What: 123 Imagine. A Sesame Street show starring Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, and all the other main characters.
Where: RBC Center
When: last Saturday, 10:30 AM
Who: Jacqueline, Sophie, Dad, Mom
Why: Another early birthday present.
Liked:
1. Zero crowd at the early show. Maybe 1,500 people. A good piece of the arena was closed. The usher said capacity was 5000. With the small crowd, we scored really good seats.
2. Have to love the Count...."ah....ah....ah" Who is your favorite character?
3. The music and story were just right for toddlers with enough "adult" music that parents stayed entertained. The rendition of "Surfin Safari" was particularly fun. Music was not too loud either.
4. Seeing Jacqueline and Sophie smile and clap for about 80 minutes.
Unfriend
1. $10 for parking? On a Saturday morning with no crowd? Have to be kidding. If I was thinking, I would have parked near the football stadium. I heard parking was free there.
2. Parents that texted and emailed during the entire show. Enjoy the time with your kids!
3. According to Jacqueline and Sophie, there was not enough Elmo. I guess we know who their favorite character is.
Ambivalent
1. Beer was for sale during the show. Not sure how I feel about that one. Seems wrong to sell beer during a Sesame Street show. I did not see anyone imbibe at 10:30 AM. But, if you wanted a beer it was available.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Summer Adventure #1
What: A weekend trip for "A Day Out With Thomas." Everyone had a great time!
Where: Tweetsie Railroad amusement park near Boone, NC. We also stayed 1 night at a hotel in Wilkesboro
Who: Dad, Mom, Jacqueline, and Sophie. (Plus a couple thousand "friends" at the park.)
Why: Because we are insane? No. The kids are only 3 once so we have planned a summer full of adventures. This trip was the first of many. They love Thomas, so we thought an early birthday gift was in order. We also used this 1 night trip as a test run for the big trip to Orlando.
Plusses:
1. Smokey Mountain BBQ and Creamery in Wilkesboro is awesome! Excellent BBQ! Fabulous ice cream! Extra bonus: kids ate for free!
2. The hotel had a pool. Took the kids swimming to "help" them fall asleep (see Minuses #1). They had a great time, but our strategy did not work.
3. Tweetsie RR was fun and worth visiting again...maybe yearly. Everyone enjoyed the Thomas train, Diamond Lil's show, the boats, the planes, the chair lift, motor cars, carousel, the extra large train set set-up in the Saloon, and the crafts for the kids.
4. Not too crowded at Tweetsie RR on Sunday. I hear it is much worse on Saturdays. All the workers at Tweetsie were really nice. Customer relations is an obvious part of their training.
5. Able to bring your own drinks and snacks inside the park. A bigger cooler with lunch stuck under a stroller might be useful next time. (We did not use a stroller.)
6. The pizza restaurant on Rock Creek Dairy Road (near Todd & LK's house) is good and open on Sundays. A nice stop on the way home.
7. The woman servicing the breakfast area at the hotel was really nice. She packed us a snack bag for later that day.
Minuses:
1. Mom and Dad had to spend Saturday night in the dark until we fell asleep. We could not read, talk, or watch TV without waking up the kids. We did listen to "Aida" so it was not all bad.
2. Huge, huge line for the Mouse Mine train. What is the big deal?
3. The cashier at the Miner's Diner was slower than molasses and a micromanager. She spent more time bossing the others around instead of taking orders. I was in line for almost 20 minutes. She also could not count or read. I received an extra 92 cents in change for our pretzels and soda.
4. Jacqueline's meltdown precisely at the 5 hour mark inside the park. I guess we hit her limit. She was asleep 2 minutes after getting into the car. Need to remember that limit for Disney.
5. Jacqueline and Sophie (especially) do not like lifesize characters. I hope they get over this fear before DisneyWorld!
6. The 2.5 hour drive home seemed long...especially after a day in the hot sun.
Where: Tweetsie Railroad amusement park near Boone, NC. We also stayed 1 night at a hotel in Wilkesboro
Who: Dad, Mom, Jacqueline, and Sophie. (Plus a couple thousand "friends" at the park.)
Why: Because we are insane? No. The kids are only 3 once so we have planned a summer full of adventures. This trip was the first of many. They love Thomas, so we thought an early birthday gift was in order. We also used this 1 night trip as a test run for the big trip to Orlando.
Plusses:
1. Smokey Mountain BBQ and Creamery in Wilkesboro is awesome! Excellent BBQ! Fabulous ice cream! Extra bonus: kids ate for free!
2. The hotel had a pool. Took the kids swimming to "help" them fall asleep (see Minuses #1). They had a great time, but our strategy did not work.
3. Tweetsie RR was fun and worth visiting again...maybe yearly. Everyone enjoyed the Thomas train, Diamond Lil's show, the boats, the planes, the chair lift, motor cars, carousel, the extra large train set set-up in the Saloon, and the crafts for the kids.
4. Not too crowded at Tweetsie RR on Sunday. I hear it is much worse on Saturdays. All the workers at Tweetsie were really nice. Customer relations is an obvious part of their training.
5. Able to bring your own drinks and snacks inside the park. A bigger cooler with lunch stuck under a stroller might be useful next time. (We did not use a stroller.)
6. The pizza restaurant on Rock Creek Dairy Road (near Todd & LK's house) is good and open on Sundays. A nice stop on the way home.
7. The woman servicing the breakfast area at the hotel was really nice. She packed us a snack bag for later that day.
Minuses:
1. Mom and Dad had to spend Saturday night in the dark until we fell asleep. We could not read, talk, or watch TV without waking up the kids. We did listen to "Aida" so it was not all bad.
2. Huge, huge line for the Mouse Mine train. What is the big deal?
3. The cashier at the Miner's Diner was slower than molasses and a micromanager. She spent more time bossing the others around instead of taking orders. I was in line for almost 20 minutes. She also could not count or read. I received an extra 92 cents in change for our pretzels and soda.
4. Jacqueline's meltdown precisely at the 5 hour mark inside the park. I guess we hit her limit. She was asleep 2 minutes after getting into the car. Need to remember that limit for Disney.
5. Jacqueline and Sophie (especially) do not like lifesize characters. I hope they get over this fear before DisneyWorld!
6. The 2.5 hour drive home seemed long...especially after a day in the hot sun.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Random Thoughts From An Airport
I'm sitting in Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport waiting for my red eye flight back to NC. Everthing is closed and there is not much to do, so why not blog a bunch of random thoughts.......
1. Phoenix Sky Harbor always reminds me of Sky Harbor airport in Terre Haute, near Uncle David's and Aunt Nancy's old house.
2. It sucks when an airline loses your luggage. It sucks even more when it arrives at your destination (Libby, MT) about 36 hours before you have to return to NC.
3. Good thing is Delta accepted all my receipts for toiletries, clothes, and ruined clothes. I was doing field work and ruined a nice shirt and my best pair of jeans.
4. FYI.....it is hot in Phoenix. At least it is a dry heat. 110 F is not bad with 10% humidity.
5. My next stops: New Hope PA to see Shannon, kids, and Shannon's parents. I'm looking forward to a long weekend seeing everyone, fishing, and sitting by the pool drinking beer.
6. Yes, I do miss Shannon, Jacqueline, and Sophie. A LOT!!!!! It has been almost 2 weeks since I have seen them. When I callled tonight, I talked with Sophie. She exclaimed "Daddy!!!" when I said "hi" on the phone. Nice to hear she has not forgotten me.
7. Next trip after the long weekend in New Hope......Seoul, South Korea then the family reunion in Indiana. We'll see how both trips go. Want to bet Delta loses my luggage?
8. Free wireless in an airport is awesome. Phoenix, Memphis, and Dayton are the only airporst I know that offer that service. Why don't all airports offer free wireless?
9. I've watched more movies in the last 2 weeks than in the last 4 months. Julie/Julia was really good. Terminator 4 was decent. Rocky Balboa (is that Rocky 6?) was self absorbed and disappointing.
10. Remind me Cousin Andy wants me to bring a case of beer to IN to swap for some New Glarus. Thanks.
11. It is easier to deal with the "dry heat."
12. "Real Mexcian" food in AZ has gone gotten worse over the last few years. Took a group of people to my favorite local place. It has become over-priced and not very good. Not a good way to entertain potential clients. You can find better in NC.
13. Thank goodness I have an Exit Row seat on the flight from Phoenix to Atlanta. It'll be nice to stretch out and try to sleep before a long day of meetings.
14. Have I mentioned that I miss Shannon and the kids? This is the hard part of traveling for business.
15. A good thing about traveling is that I have a good plan for an enjoyable flight to LA in a few years. And I have the frequent flier miles to pay for plane tickets. Yes, we will go to LA and not Orlando. Go to the original......not 2nd best. A hint of advice (based on observation....not experience). Relax and enjoy the trip. Focus on the fun and the kids joy in the new experience. Freaking out and becoming stressed will just make it worse. Also, don't want to pay $8 for a PBJ sandwich? Pack your own. You have to purchase your drinks inside the terminal (or fill up from drinking fountain), but you can haul in as much food as you want. For a family of 4, checking that 1 bag for $25 will easily save you more money in food if you use that carry-on bag for sandwiches/fruit/snacks.
that is all. thanks for reading my brain dump. see y'all soon!
1. Phoenix Sky Harbor always reminds me of Sky Harbor airport in Terre Haute, near Uncle David's and Aunt Nancy's old house.
2. It sucks when an airline loses your luggage. It sucks even more when it arrives at your destination (Libby, MT) about 36 hours before you have to return to NC.
3. Good thing is Delta accepted all my receipts for toiletries, clothes, and ruined clothes. I was doing field work and ruined a nice shirt and my best pair of jeans.
4. FYI.....it is hot in Phoenix. At least it is a dry heat. 110 F is not bad with 10% humidity.
5. My next stops: New Hope PA to see Shannon, kids, and Shannon's parents. I'm looking forward to a long weekend seeing everyone, fishing, and sitting by the pool drinking beer.
6. Yes, I do miss Shannon, Jacqueline, and Sophie. A LOT!!!!! It has been almost 2 weeks since I have seen them. When I callled tonight, I talked with Sophie. She exclaimed "Daddy!!!" when I said "hi" on the phone. Nice to hear she has not forgotten me.
7. Next trip after the long weekend in New Hope......Seoul, South Korea then the family reunion in Indiana. We'll see how both trips go. Want to bet Delta loses my luggage?
8. Free wireless in an airport is awesome. Phoenix, Memphis, and Dayton are the only airporst I know that offer that service. Why don't all airports offer free wireless?
9. I've watched more movies in the last 2 weeks than in the last 4 months. Julie/Julia was really good. Terminator 4 was decent. Rocky Balboa (is that Rocky 6?) was self absorbed and disappointing.
10. Remind me Cousin Andy wants me to bring a case of beer to IN to swap for some New Glarus. Thanks.
11. It is easier to deal with the "dry heat."
12. "Real Mexcian" food in AZ has gone gotten worse over the last few years. Took a group of people to my favorite local place. It has become over-priced and not very good. Not a good way to entertain potential clients. You can find better in NC.
13. Thank goodness I have an Exit Row seat on the flight from Phoenix to Atlanta. It'll be nice to stretch out and try to sleep before a long day of meetings.
14. Have I mentioned that I miss Shannon and the kids? This is the hard part of traveling for business.
15. A good thing about traveling is that I have a good plan for an enjoyable flight to LA in a few years. And I have the frequent flier miles to pay for plane tickets. Yes, we will go to LA and not Orlando. Go to the original......not 2nd best. A hint of advice (based on observation....not experience). Relax and enjoy the trip. Focus on the fun and the kids joy in the new experience. Freaking out and becoming stressed will just make it worse. Also, don't want to pay $8 for a PBJ sandwich? Pack your own. You have to purchase your drinks inside the terminal (or fill up from drinking fountain), but you can haul in as much food as you want. For a family of 4, checking that 1 bag for $25 will easily save you more money in food if you use that carry-on bag for sandwiches/fruit/snacks.
that is all. thanks for reading my brain dump. see y'all soon!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Raz lost her motor
Shannon and I noticed a few weeks ago that Raz no longer purrs. After some observation, it is true that Raz has lost her motor. I became convinced the other night when Raz was extremely affectionate. She never had the loudest purr (like Pie), but you could definitely hear and feel her purr when she was that happy. The other night during our love fest......nothing, nada, zilch.
We thought her motor stopped because she has become completely deaf over the same period. However, the internet says congenitally deaf and older deaf cats still purr.
I guess we have a mystery on our hands.....
We thought her motor stopped because she has become completely deaf over the same period. However, the internet says congenitally deaf and older deaf cats still purr.
I guess we have a mystery on our hands.....
Friday, July 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Adventures with Daddy - Day 6
Day 6 – The Drive (reprise)
We were just about on schedule Monday morning. We said our sad goodbye’s and were on the road by 8:10 AM.
Our third and final stop was Forsyth Park in Savannah around 4 PM. Yes, we returned. I decided to let the girls run around for 90 minutes and then we ate dinner in the Park café. The cafe staff were nice and heated the girls dinner. I purchased dinner there. The food was pretty good…..coffee was even better. It kept me going for the next 5 hours since home was the next stop. I didn't even make a bathroom stop! I will admit I was close to bursting when I pulled into our driveway at 10:45 PM!
As I mentioned, books were a big hit. They’d doze off with a book in their lap. Very cute! The girls also decided they liked Jimmy Buffett. They’d sing and dance in the back when I played his CDs.
An interesting observation about my return trip was the number of comments about how "brave" I was for taking 2 toddlers on a big trip by myself. Young, old, families, other parents, teenage girls, gas station attendants all made comments. Now it is not like I was on my own for 5 days. I had help from Grandma and Grandpa. Also, J&S are good kids and very easy to care for.
We were just about on schedule Monday morning. We said our sad goodbye’s and were on the road by 8:10 AM.
I did not know what to expect driving with 2 awake girls in the back all day. Luckily, I was inspired to add some books to their stash of blankets and animals. The books were a big, big hit. They read for hours. Only problem was when books fell onto the floor or someone had a book the other wanted.
Our first stop was a rest area in Osceola National Forest (along I-10) around 11:30 AM. A picnic lunch, some run-around time and bathroom break for all. The girls were very good and stayed in the area around the picnic blanket. They loved all the semi-trucks coming/going. We were back on the road around 1 PM .
Our second stop was a fuel fill-up in Georgia, where the gas is cheap but road construction is awful. There was 30+ miles of 1 lane interstate around Brunswick.
Our third and final stop was Forsyth Park in Savannah around 4 PM. Yes, we returned. I decided to let the girls run around for 90 minutes and then we ate dinner in the Park café. The cafe staff were nice and heated the girls dinner. I purchased dinner there. The food was pretty good…..coffee was even better. It kept me going for the next 5 hours since home was the next stop. I didn't even make a bathroom stop! I will admit I was close to bursting when I pulled into our driveway at 10:45 PM!
As I mentioned, books were a big hit. They’d doze off with a book in their lap. Very cute! The girls also decided they liked Jimmy Buffett. They’d sing and dance in the back when I played his CDs.
An interesting observation about my return trip was the number of comments about how "brave" I was for taking 2 toddlers on a big trip by myself. Young, old, families, other parents, teenage girls, gas station attendants all made comments. Now it is not like I was on my own for 5 days. I had help from Grandma and Grandpa. Also, J&S are good kids and very easy to care for.
Adventures with Daddy - Day 5
Day 5 – All Good Things…
Today was our last day in Florida. Another sunny but windy day. We didn't have to worry about sunburn....windburn was the problem.
Today was our last day in Florida. Another sunny but windy day. We didn't have to worry about sunburn....windburn was the problem.
We decided to be low key since the next day would be the long, long drive. So, we went to a nearby park. The park had a nice playground. J&S enjoyed themselves on the slides, tire swing, and rocking animals.
I talked with Mom and Dad about parenting approaches. We agreed parents that "hover" too much are annoying. Does a parent really need to climb onto the equipment with their child? After a few hours, we found a nice, sunny spot out of the wind for a picnic. A picnic without seagulls this time!
Then it was back tot he RV for our typical afternoon routine. We tried to put J&S down for a nap, but they were more interested in playing. Again, someone fell trying to climb into the bed. Since no one napped, Mom volunteered to walk them around the RV park to provide more quiet time. Dad and I watched some Canada vs. U.S. hockey and Purdue basketball. The "good guys" lost both games.
Everyone enjoyed another fabulous dinner. The adult men added more Famous Grouse to cap off the night. Otherwise, we went to bed early since I wanted to be on the road by 8 AM. Leaving the house at 8 AM means Dad must wake-up at 6 AM to get his toilette and breakfast finished before the girls woke up.
Everyone enjoyed another fabulous dinner. The adult men added more Famous Grouse to cap off the night. Otherwise, we went to bed early since I wanted to be on the road by 8 AM. Leaving the house at 8 AM means Dad must wake-up at 6 AM to get his toilette and breakfast finished before the girls woke up.
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