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

[HollyTyler]

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.

Sounds like a wonderful getaway! Enjoy!

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

Sounds like something I'd do! Well, at least it gives you a reason to buy a new one. I did that with my cell phone once. But I go through cell phones like crazy because I drop them ALL the time. Extreme butter fingers here!

 

[HollyTyler]

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?

I've never heard of this! Can't wait to hear if it works! What a cool idea!

 

[Jhalkias]

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!

I am a gadget, and therefore and iPod freak. This is the stuff that is like what golf is for other guys for me. People are usually shocked when I tell them I have NEVER golfed in my life - usually when they ask me to come to a charity outing.

As to the dance recital . . . just glad ours is over, but it is amazing what those kids can do, and it does make you proud.

 

[HollyTyler]

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.

Thanks! I always tell Tyler at bedtime, after a bad day like this, "Tomorrow is a brand new day and we'll have a better day". Wipe the slate clean and start over. When I'm in a calmer state, I always remind myself that as long as his basic needs are met and he's given lots of love and boundaries, he'll turn out OK.

 

[calmom]

Did you hear about the 13 year old girl in Louisville, KY who lost both her feet on a Superman ride??? They said it was a loose cable that got tangled in her feet and then the ride went up at 50+ mph and literally tore her feet off just above her ankles. OUCH...poor, poor, poor girl.

Didn't mean to take the wind out of your sail....I really do hope you have a fantastic time in Santa Cruz....just ride the safe ones and enjoy!!!

Yes I heard about it - that was what I was referring to in my post how it does make you question those rides. I put a link to the story. Very scary. We didn't go on any rides, just relaxed (as much as you can relax with 4 boys) on the beach. It was really nice - just got back and getting ready for the week. It is so much more relaxing not having school for the kids tomorrow!

 

[fourmcds]

Wow....a chatty evening!!!

Well, yuck came back to us and we had 60's, horrible rain and thunderstorms. We still ended up having a great time at the open house. The camp was so great (and huge...we did lots of hiking around). Made me teary just thinking about my times at camp and then my oldest starting on that journey. She is only going for 5 days....her choice, but after today she wants to spend the whole summer there I told her we had to see how this year went and she can go for longer next year. Her age group will likely be in the cabins with heat and incredible water views...not that she will appreciate that, but I thought it was neat. They have these touch tanks there that have starfish, clams, and lots of other critters including a miniature octopus that was so amazing to see. You can all see how well I survive on July 26th after I drop her off at the ferry dock (parents don't drive the kids to camp, they drop them off and all the kids ride a ferry over and start camp that way!!!).

Holly....been there, more times than I care to remember, and I am sure I am not done yet! It has to be so hard not having that tag person there. I think, from the sounds of it, you are doing a great job. Lots of deep breaths, thoughts of the good moments and disney dreams to make it through sometimes.

I would agree with Lisa on plane tickets. I saw them go up 200.00 overnight for my trip back east in July. I can buy my tickets next Sunday night at midnight (we are buying a triangle roundtrip (WA-FL then LA-WA) since it is about 50.00 pp cheaper. Never saw that seat guru site before, pretty helpful info. Thanks for sharing.

Noel...hope that your SIL gets some answers soon. That must be frustrating. Glad to hear you are doing a bit better.

 

[fourmcds]

Food Allergies.....I won't stay on the box long, but I wanted to add my 2 cents.
I have seen huge changes in kids with food allergy reactions. Wheat is a big one and so is dairy, but there are so many. I have seen kids stop all medication and move schools to get rid of their label because they have done 180's after some allergy work with me. I once did an allergy treatment on a little guy (I think for sugar) and when he got in the car he looked at his mom and told her he wasn't angry anymore (he was 3 at the time and didn't really know he was getting treated for anything). She was shocked and came back the next week to tell me about the difference in her son. Holly, if you really think Tyler's behavior is more than just a typical 5 (?) yo then you might want to have that allergies ruled out. Also, another word of advice....don't do skin scratch testing for food allergies, make them do a blood draw ELISA test. The skin test is difficult (too many needle sticks) and not really accurate for foods.

Ok, hopping off now!

 

[HollyTyler]

Wow....a chatty evening!!!

Well, yuck came back to us and we had 60's, horrible rain and thunderstorms. We still ended up having a great time at the open house. The camp was so great (and huge...we did lots of hiking around). Made me teary just thinking about my times at camp and then my oldest starting on that journey. She is only going for 5 days....her choice, but after today she wants to spend the whole summer there I told her we had to see how this year went and she can go for longer next year. Her age group will likely be in the cabins with heat and incredible water views...not that she will appreciate that, but I thought it was neat. They have these touch tanks there that have starfish, clams, and lots of other critters including a miniature octopus that was so amazing to see. You can all see how well I survive on July 26th after I drop her off at the ferry dock (parents don't drive the kids to camp, they drop them off and all the kids ride a ferry over and start camp that way!!!).

Holly....been there, more times than I care to remember, and I am sure I am not done yet! It has to be so hard not having that tag person there. I think, from the sounds of it, you are doing a great job. Lots of deep breaths, thoughts of the good moments and disney dreams to make it through sometimes.

I would agree with Lisa on plane tickets. I saw them go up 200.00 overnight for my trip back east in July. I can buy my tickets next Sunday night at midnight (we are buying a triangle roundtrip (WA-FL then LA-WA) since it is about 50.00 pp cheaper. Never saw that seat guru site before, pretty helpful info. Thanks for sharing.

Noel...hope that your SIL gets some answers soon. That must be frustrating. Glad to hear you are doing a bit better.

Your daughter's camp sounds so wonderful! I still remember my week at camp the summer before 7th grade. That's when I got my first kiss! Benson was his name. I think he was Italian or Hispanic....Very cute! He kissed me on a hiking trail, in the rain, hiding behind a tipped over canoe that was on the side of the trail. Then he married me the next day at the carnival that was held on the last day of camp. There was a booth where you could get married and the exchange of rings was cloth bracelets instead.

Disney dreams.....here I come! I'm headed to bed. Goodnight everybody!

 

[pjpoohbear]

John, it should be buried I would think, it was buried in the water, lol.
Pj

 

[calmom]

The flights I want (direct SFO -MCO) is in the mid $300s for one-way! I'm going to wait a couple weeks in hope it will dip back down and once it does I will grab it. I really don't want to have a connecting flight - it is just so tiring.

So Holly, if Tyler doesn' go in November, would he go on this one by chance? I'm sure my boys could give him a run for his money with some of their mischevious behavior! Hang in there...I really can't imagine doing this parenting on my own. I have a hard time when DH works late.

Boys are playing Wii right now. It is just amazing the video games they have now. So interactive. Lisa

 

[LiserAnn]

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 don't know what United is thinking only because the Delta flight is basically the same times and is $55 cheaper!!! Given the choice, I think most would go with cheaper!!!

Seat Guru-I think the seats that don't have anything noted are considered fine. We choose a seat that also has power ports, but take note if it's AC or DC...DC is what you use to plug into your car which is what American has. Fortunately we have the DC adapters for both the laptop and DVD player. Good luck!!!!

 

[HollyTyler]

Food Allergies.....I won't stay on the box long, but I wanted to add my 2 cents.
I have seen huge changes in kids with food allergy reactions. Wheat is a big one and so is dairy, but there are so many. I have seen kids stop all medication and move schools to get rid of their label because they have done 180's after some allergy work with me. I once did an allergy treatment on a little guy (I think for sugar) and when he got in the car he looked at his mom and told her he wasn't angry anymore (he was 3 at the time and didn't really know he was getting treated for anything). She was shocked and came back the next week to tell me about the difference in her son. Holly, if you really think Tyler's behavior is more than just a typical 5 (?) yo then you might want to have that allergies ruled out. Also, another word of advice....don't do skin scratch testing for food allergies, make them do a blood draw ELISA test. The skin test is difficult (too many needle sticks) and not really accurate for foods.

Ok, hopping off now!

Wow! That's so eye-opening! I had no idea food allergies could do that to kids. Thanks so much for the info! I'll still ask his doc what she thinks, but I suspect his behavior is just typical 5-yr old drama. I just don't have the patience that many parents somehow develop. I'm just extra grateful that his dad is taking him camping for a weekend in 2 weeks! I wish it were the other way around and he were taking him camping for 2 weeks. That wasn't very nice of me....sorry!

 

[fourmcds]

Your daughter's camp sounds so wonderful! I still remember my week at camp the summer before 7th grade. That's when I got my first kiss! Benson was his name. I think he was Italian or Hispanic....Very cute! He kissed me on a hiking trail, in the rain, hiding behind a tipped over canoe that was on the side of the trail. Then he married me the next day at the carnival that was held on the last day of camp. There was a booth where you could get married and the exchange of rings was cloth bracelets instead.

Disney dreams.....here I come! I'm headed to bed. Goodnight everybody!

Oh, I hope Jaide doesn't get her first kiss this year at camp!!! Starting 4th grade is a bit too early for that....her poor mommy would have many teary nights! I too had my first kiss at camp, but didn't get lucky enough to get married. I don't remember his name though must have been a great experience!!!

 

[LiserAnn]

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

Hey, you're Greek...you should have some rice!!!

 

[HollyTyler]

The flights I want (direct SFO -MCO) is in the mid $300s for one-way! I'm going to wait a couple weeks in hope it will dip back down and once it does I will grab it. I really don't want to have a connecting flight - it is just so tiring.

So Holly, if Tyler doesn' go in November, would he go on this one by chance? I'm sure my boys could give him a run for his money with some of their mischevious behavior! Hang in there...I really can't imagine doing this parenting on my own. I have a hard time when DH works late.

Boys are playing Wii right now. It is just amazing the video games they have now. So interactive. Lisa

Nope, he won't be going on this cruise. No chance. I booked it specifically with my friend Cindy, and I know she'd cancel if I added him to our reservation. She's seen him when he acts up and would probably throw him overboard after 2 days. Besides, I really, really, really am looking forward to 15 days of complete freedom! HOWEVER, if Cindy did need to cancel for some reason, I'd try to bring Tyler instead. But I'm not sure his dad would agree to him being gone for so long.

 

[HollyTyler]

Oh, I hope Jaide doesn't get her first kiss this year at camp!!! Starting 4th grade is a bit too early for that....her poor mommy would have many teary nights! I too had my first kiss at camp, but didn't get lucky enough to get married. I don't remember his name though must have been a great experience!!!

 

[fourmcds]

Wow! That's so eye-opening! I had no idea food allergies could do that to kids. Thanks so much for the info! I'll still ask his doc what she thinks, but I suspect his behavior is just typical 5-yr old drama. I just don't have the patience that many parents somehow develop. I'm just extra grateful that his dad is taking him camping for a weekend in 2 weeks! I wish it were the other way around and he were taking him camping for 2 weeks. That wasn't very nice of me....sorry!

I bet every parent on here has that thought! My girls best friends are flying to San Diego for 10 days in August to stay with all the grandparents. I am sooo jealous, they get 10 days with NO kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh the stuff I could get done, the meals Scott and I could enjoy, the peace and tranquility! But then, I realize I would miss them (a little )

 

[LiserAnn]

The flights I want (direct SFO -MCO) is in the mid $300s for one-way! I'm going to wait a couple weeks in hope it will dip back down and once it does I will grab it. I really don't want to have a connecting flight - it is just so tiring.

Wow, that is steep. I was happy to find $199 from LAX - MCO, direct no less!! That's why we grabbed them up. There were cheaper flights that were not direct, but that scared me. With our luck we'd get stuck somewhere and miss the ship, or our luggage would go somewhere and we'd leave without it. I want to get on in CA and get off in FL, with my luggage, hopefully!!!

 

[LiserAnn]

I bet every parent on here has that thought! My girls best friends are flying to San Diego for 10 days in August to stay with all the grandparents. I am sooo jealous, they get 10 days with NO kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh the stuff I could get done, the meals Scott and I could enjoy, the peace and tranquility! But then, I realize I would miss them (a little )

Yes, we all think that. Being home with the kids full time, I'll honestly say, I dread summer. With the boys home together it's mayhem. There are days I just think I'm not going to make it and I should go back to the corporate world. And I totally have what I call "bad mommy" moments, where I sorta lose it and later cringe at the thought of myself yelling at my kids for something ridiculous. Such is life, we're not perfect!!!!

 

[kimerinc]

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!

Oh honey, every child does this sometime and if a mother ever tells you thier child never had a temper tantrum they are lying.

My favorite temper tantrums are the ones that are so funny you start to laugh and then they get madder and it gets funnier. I really have to control myself then. Ever have those?