Speaking of ddpuppies

I had not been around when this picture was taken. Probably a good thing too, as I am sure I would have added a few comments on how short she has gotten. The Princess will not be borrowing any more of her shoes or clothes and I don't think Indy would really want to borrow any, LOL. Soon, even he will be towering over her. Just give him a year or so. But right now we can just enjoy the stepladder effect of the three of them together.

Homework possibilities

Monday through Wednesday and some Thursdays, I skype with Indy to help him with his homework. It's a great way for us to stay connected and keep up with what he is doing. I also get to lesson to him practice his piano and watch movies with him when he has completed his work. At least his work is something I don't usually have trouble with.

 

The Princess on the other hand.... She called me with help last week. On algebra. Come on, it has been 30 years since I have done algebra. I was okay with the formulas, but then came the variables and theories. I was calling Pan in a panic. She that it was funny and spend the time laughing at me.

 

But I am glad to see that I am not the only one. I was telling my boss about it and he let me in on the fact that he went through that with his daughters, only to decide that at some time they would have to figure it out themselves, because he couldn't remember. Oh, that sounds so familiar.

As always, my thoughts

Footprints in the Sand ©captivated visions; template by Mye de Leon

always go to the grands and what a great summer we had. I'm so looking forward to their next trip here. Most likely in December, but who knows. They have been known to show up for Halloween. Still I miss them terribly and wish I could see them more often. Oh yeah, there's always skype.

I went to work

Got Bugs ©Colie's Corner

and then came home to begin the clear out, oops, clean up to prepare for our boy. Pan's new game should be in, so Indy will get to take the old one home whilst playing the new one while he is here.

The Princess made it home with her mom and should be back the following week. Hope so anyway, as Pan only took a week off to stay home with the boy while I work on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  She did get her babysitting certification and she is happy about that. So are we :)

Vacation - June 14 The End

All good things come to an end and so does our vacation. As much fun as we had, I believe the kids were ready to come home. One last breakfast at the Islands Restaurant and one last look out the window of our room before the arrival of bellhop David, was one of melancholy and relief. As we get on the road, Indy borrows my DS Lite to play his pokemon game. In a little more than two hours we well be transferring him to his other grandparents where he will spend a month. Then we will get him back for a week or so.

One last note: After the transfer, and once we got on I-10, we noticed a pretty bad vibration in the truck. Hoping we could make it to the next exit was a false one. The tread completely sheared off the tire. It was bizarre. But I was amazed at how inconsiderate and rude people were, especially the drivers of 18-wheelers. I had always thought better of them. Not one car moved over to the left hand lane while Pan was trying to replace the tire with the spare. NOT ONE. That is until a state trooper stopped and even then there was one woman who just sped on by. Hats off to our state troopers and an especially big thank you to the one who stopped for us.

Vacation - June 13 Part 3

Upon returning to the room and changing clothes, Indy laid on the bed to catch some TV but ended up catching a little shut-eye. After dinner at Jake's, we headed out to Universal Studios, grabbing a picture of the kids with the Universal globe. Surprisingly, when we got in there was a special showing of the new Despicable Me encounter. Pan and Indy really enjoyed it, The Princess and I... not so much.

We headed over to the Disaster encounter afterwards, where with a little encouragement and The Princess shoving my arm up when they were looking for a grandmother, I got the part. Pan said Indy and The Princess howled with laughter watching me. Then when the feature was put together and I got struck by lightning, they came unglued. HaHaHa. They better watch for next time.

There was some disappointment that it was too late after finishing at Universal Studios to make it back to Islands of Adventure. For me as well as for them.

Vacation - June 13 Part 2

At Toon Lagoon we all rode the Bilge-Rat water ride. Afterwards, Indy and Pan rode it again, while The Princess and I took off for Ripsaw Falls. Lunch at Blondie's provided Indy with a chance to show off is special effects skills. On the way out The Princess pointed out the Hulk which she so bravely rode the day before, while Indy finally allowed me to get some pictures of him. Little did we realize that as we left the park that afternoon, we would not be coming back to the Islands of Adventure before our journey home.

Vacation - June 13 Part 1

This morning finds us, once again, headed to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but this time to wait in line at Ollivanders. Neither got picked, but they enjoyed the show. Afterwards, The Princess and I headed for the Forbidden Journey while Pan and Indy were just going to walk around. Turns out that Indy talked Pan into riding the Flight of the Hippogriff 3 times before we joined up. Then he talked The Princess and I into riding it once more.

On our way to Toon Lagoon, Indy hammed it up with the dinosaur, then we stopped at the Discovery Center since The Princess had not been there yet.

Vacation - June 12 Part 4

After lunch we met The Princess' aunt (her father's sister), at the NBA restaurant. And back to Islands of Adventure. While Auntie, her beau, The Princess and Pan rode the Hulk, Indy and I took a stroll around Marvel Super Hero Island. As we headed back to the entrance to the Hulk, he decided to see if he would fit in the seats. No, no, no, no.... I was not going to ride the Hulk. Neither was he, he just wanted to know if he would fit. While Auntie, Beau and The Princess went off to try the Dragon Challenge roller coaster, Pan, Indy and I went the Spider-Man ride. Indy swears it is his favorite ride. Now it is heading onto 3 o'clock and we are suppose to meet up with The Princess at the NBA restaurant for dinner, we decided to spend the rest of the time at the Discovery Center in Jurassic Park. Boy, time passes quickly. And now it gets hairy. We promised to buy Indy a gun he saw at the Discovery Center store and I was sure that they had it at the Trading Post. WRONG. I was in so much trouble. Pan took his back to Jurassic Park while I headed to the NBA. I get there first and text everyone. Shortly Auntie, Beau and The Princess show up. Auntie and Beau decide not to join us for dinner as they want to hit more of the rides. And just as they are preparing to leave, the rain hits. As I look out, here come Pan and Indy, running like there's no tomorrow. hahahahahaha.... First dinner, then shopping. The Princess likes shopping and since she could not find a Laker's jersey, she settles for a Laker's t-shirt. We are all exhausted and ready for a dip in the pool and a good night's sleep.

Vacation - June 12 Part 3

Okay, I admit it. I did not take nearly as many pictures as I wanted. This was a FUN vacation and time to spend with the grands. After Harry Potter, we spent the rest of the morning at Universal Studios visiting Shrek 4-D, Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black (I scored 260725 points so we passed when they were all totalled up), Simpson's, E.T. Adventure and the Terminator 2 3-D. Lunch Time.

Vacation - June 12 Part 2

OMG, Indy asks to have his picture taken so he can point to the cobras on the arch over his head as we head over to Hogsmead. Once there, we got into line for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. Indy really liked seeing the pensive while The Princess was not to sure about all the spiders about. Both kids liked the ride, which is good since it is one of my favorites. Afterwards we took a spin on the Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster. Then it is time to head over to Universal Studios.

Vacation - June 12 Part 1

I don't know how we made it to the Islands Restaurant so early, but this is the most alert the kids will be for the next couple of mornings. After a hearty breakfast buffet for me and the kids and bacon for Pan, we rode the boat over to Islands of Adventure. Since we were staying at a park hotel, we were able to get into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter an hour early. Still it was crowded.

Vacation - June 11 Part 3

Once we got back to the room and changed, we headed down to Jake's American Bar & Grill for dinner. Indy with his milkshake in hand and The Princess texting once again. I think she had been going through withdrawal pains of not having it available all afternoon. We are all tuckered out and ready to sit back and relax.

Vacation - June 11 Part 2

After getting settled in and tickets for the kids purchased, it was time to head over to the park. First stop, of course, Hogsmead and hopefully, lunch at the Three Broomsticks. No such luck though. Next stop was back to the Lost Continent and a pager for the Mythos restaurant. While waiting for the seating, the kids had to have a smoothie. After lunch it was over to Jurassic Park and the River Adventure water ride. We started something here so next up was Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. And did we ever get soaked. Being as we were now so wet, it was only logical to try out Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls. Now it is time to head back to the hotel and a change of clothes.

Vacation - June 11 Part 1

Starting out at 4 in the morning meant The Princess and Indy slept most of the way. Actually The Princess slept the entire way with Indy waking periodically for something to drink and eat. Even I dosed sporadically as I had only gotten an hour and a half of sleep the night before. Once we made it to the Royal Pacific Hotel, the kids and I sat in the courtyard while Pan checked us in. Surprisingly enough they had a room available for us. But once we got up there the room was in shambles, television still on, ironing board and iron up, bed not made, etc. Our bellhop, Andrew called down and got us another room.

Confident about myself... totally

Wrote this some time ago (like six years) and don't know why it didn't get posted. There are several drafts I need to post, I think.

Tribulations of Indisms

Indiana B has reached that age where he really knows what is going on around him and has really started to articulate.

"Indy what are you doing?" "Nothing" (immediately you know he is up to no good.)
"No, No, No" while shaking his finger at you (just started that one and have just found out he learned it from The Princess.)
Wookie = bear. There is no discussion about this. He will win.
"Robot" means we better be playing Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic game.
When you are handed a sword you had better be prepared to duel.
"Come here" get your rear in gear I have something to show you.
"Eeek spider" BANG. Some sugar ant just bit the dust.
Marty = "Madagascar"
Wild = "The Wild"
Cars = "Cars"
Boot = "Dora Explorer"

kit unknown

Reading, Knitting & Pokemon collecting

A Typical Day - Created by Jill

Late breakfast and back to bed the two went. Finally the Princess arose to go off with her other grandmother, but Indy just wasn't going to budge. When he did rise, we played a hidden object game and then LOTR Monopoly. I had more money, but he had more property before we ended it to have a lunch of Boca cheeseburgers, applesauce and Doritos.

King Kong is music to my ears

Endearing (c) Dancing Princess

It has been a great day. Indy if fun to have around. I have subscribed to Education.com and have downloaded all of their 3rd grade workbooks so that we can work on his math and vocabulary every day after dinner. Today we also included science when when discussed sound waves produced on wine glasses and brought out every different type of crystal and glass wine glasses I had. Then we looked it up to see why. We also talked about the fact that glass is actually a liquid. So in the space of an hour we did math, vocab and science and had a good time in doing it.

My time was wisely used at work, but not at home

Zoey's Wardrobe (c) Amy Crabtree Bleser plus others

I am in the process of "finally" making baby books of my grandchildren for their mother. Hopefully I will have them finished and published by Christmas.