What an Adventure

I just got through watching "Crikey, What an adventure" - a story about Steve Irwin. I loved it. I started watching Steve and Terri Irwin in 1992 with The Crocodile Hunter series and then The Crocodile Hunter Diaries. Those were great shows. My oldest sonthought that he was great.

I remember when Andrew was 3 and wanted to be Steveo for Halloween. And I found a costume at Wal Mart. I still have it. Andrew is 13 now. I just couldn't throw it away. One of my favorite memories was of Andrew at RaRa's party. He was in his Croc Hunter outfit and he had his little rubber croc from Wal-Mart. Amy saw him carrying it around and asked, "What's that you have"?

He said proudly, "It's my crocodile. She's a little female."

I asked -before I had time to think - "How do you know she's a female"?  Uh, why would I ask that? What was I thinking?

And he said, flipping her over onto her back - "You can tell by the beautiful coloration on her underbelly. Isn't she a beauty."

Whew, thank goodness for that beautiful coloration.

That was one of the things I love about Steve Irwin's show. He didn't cuss. I didn't have to worry that he was my kids hero. I didn't have to worry about what my son might repeat.

I realized tonight how much I miss hearing about what's going on at Australia  Zoo with all the people we got to know on camera every week. Terri and the kids, Wess and his family, Brian and his family and the whole crew. We miss you guys. It's still my dream to one day visit Australia Zoo. What an adventure that would be. Can't wait!

Breast Caps

OK so yesterday I mentioned breast caps. My son Matthew - who is 10 years old, and I were at the beach watching his brother take surfing lessons this year. Matt turns to me and says:"Hey, I like that lady's breast caps".

What?!

"Yeah, I like that color. But, why are they - you know - so....small for her - you know."

Excuse me? what is my child talking about. "Matthew, what are you talking about"?

"You know Mom. Those things that cover her - you know - breasts."

"Matthew those are called bathing suit tops, tops, or swim suit tops".

"Yeah, but I like breast caps better. It's more - uhh - descriptive".

I cannot believe I'm having this conversation. I go on to explain how it is rude to call them breast caps and how people won't really understand that term.

Matt just looks at me with a puzzled look and says "well, they are called breasts and that is the proper term and I don't think it sounds rude. Nothing wrong with either word. It's not a cuss word is it?"

I sigh. I feel a gray hair sprong from my head. Maybe God will give me some wisdom if we save this conversation for later. We walk to the car and I change the subject. I'm sure we will re-visit this later.

A Trip to Typhoon Lagoon

What is it about just walking into Typhoon Lagoon that just drains all the stress and makes me so....relaxed?  I don't know if it's happy memories or the music or the atmosphere. But what ever it is I LOVE it!

What a great day. Andrew and Matt were excited because the sign said that if you were LESS than 10 you didn't HAVE to be accompanied by your parent. They didn't bother to ask me if that was OK. It was - with a few added rules. They enjoyed the wave pool. Mom is still sick so she sat in the sun a lot. We did the lazy river thing. The wave pool is the best though. In my opinion it is the best wave pool ever!

We had ice cream. It was great!  And the only thing that is reasonably priced. And then Matt started talking about "breast caps". Really loudly. And a red faced Andrew had to walk away and pretend that he didn't know us. What are "breast caps" you ask. I'll blog about that tomorrow.

And then at the end of the day Andrew decides that he wants to go to Shark Reef. That's a 69 degree salt water tank with tropical fish and some small leopard sharks. We gathered all of our stuff and walked to the other side of the park. Andrew and I swam across and it was great - and COLD! I love doing things just before the park closes.

And then it happened.
Poor Matt.
Matt walked ahead and gathered up all of our stuff - trying so hard to be helpful. And he fell. Into the bushes. Skinning his shins,knees,back of his legs on the wooden posts that line the flower beds.

"Get me out of here"! he yelled.

Andrew to the rescue. Andrew lifted him out with one arm and sat him down, Matt squalling the whole time. I got him calmed down. Kept him from looking at the blood. And then he was embarrassed. I told him that I would have cried too. I told him he was doing great. And he was. We made it out to the car and got him home and I did the first aid thing. Fed him and he was fine.

What a day. Can't wait 'till tomorrow.

a trip to Florida

Most kids dream about a trip to Orlando,FL. I told my kids we were going and this is the response I got:

"I don't want to go" from Andrew. "Can I stay with Dad?". 

My response. "No."

From Matt. "Do we have to go? Why do you ALWAYS make us go to Florida? Can I take the Wii?" sigh. "No Wii. You can take your DSi" That made him happy. 

Moody 13 year old took it in stride that he was going on the family vacation. He's a pretty great kid for a moody 13 year old. He also looks 16 and has had to shave since he was 11 1/2 or 12. And he is very laid back - he gets that from me - of course. 

Mom and I both got really sick just before we were scheduled to leave for this vacation. I am better. Mom is a little better. We are both still taking antibiotics. We will still have fun. Or else!

So, I'm listening to John Cougar Melloncamp sing "R.O.C.K in the USA" on the way down and Matt pipes up in the back. "Ha,Ha, that's funny. He stinks?" 

"Uh? You don't like the song?" I thought he didn't like John's singing.

"He's saying 'I'm stinking in the USA'. That's a funny song."

That Matthew. He cracks me up every day. I hope everyone out there delights in their children everyday. They will only be this age once. It can be scary, frustrating, challenging, fulfilling, etc. And it can be sooo much fun. Enjoy the process!

More to follow on this trip.....