The Adventures of Day 1

After we landed and got our 600 pounds of luggage – we loaded the rental car and headed for Destin. I was thankful that when we crossed this bridge- it was pitch black outside. You know how I feel about bridges.

We wanted to go on a 10 day vacation – but all of the houses for rent, rented by the week. We decided to go down for a couple extra days and just stay at a Condo until our house was available.

We stayed at The Palms of Destin.

It was a lovely place…with some great pools for my fishies.

Bryce loved the kiddie pool and splash park (bottom of pic) – and the bigger kids love the 9 ft. deep section (top of the pic). I am sick of hotels that have only 5 ft. deep water…aren’t you? Did you know that if you are 5’ 10” like I am….that cannon balling into 5 ft. of water doesn’t feel good? Tom (6’ 1”) once did a cannon ball into 5 feet of water and said cannon balls should be renamed “Nutcrackers”. Ouch.

We woke up the first morning and the kids wanted to chill on the patio. They thought they were so cool…and they were right.

We went to breakfast at a local favorite, The Donut Hole.

It was packed…and it ended up being delicious. I LOVED their grits. Do YOU do grits? You should.

We spent the rest of the day swimming off breakfast. Tom and I caused our usual wrestling scene in the pool. The kids didn’t seem too embarrassed this time. I think they are getting used to it.

That evening we visited “Goofy Golf” at Fort Walton Beach.

This place has been around since 1958  --- playing there made it feel like it was still 1958. The kids LOVED it! I think it was only $1.50 for the kids to play.

We didn’t get a free pass.

I think the kids asked to back there at least once a day for the rest of vacation.

That night we had “Pressert” (dessert BEFORE dinner) at Baskin Robbins. Mmm…

We went back to the condo and had BLT’s and corn on the cob for dinner. Double mmm…

We set the A/C at a balmy 68 degrees…the kids were tucked into bed and I fell asleep admiring the color of paint on the walls. Life is good when that is all you have to think about.

Goodnight Destin. We’ll see you tomorrow.

 

Summer Vacation 2011

It would be way too hard to blog 10 days of vacation into one post…so how about some baby steps?

Tom and I decided to take the kids to the ocean this year. We had heard great things about Destin, FL….not to be confused with the butt rash ointment.

The kids were so amped up. They couldn’t wait for the plane to arrive.

We arrived at the airport three hours early…because I inherited my mother’s EPG --- “Extreme Punctuality Gene”. I call it “The Jean Gene”. It is both a blessing and curse. At the airport…with three kids…antsy to get the party started….it was a curse.

Thank goodness for technology. It gave us a brief period of solace – between the machine-gun style interrogation of, “Where is our plane? Is that it? When is it going to be here? When are we going to leave? How much longer? Will we get to go to the ocean tonight?”

At the low point – we caught Bryce standing on the window sill…slowly walking along as he slid his tongue down one end of the window to the other. Thankfully it wasn’t an International airport.

Tom bought us dinner at Quiznos. While we ate, we told the kids about the man who once got on a plane with us. He was a large man – carrying a large pizza box. He put it in the overhead bin with everyone’s luggage. When the other passengers were boarding, one man said, “It smells like a Cheeseburger on here!” ------- The man announced “Nope….I gotta pizza up dare”, as he pointed above him. The plane took off and as soon as the fasten seatbelt sign was turned off – he stood up and helped himself to the first two slices. By the time we landed, he only had a couple of pieces left. I have often wondered if everyone’s luggage smelled like his pizza.

The plane finally showed up. We boarded first. One of the benefits of traveling with children. You can fill up an overhead bin before someone else has a chance to squeeze their pizza box in.

After take off, Bryce said “THAT WAS AMAZING!”

He breathed his “nigh-nigh” when the pressure started hurting his ears.

During the flight, I think I asked Tom, “Can you imagine if we had driven?” …. just 5 times.

To be continued….

Mission SO Possible

I have one thing on my To-Do list this weekend.

Make this.

http://www.simplyscratch.com/2011/08/jalapeno-popper-grilled-cheese.html

Shanaynay’s Havin’ a Baybay

My brother and his sweet wife are expecting their 2nd baby to arrive in a couple of weeks.

Even though Shannon has repeatedly ignored my requested baby name…I decided to throw her a shower anyway.

Since it’s their first baby boy – I thought I would throw a bumble bee party. My brother John said we needed to “honor the stinger”.

Honor, we did.

A Bumblebee Diaper cake. (Etsy)

Poms.

These adorable bumble bee cupcakes were made by Courtney.

I shared my banana runts. I love Shanaynay THAT much.

Even the beverages were beehives.

Bumblebee straws.

Here is the Spinach Dip recipe that was requested. (Allrecipes)

 Veronica’s Hot Spinach, Artichoke, and Chili Dip

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup canned chopped jalapeno peppers, drained
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Mix together the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the green chiles, Parmesan cheese, artichokes, peppers, and spinach. Spoon the mixture into a baking dish.
3. Bake in preheated oven until slightly browned, about 30 minutes.

My mom and sister were such a huge help…couldn’t have done it without them…and Courtney :)

There were baby bumps all over the place! It’s in the water in Shanaynay’s town.

We all had fun playing a fabulous game that Josie made. We enjoyed the food and company….

And then watched Shanaynay open her gifts….and I don’t have any pictures of that.

Horrible, I know. Honestly, I got caught up in the party of it all and forgot I was in charge.

I promise not to forget next time, Shannon….when you have Baby #3…..WRIGLEY. :)

My boys are so excited to have a baby boy  cousin to play with and love.

It’s fun celebrating a new addition to the stinger club.

Congrats John and Shannon! We love you!

Bananarama

Meet Vanessa and her hubby, Michael. You can call him Mike.

Nessa was my friend back in the High School days…and thanks to Facebook/Blogging – we have kept in touch across the miles.

One of my fondest teen memories is of her. We got in a chocolate pudding fight….in my parents living room. If any of you need another reason to think my mother is a Saint….the fact that I am still alive is yet another testament.

My love for Vanessa grew exponentially on the day we returned home from Summer vacation. There was a package waiting for me.

She read my post about my love of banana runts…so what does she do? She mails me a 2 pound bag of them!

A little bit of trivia for you….2 pounds of banana runts feels like the equivalent of holding a 6 pound newborn. Odd.

There is nothing better than receiving an unexpected surprise in the mail…especially on the last day of vacation.

Thanks for thinking of us, Ness. They are delicious! You are the best!

I still can’t believe you did that for me.

Now that I know you are paying attention…I think I will make my next blog about my love for Le Creuset cookware.

 

The First Day

How is it possible that school started today?

Where did the Summer go?

I feel ripped off. I want a refund.

Despite my protest, school started today… whether I liked it or not.

I woke up extra early to make the kids a yummy breakfast. For some reason, I worry about them getting hungry on the first day of school. I gave them a full spread of eggs, toast, yogurt, berries, and juice. In a few more days…all worry will be gone and they will get a bowl full of Cheerios…and a banana if they play their cards right.

Firsts are funny that way. They bring out the best in us.

The kids were eager to get back in the swing of things and reunite with their long lost school friends.

Bradley went to bed last night THINKING that he didn’t need me to walk him to class this morning.

The sun rose and shed new light. The first words out of his mouth were, “Mama, I want you and Daddy to walk me to my classroom today.”

My heart soared. I intended to walk him to class either way ---- but still ---- it was nice to still be needed. I think Tom liked it, too.

Karah was playing it cool. Staying one step behind. It tugged at our hearts to pass the rooms of last year’s teachers that we had grown to love.

We finally made it to her new homeroom. She was sweet and gave me hugs and kisses in eye shot of other 4th graders. I think she  knew it was more for me than her. Our last time walking her to class at this school. Unbelievable.

While the kids were at school, I prepared for their “First Day of School Celebration” that would happen later that night.

I kept tradition alive and made them a back to school cake (brownie). It was MUCH easier than last year’s hilarious school bus cake. Click here.

In this pic, the frosting looks neon…not sure why…but I will blame it on the photographer, Courtney. I appear to be a disheveled mess. I will ALSO blame this on the photographer, Courtney. I actually looked like a supermodel today. Way to go, Court.

Here is what the brownie cake REALLY looked like.

To continue our dinner tradition – we picked a “cafeteria meal” and served it on lunch trays.

Tonight’s Menu:

Cup of Chili

Cornbread Square

Fruit “Medley” (what an excellent word. ‘Medley’.)

Cookie

Milk

It’s just like the cafeteria…except it tastes good and I’m not wearing a hair net when I serve it.

Oh…and the kids eat it. Yet another difference.

The night was topped off with a fabulous Family Home Evening lesson by Tommy T. He taught  about the importance for standing up for what you know is right…even when we are scared…and how the Lord’s protection will be with us.

The kids enjoyed a piece of pencil for dessert…and before we knew it, everyone was showered, jammied, and sound asleep in their beds.

Ahh…pretty great first day…now on to the 2nd.