May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 5

[tink1963]

I booked our flights yesterday. I checked two days ago and for the direct LAX-MCO flights, the price for AA and United were $199 and Delta was $203. When I went to book it yesterday, the prices had gone up, AA by $5, Delta by $9 and United by $55!!! So I would say book as soon as you can.

Since all four of us (yep the boys too) earn miles with AA we chose the AA flight...and we liked the earlier time anyway cuz it means we'll get to Orlando at 4pm. The night before the flight we're going to rent a car here ($50), drive it up to LAX, spend the night at the LAX Crowne Plaza ($94/night with the entertainment card...the AAA rate is $189!!!). I booked the flight on the AA website and it was a piece of cake. I've also booked flights on Delta and United in the past on their websites, so if you need help, just PM me, I'm happy to help!

But I would say not to wait....the rates seem to be going up if anything! Oh, and regardless of what airline you go with, to pick the best airline seats, use www.seat guru.com (just remove the space between seat and guru...i put that there so the mods wouldn't delete the website address). It's GREAT!

Thanks for the advice. I too have been checking costs and am now kicking my self since I was leaning towards flying united(only because thats what we have flown before). I did check out seat guru.com and now since united has gone up more then the rest and delta has power ports, that will be our choice. I do have another question...on seat guru only a few seats are shown as good or bad, what about the ones that don't have a recommendation? More to the point what is the best part of the plane to sit? Front, middle, back? Delta shows a two seat row in the back that they say are good, but I don't know if the back is a good choice.

I did hear about that the other day and I thought how awful. You're having a great time at an amusement park and bam...your whole life is changed forever. Poor thing!

We won't let the kids go on those quick set up amusement rides (you know the carnival comes to town for the weekend type of thing) because I'm too paranoid. Silly, but I can't help it. Those rides look way too rickety, especially when you might have the situation where Joe forgot to put the critical bolt attaching the ride car because he didn't have enough sleep the night before.....

No you are not Silly at all. I have always been amazed that parents can let their kids go on these rides. I never would as a kid myself. I would not trust something that can be put up and taken down in a day.

 

[Jhalkias]

Didn't mean to say that my kids never acted up in that previous post - not quite what I meant at all . . .

When my kids would throw a tantrum (which did happen) when they were this age, I used to try a different tactic. It takes a lot of patience, but I have lots of that, and the fact that I am not a small guy . . .

Both of them would like to go into a room and try to keep me out - throwing their tantrum in there for effect. I would go into that room, and not let THEM out. If it was a minor one, I would take a book with me, and tell them that Daddy would talk to them as soon as they settled down, but until they did, I was going to sit here and read my book, and let them get all the nasties out. When they could talk to me like they should, then we would calmly talk about what the problem was.

If it was a major one, with physical stuff that little kids can do at that age for further effect, I would hold onto them, not letting them hurt me or them until they wore themselves out or calmed down. I would also try to get them to laugh, and show them how silly what they were doing was.

Both of these tactics seemed to work for me, as the effect that my kids seemed to want with the tantrums was attention, and the miserableness of the parent. Once they didn't get that, and saw that the only way to get attention was to behave civily, it seemed to work.

It's hard to do, and as I said, you need a mountain of patience sometimes - I know that Amy would think I was nuts when I did this, and it was not something she could or would do, but it was my way of coping and solving that problem.

Good luck Holly - raising a child is a tough job - too bad there are not more single moms that care as much as you do.

 

[Jhalkias]

 

[HollyTyler]

Sorry everybody, after re-reading my venting above, I realize I made myself sound like the world's worst mom.

A friend reminded me that we did indeed go through almost the exact same behavior when Tyler was 3. So I gave him a tiny dose of melatonin about 1/2 hour before bedtime for just 2 or 3 weeks (not every night, since he's at his dad's a couple nights a week too), and then his sleep pattern was back on track and from then on, when we do our bedtime routine he would just go to sleep right after. And because he was getting good sleep instead of screaming for hours, fighting sleep, his behavior turned completely around too because he wasn't tired all the time. Now, I can tell he's always tired, but denies it. It seems he might be too tired to fall asleep and it just keeps snowballing, so I suspect his behavior is from lack of sleep. However, that doesn't explain why he's "a perfect kid" at his dad's (or so he says). He does the same bedtime ritual over there too: a couple bedtime books on the couch, then a few bedtime songs together in bed.

Whatever...I'm done boring you all with this topic. Sorry!

 

[Jhalkias]

Sorry everybody, after re-reading my venting above, I realize I made myself sound like the world's worst mom.

A friend reminded me that we did indeed go through almost the exact same behavior when Tyler was 3. So I gave him a tiny dose of melatonin about 1/2 hour before bedtime for just 2 or 3 weeks (not every night, since he's at his dad's a couple nights a week too), and then his sleep pattern was back on track and from then on, when we do our bedtime routine he would just go to sleep right after. And because he was getting good sleep instead of screaming for hours, fighting sleep, his behavior turned completely around too because he wasn't tired all the time. Now, I can tell he's always tired, but denies it. It seems he might be too tired to fall asleep and it just keeps snowballing, so I suspect his behavior is from lack of sleep. However, that doesn't explain why he's "a perfect kid" at his dad's (or so he says). He does the same bedtime ritual over there too: a couple bedtime books on the couch, then a few bedtime songs together in bed.

Whatever...I'm done boring you all with this topic. Sorry!

Holly, quit beating yourself up . . . I highly doubt that he is far different at Dad's. Either he gets what he wants more easily -whether it is good for him or not - or, he is more careful about behavior because he is not in as much of a "comfort zone" there. My experience is that kids tend to behave worse where or with whom they feel most comfortable, and best where they do not or are unsure of the consequences. My kids could be holy terrors at home, but angels at school, and I always told myself I liked it better that way.

 

[Jhalkias]

Getting closer . . .

 

[Jhalkias]

Are you still with us Holly?

 

[Jhalkias]

Just a couple more . . .

 

[HollyTyler]

Didn't mean to say that my kids never acted up in that previous post - not quite what I meant at all . . .

When my kids would throw a tantrum (which did happen) when they were this age, I used to try a different tactic. It takes a lot of patience, but I have lots of that, and the fact that I am not a small guy . . .

Both of them would like to go into a room and try to keep me out - throwing their tantrum in there for effect. I would go into that room, and not let THEM out. If it was a minor one, I would take a book with me, and tell them that Daddy would talk to them as soon as they settled down, but until they did, I was going to sit here and read my book, and let them get all the nasties out. When they could talk to me like they should, then we would calmly talk about what the problem was.

If it was a major one, with physical stuff that little kids can do at that age for further effect, I would hold onto them, not letting them hurt me or them until they wore themselves out or calmed down. I would also try to get them to laugh, and show them how silly what they were doing was.

Both of these tactics seemed to work for me, as the effect that my kids seemed to want with the tantrums was attention, and the miserableness of the parent. Once they didn't get that, and saw that the only way to get attention was to behave civily, it seemed to work.

It's hard to do, and as I said, you need a mountain of patience sometimes - I know that Amy would think I was nuts when I did this, and it was not something she could or would do, but it was my way of coping and solving that problem.

Good luck Holly - raising a child is a tough job - too bad there are not more single moms that care as much as you do.

Great ideas. Tyler's already physically stronger than I am (very scary thought), but I normally do wait out the tantrum in another room because I know attention from me would make it worse and prolong it. That's why I usually end up outside because at that point, I'm about to blow my top and yell, which would be horrible and make everything worse. It usually helps the situation when I'm sitting outside, except for when I hear him screaming at the top of his lungs how he hates me and can't wait to go back to his dad's, blah blah blah. Then he turns to, "Mom, I need you....you've been outside forever".

 

[Jhalkias]

 

[Jhalkias]

Ony 500 more to 20K!

 

[HollyTyler]

Holly, quit beating yourself up . . . I highly doubt that he is far different at Dad's. Either he gets what he wants more easily -whether it is good for him or not - or, he is more careful about behavior because he is not in as much of a "comfort zone" there. My experience is that kids tend to behave worse where or with whom they feel most comfortable, and best where they do not or are unsure of the consequences. My kids could be holy terrors at home, but angels at school, and I always told myself I liked it better that way.

Good point! A friend of mine suspects Tyler gets what he wants at his dad's, which would make any kid happy, of course. What kid wants to be some place where he has to follow rules? I'll just keep doing what I think is right and hope for the best. Thanks for all your advice and kind words!

 

[HollyTyler]

Are you still with us Holly?

Yup, still here, you grubby pirate! Just had to answer the door. I definitely need to install a peephole. I forgot I had told somebody they could come pick up an old plastic cheap desk and chair of Tyler's, and that I'd be up until 11pm tonight if she wanted to come get it today. She never responded to that e-mail, so I wasn't planning on her showing up. I love freecycle! I get rid of so many things that way that I'd otherwise have to buy a $40 sticker from the city for trash pickup for oversized items. Tyler has upgraded to the built in desk under his loft bed, so the little plastic set hogging a corner in our living room needed to go away. Yippee! More space gained in my attempt to regain my living room from the giant playroom it currently resembles. We've made lots of progress in that regard.

 

[kymma]

Was a good weekend here. We went out to Catalina Island to do some SCUBA diving. It totally wore us out.

Today I spent the day paying bills and cleaning the house up. We have company coming this Thursday for the weekend then the next weekend it's off to Atlanta for a wedding.

Someone asked about the Holland America tipping. We got great service on our HA cruise and we tipped and so did everyone we talked too.

 

[HollyTyler]

Was a good weekend here. We went out to Catalina Island to do some SCUBA diving. It totally wore us out.

Today I spent the day paying bills and cleaning the house up. We have company coming this Thursday for the weekend then the next weekend it's off to Atlanta for a wedding.

Someone asked about the Holland America tipping. We got great service on our HA cruise and we tipped and so did everyone we talked too.

Glad you had a good weekend! I love the chance to do ANYTHING outdoors when the weather's great! Fun, but always wears me out. I'm sure SCUBA would be really tiring, but wonderful because of all the beautiful sights I'm sure you get to see.

 

[Jhalkias]

We had my father's and brother's birthday today.

In five more days we will be getting ready to go to the beach in NC.

Once we get there, not sure how much I will be in touch for a week. If there is still a Wi-Fi connection somewhere in the place we stay (there was intermitently last year) I may be on from time to time. I may also try dial up, but that is not fun. Otherwise I have to go into town to the coffee shop to get internet. We go to Atlantic Beach NC, and friends from two other cruises live in New Bern, about 45 minutes from the Beach, so we have a mini-meet all week.

 

[Jhalkias]

I have to tell you all, I have the cleanest iPod Nano around. I mowed the grass on Thursday, and was listening to my book . . . Well . . . I left my nano in my pants pocket, and then I did laundry . . .

Won't turn on, so now I think it is DOA. Makes me sad because I use that one to walk, as I have the lanyard headphones, and I need it for the beach. Guess it is time for a new nano. They have them refurbed at the Apple store $20 off, for $129, but no guarantee it will get here before we leave so I guess I will just have to go to Best Buy.

BTW . . . they DO have Lime Green!

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=505FCFB5&nplm=FA489LL/A

 

[pjpoohbear]

John put in a bowl of rice over night then check again. The rice is suppose to suck all the water out.

Pj

 

[Jhalkias]

John put in a bowl of rice over night then check again. The rice is suppose to suck all the water out.

Pj

Well, now I need to go and see if we have rice . . . do you bury it in the rice?

 

[gouodux]

I have to tell you all, I have the cleanest iPod Nano around. I mowed the grass on Tuesday, and was listening to my book . . . Well . . . I left my nano in my pants pocket, and then I did laundry . . .

Won't turn on, so now I think it is DOA. Makes me sad because I use that one to walk, as I have the lanyard headphones, and I need it for the beach. Guess it is time for a new nano. They have them refurbed at the Apple store $20 off, for $129, but no guarantee it will get here before we leave so I guess I will just have to go to Best Buy.

BTW . . . they DO have Lime Green!

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=505FCFB5&nplm=FA489LL/A

The girls got me a video iPod for Father's Day and now I get their addiction. Never understood before, but it is really cool. You can download pictures from iPhoto and make a slideshow to music. Pretty sad when our five and seven year old had one before Dad.

For Holly . . . . . .
Won't mention names, but someone in our house is a Clinical Psychologist and as most probably know, raising children is not a science!! Some things work, some things don't. Just keep trying.

John may appreciate this - it was dance recital weekend!! I do mean weekend. We had shows on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and evening, and this afternoon. Jenna performed each time, sometimes in multiple dances, and Kayla performed once on Saturday and Sunday. It was Kayla's first recital and she did great. Jenna did awesome too, she is growing too fast. But, it was a loooong weekend - especially with their grandparents staying with us too! Perhaps will have time to throw some pictures on here. All the girls are playing "Mall Madness" right now. Bad enough Leslie takes them to Fashion Square all the time, now they play games about shopping!