Vacation... Yes, please.

I know I had a vacation about a month ago, but it seems like it was forever ago. I might point to my UD for all of the day-dreaming about vacation lately. About a week ago he asked if I would write a blog about family vacations growing up. It's made me long for a vacation... while I recall memories of vacations past.

Vacations Past...
As a kid, for more years than I can probably recollect, my Godparents (also my aunt and uncle) took me on vacation with their family. My (immediate) family has never been on vacation together. As an adult I now understand how difficult things were for us financially, thus making that the case. UD & AC, however, came through many a time for me. I was able to experience a lot of things that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to.

Places I remember vacationing (most) were Williamsburg and the Poconos. There may have been some other places but those are the two that stick out in my mind the most. AC and UD had a timeshare so the places we stayed in were like little condos. They slept something like 482 people (or 12) and had kitchens, multiple bathrooms and most of the time a jacuzzi. (SCOOORE!!!) Even as a kid I knew jacuzzis were awe-some!!

One of my favorite memories was one of our trips (city/location unknown) where we had a dishwasher for what seemed to be the first time. Dishwashers growing up were kids standing on chairs after dinner, with soapy hands, arms and clothes. Not machines where you could put the dirty dishes and they magically became clean. WHOA!!! The concept of don't put ice in the HOT glasses as they come out of the dishwasher was clearly lost on my cousins and I. We, quite capably, destroyed at least 8 glasses. I think after the 3rd call to housekeeping for more glasses they finally asked what the heck we were doing. It was THEN that we got our lesson. Oopsie.

Same place, same trip - UD got so excited at the thought of building a fire (IN THE SUMMER) that he turned down the AC in the unit to (what felt like) 23.Then we went grocery shopping... When we came back we were all shivering. What's that you say? What did we do? Why the only logical thing: We built a fire! In July. In the woods. =) That night, or one of the other nights we were there, we also had some deer visit us. My cousin went outside to the car and came in screaming that he'd seen a deer. I didn't check his underpants but I'm pretty sure there was trouble there given the look on his face. =)

During those trips I got to spend time with my cousins, who today are more like siblings than cousins to me. Whether it was playing 500 rummy, pinnacle (for which I constantly had to have a cheat sheet) or some other card game that my aunt and uncle patiently taught me... We had a lot of fun. Friday nights were always memorable as they were "clean out the fridge" nights... Whatever ice cream, goodies, etc. were left were fair game. No pea eating required. (JACKPOT)

Of course as I was on these trips I thought... Williamsburg? Mmm... I don't think I'll ever bring my kids here. I mean, who wants to go see people dress up in old costumes pretending to be soldiers?

Vacations Present...
We own a time share. One that we purchased on eBay... but we own one. Through our time share network we have booked vacations in Williamsburg for the last two years, in April. The two trips we've taken there have been some of our very best family time. K is now experiencing what I did in my youth, with a few differences.

We too go grocery shopping on the day of arrival however we bring at least 2 rubber maids full of non-perishables so we don't have to buy them while we're there. (paper towels, trash bags, dish soap, etc) We also know not to take hot glasses and put ice cubes in them. =)

We go to Williamsburg to walk around each time we're there. Our favorite lunch place is the Cheese Shop. S gets a plate of cheeses paired with a glass of wine, I get a sandwich (that K ends up eating half of) and she asks for a grilled cheese (which daddy and mommy end up eating because she's eating my food). We eat outside and people watch - something we all enjoy. After we're done eating we wander down the road and lay on the grass and play. Each time we visit W-burg we do this twice - at least. It's always a highlight for us.

This year we also visited Busch Gardens. The Sesame Street area was a HUGE hit. For all of us. There's nothing like seeing K's face so excited to see one of her favorite "friends".

Just like when I was growing up, the last night is always "clean out the fridge" night. Ice cream, goodies, or whatever other treats remain in the fridge are fair game.

As I sit and think about both vacations of my youth and now, with my little family, I smile at all of the fun we've had and memories we've made... and I look forward to making more in the future. Here's to next time we visit the Burg. =)


Daddy enjoying his wine & cheese


Laying on the grass looking at the clouds... Kinda...


Playing in the grass with time period toys!

Green beans are her peas

Another blog. Hm. Fancy that.

Tonight I was repaid for the trouble I caused in my youth with eating vegetables. I knew it would happen. I just didn't realize it would happen so soon!!

You see, for those that don't know, vegetables... Any sort, and especially those of a green variety, were (read: are) my nemesis. I dislike them. Even the lettuce in my salad is closer to white than green. Nutritional value? I'll take a multi-vitamin, thanks.

Growing up my mom never made me eat things I didn't like. This was awesome for me. I still remain very grateful for that. Of course it meant that if I didn't like it I didn't eat... but I could live with that for not having to eat my veggies. I don't remember nights I was hungry because I didn't eat my vegetables but I DOOOOO remember nights that I HAD to eat my veggies. Grandmom and my mother were NOT on the same page here. Oh nooooo... Nor was AC. And given I spent many a weekend, summer, etc. at my grandmother's house when I was growing up... The veggie thing, well: It traumatized me.

As a kid I had a PERFECT way of getting rid of the veggies and still have dessert. It was devious. But I tell ya, it worked. Until a certain cousin, who shall remain nameless but I'm sure you can figure out who!!, decided to try to mimic my secret evil plot and ruined it due to poor execution.

At Grandmom's we used to eat in the dining room. Generally at the bar. (What good irish catholic family doesn't have a bar in their house?!) The adults, however, would eat in the kitchen. Seems a little backwards but this is how we did things. Well, with the grown ups in another room, and napkins a plenty for the messy children, I would put my peas, lima beans, asparagus, whatever green ailment was on my plate, into a napkin and promptly march to the bathroom. They would meet their demise in the toilet. FLUSSHHHED!!! Bu-bye peas. Not gonna get this kid.

That worked for a while. A long while. Until aforementioned cousin decided to try the same thing with whatever veggie he (oops gave part of it away) decided he didn't like. EXCEPT he didn't flush them down the toilet. Nooooo, he put them in the trashcan in the hallway. Seriously. Dude. SMH. We were caught. He ratted me out in an instant. The kid cracked like a twig. From then on napkins were no longer allowed at the table. Nor were trips to the bathroom without inspection of hands. Again I say: Seriously, dude?! The hallway trashcan?! WTC.

At that point since I couldn't flush the veggies I was forced to eat them. It was horrid. Actually forced may be an overstatement. I was bribed. But then, fibbed to. Straight up mislead. We would be told no dessert unless we finished our veggies. Mkay. Most nights - don't care. Keep your veggies and your tasty cake. Until the bribery of a jello pudding pop? What did you say? It's the last one? The girl that finishes her veggies first gets the coveted pop? The stare down began. This cousin could have cared less about the pudding pop. But she remained in it, I think because we were both just bullheaded. So, who would finish our peas first. Me. I assure you. It WILL be me. Peas, fortunately, are a vegetable that can be swallowed whole. So I did. The whole serving. whole. With gulps of iced tea. And do you know what I find out?! There were TWO pudding pops left. FARCE!!!!! FIBBERS!!! This was likely 25 years ago and I remember it like yesterday. Thanks for the trauma AC & Grandmom. Thanks for the trauma.

So now we get to today. And guess what I do to K. I'm one of THOSE moms who now says to my child what my grandmother used to say to me... Eat your veggies or you don't get dessert. Tonight it was a dark chocolate covered pumpkin peep. K WANNNNTED that peep. She had FIVE (cut) green beans on her plate. Five. not 45. FIVE. I turn my head to finish putting dinner on the table and what does girlfriend do? Puts each of the green beans back in the bowl on the table. When I turn around and ask her where they are, she looks away (won't make eye contact) and says "I don't know."

Who was the victor tonight? Me. She ate all five green beans and had her pumpkin peep. =)

My grandmother, grandfather and mother are all hysterically laughing in heaven, I have no doubt. Yes, yes. You win. A child just like me.

xo
D

And the challenge is on...

Today a blog launched for the company I work for, that I will be a primary contributor for. I received some "incentive mail" from a loving family member highlighting the fact that I don't update the family blog how can I keep up with another one. My response: The other one pays part of the mortgage! =)

So I'll take the challenge... At least for now. I can't promise I'll do the fancy photo albums, etc etc that I work endlessly on =P but I will give you some content. I think. If I can remember it.

There have been so many times lately that I've thought ooohhhh I so need to tell everyone about K saying that. And then 2 hours later I think, what the heck was it she said?! Aw, crap. I should have written it down. But then I never do. *sigh* Maybe I need a vitamin or something? Or maybe I just need more sleep. Yeahhhh, more sleep, THATs it!!

Lately K has been telling LOTS of stories about her Grandma and Helen (AKA Aunt Helen). She talks to both on the phone and after which has stories beyond stories. She's quite creative. Apparently Grandma loooooves flying in airplanes. Blue ones. (Grandma, did you know this?!) She also said that Grandma loooooves milkshakes. (True) *Aunt* Helen evidently was at work this week and had trick or treat candy for us. Peanut butter cups and gummies. Aunt Helen may have had some of that candy... I'm just not sure she's holding it for us! =P The stories are amusing and each time we call Grandma or Aunt Helen for her to share these stories she goes silent on us. The girl straight up stops talking. As I write this I'm getting a brilliant thought... Maybe that's what I do when I want a little quiet time?! We call Grandma or Aunt Helen... Virtual sitter?! mmm. Yeah, you're probably right - it should at least be via webcam! What? That's not what you were thinking? Oh.

I also think somehow we're raising a Valley Girl. Honestly, I don't know where she gets the "like" thing from. "it's like not good." "Like, I don't know." There are things I take full credit (read: blame) for, but this isn't one of them. Daddy teaches her HOOYAH and I teach her EEEEK. Daddy teaches her "whoa sailor!!" and I teach her "holy smokes". I get it. She'll repeat me... but LIKE?! Sweet lawd. And is it even possible to have a southern valley girl?! And for the record, no I don't think this has anything to do with my cheerleading. I mean, like totally, I didn't talk like that! "Yikes" << Totally me!!

Like, take a look at some pics y'all. ;) HOOYAH


Pumpkin Carving with the K family! =)


Our masterpiece. Yeah, we went classic. K was totalllllly not into scooping out the inside. She shrieked and moved away. :-/


This one is for Lexi... She was yelling GOOOO ECU!!! =)


Fashionista? mmhhmmm


giggles at the JDRF walk


Cuddling with Daddy


I've decided this should be my seesdor's next doggie training volunteer gig. Sooo cute & sweet!




Our very own "wolf pack woohoo girl"


Working from home with Mommy (This was after hours BTW.)


GOOOO CANES!!!! :)


Attitude? Like, totally!! =)

xoxo,
D, S & K