Unexpected Family Fun

Here are some pictures I took from the park the other night.  We  took the kids to see Winnie the Pooh and then we took them to play at their elementary school playground.  It was a really good evening.  I think the best part was that we weren't expecting to do anything.  Brian just came home from work and said that we should go to the movie.  The movie was super short and we still had daylight hours after it was over, so we took the kids to play.  I think they are both really ready for school to start, so they liked the idea of visiting their playground.  It was fun to have them lead us around and tell us stories about things they do when they play out there at school.  I got some really cute pictures that night...here are a few of them.

~Crystal

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I've noticed every time we go to Mississippi, Brian takes the kids around to see different things we did as a kid: his school, playground, places where he used to work, etc.  This made me think... I don't really do that with the things I used to do.  I just kind of take those things for granted.  I think that happens more when the kids grow up in the same state as you.  We're not going on any sort of vacation, it's just always there.  

I have already mentioned that I've been a little nostalgic lately.  That, coupled with the thinking I've been doing when we go to Mississippi has led me to exposing the kids to more of the things I experienced when I was growing up.  The more I show them, the more interested they seem to be.  I've showed them parks, my library, (we currently have a season pass to the pool I went to, and so on...).

My parents were doing some work at my old house the other day (I haven't been there in YEARS) and I asked the kids if they would like to see the house where I grew up.  I figured that wouldn't be THAT big of a deal, but they seemed really excited about it.  I threw them (plus an extra baby) in the car and took them to Del City.

When my mom got remarried and we moved to Moore, she didn't need a lot of her old furniture.  Her friend ended up renting our house and said she could use it, so quite a few things from my childhood are still there.  The kids loved looking at the house.  Ava was quite impressed when I told her my old room used to have panda wallpaper on one wall.  (Don't get any ideas, Ava...I like your room just the way it is.)  They spent quite a bit of time going through the rooms while I told them stories of things that happened when I was a kid.  It was a neat experience to have them there and get to share my stories with them.

 I told Chance he should be thankful that he and Ava don't have to share a room like my sister and I did growing up.  He told me he wouldn't mind if it was a baby brother.  Yeah, right.  That would be over in about a week. ;)  

Even though it was about 105 degrees outside, they wanted to play in the yard for awhile.  It was fun to watch them run around in the exact same places I did as a child.  My Mom played track ball with Chance.  He's been dying to have someone (that's not Ava...she doesn't throw the ball high enough) play with him.  

I know this may seem somewhat weird that it is so exciting for me to involve my kids in my "growing up" memories as much as I do.  I admit, our house now  is much bigger and I love Moore.  It's far nicer (and arguably more safe) than Del City.  I think the real issue here stems from missing my Dad and I feel like when I show the kids these things, he's maybe just a little bit closer, even if it's just for a few minutes. I mean, where else can they sit on the exact couch that my dad used to lay on?  Twenty five years have passed and there is not too much that is the same.  That's why I enjoy it so much.  I'm glad they humor me (and really even seem to have fun) on our little outings.  It's been a fun little gift for us to enjoy together. 

~Crystal

Cruise Facts

I meant to write this earlier to go along with all my cruise pictures, but I got a little overwhelmed with trying to get the rest of my blog caught up.  Everything is a little wacky and out of order, anyway.  ;)  I wanted to do a top 10 of some of our favorite cruise moments.  I thought it would be a fun way of recording some memories, but not too wordy to bore everyone with the details.  As I started working on my list, it became a little longer (thanks, Brian).  So, I changed it from a top ten, to a list of random cruise facts (in no particular order).  If you're looking for actual pictures from the cruise, keep scrolling...they're down there somewhere. 

So, here you go, random cruise facts from the 2011 Marlett Family Vacation:

Cruise Fact ~ If Ava is anywhere near chocolate milk, she can and will get it all over her entire outfit.  (Nothing like ruining her entire summer wardrobe before it actually even starts).

Cruise Fact ~ Every time we introduce our kids to a new beach city, Chance announces that  it will be where he lives when he "grows up".  (Since Cozumel was our last stop, that is his current city of choice).

Cruise Fact ~ 6-10 ice cream cones a day is perfectly acceptable.

Cruise Fact ~ With unlimited food options to dazzle the taste buds, Peanut butter & Jelly and potato chips was Chance's dinner request EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! (and you should have seen how his eyes lit up every time they brought it to him.)

Cruise Fact ~ Nothing is quite as exciting for the kids as little white towels folded into animals. It was Chance and Ava's nightly highlight to see what little creature was waiting in their room to bid them goodnight.  

Cruise Fact ~ Even though stingrays should be safe because they have been "de-barbed", don't be fooled by the "safety" of a ravenous stingray.  Ava's giant stingray hickey on her leg (5 minutes into our excursion) proved that they are, in fact, bad news and not to be messed with.  

Cruise Fact ~ Luchador masks are a matter of ship security and are not to be worn on-board at any time.  (Just ask Chance who was given a strict warning by ship security).

Cruise Fact ~ Why spend good money on an excursion to the beach if there is a perfectly good kiddie pool nearby?  The kids are easily entertained with creature comforts.  Oceans are perfectly great to look at, but not to swim in. 

Cruise Fact ~ All cruise cabin doors must be unlocked twice to gain entry.  At least, that's what Chance and Ava thought as both of them ALWAYS had to place their key in the door before we could enter the room.

Cruise Fact~  Even if you warn the kids that the street entertainer pretending to be a statue is going to try to scare them, it still scares them every time.

Cruise Fact ~ A dollar flute may seem like a cheap souvenir, but it is really just the street vendors way of playing an evil joke on you for the long drive home.

Cruise Fact ~ When you are in port, and certain bars are "closed" the attendants don't even have to acknowledge your presence, much less serve you a coke.  No matter how long you stand there and wait.  In case you're wondering, they also don't feel compelled to tell you that the bar is closed in the first place. 

Cruise Fact ~ Comedians on the ship are not funny.  They are just placed there for "entertainment" because you are in the middle of a giant ocean and out of options.  Give Ava 45 minutes and a microphone, and I assure you, she will be far more funny.

Cruise Fact~ When your wife tells you to stay somewhere, she will be right back, that does not mean wonder off in search of drinks.  She will not think the following 45 minutes of looking up to see you on the 10th floor of the floor of the ship (while she is on the 2nd) is a very fun game.  Word to the wise. ;)

And finally, 

Cruise Fact ~ Even though there are times that parents will think family cruising is exhausting and secretly wish for the days of their solo cruises and long for uninterrupted hours of reading, the family time and memories are awesome and irreplaceable. I wouldn't trade them for the world. 

~Crystal

4th of July

We had an amazing Fourth of July this year.  Brian and I were talking about it later and both agreed that while this particular holiday is always fun, this had to go on the books as one of the most enjoyable EVER.  The day before the 4th, we went to the carnival at our local park.  It's funny that I have lived in the same town all of my life and never went once.  It was way too hot to stay for long, but it was fun while it lasted.  We got the kids wristbands for unlimited use of the inflatables.  

July Fourth was crammed full of activities.  We took the kids swimming with Nevan in the morning (right after a stop by Dunkin' Donuts).  This was followed by some resting and cooking at home.  That evening, we went to our friend's house for some 4th of July fun.  We started this tradition last year.  Their house is right by our local park where the fireworks happen, and let me tell you, there is not a better seat in the house!  Before last year, I didn't think it mattered what distance you saw the fireworks from as long as they could be seen.  This was far from the truth!  Having fireworks go off right above your head makes them about a million times better.  I was like a little kid in a candy store.

I got a little ahead of myself there.  BEFORE the fireworks, we had time to hang out with our awesome friends.  They set up the waterslide and sprinkler in the yard, so there was plenty for the kids to do.  Combine this with delicious food and some bocce ball and we had a super awesome evening.  All of this followed by fireworks, which I'm sure you've already guessed was my favorite part of the evening.  It was a great day!

~Crystal

RAIN...Finally!!!

After a brutally hot summer, we finally got some relief the other day.  I had no idea that rain was even in the forecast, so imagine my surprise when the kids came in from playing outside to inform me that it was raining.  What?!?  It was so awesome!  It went from super hot and sunny to an absolute downpour in less than 20 minutes.  I love a good summer storm.  

There was no lightning, so I told the kids they could play outside for awhile.  If was funny, they were actually a little hesitant at first, but it didn't take them long to get in the spirit of things.  They played outside (and had so much fun!) until it started raining so hard that it began to hurt.  Needless to say, that cut playtime short and they were done with the rain.  It was a great day and wonderful reprieve from the constant 100 plus degree weather we have been having ALL SUMMER!  

It stayed cool even after the rain moved out, it stayed cooler all day.  At one point, it was even in the 70's.  Oh, how I wish it could have stayed!

~Crystal

Bonding with the Cousins

I mentioned that Stef watched Ava for us on Friday...well, on Saturday, it was our turn to watch Parker.  What did we do?  Go to the pool, of course.  The kids have been dying to have Daddy go to the pool with them, and our pass gets in a +1, so it was the perfect.  We even let cousin Alex tag along, too.  I thought it may be a little crazy having so many people to keep up with at the pool, but there were no problems aside from the fact that it was a little crowded.  Everyone had a great time.  We didn't stay more than a couple hours, though because the kids were so exhausted from all of their fun the night before. 

What's the kids' least favorite thing about the pool?  Adult swim.  Twice a day, they make all the kids get out of the pool for fifteen minutes.  You would think it was an eternity. Unfortunately, that was what was happening when we arrived at the pool.  It passed quickly, though and there was much cousin fun to be had after that.  

What did we do after the pool?  Get snow cones, of course.  The kids love snow cones.  It was the perfect ending to a hot day at the pool.

Unfortunately, Parker didn't end up spending the night with us on Saturday.  He got sick and went home early.  Don't worry, we still owe you one, Stef. ;)

~Crystal

Date Night

I've mentioned before that Brian and I place a high priority of spending quality time together.  We try to have date nights at least a couple times a month (when finances and babysitters allow).  Well, we had a fabulous date the other night.  Brian took me to Mama Rojas on Lake Hefner.  I always tell Brian that I think that it's strange that with my fascination with all bodies of water that we don't spend more time at Lake Hefner.  Well, he decided to remedy that on Friday.  I must say, that we will definitely be back (especially when it's not 110 degrees outside!)  I loved the restaurant.  Delicious.  Bonus:  We had a fabulous view overlooking the lake.  After dinner, we attempted to walk around outside for a bit, but it was so stinkin' hot that we only lasted about 30 minutes.  It was so beautiful, though.  

Sometimes, on our dates, we are a little rushed to make a movie or get back so we don't keep the sitter too long, but Friday was so relaxed.  Chance spent the night at a friend's house for a birthday party and my sister watched Ava, so we had the night all to ourselves.  It was great.  After dinner and a walk we did a little shopping and went back home for awhile.  We did end up catching a movie later on, but we definitely didn't have to rush for it.  There may have even been a little ice cream after our movie got out at midnight.  Totally healthy, I know.  Great date and we're ready for another.  

~Crystal