As time goes by....

Let's see if I can get through this without crying! Hush! deutschman...hush!

Tomorrow is the 7th grade orientation. Tomorrow my baby gets on the big yellow bus and rides it to the big ole school (it's 7th-12th grade by the way)! We have always lived in walking distance to the elementary school, so I don't have the official 1st day of school photo by the bus. That scrapbook page(well it will be scrapped booked as soon as I do it!) has always been marked by my kids standing next to each other with their backpacks on next to the tree out front.

No, I will not take a picture of him as he gets on the bus tomorrow! That would not be cool! If I thought I could get the picture, I seriously would do it! So just wait...maybe I will! AH-AH-AH-AH (sinister laugh).

Ok I am prolonging the inevitable....you see starting next tuesday, either Jay or I will always drive the kids to the school. I have loved that time with Chelsea in the morning! Just she and I for the 10 minutes to start our day! Now Alex gets to join in on the fun!

Alex has not always been the easiest child to deal with. From the moment he was born the strong will was very apparent! He refused to sleep in his crib and then bed until he was in Kindergarten. There have been moments that he has looked at us and said, "I will not do what you want until I get what I want" Yes ladies and gentlemen, the kid in the Dobson book "Strong willed child" has NOTHING on Alex! I just laughed at that book and prayed my life would be that easy. For the first year of his life, I only slept about 3 hours a night. I had bruises on my arms and face from where I would walk into doorways and walls because I was soooooooooo tired! He screamed at people when they tried to talk to him.

Jay and I would just pray for God to lead us to become the kind of parent that he needed us to be for our son. It was hard. There were times when I wanted to give in and let him have his way. I knew in my heart of hearts that it would only hurt him in the long run. Jay and I often had to take turns dealing with Alex and his tantrums and strong willingness. There were times we often had to physically restrain him until he relented. It would take hours and upset Chelsea. We would tell Chelsea that Alex needed to learn this lesson to submit to his will to authority because God tells us to obey first. We obey Him and THEN we might get what we want but no matter what we surrender our will to His. Jay and I knew that if we didn't instill that in Alex then we could lose him when he hit teenagehood.

4th grade was another horrific year! We stayed on him like his life depended on it becuase in a way, it did. His spiritual life for sure and maybe his physical life. I would look at him and say to myself..."what is wrong with him!" "Why doesn't he get it?!" At one point Jay and I seriously considered having him tested for learning disabilities because he REFUSED to give in and learn his lesson.

5th and 6th grade were GREAT! He made the turn around the corner! That is not to say that he doesn't try from time to time to exert his will over ours but it is alot less frequent and not as strong. My prayer is that it doesn't rear it's ugly head like the first 10 years of his life again!

My point is this. Jay and I believe that you shape the spirit and break the will so that it can be submissive to the Lord's will. We also believe that what we do now is to raise a child of tomorrow. What we do now is to shape who they are as adults not just deal with the here and now.

I was watching Alex come out of the school today (he went with Chelsea while she got her locker) and it hit me! We are in a new phase of life! It is AWESOME!

Jay and I worked hard and cried tears and with God's help--I do believe we are on the other side! Alex is such a GREAT kid! He is funny and talented and yes he is strong willed. But I would rather him be strong willed with friends and drugs and alcohol and sex than with God's will. I am so proud of who he is! He is turning out to be such a fine young man. I know his cousins think so! His cousins have always thought Alex was DA BOM!


Thank you Lord for your steadfastness and faithfulness. Lord willing, we won't be going through the next 6 years like Alex's first 10 years!

Whew!

CHELSEA MADE THE JV VOLLEYBALL TEAM!!!!!

Way to go Chels!!! We are proud of you!

what can i say?

I have been remiss in posting because I don't know what to tell you all. Our summer has been well....quick, busy, good, fun. I don't know how to put it in words.

Right now, I am feeling very anxious and I don't know why. I have been feeling that way for a few days now. I think there is change in the air. I don't mean to sound ominous but I can't explain the way I feel. I also think that is has to do with hormones too. I feel this way sometimes....I will leave it at that.....

Right now, I am alone. The hubby and kiddos are at an amusement park for the day with the student ministry. It is nasty humid outside...maybe that explains my mood too....the hubby has called me and says that our son is having a GREAT time! He has seen our daughter with about 10 of her friends once.

Our lives are changing. This summer, we have been without kids so much. It is weird! It is a preview of things to come. As much as we enjoy each other's company and time alone together, it is weird becuase my mommy role has taken on a different meaning. It feels natural but yet weird at the same time.

I have a new found reality show....Cash Cab on the discovery channel! This NYC cabby picks up people and asks trivia questions and then they win cash or not if they get 3 strikes! While we were in NYC, I tried very hard to find cab # 1G12. No such luck--I mean how hard could it be with 15,000 cabs!!!??

Alex played some competitive basketball this summer and loved it. So he is all about the basketball now....basketball in the livng room, in the front hallway, in his room.....ugh! We have a hoop in the back yard!

By the way, did you all know that Alex HATES to ride a bicycle? I have done everything I can to bribe him! No such luck!

Alex has pimples!!! oh my! I have noticed the attitude is very teen like now but I am not readyfor the body to change! WE took him shoe shopping for new baskeball shoes. His last pair of shoes--8.5. His new shoes---10.5!!!! Opps!

Chelsea has volleyball tryouts tomorrow. I am nervous about that. I just want her to do her best no matter what happens!

WE have had major car trouble this summer. I have spent a good amount of the summer with out a/c!!! It has also been one of the hottest summers in 10 years! Lovely!!! Get it fixed you say?! What a good idea EXCEPT for the fact that our regular mechanic AND the dealership can't figure out why it is overheating!

I hate buying new cars! I love getting them but hate buying them. We have not had a car payment in 3 years!!! I don't want one now!!! but alas, it looks like I will get one....any suggestions?

Well that is enough of my rambling...sorry but again, I had nothing specific to say! Just felt the pressure to make a post!

it's been a while

sorry that it has been a while...let's see since last I left you...well too much has happened. Chelsea's DR trip was a HUGE success. I do have pictures and I will try to get them up for you all to see.

Right now she is in Richmond doing service projects to houses in the inner city of Richmond. It is called Richmond Work Camp or something like that. She's having a ball serving....

Alex has been busy with staying over at friend's houses and never being home.

I have pulled a muscle in my back and I am really really frustrated with it not healing! HELP!!!

Jay has worked 12 days in a row! he has his first days off tomorrow and sat!

Sunday Chelsea and I leave with some friend to go to NYC for a few days to celebrate a friend's birthday!

My side of the family went to Mountain Lake last week and had a ball! See Tanya's blog on the side there for some pics.

more later! VBS is in 2 weeks, so I will be very very busy!

and they're off....

Well the 2006 FXCC DR team is in Puerta Plata as I type! They left Dulles at 6 this morning...yes if you do the math, that means we had to be there at 4, which means we had to leave our house at 3:30, which means that we woke up at 2:30!!!!

Our teen mission team left to go and be God's hands and feet in the DR (dominican republic) for one week! Let me bring you up to speed on the happenings of the week that will end with Chelsea leaving for the DR.

Monday--
Alex "graduates" from 6th grade at a ceremony at school. The fact that he is now in 7th grade hits me at the end of the ceremony and I am a blubbering mess! We go out to eat with his best friend for lunch and then my mother-in-law takes Alex on a whirlwind trip of the east coast for 10 days. Their ports of call are : south carolina, florida, georgia, and alabama. I go to Walmart to buy supplies for the DR.

Chelsea wakes up on Monday with a horrible sore throat and feeling very "yucky", but soldiers on to school to take her final 2 exams for the year! She comes home and sleeps for 3 hours, all the while feeling "yucky". I take her to the dr. for a strep test. 2 tests=negative. 95% chance of no strep. Dr. says it is virus and to basically "deal" with it BUT if by Wed. she is not better then bring her back in since she is going to a 3rd world country on friday.

Tuesday--
Chelsea still feeling yuck-o, goes to church to work on her skits and props for the DR with her team. by the time we get home she is achy and feeling just rotten. She starts to pack her suitcase anyway. 10:30 p.m.--enters chelsea crying --saying that her eye hurts....yep...gooey stuff coming out--we got the pink eye! I go to walmart to buy DR supplies, again.

Wednesday--
We go to the drs. and get drops of the viral pink eye she has. her throat still hurts so we are adivsed to give her aleve! our dr. is soooo great! She gives us 2 bottles of eye drops! "Just in case" other children come down with the HIGHLY contagious pink eye! We head to Wal-mart and buy out the store in cold meds, pain relief, and you name it we bought it medical supplies!
Chelsea just sat in the drs. office with tears streaming down her face, thinking that the dr. would tell her she couldn't leave the country! I of course sat next to her and cried with her because this trip has been her dream since she was 11. From the moment she understood what happened on this trip, she wnated to be there and helping out! The dr. tells her to go and that she will be fine! WHEW!
She comes home and finishes packing but has to stay away from the meeting that night due to the fact that she needs to be on the drops for 24 hours before going out into public. Her throat? still hurting.....I go to Walmart to buy, yet even more supplies!

Thursday--
I make my final trip to Wal-mart--or so I was foolish enough to think....to buy more DR supplies. Chelsea cleans her room and is 100% ready for the trip! I drop her off for her final team meeting. She is wearing sunglasses to hide her "el diablo" eyes from the others.
I pick up Chelsea from her final team meeting and she is wearing a different set of sunglasses. Oh, yeah, that's right...her sunglasses broke....my eyes fill with tears...i have to make ONE MORE TRIP TO WALMART!!!!!! Can I just tell you....the thought of Walmart is like the thought of eating at McDonald's....it turns my stomach!
We go to walmart, we pick out sunglasses and oh yea, we need anti-freeze--why? My van overheats and the a/c stops working!!! On THE hottest day of the year. It was 8 p.m. and it was 101 degrees with 85% humidity!!!!
We go home and we crash but not for long because the mother of all storms lets loose on the NOVA area at midnight and lasts until 2 a.m.
Needless to say, we did not sleep at all!

Friday (today)
The teens leave and everyone is happy and doing great! I didn't even cry saying good bye to Chelsea. I am so happy for her an the other 16 teens and 5 adults! I do miss her though! Jay and I have NEVER been without both our kids in the whole 17 years we have been married!

Please keep them in your prayers! Hopefully when she gets back, we will have pictures to post!

Father's day

Today at church a video was shown regarding Dads. In it was a clip of my dad playing with Gillian and George with my words laid over the scene.

I basically said that my dad is the most faithful person I know. He has raised 3 faithful children and all 7 of his grandkids are active in church life. He has one grandchild who has commited their life to Christ. I am sure that the others will follow because we have had that legacy passed down to us.

What I wanted to say was this...(this is his story as I know it...so some of it may be incorrect)

Most of you may not know that my dad was not raised by his parents. His dad was an alcoholic. His mother ran off and left he and his sister to be raised by the dad. The dad having some presence of mind knew he could not raise these children, so he gave them over the their maternal grandparents to raise.

From my experience with situations as this, kids need their mom and dads to be healthy people to pass on positive attributes. As much as my great grandparents did for my dad, they were NOT his parents. From what I understand, my grandfather would call and tell my dad that he was coming to take him out to dinner and then not show up.

That does something to a kid no matter how stable the home and loving the grandparents. There is still the inner conflict of "My own dad can't/won't....."

All of that to say that my dad learned how to be a father from his grandfather and INSPITE of his own dad. My dad learned how to be a faithful man without any positive help from his own father. My dad got married and made a career and had a stable life, even though his own growing up must have been pretty tumultuous.

So thanks Dad for overcoming and being the best dad you could be! That helped me with what I looked for in a husband, so he could be the best dad he could be.


Also a shout out to my fantastic husband, who is truly a wonderful dad!

what is wrong with me....

I don't know how well I am hiding it but for the past 2 and 1/2 years now, my life has seemed to operate in a fog. For over a year, I accounted it to the illness and then death of my father-in-law. I had never been through something like that, noone writes a manuel on "how-to deal with the death of your father-in-law". Yes, I had fabulous support and that gave me the strength to support my husband and kids but I still found myself crying at weird times or the sense of urgency that makes me sick to my stomach that something bad is going to happen. All of that went on for about a year. I have noticed that I don't always feel that way anymore and that I am truly enjoying life again BUT I have no idea what I should be doing.

I feel like I have been "out of the loop" and I don't know how to jump back on!!! It's a really really weird sensation. I feel a kind of disconnect and I am not sure how to get it back. I think of things looooong after I would have in the past....i.e. a person is sick and I talk with them and tell them I will pray for them. In the past I would have done that AND made them a meal. Now, I don't htink about the meal part until long after I am done talking with them. I think of 100 things I "should of" said like hours later!!!

I also have like no desire to go anywhere and do anything BUT I don't want to sit at home either. I have no idea if this is all related or what. I just find it weird.

That is not how I was before February 2004 when Jim got sick but that is how I am now. Weird huh? Am I depressed? Am I stressed? Seriously...anyone got any thoughts on what in the world is wrong with me?

Good news--Jay got his own restaurant! Thank you Lord for rewarding my husband, who went back to school for almost 3 years, worked his tail off and we took a HUGE hit financially! I am so proud and happy for Jay! He totally deserves this!

Chelsea is done with crew! We had a great time in Philly at the last regatta!
Alex and I are heading to Blacksburg this weekend to see my neice and nephew "graduate" from preschool! Then Alex is inducted into the youth group at church on Sat. night!

Alex just went through a growth spurt...he's like 5'6!!!

Chelsea is pretty much driving a little bit everyday....maybe that is where the stress is coming from!!! I find it MUCH more stressful than Jay but guess who is home more to be there when she drives?! ME!!!

Loved all the season finales of t.v. this year! LOST--can't wait until season 3!!! Gilmore Girls---soooo disappointed in Lorelai! Grey's Anatomy--I gotta say that I was not happy about the choices made in that one either! I am a geek--I actually like the show "Deal or No Deal". but last night the woman got on my last nerve!!!

Now I am trying to catch up on reading...I am trying to read the DaVinci Code before I go see the movie....or spending time with my Gillian and George! I got quality time with them last friday!!! LOVE IT!!!

we temporarily interrupt this program...

because spyware stinks! Our laptop is very very sick....we are sending it away to see if it can get better. So until further notice...or things slow down at work....I will catch ya'll in about a week!

We will have much to catch up on....

American Idol, LOST, Gilmore Girls, Grey's Anatomy. Chelsea rowing in Nationals. Chelsea's 6th grade teacher. Many a episode from the always adventuresome, Chelsea can now drive scenes!

Lord willing...we will have good news about Jay and a promotion!

Until then...blog away my friends....I will read you when I can...i.e. whenever it is slow at work and noone is looking!

Who knew?

Who knew....

1. That Katharine McPhee could make us cry with that beautiful rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow"

2. That Elliot only sounds good on bluesy, soulful songs.

3. That Taylor could actually sing a song and not gyrate (sp?) around the stage....still love him though!

4. That Randy Jackson stole Sammie's new glasses!!!! Oh snap! I went there! Love ya Sammie!

5. That my daughter is old enough to legally drive....got her permit today....watch out everyone!

6. That Meredith Grey would cave and go back to McDreamy! Poor McVet! I know it is totally wrong but I want Grey and McDreamy together.


My prediction....Katharine and Taylor in the finals...yes I am voting...Taylor to win. Although my 1st choice is still Chris!
The phone lines have just opened!

Shock and Awe

Can someone please tell me how Chris was voted off American Idol last night?!!!! I am utterly disgusted! He is the one on there with THE best talent!!! He lost by 0.4 of 1% last night!!!

That's it! I REFUSE to watch the rest of the season!!!!

Ok well maybe not...BUT I am not as interested in it anymore...I like Taylor, I think Katherine has a great voice but Elliot has to go! He gives me the creeps!


A friend of mine sent me this website and has something about the voting results.

http://www.zabasearch.com/ai_stats.php

OK...just need to vent! I am utterly appaled! Don't ask me if I voted...cause I didn't. I depended on the American public to make the right choice! Like that would ever happen!

Ok well, it's rainy here and Chris is off American Idol and I can't make the 600 name tags for all the children in children's ministry....I am going back home and going to bed!

homesick by mercy me

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you againTo see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

**Some people may think that this is a depressing song. Maybe it is but you know what? It let's me grieve. What is up with Mercy Me? They write the songs that make me cry!**

For Papa Serg

Today would have been Jim's birthday. He was/is my father-in-law. I don't know how to say it anymore. Because on days like this it doesn't seem like he is gone. Then we get together as a family or call and we realize, that yes, he is gone. He passed away on December 31, 2004. He would have been 60 today.

I only knew him for 15 years. What I did learn about him, gave cause for me to love him. Not only did he proudly serve our country for almost 30 years in the Army, he married the woman who brought him to Christ. He raised 2 sons who are faithful to the Lord. He took care of his mother, and let me tell you that was not and is not an easy job. There are a plethora of reason as to why the previous statement is true.

Not only were Pat, Jay and Chris the loves of his life but he fully loved his grandchildren, my children. They were his pride and joy. One year, I gave him a calendar with pictures of the kids on each month with a different part of Eccel. 3 on it. He cried when he saw it. AFter he died, we were going through his stuff...he still had it.

His co-workers knew of his family and faith. He did not keep it hidden. He provided for his family both physically and spiritually. As a father he taught his sons how to be a father, a husband and a productive citizen. As a grandfather (Papa Serg) he taught the kids to enjoy life and not take yourself too seriously. Once he was frustrated at Chris and the kids were around and he knew he had to watch his language and so he called him a "donut". The kids thought this was hysterica! They knew he was trying to be a good example for them but they laugh about it anyway!

Jim watched a pair of hawks from their back window with a pair of binoculars. They left their nest about the time he was diagnosed with cancer. They returned to their nest the day he died. Pat said it was God telling her that Jim really was ok. He had returned home.

I hear the song often on the radio by the Christian Group, Mercy Me, "Homesick". This song helps me grieve the loss of Jim. (http://www.myspace.com/mercymerocks )

My life was forever touched by a man who married a woman, who had 2 sons and became a Christian. Jim no longer has to imagine heaven. He's there, waiting for us. How blessed am I to have him there along with my other loved ones who have gone before him.

Pirate Party

A day at sea and Castaway Cay (key)

So after we set sail from Cozumel, we spent a day at sea. That was just a very relaxing day! We sat around and had a seafood buffet lunch, read, drank iced chai teas, watched a movie!

The last day of the cruise was Disney's very own island, Castaway Cay!












It is in the Bahamas. It is very cool to think that you are the only people on the island! There was tons to do! The kids did it all! There was a buffet for lunch! It was delicious! We snorkeled and kayaked and sunbathed. Some of us went on bike rides!
















We had just a wonderful spectacular day! We were sad because we knew that we would be home in less than 24 hours! That night we ate our final dinner! We had a party and of course, there was a parade of the wait staff and we all sang "It's a small world!" You can't do anything Disney without singing that song!










I am so thankful and blessed that we were able to take this trip! Our kids had fantastic experiences and memories! Reality didn't hit as hard as I thought it would. It has been almost 3 weeks since the cruise and we talk about it everyday!

Now I have the impressive job of scrapbooking all our pictures to memorialize the trip for all eternity...or for as long as the paper and pictures hold out!

I recommend this trip for everyone!

una dia en cozumel!

We spent the next day in Cozumel! We were one of the first cruise lines back on the island since it was devastated last year by hurrican wilma. The island was still pretty devasted but we were able to rent jeeps and drive to the mayan ruins, go to a beautiful beach and ate lunch on the beach and the kids snorkeled!!!

It was a great day!



That night on the boat we had a Pirate party! We danced and ha fireworks and they showed Pirates of the Caribbean on the jumbo-tron!







Yes you read this correctly...it's a pee pee station. I am sure they had a bathroom but they sold stuff there...like souveniers.

Malicious gave me an F

Today's blog has been brought you by Malicious. the number 10 and the letter "f". (for all you Sesame Street fans)

This is how it works. I was given the letter "f" by Malia. I must come up with 10 words that start with said letter and write an explanation for it. You may play this game if you so choose...just let me know and I will hit ya with a letter!


Fabulous--what the Disney cruise was! My life is also this way!

Freak--what I tend to call people...for lack of a better word! Also known as "freakin'" when used as an adjective!

Fun--what the Sergio 4 has when we are together!

Family--where would you be without family? I have a great family! You can't choose your family but they end up teaching you alot!

Friends--I have some of THE best friends in the world! They are gifts from God. Also one of my all time favorite t.v. shows!

Favorite--hello! This word just makes me happy, 'cause it encompasses all the things that make me happy!

Frenzy--what our life is most of the time! Crew, Basketball, Volleyball, Bunco, work, school, plays, auditions, band concerts, church, youth activities, regattas....need I say more? It is what my work life has been since we got a new server and NOTHING, no NOTHING works!! Haven't been able to do my job for over a week now! Normally people would find that nice...it jsut stresses me out!

Fast--my kids are growing up this way! Sometimes I cherish it...other times...it Freaks me out!

Fresh Fruit--I love fresh fruit! There is this place called Edible Arrangements and you can get bouquets of chocolate covered strawberries!!! hint-hint---cough-cough Mother's Day--cough cough

Flying--I don't like to do this but it sure beats driving!!!


I know, I know..I have to catch you up on our cruise. My life has been a freakously, frenzied, fast and flying event for the past week! I will try to finish...tonight.

Mickey showed up to the Character breakfast!

Goofy was there too!

They made hats from our napkins for the kids! One little boy at another table had a hat with goofy ears!

There's a stingray!

Jay and the kids getting ready for their adventure...look at that water!

Day at sea and Grand Caymans

Sorry, for the delay but it took me 2 1/2hrs. to upload the 245 pictures from our memory card to COSTCO so that we can get our pictures...I was too tired last night to blog.


So after Key West, we spent a day at sea. That morning we had a character breakfast in the restaurant Parrot Cay. Now you may not know how to pronounce C-A-Y. There has been much debate about this among our group of seafaring travellers. All the Disney employees pronounce it "key". I do believe it is a word with British origins. Anyhoo.....Character breakfast! Fun! Fun! fun!

I am trying to add pictures as I type and it is not allowing me so...I will post pictures of the Character breakfast and Grand Caymans tomorrow. For tomorrow is another day! That is for you Malicious!

Anyway, we spent a wonderfully rested and relaxed day on the ship! We saw the movie Eight Below. There was this latino boy sitting behind us who was speaking spanish loudly but completely enjoying the movie! So Chelsea would translate for us what the young boy was saying! His father was not doing much to keep him speaking at at whisper. It was actually pretty cute. The seats in the Buena Vista theatre....so NOT comfortable!

The next day we anchored off shore of Grand Cayman. We tendered in and met up with our excursion group! We catamaraned out about 45 minutes from shore to go to Stingray City! We swam with stingrays! The kids had a quicky lesson in snorkeling and they were great! We were in about 10-15 ft. of some of the clearest water in the world! We could see stingrays on the bottom of the ocean swimming along waiting for us to feed them their daily dose of squid. WE all jumped into the ocean and snorkeled for about 45 mintues! It was glorious! Just such a great way to see more of God's creation! When we were done we sailed back into shore! My WORD it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo relaxing!!!!!

The thought crosses my mind..."Thank you Lord! We were allowed to experience a part of your making! My children were able to experience you in a different way today! We are truly blessed. Thank you for allowing this to happen!"

I was just so content and happy! It has been a long while since I truly felt that way.

oops--left out

I forgot about the best Key Lime Pie....we found a great Key Lime place called The Blonde Giraffee. They have Key Lime Pie by the slice OR dipped in chocolate on a stick! After sampling the merengue, the whipped and the chocolate on a stick...the votes are in and Key Lime Pie dipped in chocolate and put on a stick is THE best way to eat Key Lime!!! Sorry no pictures of the Key Lime on a stick...should of thought about that!

Anyway, next time you are in Key West...go to the Blonde Giraffee...you'll find it--no worries! Oh yea, get the key lime on a stick!

Key West, Trolley rides and The best Key Lime Pie

Our 1st port was Key West. We disembarked at the dock and find a trolley ride to take us around Key West. We wind our way in and out of the tiny streets of Key West learning all kind of historical things. We stop at one point and get out for a short break. We load back on the trolley and do another 1/2 hour of info trolley ride. Now if you have ever been to Key West...you know it is not that big...so an hr and 1/2 of trolley ride is a bit much. BUT we went to the souther most point of the U.S. and we got to see mile zero of route 1 that runs from Key West to like Maine or Vermont or something!

We got back on the ship and we celebrated Lisa's birthday by the adults going to eat at Palo's. The food was absolutley AMAZING!!!! Our waiter, Kristian from Croatia, was superb!!!! There was THE most beautiful sunset that night! The kids ate at our next restaurant in the rotation--Animator's Palate. The wait staff was excellent with our kids! The walls start out black and white and then change to color during the course of the meal!!!!

It was just great!!!!