Getting around

Going

Going

Gone!

Today we got to borrow Logan and Lily for the evening...the Fabulous Four! They are so much fun, but my hat is off to the moms that actually have four kids four and under...wow! I actually ran a 5K this morning, so I was already a little tired...funny story about that... One of my techs at work told me that there was a Valentines Day 5K this morning and I should run in it. We had errands to run on base anyway, so Eric and the kids dropped me off at the starting line and left to run the errands. I looked around and noticed all of the families, strollers, pets, small children, husbands and wives, etc. Oh yeah, it would make sense that you run a Valentines Day 5K...with your valentine(s). So I set my iPOD to the sappy "sad alone guy" song list (Think "You're Beautiful" and "Hey Delilah") and I ran all alone. Did pretty well too until a little snafu on the way back. I decided it was too hot for 3 layers so I tried to take my hoodie off while I was still running. My headphones were unfortunately a little tangled in the shirt, so I got it stuck on my head while I was taking it off, my iPod eventually unplugged itself from my pulling and it fell on the ground where I accidentally kicked it in the ditch because I was still (blindly) trying to keep running. I did eventually get my shirt, headphones, hair, and neck all untangled from each other, retrieved my iPod from the ditch, and finished the race in 29:38. Not bad for an "old" 29-year-old!

Roma!

I woke up at 415 this morning, grumbling at my alarm clock because I did not want to get out of bed and go run. Then I realized- I am going to a gym in England...where I live. I just got back from 3 days in Rome, my husband is happy because the giants won (thank you Eli), life is good. Enough of my rare Pollyanna attitude though...let's get on with "the Condermans do Rome"!
I have always loved this painting...I think because the guy in green has a second face attached to the back of his head. I want to say that this is supposed to be Michelangelo himself...but factual history has never been my strong point!
St Peter's basilica was probably one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen. I didn't realize that the apostle Peter was actually buried here! (Duh I guess..) We explained to Ava that Jesus' friend Peter was buried here and we thought she understood...until she started yelling into the grates on the floor, "Is dead Peter down there!?"
Eli gets a time out in St Peter's Cathedral
Signs, signs, everywhere....I completely understand this one...no legs or cleavage in the holy church...
...but what does that Catholic church have against one legged people?
I call this one: "The Conderman kids- destroying the ambiance of European cities since 2006"
These pictures are from, like, 200AD
Vatican
When we said we were going to Rome, people warned us about the thieves and pickpockets. We took proper precautions. What we did not expect was to be waylaid in front of the Colosseum by 3 questionably looking Roman guards who grabbed my camera, took a few pictures of our family, and then told us that we owed them fifteen Euros. Yes, we were officially robbed in Rome.
The kids slept through the Colusseum. I guess getting robbed made them tired.
Here we are on the oldest hill in Rome. According to Roman mythology, this is where the city was founded. I am told that Mama wolf actually used to put the naughty Romulus and Remus in this same spot for time out...
Boring scenery
More ruins. I can't really tell you what it is because I was too busy keeping Eli from falling in it to listen to the tour guide.
Bocca della verita! (only I am sure it is not spelled like that!) If you have ever watched Roman Holiday- this is where Audrey Hepburn tells Gregory Peck to put his hand if he is telling the truth. According to legend, the lion will bite your hand if you are telling a lie. We should not have told Ava this. She sobbed through the 15 minute line up to the fountain and howled when we put our hands in his mouth. She tells me several times a day that she loved Rome...except for that scary lion!
I call this the kids' "Italian vaccines" (Because of the sheer volume of germs that one drink exposed them to, if you are having a hard time following my reasoning:)
The Trevi fountain, and yes we all threw a penny over our shoulder and made a wish...except Eli...he threw his penny at a bunch of girls.
The Spanish steps
We had Gelata every day-yummy! What a great trip!

To My Wonderful Wife

Happy Birthday Ness!!!

For those unaware, Ness had a birthday recently. Now I don't wish to go against her wishes and reveal the magic number (which most of you know anyway). I will simply state that the following blog reveals the party we had the day BEFORE her birthday celebrating her last day of being 28.

Jennessa has never been a big fan of cake, so Ava suggested cupcakes because that is what SHE wanted. And as much as I tried to tell Ava that this party was all about mom, Ava kept insisting. Considering Ness' lack of desire about cake, I relented. After all, Ava loves to bake!

One thing Ness does love more than cake (or pretty much anything) is reading. The above book is actually a collectible, but I have a feeling it will not remain in pristine condition. Nor would we want it to be ... books are for reading! (It's "Lord of the Rings" in case you were wondering.)

This is Jennessa's actual present. More specifically, she gets to go to this English family's home and buy something. This family is quite a treat! Their entire house (about the size of the Bennett's home from P&P) is full of beautiful antiques. Some are for sale and some are not - you just have to spot a pricetag. It can be upsetting because you'll see this old stool that looks incredibly neat (and you know that some child was given a "timeout" on it 300 years ago) and it's not for sale. Anyway, Ness saw this corner cabinet and had to have it. It dates from the 1700's and is 100% original parts. Even the locking mechanism was forged by a blacksmith! Now this is my idea of what antiques should look like (see "You Are So Beautiful To Me").

And then Ness gives it style!

Beautifully engraved and original 1700's glass!

In addition, we are leaving for 3 days in Rome tomorrow! That is truly her birthday gift. The antiques she calls "investments".

So ... happy birthday to the most wonderful person I know. Thoughtful, caring, beautiful, intelligent, and most importantly, still YOUNG. Happy Birthday Ness! We love you.

Those words will come back to haunt you...

Oh a day in the life of a two year old little boy! You haven't lived until you have witnessed an angelic little boy spend several minutes carefully building the perfect tower of blocks...and then pedaling to the other side of the house on his little radio flyer trike only to whip around and come flying full speed into his tower, scattering blocks to the four corners of the living room. You haven't lived until you have heard the maniacal laughter from both children after the block smashing. This went on for a solid hour...and that was fine!
How could I not get such a kick out of watching this little guy having so much fun?
He can't quite reach the pedals, so he does sort of a Fred Flinstone on a trike thing. He gets around pretty quickly though!
At 430 (when the sun set), Ava was enthralled with the beautiful "pink clouds". Speaking of Ava... A few minutes ago I went up to give Eli some much needed discipline. He got a little pop on the bottom and a scolding for being out of bed and sassing mama. Ava, who was watching, said, "Mama! Pretty girls act pretty!" I don't think I could count the number of times that same sentiment has come out of my mouth while I watched Ava twirling around in one of her "prettiest dresses" while extolling her own virtues and berating her brother all in the same breath. It was all I could do to keep a straight face while agreeing with Ava that, yes, pretty girls act pretty, but mamas have to discipline sometimes too. I don't think she really understood what I was talking about. That's okay...I mean...she thinks I'm pretty...wow!

To the mothers of "under fives"

This one goes out to all of the mamas who have children under 5. Let me see an imaginary show of hands...Who has been describing/lamenting their day, when an older, "more experienced" parent has jumped in and "wisely" said, "Just wait 'till their teenagers!"?? Has anyone else had the urge to say one of the following things...
"Oh! Gee! It looks like you haven't been to the salon in what? Three months? At least you had a shower today!" or
"Gosh it must be hard having children that can wipe their own butts! How useless you must feel!" or
"Is that a smutty Nora Roberts you're reading or "The potty book for girls/boys" ?(for the 7th time today...)"
Don't get me wrong...I treasure the moments, but today was not one that will go into my long term memory I don't think...

3pm- My kids and my borrowed Logan have had enough of the great backyard (after about 6 and a half minutes!) so we decide to go for a walk. Ava rides her scooter, Eli is being pushed on his trike by Logan.
3:01- Eli- "I need to poop" Me- "again!?"
3:06-Attempting walk again...Ava- "I need to poop" Me- "of course you do" Eli-"No Yogan, my trikikle! (pushes Logan into the weeds- Sorry Kate) me- "timeoutgopoopnowLoganyou're okay!"
3:20 (Yes Ava likes to take her time) we are now on our third attempt at a walk and have made it all the way around the corner. Me- "Logan! Don't eat that! (again...sorry Kate) Eli! stop whining!" Ava has now found the only mud puddle in the street and promptly gotten her scooter stuck in it. Eli is now mysteriously holding a stick and coming at Logan who has started to drip snot like a faucet. I had no Kleenex and have chosen to omit how I actually got the snot off of his face. I am by this point carrying both boys and dragging the trike with my right leg. Ava is clinging to my other leg and begging me to carry her muddy scooter home.
3:25 The kids (still wearing outdoor coats/hats/etc.) are lined up on the couch watching Wonder Pets. I love Wonder Pets.
So...to the younger generation, my siblings, anyone that will have "under 5s" in about 10-15 years, I do solemnly swear that I will not pretend like your life will be harder when your little handfuls become teenagers...because it will be a LIE! I will instead smile in my beautifully made up face, shake back my recently highlighted hair (in this fantasy I also have a tan in case anyone is interested) and say, "Enjoy the good times, it will get easier as they get older!" And in my heart of hearts, a little part of me will probably wish that Ava would quit texting her boyfriend and go with me on a scooter ride...

I dare anyone to find a scarier gang of riders this side of the, um, Atlantic