Times...they are a changin'

No weekend camps, no youth group adventures, no sleepovers this weekend but one hour lost.  Wouldn't think that would make that much of a difference but man, it sure seems like it.  Of course, Saturday was filled with lots of walking and traveling in one day, but it was fun times all around.

We wanted to make a trip back up to see Grandpa Chester since he has a visitor for a couple of weeks, great aunt Zoanne!!  Zo was glad to get over and soak up the FL weather...although that isn't too much different than TX.  So we made it up and had a good time visiting.  It was Saturday so it wouldn't be a true weekend for Grandpa unless we hit up a flea market or two.  He already had one trip around the block for garage sales but his buying hours were still young.

Went to an outdoor flea market and ended up getting some good deals.  Amberlyn was thrilled to find her colored Tupperware bowls.  First time she saw those.  And with a good price, they got added to the collection.  Couple more other things were bought, just because we'll roll them on eBay!  :)  But the colored bowls will be staying at home.

We finished up by having a nice supper with grandpa and Zo.  Always good to see her and glad we were able to make it up while she was down visiting.  Kids tried some new seafood items and got their bellies full.  Made the long drive home, had some small snacks and crashed.

Sunday will be about doing some chores, cleaning up and prepping for the upcoming busy week.  Hope to post more this week as we move along!

Sponged, BBQ'd, Flea'd and stuffed

Wow..what a weekend for all of us.  The planned trip for a mini-vacation went off right out of the weekend.  As a partial, late birthday gift for Amberlyn, we decided a fun trip up to the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.  After a quick stop to a flea market on Sat. morning (the first of more this weekend) we headed to the docks to move in and out of the stores.

The kids were able to see lots of natural coral items, different kinds of shells, and of course, all sorts of sponges.  The day was perfect and the crowds were surprisingly light so we were able to move in and out of what we wanted without too much hassle.

After making a couple of stops, the kids really wanted to see how some of the divers actually got the sponges.  So we made a quick trip out on one of the docks where Sponge Diver Travis Jewel showed the kids how he got in a full diving suit (weighing 175 lbs.) and made the dive.  Both the kids loved seeing how this worked.

After a full day, we managed to make a quick trip down to the Clearwater Beach so Jenny and the kids could see the great, white sands of Clearwater beach.  It was packed but we managed to get in to make a little visit and allow the kids to dip their toes (and after a bit of playing) and eventually bodies in the waves. 

On Sunday, it was all about Grandpa Chester.  86 years young on Friday, it was going to be his agenda to set.  So we goofed around at the house, hit up a long flea market, did some poking around at the house and then hit up some BBQ ribs for his supper.  We even managed to get a little chocolate cake dessert and song arranged for him.  Thankfully the kids were more than happy to help him polish off "his" cake.

Now is just the recovery for the week.  Cody has his first youth group sleepover for the whole weekend so big times ahead!

Goodwill Hunting

Ahh, what a weekend.  We spent a good chunk of Saturday wandering around the area hitting up consignment shops and random stores looking for a dinning room table.  Sure like to find a nice high top table and chair but we'll see.  Not overpaying for sure but good to rummage around places and see if you can find some good deals.  Jenny was on a Tupperware rampage so we'll see if we end up keeping them or shipping them out for sale.  You never know who is after some of those things. 

Found a couple of outfits for the kids, Cody some new shorts, Amberlyn of course was stuck looking at shoes and play purses.  Oh, she's going to be worse as she gets older!  Stopped at our favorite Italian market on the way home and got some good eats and had a great sausage and gnocchi dinner.

Decided to enjoy the 80+ temps today and hit the beach up.  Fortunately for us, we had that idea much before the other people did and got out there before they got too crowded.  They were lined up 4 to 5 deep looking for parking spots when we left.  Oh, the snowbirds and tourists are in full swing right now.  You can sure tell since it has been taking twice as long to get home in the evenings these last couple weeks.

But, it was great to get out on the beach and soak up the sun.  Judging by the results when we got home, maybe we a bit too much!  We'll all be using lotion tonight....yikes.

Prepping for another busy week ahead.

Random fun fact of the week:  Jenny got to talk to Ted Koppel....yes, that Ted Koppel

Kids mood of the week:  Argumentative

Outlook for the week:  Busy

Eatin' his name

Another weekend of fun was in store for us.  The kids finished up week with 2 days off split around a week of half days for exams.  So, we planned a short drive up to Holiday, FL to visit with grandpa/great grandpa Chester (and little Suzzie) was sure to greet us with many stories of flea market and garage sale purchases.  No sooner did we hit the driveway and we were looking at the latest haul.  All I can say is that it keeps him busy and entertained, so that's fine with me.

We drove over the SkyWay Bridge over the gulf and the kids were thrilled. Up over the choppy water and seeing some para sailing, the view was awesome.  Plan to make another trip up later to spend some more time and maybe actually enjoy the bridge as it was too windy and cold for the day.

Not my picture but pretty damn awesome.

After messing around at grandpa's we headed out for some supper with him.  Of course, we passed a restaurant called Cody's Steakhouse, so at that point, there wasn't a real option for where the kids were going to ask to go.  Thankfully, grandpa likes the food there so we were good.  After a yummy meal, we dropped grandpa off and headed back home.

Cody and Grandpa Chester.....who's the oldest in that picture??

Making plans to go back in a few weeks to spend the weekend and hit the sponge docks get grandpa lined up with some extra dinners.

Living the Salt Life

I guess one of the crazy benefits that we've missed for years is having weekends to make plans.  Time to have fun, time to do things as a family and just have...well, time.

Heading out to Sanibel Island to see some birds, see where Jenny works (Bailey's General Store), cruise around, soak up the rays and dip the toes in the water.  We hit one of the beaches and saw some massive osprey nests.  Not quite as imposing as Eagles but darn, those things look nasty.

Dang that sucker was big....

Next we popped over to the beach to see the original light house on Sanibel beach.  Not open for tours, not that there would be room, but still cool to see.  Being that old, I'm sure it has stories and would give a haunting a big thumbs up.  :)

Someone forgot to change the bulb....

Both Amberlyn and Cody had different agendas on the beach.  Cody was hard at work continuing his sea shell collection while Amberlyn was determined to build the perfect sand castle.  Off we went and managed to accomplish both.

Yeah, like she wasn't born to live on the beach.

Lost in thought....I bet it is something about Star Wars.

We stopped to see Jenny's store and grab a bite to eat (Island Cow - yummy!!!).  The kids got to see more of the island and we snagged another beach spot on the way before leaving the island.  Different side of the island and more shells for Cody to grab.  Amberlyn was all about soaking up the tan at that point.

At the end of the day, we had a fun and relaxing day with lots of fun things to see.  All that being said, time to give everyone The Bird!

It's been a year???

Holy cow, what happened to 2010?  It has been a long and trying year but one that we've put behind us and are looking forward.  The kids had to contain their excitement through the Winter break in order to get to Christmas.  Their lists were long (and sometimes obscure) but we been lucky to have them be pretty happy with whatever they've opened.

Cody's big ticket item was anything Nerf related and he was able to come away with that in spades.  An adjustable Nerf gun that can be made multiple ways will keep his brain occupied.  Oh, the stories that have already spun out of his head.  Add to that, multiple Star Wars and Bakugan (don't ask, just nod and realize this is a game that boys his age love) and the boy was in Christmas heaven.  Sprinkle a dash of Scooby Doo on top and he'll be set for awhile.

Amberlyn, heh, anything Taylor Swift is good in her book.  So big brother came through and found a T.S. calendar for her.  And the fashion girl that she is, the Sketchers TwinkleToes shoes (pink with charms and lightup) were a must have.  And the big ask for her was a new bike.  And in true Red Rider BB Gun fashion, it wasn't under the tree when the main presents were opened.  Great to see that some kids can still get fooled.

So, now that Christmas has come and gone, they're back to school and remembering how much "fun" the school grind can be.  But at least in the evenings, they have some fun things to do!

Figured I should post something as no one posted anything last week. This last week was BUSY for me. Started the job search and after a few nibbles I landed a job-ending a two week search (awesome considering the economy!). I am the new administrative assistant for Bailey's General Store on Sanibel Island. It will be Mon-Fri 8:30-5 and no weekends and a little better pay than the last job! Looking forward to starting tomorrow. The down side is it is a 50 minute drive although it does not seem like that long of a drive. The scenery on the drive is awesome! I have to drive over a couple big bridges to get there. So tomorrow the whole family will be out of the house by 7:15am. Both schools offer before and after school care, so no need to look for child care.

The kids are both getting active in some of the church activities. Grace U.M. Church offers a childrens service during the duration of the comtemporary service. Amberlyn is making some new friends there. Cody being in middle school has to sit with us (terrible). He is learning to not fidget so much. He sits in a plush chair compaired to the wooden pews we grew up with. Every Wednesday night he is going to Octane and seems to be making some friends there.

Both kids have received mid-term grades and it looks like they are doing pretty well adjusting to all the changes we have thrown at them.

Saturday we started the Christmas shopping. Of course we got hungry and checked out a Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Yumm E!!!! It was great!

With the upcoming holiday I am guessing we will not be doing much site seeing. Depends on the weather. It is 55-75 down here. The weekend was warm but it has rained this afternoon. Tonight it is supposed to get windy and cool again. Tomorrow's high will be 55. Guess it is a good thing we brought the warm clothes down too!

Here is a closing thought to start the new week with-"we can grumble or we can be grateful-which will you chose?"

Have a good one and if you are an Ohioan-keep warm!

Jenny