The first stop at MGM Studios HAD to be the Star Wars Tours. It was destined before we were born. I live in a family of four, three of which are boys, two of whom are Star Wars "geeks", and one of whom will soon be one, I'm sure. That's the whole draw of this park. Star Wars. It didn't matter if we saw anything else in Orlando.
And so, Coen and I got in line to get the Storm Trooper and Darth Vader's autograph for Mason's autograph book, while Martin and Mason headed in to brave the "flight". The time dragged by, and I watched the gathering storm clouds anxiously while we waited and waited. For real, the sign out front said 20 minutes, and we were at 30 already. I walked through the Star Wars shop- you know how it is at Disney- they always have a shop at the end of the ride, so you can "complete" your experience with a souvenir. I thought about buying a girl's Star Wars tee-shirt... picturing my two guys' faces at the sight of me being a Star Wars Geek. That thought lasted about thirty seconds, and, noting that there wasn't even anything cute enough to be considered, I moved on, exiting the shop and doing my thirtieth lap around the stroller area.
A woman stopped me, and wanted to see the little animal that Coen has recently adopted as his cuddle buddy. I have to thank my Dad's sister Carol for it- he's been dubbed "Lammy", and is the cutest baby Gund floppy, tan lamb. He's very cuddly, and I'd even sleep with him. Anyway, she stops me, and wants to see Lammy... she lets out a little squeal when she realizes it's the same as the one her little girl loves. "She's loved it and carried it for four years now", she says, "it's all gray and nasty now". I told her I know how it is... and explain how Mason has his nearly five year old PeeDee that's nasty, dirty, and now has PJ's sewn on, to hold him together. Her little girl comes by with her Dad, smiles, and eyes Lammy with a love in her eyes tells me she just wants to yank him away from Coen. They move on, and Martin and Mason finally exit the ride.
We move on through the park. Martin and I have laughed because we notice how Coen is CONSTANTLY throwing things from the stroller- the sippy cup, Lammy, the sun hat he WILL NOT wear. It's a problem we've noticed from him alot. The other night, I actually went and bought a pacifier clip, and clipped his teether to his shirt- we were both sick of picking it up off the floor, and cleaning it.
Cut to about 5 hours later. Coen and I are waiting in line for Kim Possible's autograph, and Coen's fussy. I'm digging for Lammy. Can't find him. I motion to Martin, who's waiting in line for Quincy and June (from Little Einsteins) autographs "Where's Lammy?". He can't understand me, so I resort to sign language, cuddling my make believe Lammy and sucking my thumb at him from across the way. Anyway, eventually, we both realize Lammy's gone. We mourn the loss of the very cute Lammy. Martin said that he would check the Guest Services before we leave to see if anyone found him, and mentally, I start window shopping for Lammy's replacement. Maybe a cute squishy Winnie the Pooh will do- or a floppy Mickey Mouse.
Three hours later, we're pooped, the kids are pooped, and we decide to head for the exit instead of hanging in there for the Fantasmic show. I was wishing I could hop up in Mason's rented big kid stroller, and have him push ME for a change. Martin decided to run over to the Guest Service while Mason and I window shopped for the replacement. Nothing was striking me, and we headed out to find Martin.
There he was, rolling up with Coen who had Lammy in hand, thumb in mouth. I couldn't believe it. In all those people, some kind soul had picked him up and turned him in.
We headed into one more store, and to our amazement, Lammy was missing AGAIN within five minutes. I quickly covered the store, recovered Lammy, and proceeded to hook his leg to the pacifier clip on Coen's shirt. Maybe that will do.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
The long road down...
Vacation, vacation. What to say...
Friday was a blur- laundry, sorting, packing, loading, and last minute cleaning. Getting four people ready for a 6 day trip is not an easy feat. Cut to 5 suitcases, 1 cooler, 1 pack and play, and two diaper bags later, and we're ready to hit the road. Martin needed to go by a building in Columbia, so we headed out at 3pm, 1 hour later than our planned departure of 2 pm. Maybe one day we'll get it down to an art, and will get out at our planned time, or else learn to plan the right time.
Anyway, we made a mad-dash to Columbia to get down in time so that Martin could see his customers by 4:15. Coen was not a happy camper, and wasn't co-operative. Part of that, we discovered was due to some miscomfort from his seat, and part of that due to a smell that slowly crept up front. Fortunately, we eventually made it to Columbia, but Martin's customers were eager to continue their work on a project and finish up for the weekend, and didn't seem to interested in talking to him. So, we were able to hit the road. Finally. For real....
Coen cried 75% of the drive, largely due, I think to that whole row of teeth that's coming in on the top. Shoney's for dinner, which wasn't bad, but it was one of the only stops for those looking for a hot meal.
Finally, we finished the first leg of our trip, and stopped in Brunswick, Ga for the night. We stayed at the Embassy Suites. They offered a pretty good hot breakfast the next morning, and Mason is in heaven when offered a breakfast buffet.
The drive Saturday went a little better. We stopped at the Georgia/Florida Welcome Center for our Florida OJ and fill up of brochures. I think Mason had more fun "shopping" the brochures, than anything else. Then, we stopped at Wendy's and ate lunch. All in all, not a bad drive, due to the stops.
Once checking in, we decided that Mason had a great idea, and hit the mini-golf course. Mason won for the "most points", me for the "middle points", and Martin for the "fewest points", if you get my drift. We followed dinner with our annual visit to Giordano's Pizza. This place would not be worth it if judged by service alone, but the pizza, MORE than makes up for it. It's about a pound of cheese per slice, though, so if you're watching calories, this is not the way to go.... It became a tradition the first time Martin and I came down together, and has stuck ever since. Deep dish, cheese and pepperoni-stuffed with a pie like crust. YUMMMM. Ask Beka, she knows, now too.
Yesterday, we went to visit Martin's grandparents in Tampa, and Uncle Jerry, Aunt Bev, Elise and Gabby, Leslie and Tucker and Kenzie. So much fun, and Mason had a blast at the pool. I think he's officially ready for swim lessons. Once we left, we planned to stop for fast food for dinner, but once we saw the Outback sign, we decided it was worth cutting accross 5 lanes of traffic for.... It was worth it... we haven't done that in a while.
It's been fun so far... I have more to post about today, but this is getting long, so I'll say, "To be Continued, and Good night".
Friday was a blur- laundry, sorting, packing, loading, and last minute cleaning. Getting four people ready for a 6 day trip is not an easy feat. Cut to 5 suitcases, 1 cooler, 1 pack and play, and two diaper bags later, and we're ready to hit the road. Martin needed to go by a building in Columbia, so we headed out at 3pm, 1 hour later than our planned departure of 2 pm. Maybe one day we'll get it down to an art, and will get out at our planned time, or else learn to plan the right time.
Anyway, we made a mad-dash to Columbia to get down in time so that Martin could see his customers by 4:15. Coen was not a happy camper, and wasn't co-operative. Part of that, we discovered was due to some miscomfort from his seat, and part of that due to a smell that slowly crept up front. Fortunately, we eventually made it to Columbia, but Martin's customers were eager to continue their work on a project and finish up for the weekend, and didn't seem to interested in talking to him. So, we were able to hit the road. Finally. For real....
Coen cried 75% of the drive, largely due, I think to that whole row of teeth that's coming in on the top. Shoney's for dinner, which wasn't bad, but it was one of the only stops for those looking for a hot meal.
Finally, we finished the first leg of our trip, and stopped in Brunswick, Ga for the night. We stayed at the Embassy Suites. They offered a pretty good hot breakfast the next morning, and Mason is in heaven when offered a breakfast buffet.
The drive Saturday went a little better. We stopped at the Georgia/Florida Welcome Center for our Florida OJ and fill up of brochures. I think Mason had more fun "shopping" the brochures, than anything else. Then, we stopped at Wendy's and ate lunch. All in all, not a bad drive, due to the stops.
Once checking in, we decided that Mason had a great idea, and hit the mini-golf course. Mason won for the "most points", me for the "middle points", and Martin for the "fewest points", if you get my drift. We followed dinner with our annual visit to Giordano's Pizza. This place would not be worth it if judged by service alone, but the pizza, MORE than makes up for it. It's about a pound of cheese per slice, though, so if you're watching calories, this is not the way to go.... It became a tradition the first time Martin and I came down together, and has stuck ever since. Deep dish, cheese and pepperoni-stuffed with a pie like crust. YUMMMM. Ask Beka, she knows, now too.
Yesterday, we went to visit Martin's grandparents in Tampa, and Uncle Jerry, Aunt Bev, Elise and Gabby, Leslie and Tucker and Kenzie. So much fun, and Mason had a blast at the pool. I think he's officially ready for swim lessons. Once we left, we planned to stop for fast food for dinner, but once we saw the Outback sign, we decided it was worth cutting accross 5 lanes of traffic for.... It was worth it... we haven't done that in a while.
It's been fun so far... I have more to post about today, but this is getting long, so I'll say, "To be Continued, and Good night".
Friday, February 16, 2007
February Ramblings
Wow! So it's been two weeks since I posted. Since I know I have such a rapt audience, I must apologize. Just joking.
Let's see... what's happened in the last two weeks. My seventh wedding anniversary came and went on February 5. My husband was very sweet as always, and presented me with a very nice jewelry gift. I had no money to speak of, and presented him with a very nice card. The menu included Pizza Hut pizza, a mini cake, and a vintage bottle of Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice. Our anniversary would not be complete if SOMEONE wasn't sick, so all four of us were.... Martin, Mason and Coen with cold/flu symptoms, and me with a really bad sinus infection. We laughed because this is, I think, the third anniversary that we've been sick. The first year Martin had the flu, and we had NO money. I actually dug for change under my car seat to buy him a card. And, since he had the flu, he made me a home-made anniversary card out of construction paper. Ahhhh, the memories.
On our anniversary, we usually take stock of our marriage. This year's been a tough year for us. A new 2nd baby was a big deal. So, between Martin and I, and a couple friends, here's my list of conversations you should have before you get married: identify your TRUE personality; your biggest pet-peeves; who will handle the money, and what your financial pasts looks like; your passions (ie- what could you spend 6 hours a day doing, because you'll probably end up doing it at some point- driving your spouse crazy); your goals; your boundaries; how much time are you and your spouse willing to devote to work and/or separation from family members. I'm sure I can think of more, but these aren't things they tell you in pre-marital counseling- or at least we didn't get those things discussed. These are things I've learned on my own, and from discussions with friends.
Valentine's was great- I decorated the table, and got out the china, and made a Rachel Ray dinner of flank steak over puff pastry with asparagus salad, and Ginger poached pears with ice cream and berries. Turned out awesome, and we had our own little restaurant experience right at home. Just Martin, Mason, and I (Coen could've joined us, but hasn't mastered the chewing thing yet- he only has two teeth.)
So that's that. My February ramblings.
Let's see... what's happened in the last two weeks. My seventh wedding anniversary came and went on February 5. My husband was very sweet as always, and presented me with a very nice jewelry gift. I had no money to speak of, and presented him with a very nice card. The menu included Pizza Hut pizza, a mini cake, and a vintage bottle of Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice. Our anniversary would not be complete if SOMEONE wasn't sick, so all four of us were.... Martin, Mason and Coen with cold/flu symptoms, and me with a really bad sinus infection. We laughed because this is, I think, the third anniversary that we've been sick. The first year Martin had the flu, and we had NO money. I actually dug for change under my car seat to buy him a card. And, since he had the flu, he made me a home-made anniversary card out of construction paper. Ahhhh, the memories.
On our anniversary, we usually take stock of our marriage. This year's been a tough year for us. A new 2nd baby was a big deal. So, between Martin and I, and a couple friends, here's my list of conversations you should have before you get married: identify your TRUE personality; your biggest pet-peeves; who will handle the money, and what your financial pasts looks like; your passions (ie- what could you spend 6 hours a day doing, because you'll probably end up doing it at some point- driving your spouse crazy); your goals; your boundaries; how much time are you and your spouse willing to devote to work and/or separation from family members. I'm sure I can think of more, but these aren't things they tell you in pre-marital counseling- or at least we didn't get those things discussed. These are things I've learned on my own, and from discussions with friends.
Valentine's was great- I decorated the table, and got out the china, and made a Rachel Ray dinner of flank steak over puff pastry with asparagus salad, and Ginger poached pears with ice cream and berries. Turned out awesome, and we had our own little restaurant experience right at home. Just Martin, Mason, and I (Coen could've joined us, but hasn't mastered the chewing thing yet- he only has two teeth.)
So that's that. My February ramblings.
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