We're Going on a Trip

The reservations have been made and deposits paid and we are all going on a Disney Cruise. And I truely mean all; Mum, Dad, Tammy, Tom, Kim, Dennis, Sami, Cole, Breann, Dan, Me, Chris, Andy, Nikki, Riley, and Kaleigh. It is a 5-night Bahamian cruise with port calls in Key West, Nassau, and Castaway Cay. Let's just say we are very excited. Anyone else want to go with us, the more the merrier.

Another busy day, Dan was off so we headed to Home Depot to get the wood for my tables for the deck and $450.00 later we were home. Had to get the framing nailer and a storage box for the pool toys, par for the course when we go to the Depot, that is why I try to avoid it.

Then Andy, Nikki and the kids came over to swim, had a good time and the pool is starting to feel better but not warm enough. I can't walk right in yet but the day will be here soon. I think I'm going to have to break down and buy a thermometer so I know just how cold it is.

Dan took me out for Taco Bell, my Mother's Day meal, as per my request. I'm a pretty cheap date and as we don't eat out often I really enjoy anytime we do and Taco Bell is my favorite for a quick meal.

Sea World

We had a very busy day today. Started with the weekly trip to Weight Watcher's. Tammy was off today so she came with me so we could do errands after. It was nice to have someone around to shop with. We went to Wal-Mart and Publix, Tammy was shopping for a stay down at River Ranch. Tom is on vacation this week and that's where they were spending four days.

After I dropped Tammy off, headed over to Andy and Nikki's to pick them up. They are both on Spring/Summer break and we wanted to do some stuff before they head back to school for the Summer Semester. Today was SeaWorld, didn't even make it to the turnpike when we realized the sun screen was in their car and didn't want to take a chance with the kid's skin so back we went and got it.

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens definitely could learn a lot from Disney on parking cars. It took us over 20 minutes just to get our parking ticket. We thought the park was going to be very crowded because of this but it was really kind of empty. We didn't do any shows today so we were able to avoid the crowds that were there.

Sure wish we could get the kids to smile when we do our pictures at the parks but this seems to be the best we get.


We were just wandering around because everything looks and feels so different now that the area surrounding Manta, the new roller coaster is all open. I had read in the paper that they were doing soft openings right now so we wanted to check that out. Got to the entrance and there was a bit of a line but no one was going in. Nikki checked what was going on and was told that they would be opening up the ride momentarily so Andy and Nikki got in line and the kids and I headed over to Key West to see the dolphins.

Just as we got back and settled, I looked up and there they were, third row from top, middle two seats. The only reason I saw them is because Nikki was waving. If you click on the picture you should be able to see them better and at this point I was shooting through a net that goes over the walkway.


Looking for Mama and Dada.


Then it was off to get lunch, again the restaurants weren't crowded at all and we were eating at lunch time. Wild Arctic was next and we just went in the back way through the gift shop and that was so much easier because we had the stroller with us.

Splash area was next and of course Riley had a great time.


Jellyfish at one of the aquariums.


We also visited the penguins and the sharks. Two of our favorites.


As we were getting ready to leave the park went by Manta again and there was no line and the ride was running. So I parked in a different place and the kids went on again. By this time Riley and Kaleigh were sleeping. I was just taking pictures of all the cars that went by because I knew I would catch Andy and Nikki eventually. They are in the second row, left two seats.

By this time we were hot and tired but made a stop in the candy store and picked up our photo from earlier. Again, a really good day.

Have You Seen Them Yet?

I was out doing errands today over by The Loop and the Lovebugs were everywhere. It is the only place I saw them but I imagine it means that they are back and our windshields will be bug splattered for a while.

I also stopped by to see Andy, Nikki, and the kids. Riley and I were playing with the play-doh when I asked for a kiss. If you catch him off guard he just gives you one and goes back to what ever he is doing. Well today he gave me a kiss and WIPED IT OFF, so I asked him what he was doing and he told me I had paint (lipstick) on, but I didn't. Still it was pretty funny and gave us all a laugh.

My days seem to go by very fast now that I walk in the morning, usually head out at about 0615 and get back at about 0700, cool down, take my shower, and have breakfast by this time it is almost 0900. When my day doesn't start with things around the house until them it seems to just slip on by.

What Will I Do?

Not much going on in the Gigstead house today. I worked on the plants for a bit, getting all the dead stuff off and just cleaning them up a bit. Also finished up a couple of digital layouts so I could get them ordered today.

I have also been trying to figure out what days I'm going to walk this week. I have the 10K on Saturday and really think I should take Friday off so I'm fresh and ready to go on the day of the walk. Plus I want to still take Sunday off because it is the day after the walk. So I'm thinking I may do a walk on Wednesday (one of my normal days off) in the early evening and then walk again on Thursday morning. I know, just too many decisions.

Today seemed to be a bit cooler than yesterday but it looks like the AC will probably be coming on this weekend. It is getting up to 85 - 86 in the late afternoon in the house, and it just doesn't get cool enough at night to cool it down fast enough. Plus they are predicting the low 90's for the next two weeks with very little chance of rain. So I guess summer is coming to Central Florida.

First Pool Day this Year

I went in the pool today and guess what, I didn't freeze. It was actually very nice once I got in but it did take a few minutes to get in, can't just jump in anymore. Not really sure why not.

The kids had a great time. Once Kaleigh got wet she was a regular water baby, I think she would have floated in the pool all day. Although the one time the sun went behind the clouds and the breeze picked up she was shivering like crazy but then the sun came out again and she was just fine.


When Riley got onto this float and it was kind of like sitting in the bathtub he was a very happy boy and really just wanted to get the squirter things to work but he just couldn't get the hang of it. I'm sure he will real soon though.

As you can see Andy figured them out very quickly and we were all targets.


After swimming it was time for ice cream cones, these are miniature Drumsticks and Riley loves them. Found out today that Kaleigh likes them also.


As you can see she had no troubles eating it all by herself. Kind of messy but that is what washcloths are for.


More pictures here.

We really had a great day in the pool and are looking forward to a summer filled with these kinds of days.

Bubbles, Bubbles

Nikki went out to garage sales, so we picked up Andy, Riley, and Kaleigh to do our errands with us and then come over to the house. First we went to Wal-Mart, McDonald's, and Publix to get shopping and breakfast out of the way.

At the house I wanted to try out the bubble gun that I got for the kids to play with this summer and it worked great.

Kaleigh really wanted to be down and running with Riley.


But then she found that the bubbles were coming right to her and she was much happier.


She was really reaching for this one.


Riley chased them all over, he would follow one bubble and get very disappointed when it hit the ground and burst, then we would tell him to look up and there would be all these bubbles and he would start all over again.


As you can see the bubble gun worked very well.


Kaleigh has become quite the "Baapa Girl".


Then it was out to play with the chalk. Kaleigh wasn't sure if she should write with it or eat it.


Riley and I went down to get the paper and he came back with quite the collection of rocks.



As you can see no one and I mean no one escapes the dreaded butt shot. Although I don't think Riley minded or cared.


After picking up all the chalk it was time for Andy and the kids to head home because a couple of them were getting tired. Dan took them home and I stayed at the house to get a couple of my chores done.

Getting Stuff Done Before the Weekend

Today was my long walk, when I first started walking I was doing my long walks on Sunday but I have since found that Fridays work much better. Get it done before the weekend and then I don't have to worry about working it in if we decide to do something exciting. Did the five miles in 1:12:04.

The rest of the day was doing payday stuff; getting caught up with the checkbook, setting up all the bills to be paid this month and that kind of thing. Also did a couple of loads of laundry.

When Dan got home we decided to go to BJ's instead of waiting until tomorrow, get one of the weekend chores done before the weekend. Makes the weekend seem longer. So we headed up to Waterford Lakes and did BJ's and Lowe's. There wasn't as much traffic as I thought there would be which was nice.

Almost forgot, I'm all registered for the 2010 Disney's Princess Half Marathon. So it is official and I have to keep walking. Good thing I have found all sorts of races to walk in to keep the motivation going.