Day 3 – Spaced Out

Thank you, Du, for again diming me out in the comment section of the previous post. 

Dunkin’ Donuts for breakfast! The day can begin!

We left St. Augustine and headed down to Titusville to visit the Kennedy Space Center.

Vehicle Assembly BuildingHere is the Vehicle Assembly Building from the bridge going to Merritt Island and the KSC.

Do not believe NASA when they say they are running out of money for the space program. We know for a fact that they make enough money in one day from the KSC Visitor Center to fund a shuttle launch a month. We funded one whole mission ourselves. Check this out:

  • Entrance Fee – $110.24 – (Yes, that’s right. Who do they think they are? Disney World?)
  • Freeze dried ice cream – $12.69 – (The main reason Reagan was excited to come here. And this was for only three packs that weighed about half an ounce total.)
  • Lunch – $31.74 – (two bbq pork sandwiches, a hot dog, apple juice and two cokes)
  • Souvenirs – $27.89 – (2 pins, a patch, a magnet and a post card)
  • Something or another should be priceless right here, but apparently everything has a price, and a high one at KSC.

Space IcecreamA new product: Space Ice Cream Cookie. Freeze dried and everything.

While we were paying NASA’s bills we had a lot of fun. I did the Shuttle Launch Experience (only for people above 48″ so Du took the girls to see a full-size model of a shuttle). I got to feel what the astronauts feel as they are blasted off the surface of the earth. All I can say is awesome and sign me up.

We sat through this horribly cheesy performance that tried to make the laws of science fun. The two girls on stage were trying to dance and sing about Newton’s three laws of motion. The 3D was even bad. I ended up laughing at them instead of with them. I tried to make it sound like I was laughing at appropriate moments in their act, but that was hard. Then we sat through a really cool IMAX movie about landing on the moon. Tom Hanks narrated it and it was in real 3-D. Ashlyn tried to pull the Mystery Science Theater 3000 thing again but soon fell asleep in my arms.

One of the coolest parts was sitting through a NASA briefing on the launch tomorrow. I felt like part of the press corps and almost started shouting out questions: “Can you explain the reason why we’re funding your mission with our entrance fee and we can’t even get up close an personal with the shuttle?” “When are you going to allow a homeschooling mom to take a ride?” “Is there any truth behind the adult diapers rumor?” Oh. Wait. Did I say that out loud? We got out of it what you normally get out of a briefing…not much of anything. There’s a large chance the launch will be scrubbed tomorrow, but he gave us hope by saying that he thinks it will still be a go. We’ll hang onto whatever we can get.

Ok, is it just us? Does everyone else stay in classy places like us when they use Priceline? While checking us in the hotel clerk gave me a map of the hotel complex and began diagramming where we were to drive, park, walk up our luggage. What? Walk up the luggage? I asked: “Where’s the elevator?” He replied: “We don’t have an elevator, but there are only 12 steps so it shouldn’t be bad. I can’t move you down to the first floor, we’re full because of the launch tomorrow.” Uh, ok. Do you offer bell hop services?

Dinner tonight was at “World Famous” Dixie Crossroads. You’ve heard of it, right? The wait was about 30 minutes and our expectations were high. There was a cool place to wait outside the restaurant: a wooden deck with a pond below where you could pay to feed the pet fish…I hope they were pet fish. We didn’t feed the fish. I had the “Extra-Special Treat” and it was worth every penny of the close to $2 per shrimp it cost. Here’s the write up:

Try our large Wild Ocean Shrimp, hand breaded, rolled in shredded coconut, fried golden brown and served with sweet plum and orange marmalade dipping sauces; or filled with Maryland-style crabmeat stuffing; or wrapped in hickory-smoked bacon.

The Extra-Special Treat had four of each. YUMMO! (as Rachel Ray would say, and I’ll never say that again). Du had a combo of scallops, rock shrimp and a crab cake. His was delish too. H.o.w.e.v.e.r. . . we could barely make it out of the restaurant. We felt like foundering horses we had stuffed ourselves so full.  Ashlyn somewhat behaved herself and was oddly picky about what she wanted to eat. For some reason (maybe because she gets half her genes from me) she only wanted the appetizer of sweet corn fritters that were covered in mounds of powdered sugar.

Oh yeah, we were having lunch and discussing the amusing folly that was the Mad Science Theater (the cheesy show about the laws of science). Reagan got to hold one of the planets during that segment and she was trying to remember which one. She knew it was the second to last one, because there was only one boy in the audience behind her that got to hold a planet. She was asking, “is it Pluto? What was it? Neptune? Mom, which was it?” Du steps in here to offer his assistance, and this is usually put to the form of more questions for Reagan to figure out the answer on her own. He asked, “What’s the name of Ariel’s Father?” thinking the answer to be, and fully expecting “Neptune.” Without missing a beat Reagan yells out, “Triton!” Nice try honey, I almost spit my food all over you again.

Day 2 – New Experiences, Old Friends

First and foremost, thanks to my lovely husband for guest posting in the comment section of the last post. He’s an outstanding guy and always ready to set the record straight, lol. 

I forgot to let you know what kind of classy establishment we’re staying in.

toiletries(Click on any of the pics to see them full size) They have the really good toiletries bolted to the wall in a glass case. Are we supposed to break this in case of an emergency? There’s also a little slip of paper (a Notification of Exemption to Sanitization Requirements) laying next to the drinking glasses. It lets us know that although the glasses have been cleaned using “household dishwashing agents” they haven’t been sanitized according to Federal and State standards for public food service establishments. My mother sent me a video recently covering how hotels in Atlanta “clean” their glasses. It’s gross. So, I look at these glasses, and sure enough, there is a lipstick imprint on the first glass I pick up. And they were washed? Even with dawn and a rag you could get a lipstick imprint off. We’ll be using the plastic covered paper coffee cups.

Today was another beautiful day. Warm weather, small breeze, beautiful scenery and great company.

We got ready and had breakfast at the restaurant of the hotel. Well, I should say that while I was the first one up somehow I was the last one still working on myself. Du took the girls down to the restaurant and I proceeded to blowdry my hair. I blew, and I blew, and I blew and I blew. It takes so much less time to dry hair in Missouri. Although I love the humidity, it does a work on my hair.

The restaurant is called Sluggers, and their logo has two slugs in it. Need I say more? I’d hate to guess what their cleaning standards are like remembering the slip of paper in our room. Ashlyn preferred Trix cereal over eggs. We’d barely get a piece of egg in her mouth and she would open up as wide as she could, stick out her tongue and let the egg fall where it may. The Trix on the other hand were gone before we could finish putting them on her plate. Reagan’s diet was just as healthy. We look over at her and she’s smearing butter on her bacon. My heart almost had a sympathy heart attack. The gagging motion promptly got it back to beating in rythm.

After that delicious start to the day we headed to the Castillo de San Marcos.

family at castilloSelf-timed in front of the Castillo. We did a combo self-guided and tour-guided walk through. The most interesting thing to me was their toilet system…or lack thereof. There were two “necessary” rooms. They both had three holes cut out of a wooden plank that was set against the back wall. There was a trench dug from under the boards out to the water. When the tide came in the trenches filled with water and people “went”. When the tide went out it took the waste out with it. The guide even went so far to say that the best fishing during that time was right outside of the trench opening. Yeah, I needed to hear that. Du’s favorite part was probably how one of our tour guides explained the construction and sieges. I’m sure he’ll comment on it.

The view from the top of the Castillo is great. The ocean on one side and historic St. Augustine on the other.

plant pickerOur horticulturist in training aided the National Park System by picking their clover.

skyline Historic St. Augustine

One side note here. If you visit Florida bring your quarters. We were gouged yesterday in the toll booths and we were gouged today by the parking meters.

We left the Castillo to meet our friends, the Porters, for lunch. Tim was our chaplain in New Mexico and Pat is his awesome wife. They both have amazing hearts for God and for bringing other people to God. They were great mentors for both Du and me, and we were excited to visit with them. It’s been 4 and a half years. They went from NM to Alaska to Valdosta, Georgia. And God, being the awesome God He is arranged this whole meeting. They actually were in Jacksonville for a long marriage retreat weekend. Jacksonville is less than an hour north of St. Augustine. How cool is that.

We were having a great time and they were complimenting both kids profusely when Ashlyn showed her true colors. Du was talking to Tim, I was talking to Pat. Ashlyn, needing to become the center of attention dropped her earthenware plate onto the tile floor so that it made this huge crashing, shattering sound. Why did that child have a plate? A lapse in judgment. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. The visit with the Porters was way too short but they had to get back up to Valdosta.

Next came a visit to the beach. Don’t forget it’s FEBRUARY!!! We’re wearing swim suits in February! The water was cold though. There were idiots zealots surfing the waves that were crashing onto the shore. I guess they weren’t that crazy. They’d stand in a huddle on the beach until a righteous wave would come along. One of them would dart into the water, ride the wave (or fall flat on his face), and dart back out of the water. Dude, like take a break already. Isn’t there some kind of Wii surfing game you could play indoors?

We, being the smart, contientious parents that we are managed to make the youngest cry by sticking her feet in the water and managed to make the oldest lose her footing in the rip tides that were creating those righteous waves. Reagan loved it though and we had a hard time getting her to step back from the water.

cold waterCan you see the look on Du’s face? It’s because there are ice crystals forming in the water….I swear.

ashlyn beachTo all you good parents out there: Just look away.

Dinner tonight was at Cafe Spain. Good Spanish food. Not as good as the awesome seafood last night though. We were the only customers in there for a while, but they know how to keep the lights on. They sent the mother-in-law out to wait on us. Spanish accent and everything (although later we find out she’s Cuban American). She takes our order but proceeds to convince us to try one of the most expensive appetizers on the menu. Later two men came in and were seated next to us. And what do they have for an appetizer? Take one guess…

OH, I almost forgot to mention again what a great mother I am. Before we met the Porters we had to get some summer shoes for Reagan. She couldn’t even walk from the Castillo over to the historic district because her toes were pressing against her shoes. We walk into a little shoe boutique and mention that we need some sandles or flip flops for R. The sales lady says: “I’m guessing she’s about a 10 or 11?” She is several feet away while saying this. I think to myself “little do you know lady” and verbally say, “she’s about a 9” So we buy the shoes (a size 10, one size too big), the lady cuts the strings, takes our money and we head away. We get several blocks away and Du notices that Reagan’s heels are hanging off the backs of the flip flops when she walks. What? Me, notice things like that? Apparently not. With head hanging down I go back into the store and explain that since I’m one of the least observant parents out there I had no clue that my daughter’s feet had grown since last summer and could we puhleese exchange these 10s for 11s? Later at Target I was vindicated though. In regular shoes Reagan is actually a size 9.

Oh, and to all you haters in Johnson County, Missouri…shame on you for voting for McCain over Huckabee. Yes, we’re sitting in the hotel room, blogging and watching the returns.

Day 1 – We Have One of Those Kids

We all know that even though children may come from the same womb, have the same parents, same looks, same upbringing, etc…they will have different personalities. Flying with Reagan for her first flight (at 8 months) was actually a joy. We were worried at first, but she proved to be a very easygoing passenger. She even fell asleep in our arms. She was a pleasure.

Oh, those were the days. Today we realized our other daughter is one of those kids. You know, the kind of kid people dread seeing get on a really small, tight, enclosed, echo chamber space like an airplane? We came short of lying and telling everyone we were transporting someone else’s child because our child would never act this way…we came close though. More about that later…

Today is the first day of our Florida vacation. A much needed vacation that couldn’t come at a better time. We escaped snow on the ground and landed in 80 degree weather. In fact, here’s my pile of clothes that I brought for two weeks! You can only get away with this when you’re going to the warmer climates.

Pile of clothes It really is a small pile. And I fit Reagan’s, Ashlyn’s and my clothes all in one suitcase. Thank God for warm weather. I hate layers of clothes.

Ok, back to the story. The girls were troopers all day. We woke them up early in the morning to be at the airport on time. We dragged them around and made them jump through the hoops that is airport security. We fielded questions like: “why would be put bad things in our shoes? Why do they need to see the metal on our clothes?”

Our first case of having that kid and, well being that family came as we were getting ready to board the first plane. We had with us: two kids, a stroller, two carry ons, a backpack, two car seats and various jackets falling out everywhere. We toddle up to the gate checker, cutting in front of many a business person, because the voice on the loud speaker said that anyone with a child under five could make their way onto the plane. After cutting in front of everyone the gate guard assures us that it would be better for us to check the stroller and two car seats instead of leaving them plane-side. So this takes an extra five minutes that the business people behind us obviously didn’t have time for to begin with. But the plane wasn’t taking off yet, so what were they in a rush to get on for?

When we got on the plane I realized why they were in a rush. Southwest does not assign seating. You board, you find the first available seat, you laugh at everyone coming on behind you that has to travel farther back into the depths of the plane to find three seats together…that would be us. Reagan straps into her seat like an old pro. She is after all. Ashlyn starts bouncing around in our laps like it’s Baby WWE.  Here’s a picture of her first time on the plane:

Ashlyn’s first plane rideCan you tell she’s thinking: “who’s head should I pound with Baby Bear?”

The first flight goes well. We connect to our second plane, and the two-nap-a-day girl hasn’t had a wink of sleep yet. You who have kids know, when little ones get really tired they tend to go berzerk in the moments leading up to passing out. This happened to us on our second flight. Wiggle, snatch, scream, throw, bounce; wiggle snatch, scream, throw, bounce; repeat. We tried to placate her by feeding her continuously with Wheat Thins. I thought this was a great idea until I looked down at my shirt later and realized she’d used my chest as her napkin to wipe her slobbery, crackery face with. Finally, after 1 hour and 50 minutes of our 2 hour flight the inevitable happens and she passes out…on Du’s hand:

passing out She had Wheat Thins in her hand, was chewing on one, and suddenly could no longer keep her eyes open. I’m not going to say the plane broke out in applause, but I think I faintly heard some sighs. In all actuality, she really wasn’t that bad (all the stuff I wrote about did happen though). A flight attendant did tell us we had really well-behaved girls. But you know how you feel in that situation, when you’re trapped in a sardine can with that kid.

And the fun doesn’t end there. We land in Orlando and make our way with all our luggage–which is everything I mentioned before with the addition of our suitcases. Du has the really good idea to fetch the rental car by himself while we wait there with the luggage. Why lug all that crap around when the car can be brought to us? It really would have been a great idea if the Orlando airport would allow passenger traffic to enter into the shuttle/taxi causeway…but they would not. So I get a phone call telling me (kindly) just to meet him up on the second floor, he’d be waiting for us with the car.

Uh, what? I’ll remind you readers of what I’m in charge of here:

  • two kids
  • stroller
  • pack and play
  • two suitcases
  • one carryon
  • two backpacks (one being Du’s so it could be considered another suitcase)
  • two car seats
  • jackets out the wazoo

 Remembering that we’re on vacation…in no hurry…there’s a little one who likes to mimic everything I do…I readjust my attitude from one big pity party to one where Super Woman could have done no better. Du only had to circle around the airport three times before we made it up there. But we lost nothing, so a big plus for me.

A long nap later (well for all of us but Driver Du) we make it to St. Augustine. The air smells like the ocean. The humidity is already messing with my hair (my skin will be next). The dress code is decidedly different from that of our current hometown. And we couldn’t be happier. Well, except for Ashlyn when I wanted to document what she looked like after falling asleep with a chocolate donut in her possession (just as second children have different personalities than their older siblings, they have different diets as well):

chocolate donutDon’t know if you can see it but there is chocolate smeared on the bottom half of her face and all around her neck. Donut has even made its way down her shirt and into her pants, and on her socks.

Dinner tonight was SEAFOOD!! Read the description of my dish:

Macadamia Mahi Mahi:  

Crusted with roasted macadamia nuts, topped with a Grand Marnier passion fruit beurre blanc and served with mashed sweet potatoes and vegetables.

I’m drooling on the keyboard just thinking about it again. Du had Fresh Grouper: Seared topped with a delicate shrimp and crab sauce. Ashlyn had bites of both of ours, but mainly enjoyed throwing food on the floor. Remember, she’s one of those kids.

And the winner is…

CHRISTINE!! #154 (Thank you to all 284 ladies who left comments!)

She commented to me:

“Those are BEAUTIFUL! My little sister is about to have her first baby! I would love to give these to her as a gift! Thank you for entering me!”

Well, Christine, your wish has come true. Stop by Sew Petit and pick out your favorite set. I’ll embroider your little niece’s or nephew’s name, initials, monogram, etc. on the set. If your sister doesn’t have a name picked out yet, then we’ll wait on her!

Thank you to Random.org for choosing my winner for me.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

154

Timestamp: 2008-02-01 06:04:52 UTC

Fake Bake or Green Goddess?

Here’s a lesson I’ve learned recently…

If a bottle of self tanner warns you to wear gloves they mean it. They’re not just writing it to waste ink and space. That’s something I should know as a business woman. When the very first words of the directions are “wear gloves” you probably should stop what you’re doing, go find some gloves, and then proceed to finish reading the directions.

So, I commit the ultimate mistake and think, “Ha! That never matters. You apply the lotion, wash your hands and then someway figure out how to get the tops of your hands tan. Let’s get tan!”

I flip the lid and notice that the lotion isn’t a light color at all, it’s really dark…and thick. I’ve used several self tanners before, and none have been the color and consistency of green bean baby poop. Being the adventurous spirit that I am, and rationalizing that it’s night so I’ve got at least 12 hours before I have to be seen in public….and it’s winter so I won’t look like a freak for being clothed from chin to toe, I forge ahead. I squirt a huge blob into my palm and take a deep breath.

The poop lotion goes on smoothly on my leg and I’m impressed that I can actually see where this stuff is going. Usually self tanning lotions profess to be “tinted so you can see where you’ve applied” and promise no streaks. And usually the tint is oh so faint and I look like a tiger after the stuff dries and takes effect. So, I’m smoothly applying this green stuff all over my legs (with bare palms) and I begin to giggle. I’m thinking to myself: OMG, what have I gotten myself into? I’m going to be the Incredible Hulk until I can exfoliate this stuff off! Du calls in from the bedroom, “what are you laughing at?” “Oh, nothing honey!” tee hee (Nothing other than the Jolly Green Giant will be joining you in bed tonight!)

I finish with the legs and decide that I need to get this stuff off my palms before it permanently sets. I can move onto the arms after the palms are clean. Well, I wash and I scrub…and I wash and I scrub…and I scratch my palms with fingernails until they hurt. The foam of the soap is green so why are my palms not coming clean!!! The laughter becomes less of a tee hee here and more of a groan. This really piques my husband’s interest and I must go out and show him what I’ve done to myself.

Somehow I manage to get most of the green off my palms. No gloves in the house, although we both swear we have some, but who knows where they’d be. I’m getting smarter so I start looking around for something that will smear the green bean puree on my skin without making my palms discolored. I find makeup sponges and figure that’s as good as gloves. I gently and gingerly apply the goo to my arms, even the tops of my hands (so that’s how it’s done!). There’s a little bit of color seeping onto the sides of some fingers from the sponge, but I’ve gone beyond worrying what my fingers will look like–I’m green on a majority of my body. Now I’m supposed to let it dry before going to bed. At least I did follow their guidance and started this process before bed.

I wake up this morning and am almost afraid to take off my jammies. I slept in long pants and a long shirt just in case the stuff would bleed onto the sheets. So, being the great procrastinator that I am (and being one that loves surprises as well), I don’t get my shower until later in the day. It turns out that I’m no longer a martian and I have a very subtle tan. The shower does wash away what’s left of my Hulkness and my palms are no worse for the wear.

I did go out today and buy honest to goodness gloves. And I can’t wait to apply more coats of the poo. I’ve got to be tan for Florida! The bottle even says it’s safe for the face. Dare I try?

Fake Bake The strangely lovely potion.