just B-log...

I haven't written in a while.  Well let me rephrase that... I haven't posted in a while.  I've started entries but the rush of the day takes me away from the computer, then I lose my train of thought, and ultimately have to start over.  Since my last attemt Izzy has experienced her first bubble bath, we flew cross country to Georgia, then drove 9 hours one way to Florida to visit my grandma.  We are out of sorts but I'm loving life being at home with my family.  Emily is home from college, my mom is on summer break and my dad's corvette is fixed and already has taken me to Sonic for a cherry limeade.  I'm in love with the heat and humidity.  I love wearing a tank top and shorts.  It is amazing what the change in weather can do for your mood.  We are back from Florida and anticipating the arrival of my Aunt Donna for the night.  This week of vacation will bring more relaxing times in my home away from home.

76....

That is how old my grandma is.  She can drink with the best of them but she may not be able to hold her liquor quite as well.  Tonight we enjoyed the grandma that might have been over served.  After Izzy and Papa Doug were asleep the three generations played in the pool.  I did not want to swim since the water was only 83 degrees.......burrrr.  My grandma on the other hand talked a big game but once those little toes hit the water it took her a while to go in.  I bribed her by putting her wine further down the pool side so she would have to swim to get it.  Then I tried to challenge her to see if she could swim the length of the pool in one breath.  After doing the "grandma side stroke" while laughing and talking, she asked if she did it.  Yummmm, no.  So then she bullied me into getting my suit on and dipping myself in the chilly pool.  While I tried to force my body in slowly my sister thought it would be fun to pull me in to make the pain go away faster.  Once in the pool it was game on!!  First on the agenda.... chicken fights.  Me and my grandma vs. my sister and my mom.  Well it started with me holding my grandma around her waist and Emily holding my mom around her waist.  As they both fought to the death with their legs Grandma asks me "Did I do good?"  LOL.  Well not only did she do good, I thought she could do great.  I then proceeded to put grandma on my sholders and mom made her way on Emily's.  Unfortunately, we failed.  The night went on for another hour or so.  We laughed and laughed and laughed until we finally tucked Grandma into bed.  She kept saying "You will never have a grandma as fun as me".  She is definitely right about that.  We have made a lot of fond memories with her and plan to make many more well into her 80's.

 

My mom, sister and grandma. 

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I'm happy we traveled all this way on two planes to get to spend time with our family and closest friends.  There is no special occasion to bring us home other then Chris having finals and this is the last time Izzy will get to fly for free before she turns two.  There is something priceless about this trip.  Watching Izzy interact with her Oma, Aunt and Great-grandma has been worth the whole trip by far. Tonight, Izzy took a late night swim with Auntie Em.  Until tonight, Izzy would only play on the stairs of the pool.   But there was something about tonight that lured Izzy into the deep end of the pool with her aunt.  Could it be because it was her first time swimming at night or the fact I only let her wear a swim diaper, whatever the case is, Izzy enjoyed ever second she had with the water up to her chin with her Aunt (aka Emi).  It almost looked like she was getting away with something.

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While in Florida, Emily and I took a day to ourselves.  I left Izzy home with her Oma and Great-grandma to be spoiled rotten all day.  It was the first time in a long time that Emily and I had some quality sister time.  Just. The. Two. Of. Us.  We left the house at 7:30AM and headed 3 hours NE from Punta Gorda, FL to Orlando to witness the spectacular Wizardly World of Harry Potter at Universal Island of Adventures.  We are both huge fans of Harry Potter and this was a once in a life time opportunity for us.  We paid our admission and hightailed it to the back of the park to immerse ourselves in the the magical world as muggles.  It was AMAZING!!!  We had so much getting dizzy and sick on all of the roller coasters.  We treated ourselves to a delicious Cheeseburger in Paradise at Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville Restaurant for lunch.  We finished the day with another round of roller coasters and watched the sunset as we drove the 3 hours back to our Grandma's house.  It was one of my favorite days of my entire life!!!  Spending the day with Emily just as sisters was awesome!!  I miss her so much when we are out in California.  She is so busy most of the time with school that I hardly ever get to talk to her.  When I do get a chance to hear her voice she is tired, exhausted and preoccupied.  This day with her made up for all the days we have been separated and all the conversations that were lost because of a screaming baby or nagging homework.

This is only the first week of our vacation!!  Bring on more sun and heat and fun!!!