are you kidding me?
we just got our tree last night....& we had to have a discussion about getting said tree. yeah, i know we only have a few days until Christmas & we are going to my mom's to celebrate, but dang it, i want a Christmas tree! Z is 6, we have to by law.
he's already questioning the whole Santa deal. everywhere we point one out he will tell us it's fake. i'm pretty sure this will be the last year we'll get through it, if at all.
he did hope that beings we're going to Grammie's for Christmas that we would get 2 rounds of presents (at Grammie's & at home). we've received a couple of boxes in the mail already & we've hid them in the closet. we typically tell him who the presents are from & that only a few are from Santa; we feel it's more important that he recognize the gift givers.
so i guess in a way we've been prepping all along for the reality of the situation, but that doesn't mean i'm looking forward to the inevitable confrontation.
hopefully he'll ask B, he's a better liar than i am...
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Z homework
last night Z & I went over some homework that his teacher sent home. (we told her about the trip) so the week was about weather...a good week to miss in my opinion. so she sent home a few sheets describing the daily reading he would be missing along with some vocabulary words he needed to be familiar with.
words like thunderstorm, blizzard, hurricane, flood.
i would ask Z if he knew what the word meant & he said he did for everyone except sleet, so i explained it was a mixture of rain & snow (if that's wrong, that's what the sheet said! i'm from SoCal, we don't get any of that!)
then i would have explain each word to be sure he had a proper definition, some were rather funny:
flood - when you flush the toilet & the water comes up & out, that's a flood
government - people who have a lot of money & they talk to other people (that would be politicians specifically, but this kid really knows his stuff!)
& the ringer:
warn (remember this is in the context of weather so the definition should be something like a warning to stay indoors) - his example was "i'm going to give you one more warning then i'm going to call your parents"
words like thunderstorm, blizzard, hurricane, flood.
i would ask Z if he knew what the word meant & he said he did for everyone except sleet, so i explained it was a mixture of rain & snow (if that's wrong, that's what the sheet said! i'm from SoCal, we don't get any of that!)
then i would have explain each word to be sure he had a proper definition, some were rather funny:
flood - when you flush the toilet & the water comes up & out, that's a flood
government - people who have a lot of money & they talk to other people (that would be politicians specifically, but this kid really knows his stuff!)
& the ringer:
warn (remember this is in the context of weather so the definition should be something like a warning to stay indoors) - his example was "i'm going to give you one more warning then i'm going to call your parents"
bah humbug
so we got off the boat early yesterday morning, $120 for parking, then headed over to mom's; it wasn't planned, so we just stopped by to say hi for about 1/2 hour then were on our way. next stop at costco to get some groceries & gas, $170 there & today B picked up Lady from the kennel, another $130 bucks. can we stop now?
no i guess not because it's christmas next week!!!!
um, we didn't do any christmas shopping before we left. i know before the cruise i didn't think the timing was good, now i realize it was the worst time to lose a week.
maybe i should have spent my workday shopping online, but i just don't feel right about it. yeah, reading blogs is much more productive, right? well, i'm sorry but the ship charged PER MINUTE for internet, so although i love my reads, i wasn't about to pay for reading per minute. i'm a fast reader & all, but the pressure would lessen the comprehension.
no i guess not because it's christmas next week!!!!
um, we didn't do any christmas shopping before we left. i know before the cruise i didn't think the timing was good, now i realize it was the worst time to lose a week.
maybe i should have spent my workday shopping online, but i just don't feel right about it. yeah, reading blogs is much more productive, right? well, i'm sorry but the ship charged PER MINUTE for internet, so although i love my reads, i wasn't about to pay for reading per minute. i'm a fast reader & all, but the pressure would lessen the comprehension.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
cruise - final thoughts
we spent a few more days on ship for the ride home; those quite days were needed. we met up with R & family throughout the days & evenings for poolside talks & also caught a midnight comedy show. they were really nice family & at the end of the trip we exchanged contact info & hopefully can keep in touch. both boys are anxiously awaiting a playdate although they live in washington state so that would take some planning.
B & I also decided to splurge on a spa morning. we thought what the heck right? we hadn't spent a lot of $$ at the ports & the treatments were discounted. um, yeah, so then we both went crazy on purchasing products...merry christmas is what we decided!
i got a facial that was fantastic, my face was as smooth & as plump as a baby's butt. seriously, i was ready to buy anything that could make my face like that!
B had a professional shave, a mini-facial & a neck massage. the lady used a cream on his cheeks that made his psoriasis go away, something he's battled since before we even met.
haha, so when he walked in the room after his treatment with a bag of goodies, i didn't feel so bad about all the $$ i spent. although he said he really would have liked to have seen how things would have developed if he walked in empty handed & i had to explain myself!
we enjoyed the cruise & will probably do it again sometime in the future, but to another location; we heard the carribean is fantastic. if we go back to mexico, we would fly & stay, either ixtapa or we heard cancun was very nice also.
B & I also decided to splurge on a spa morning. we thought what the heck right? we hadn't spent a lot of $$ at the ports & the treatments were discounted. um, yeah, so then we both went crazy on purchasing products...merry christmas is what we decided!
i got a facial that was fantastic, my face was as smooth & as plump as a baby's butt. seriously, i was ready to buy anything that could make my face like that!
B had a professional shave, a mini-facial & a neck massage. the lady used a cream on his cheeks that made his psoriasis go away, something he's battled since before we even met.
haha, so when he walked in the room after his treatment with a bag of goodies, i didn't feel so bad about all the $$ i spent. although he said he really would have liked to have seen how things would have developed if he walked in empty handed & i had to explain myself!
we enjoyed the cruise & will probably do it again sometime in the future, but to another location; we heard the carribean is fantastic. if we go back to mexico, we would fly & stay, either ixtapa or we heard cancun was very nice also.
Friday, December 12, 2008
last port - manzanillo
i hadn't even heard of manzanillo prior into looking into the cruise, so instead of booking an excursion we decided to play it by ear. Z's buddy R & family came with a few additional family members & friends & they invited us to the beach so we tagged along.
the boys got along so well it was unbelievable. typically, Z has love/hate relationships with his friends but R was some how able to work with Z & they would flex & bend to fit each other. maybe because R is only a few weeks older than Z, but something about them just clicked.
we spent the entire day down at the beach. the peddlers were crazy, it was like home shopper network live. a constant barrage of shirts, wraps, jewelry, dishes, trinkets, fruit, hats. we joked that we should just pay someone to keep all the peddlers away because 1 no wasn't sufficient, they had to go around & put their wares up in your face & hear a distinct no from each individual. i realize this is how they make their living but it really was overwhelming...& sad.
we didn't even buy any souvenirs there, we just enjoyed the day & made new friends. we headed back to the boat exhausted from the sun & B had a few too many cervezas.
Z went to kids camp again & we had a quiet dinner in the dining room. it was better than our meal the first night. when we picked Z up about 9:30 he wanted to eat again, he definitely liked that food ready at any time deal.
the boys got along so well it was unbelievable. typically, Z has love/hate relationships with his friends but R was some how able to work with Z & they would flex & bend to fit each other. maybe because R is only a few weeks older than Z, but something about them just clicked.
we spent the entire day down at the beach. the peddlers were crazy, it was like home shopper network live. a constant barrage of shirts, wraps, jewelry, dishes, trinkets, fruit, hats. we joked that we should just pay someone to keep all the peddlers away because 1 no wasn't sufficient, they had to go around & put their wares up in your face & hear a distinct no from each individual. i realize this is how they make their living but it really was overwhelming...& sad.
we didn't even buy any souvenirs there, we just enjoyed the day & made new friends. we headed back to the boat exhausted from the sun & B had a few too many cervezas.
Z went to kids camp again & we had a quiet dinner in the dining room. it was better than our meal the first night. when we picked Z up about 9:30 he wanted to eat again, he definitely liked that food ready at any time deal.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
next stop - zihuantanejo/ixtapa
the next morning we hit zihuantanejo early, we browsed through a couple of shops then hit up a taxi to take us to a quiet beach. as soon as we got to the water Z recognized a boy from kid camp (R) - i can't tell you what a blessing that was! R was well behaved, he & Z got along splendidly & his parents were nice too! it was a definite win/win, the boys played & we could relax & chit chat.
we hung out for a few hours & drank & ate, then it was time to head up to ixtapa. the boys were scheduled to go swim with the dolphins so we headed back to port for the bus ride. they didn't even want to sit with parents, they were on their own program being boys. it was cute.
ixtapa is the nice, new, trendy part of town, but we didn't have time to explore. we were taken directly to the dolphin place, where B & Z spent about an hour in the water. each kid had a few minutes of one on one with a dolphin & in the meantime other ones same around them. R's mom said she was surprised at how close they would get, almost like cats that rub themselves up against you.
before we knew it time was up & we had to get back on the bus & head back to port to make it on boat before it left without us. at each of the ports, there were armed men; i wasn't sure if they were there to protect us or not. on our drive back to the port there was a coca-cola truck next to us, the doors were open & men sat inside holding guns. it was kind of scary & our guide conveniently didn't see them & couldn't explain when we asked about them.
we made it back safely & on time though.
oh & i had absolutely the BEST margarita ever in my life here! it was so thick & creamy, i think it may have been made with real cocunut milk & a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
we hung out for a few hours & drank & ate, then it was time to head up to ixtapa. the boys were scheduled to go swim with the dolphins so we headed back to port for the bus ride. they didn't even want to sit with parents, they were on their own program being boys. it was cute.
ixtapa is the nice, new, trendy part of town, but we didn't have time to explore. we were taken directly to the dolphin place, where B & Z spent about an hour in the water. each kid had a few minutes of one on one with a dolphin & in the meantime other ones same around them. R's mom said she was surprised at how close they would get, almost like cats that rub themselves up against you.
before we knew it time was up & we had to get back on the bus & head back to port to make it on boat before it left without us. at each of the ports, there were armed men; i wasn't sure if they were there to protect us or not. on our drive back to the port there was a coca-cola truck next to us, the doors were open & men sat inside holding guns. it was kind of scary & our guide conveniently didn't see them & couldn't explain when we asked about them.
we made it back safely & on time though.
oh & i had absolutely the BEST margarita ever in my life here! it was so thick & creamy, i think it may have been made with real cocunut milk & a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
vamos a mexico! - acapulco
the first 2 days we spent on boat, it was nice & relaxing. they had a kid program that we shuffled Z off to, so everyone was happy!
our first excursion was in acapulco, we didn't plan anything so when we got off the ship we just hired a taxi to show us the town. first he took us to the old part of the city & showed us a couple of the old hotels old hollywood stars would frequent back in the day. you could tell at one time these were magnificent but time had certainly taken it's toll. we also drove by a vacation house that once belonged to Diego Rivera (unfortunately entry isn't allowed) but there was a mosiac dragon on the wall & his name.
we asked him to take us to a place where locals would eat but he insisted on taking us to Senior Frogs. there were only a few other (white) people there when we arrived, but we had a feeling we were being duped & we were SO right. B got a beer & plate of shrimp, Z got a smoothy & fish & chips, I got a margarita & a small shrimp cocktail. guess how much that was? come on, just GUESS? in american dollars, i won't even try & trick you with pesos? got a number? ok, well whatever it is triple it. yeah, our bill was almost $90 AMERICAN DOLLARS!!!!
i had taken Z to the bathroom & left B to pay the bill so i didn't even know it until we were back in the taxi. i couldn't believe it. i was sure we should have each received a free t-shirt with that bill.
after that the taxi driver took us to the new part of the city which was much nicer & a church that reminded me a lot of Mt Soledad. then we headed back to our point of origin & he dropped us off at the zocalo (downtown center). we meandered through the shops & the streets. Z got plenty of attention throughout our escapades, those girls love the blonde kid! there was another church here & there were many processions of people celebrating the virgin of guadalupe.
we got back on the boat about 7pm & i was exhausted. Z went to the kids club & B & I went to the jacuzzi for a bit.
our first excursion was in acapulco, we didn't plan anything so when we got off the ship we just hired a taxi to show us the town. first he took us to the old part of the city & showed us a couple of the old hotels old hollywood stars would frequent back in the day. you could tell at one time these were magnificent but time had certainly taken it's toll. we also drove by a vacation house that once belonged to Diego Rivera (unfortunately entry isn't allowed) but there was a mosiac dragon on the wall & his name.
we asked him to take us to a place where locals would eat but he insisted on taking us to Senior Frogs. there were only a few other (white) people there when we arrived, but we had a feeling we were being duped & we were SO right. B got a beer & plate of shrimp, Z got a smoothy & fish & chips, I got a margarita & a small shrimp cocktail. guess how much that was? come on, just GUESS? in american dollars, i won't even try & trick you with pesos? got a number? ok, well whatever it is triple it. yeah, our bill was almost $90 AMERICAN DOLLARS!!!!
i had taken Z to the bathroom & left B to pay the bill so i didn't even know it until we were back in the taxi. i couldn't believe it. i was sure we should have each received a free t-shirt with that bill.
after that the taxi driver took us to the new part of the city which was much nicer & a church that reminded me a lot of Mt Soledad. then we headed back to our point of origin & he dropped us off at the zocalo (downtown center). we meandered through the shops & the streets. Z got plenty of attention throughout our escapades, those girls love the blonde kid! there was another church here & there were many processions of people celebrating the virgin of guadalupe.
we got back on the boat about 7pm & i was exhausted. Z went to the kids club & B & I went to the jacuzzi for a bit.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
the drive
wow, didn't realize how much i missed radio! once we hit the 15 radio goes on, i tend to forget if we're in B's truck beings it has sirius, but the car doesn't, so once near civilization it's on.
do you know how you know you're in la? there's more mexican music on the radio than english music - surprise.
but, it was great nearing sd & hearing all the fabulous radio stations! YEAH! 94.9 has been in a slump since anya left, really how much rage against the machine can one listen to?
then the big dilemma was what to eat? so many options it's a bit overwhelming you know! we drove thru escondido, skipped that. then neared kearny mesa which is a complete melting pot & the decision was made - what do we missed most from the city? hole in the wall mexican. yeah, i know we were headed to mexico the next day, but i'm sorry you just can not beat these burritos ok?
B & I got our carne asada burrito fix & little one got his rolled tacos with cheese & sour cream (weirdo, i know, he doesn't like guac!).
then we headed downtown to the hotel. oh & we had an unintentional excursion off to La Jolla - oopsie. what can i say? i was enthralled with all the beauty & greenery that i kinda got in the wrong lane & missed the 5...
oh & for anyone who actually reads this, i'm backdating the posts for the next couple of entries.
do you know how you know you're in la? there's more mexican music on the radio than english music - surprise.
but, it was great nearing sd & hearing all the fabulous radio stations! YEAH! 94.9 has been in a slump since anya left, really how much rage against the machine can one listen to?
then the big dilemma was what to eat? so many options it's a bit overwhelming you know! we drove thru escondido, skipped that. then neared kearny mesa which is a complete melting pot & the decision was made - what do we missed most from the city? hole in the wall mexican. yeah, i know we were headed to mexico the next day, but i'm sorry you just can not beat these burritos ok?
B & I got our carne asada burrito fix & little one got his rolled tacos with cheese & sour cream (weirdo, i know, he doesn't like guac!).
then we headed downtown to the hotel. oh & we had an unintentional excursion off to La Jolla - oopsie. what can i say? i was enthralled with all the beauty & greenery that i kinda got in the wrong lane & missed the 5...
oh & for anyone who actually reads this, i'm backdating the posts for the next couple of entries.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
