Gross

MB... You win. You have redeemed children everywhere by being the cutest thing in the whole world. Thanks for putting my faith back into (one day) having babies of my own.

Beach Day...

The day started off like any other... with crying. As soon as mommy leaves, they break down. It's only natural, I would cry too. Well, maybe not at 24, but if I were a small child, perhaps.

As promised, I took the kids to the beach. Worst decision ever? I'm still on the fence. I never realized how embarrassing kids can be when they misbehave. Truly, truly humiliating. I just want to scream "They're NOT my kids!"..."I'm just the nanny!"..."Look look, he just called me Kaylan-- obvi not Mommy.... BIG difference!"
W. found a cool seafan in the sleu, which he decided was much warmer than the ocean. He also loved fishing for "tadpoles." I tried to tell him they weren't actually tadpoles, and would not turn into frogs, but he disagreed. Ok. Fine. Agree to disagree, kid. Good luck in school.
Meltdown #1. G made a bad decision involving sand and her brother. This led to a time out, which led to more crying.
Meltdown #2. G next thought it would be nice to hit her brother. Nope, another bad choice. Time out! More crying. Yay! We're having FUN.
Meltdown #3. W pushed a little girl in the pool. Bad choice=time out=crying.
Why have kids? I've been thinking about this A LOT these past couple of weeks while sitting for these particular children. Sometimes they are absolute demons. But, it's sweet moments like this when I remember how rewarding this job can be.

For a little while, we were all happy.

Oh, the things we do...

Ok, so nannying isn't half bad. Some days are better than others. But this is what I have decided: If (and at this rate-- it's a BIG if...) I have kids, I will be a stay at home momma. My children will be raised by ME, not anyone else thankyouverymuch. I've done some R&D over the many years I've been babysitting and have noticed that children that have a parent who is a stay-at-home mommy/daddy are much more well behaved. I refuse to produce brats and send them out into the world.

Typical Tuesday:

G playing in the fort we made. She likes the pillow floor.
W and G "hiding."
"I'm going to make a funny face."

I think he succeeded. It makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Today's adventure: Finding KayKay some new running shoes. NO MORE FRANKENFEET!

Thursday's adventure: Beach (I know, I'm crazy), and picking up KayKay's diploma (Squee!)

This Morning's Thoughts

1. Vanilla extract is not good in your coffee. I thought it would be fun... it wasn't. Declared food misadventure.

2. My running hat smells bad. I can't wait for cooler weather. Cooler weather=less sweat=better smelling hat.

3. Hey, I put some new shoes on,

and suddenly everything is right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
it so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
but long on time,
slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
and i'm running late,
and i don't need an excuse,
'cause i'm wearing my brand new shoes.

New cute shoes.

4. I'm excited to see old friends at James and MJ's party tonight! Squee!

5. I'm WAY excited about my new steal:

I'm thinking New Year's Eve? Perhaps before? Too bad I can't wear it to a wedding 'cuz I look good in white. Thanks Gilt!

6. My plan of 10 miles this morning and then beach is being thwarted by the rude weather. RUDE! 10 miles is happening... the beach, probably not. Sad face.

UPDATE: 11 miles. In 100 degrees. Needless to say, the hat smells baaaaaaaaaad.

Goodbye sunlight. Hello orange jumpsuits.

K: See you in prison. I'm gonna kill these kids.

E: Totally fine. I'll come visit and send you a shank in the mail.

K: I'm going out in a blaze of glory. Gimme some matches.

E: What you don't have a silver lighter with enamel flames on it?

K: Left it at home. Next to my bomb making kit.

E: Hate it when that happens.

Text convo in reference to my current time killing job... nannying 3 children. 10 yr old boy who thinks he knows everything, 4 yr old boy who... is... 4... 'nough said, and an 18 mo old girl. Rethinking this whole 'get married and have kids' trend I've been seeing lately.

Procreate? Me? Nah, I'm good. I think the world will thank me later.

GUESSWHATGUESSWHATGUESSWHAT!

Guess who's got two thumbs and just graduated MAGNA CUM LAUDE?!

THIS GIRL! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I realize I need to update the blog on my last week in Rome (and it was a doozy) and Tivoli, but I just want to scream it from the rooftops! YEAAAAAAA.

Now, off to apply for more jobs. In D.C.... also working on a post for that.

P.S. Totally squirted a tear when I saw my transcript. SO proud.

Firenze

A little late... I know. I'm back in Amurca. Not too thrilled either, but I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things. (AKA working on losing my Italian food baby.) and finding a job... and returning to an unnatural shade of tan... and working on my photogs... and finals.

But, let's talk about Florence. Despite the horrific weather (it hailed... that hurts), Florence is pretty amazing. Shout out to Vivoli's riso gelato! YUM. And I had the BEST.MEAL.EVER at Za Za's. Osso Bucco Florentine. Yeah, this girl can eat (which is why I'm now paying for it by carrying a non-baby baby).

Before...
After...

Florence has this fun little market with a ton of kiosk thingys selling pretty much everything under the sun. Lots of leather... and fake cashmere... and costume jewelry... and men running from the cops with their Frada and Flouis (ahem... FAKE + Prada = Frada. FAKE + Louis Vuitton = Flouis) Ah, good times.
Me, Josh and Tyler at the Uffizi. Yep, that's the Duomo in the background.
Ponte Vecchio... which has the most gaudy and overpriced gold jewelry ever. But it was still nice to look. And some things were really very pretty, but entirely too expensive.
The boys... minus James. Seriously, I think they were in hog heaven. 3 boys surrounded by beautiful, smart, lovely girls for a month? Yeah, they enjoyed it.