sights and catch a movie. 

Too Cool for School!

Future Star of Cocktail the remake!

Just a couple of gals working on their tans

Mama its a mooobie, on a big TV! 

Another quick layover in Italy and it was time to head back over the pond to celebrate with family once more. While the whole family was together we toasted E-rie's third birthday. I'm pretty sure the adults had more fun at the little kid amusement park than the kids!

This boy loves him a hat!

All the girl needs is a balloon and a bell.

Hi! Truck!

Sweet Boy!

What the heck???

I'm pretty sure he drives like that in real cars too!

Then we all gathered to celebrate Peanut's initiation into the family of faith. I love baptisms, their symbolism and the beauty of the ceremony. I feel so honored that I got to share in his special day and am able to serve as a godmother to Peanut.

The whole crew. 

Bring this white garment unstained to the Kingdom of Heaven...

Back to Italy once more and this time the visitors were coming to us! My parents came this time to visit Venice once more and to revel in E-rie's first day of school. Quite the day, quite the summer actually. Now life has settled into a routine that includes walks to school and trips to the park- but don't let me fool you, we are already talking about our next trip! Until then...

Happy Day!

Erin

Thank you!

My husband and I have been so lucky to be blessed with amazing friends.  Every time we travel back to the States they are willing to rearrange their schedules, open their homes and arrange dinners all just to welcome us. My family and I are fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful examples of sisterhood, brotherhood, fraternity, and friendship. I can never say it enough- Thank You! Each and every one of you mean the world to me, Jimmy and our children. We look forward to when we can see you again- how does everyone's calendar look for New Years Eve?!

ZLAM, 

Happy Day!

Erin

PS: How is it with all of these parties we do not have a picture of everyone? We need to make it happen when we get together next! 

Bye bye ciuccio

Now I'm not a very emotional person. I might tear up once in a while but you will never catch me crying at a movie or commercial (like some sisters I may know). However when I realized Wildman had bitten of the end of his Gigi ciuccio I was heartbroken. Maybe it was just the realization that my baby was one step closer to being a big boy or maybe it was the fact that I'm almost certain he is our last baby and is no longer a baby or maybe I was sad he was losing a trusted friend. Or maybe it was all of the above. Whatever the reason I was expecting tears from him and not me when he said "bye bye Gigi ciuccio". He was such a brave big boy and just gave him a hug and said "mama trash". I'm constantly amazed at the small events in life that signal they are growing up. I'm excited to see what the new phase in his life brings, but I will miss my baby boy. 

Just between us though that ciuccio will not be going in the trash quite yet! 

Happy Day!

Erin

Excuse the fuzzies- it is his first selfie :)

Just let me pay you $30

 I swear people who design websites do not ever have to use them! Wildman is 21 months old- no longer an infant and not a child yet either. I just want to pay for him to have his own seat and not hold him for over 17 hours. Not a strange request right? Well you would think I was asking for the moon. Online I can't buy him a seat because he is too young and so when I call the telephone number the rate skyrockets! Over an hour on the phone, two representatives and a few supervisors later and hopefully soon Wildman will have a ticket... 

Please Air France just let me pay you! 

Happy Day!

Erin

It's done...finally

I finally finished wildman's belt! Upon inspection I realize I need to work on keeping even tension and making sure my thread is not twisted, but since it is my first one and it is finished I'm going to call it a success. And I even finished it in time for him to actually wear it. Now just to get it to The Sign of the Arrow to have them add the buckle so he can model it of course!

I wonder what I should do next? 

I stuck!

The Wildman talks more and more every day but the words we hear most often are "I stuck" (after truck of course). So one day I decided to document what he was doing every time he said it in one afternoon. Now ignore the mess in the background- he was having a good time!

What? I got this!

Okay maybe I don't... Now I'm starting to panic!

Ride 'em Wildman!

I understand Hercules- we are both just so misunderstood!

Who needs a couch? I can scoot in this!

What a funny boy!

Happy Day!

Erin