Lazy Day

Today was a very lazy day. We had to move rooms form our awesome 2 bedroom to a small 1 bedroom tiny unit. I knew that when booking and have no one to blame but my cheapskate self! So it's all good. We had our things packed and ready by 10am standard checkout time, but had the privilege of staying in the room until 3pm. Had I known we were going to get lucky I would've left out bathing suits and a puzzle to kill time-- after the fact if too late. So here's our new room ---

little kitchen

beautiful bedroom

living room / dining room combo

So after we moved-- which thankfully one of the maintenance guys helped us shuffle our stuff, we hit the outside. I peeled the children away from the stupid boob tube and made them partake in outdoor activities.

#3 after "ringing a horse shoe" or whatever you call it in the game (which I clearly don't play-- or would've known the correct term)

#3 trying hard again

#2 swinging. I'd love to say lounging on a swing and reading her book ,but she conveniently left her book in the room and instead was using my phone to play a game. 

Our pretty little piece of landscape we claimed to relax in at the resort

#3 captured evidence of me doing absolutely nothing, taking a break from my book,

 as #2 played a game.

That lasted all of like a second because #3 decided he wanted to play basketball. Then they needed dinner. Then we went for a walk around the complex, then hit the pool, then showers, packing for space camp--- and finally bed-- I can barely keep my eyes open!! Tomorrow is space camp day! Oh my goodness!

Edisto Beach pics

View from our balcony

#2 and #3 at the beach

#1 and Papa fishing

#3 looking so sweet

#2 & #3 with Husband picking up hermit crabs

Something ate #1's bait

Horseshoe crabs they found.

 #3 took a picture of Husband and I upon awakening--- that kid!

#3 and Grandma eating junk food

#1 and Husband looking pained as I asked them to pose and say cheese

Many hermit crabs found. They got put back in the ocean after counting!

#2 looking oh so pretty under a beach restaurants deck

Pics from family visit in Fairfield Glade, TN

Message we found in a bottle in a stream

Seven story tree house that was in teh Guiness Book of World Records 

Sweaty boys after playing basketball

This is the view we awoke to every morning. Loved that it was so close!

So did the kids.

One of the many lakes here. 

I want a house like this in the future. Complete with lake view --or ocean--I'm not picky!

Our racoon friend

Field flowers we picked

First vacation puzzle completed

Second one done! 1000 pieces in 2 days--

Go Us!! Just turn your head slightly to the left to see it properly!!

Fairfield Glade's huge bath tub--more like swimming pool!



Come visit us again Boobah!!!! California isn't going to be an island any time soon!

No Rain!

Started the day with a delicious cup of coffee from the lobby brought to me by #1-- he can be such a good kid at times!! Then finally fit in some exercise while the kids played on their computers. I really felt like I needed it after awaking with a puffy face from consuming too many potato chips and beers after the children fell to slumber!! I always regret it afterward but it's so yummy while I'm stuffing my face!

Anyway, the rain held off and it turned out to be a beautiful day. So we held off on the museum adventure. We went online to prepare and realized we went there last year while on our travels. Number 1 objected to going at all-- he remembered every activity and said he didn't care for it that much, could I take the kids after dropping him at space camp. Good enough argument- sounds doable, the other two didn't care- so we set out to explore the resort. Refilled my coffee, played some bingo--  Number 3 won 3 times! He was so excited. He won a pair of rainbow glasses-- just what he needed!

Number 2 won once and was quite content! After bingo we explored the playground and the basketball court. Then they were tired and hungry so we went back to the room. On the way we saw a funny garbage can to encourage using it---of course the 2 little ones wanted their picture with it.

After lunch they just wanted to veg out- so I let them! Then I got bored and asked if they wanted to go shopping. Number 3 was the only taker so we 1 and 2 to hang out - with 1 in charge. 3 and I found the coolest store called the World Market-- I loved it! I bought dishes to create a picnic kit for our travels. Then we went to Target to get milk and eggs that we forgot yesterday and to replace the loaf of bread I dropped all over the floor this morning. But of course we left with more because upon arrival I felt like I was at home and just killing another typical day. We found a clearance picnic basket to now put the contents we just purchased in, and also new water bottles with the freezable ice center piece. Then we found a snow cone  maker that I thought would be so fun, and a tankini top that I feel is much needed for these southern areas. I haven't seen one mom yet her in a bikini, so I haven't swam here because I feel awkward, problem solved now, tomorrow it's on in the pool!!! Cannonballs it is!!! Plus we all needed new books to read and there was conveniently a Books-A-Million in the same complex! This is why I try to stay at museums or the resort --so I don't buy more junk!!

On  our way home we saw an accident - what a horrible thing to witness-- this one makes about the 10th one we've seen on our travels so far. Each on is just after impact before the cops or fire fighters are even there. It's creepy! It makes me drive even more cautious. Then when we were almost to our exit - another one! What in tarnation-- again - i have become a really focused driver-- and it makes the kids talk about the many possible reasons that the accident occurred. Mia always says it was probably due to kids fighting and the mom turned to yell at them and lost control of the car. So needless to say -- they have been awesome in the car-- Number 1 helps gets things when they drop - and they've been getting along so well!!

After returning from our shopping outing we were supposed to go to the pool for a "flick and a float" but then the rain decided to make it's appearance, so we watched some boob tube. I think I can sense them getting dumber with every show  viewed. Gosh I hate TV!!!

I think I forgot to tell that yesterday we went to the Dukes of Hazard Museum.

This is what our room now looks like. Tomorrow we have to move rooms in the same resort because I wasn't able to get the 2 bedroom for the whole time---BOO! But I guess I can't have everything-- so we go to a 1 bedroom for the rest of the time. I'm sure it's going to be just as pretty. I hope the day is nice so we can hang out by the pool and not leave the complex.

I think the last kid is finally sleeping and I should hit the hay as well. As much as I anticipate doing nothing by the pool, that just doesn't happen. Hoping for another good day -- and coffee delivered by #1 (he can be such a good kid) in the AM!!

A New Destination Has Welcomed Us!

A new destination has welcomed us with open arms. After packing our belongings and bidding a farewell  to our temporary abode, (upon returning room keys and borrowed movies), we filled the gas tank, and set out on our way to Nashville. Everyone here seems so nice!! It's only about 2 hours away from our previous location, but it seems we have entered a completely different environment, we have left the woods and entered a  more urban environment, but I like it!! Don't get me wrong, our last visiting place hosted nice people as well, but just a little differently.

 So the resort is beautiful, I had help with my luggage, which totally rocked, I don't have to hear any sales pitches, and  my only gripe is I'm too short to reach the dishes, I have to climb on the counter, but the room is amazing!! The pool is heated AND There is SO MUCH TO DO --- FOR FREE!!! This city is starting to win me over- although it does have a fierce competition from southern California. Plus the lobby is close enough to our room that I can send #1 to fetch my morning coffee instead of brewing it myself! That's a total bonus! I even believe that there is a Whole Foods in this town. Yay!!!

We arrived a few hours early to check in , so we had to wait for our room to be cleaned, but it was OK, I asked the desk if they would hold our field flowers and they said of course. But it was really funny because when I came back to get my room key and flowers, the receptionist admitted that when she saw the flowers she thought- who would deliver half dead flowers, but then saw the note. I explained that we picked them wild and then she got it, and was a little embarrassed. I think they are so pretty, they are wild grown-- they make the room a little more "homely" feeling!

After checking in we went to lunch (I splurged because our room wasn't ready and it only blew $40 of our budget) did our usual grocery run -- hitting me at around $60, but I did purchase the rest of the items needed for #1's space camp--which he goes to on Sunday. Space camp drop off came upon us very quickly.

After our shopping as we proceeded back to the resort we stumbled upon a beautiful military grave yard. We ventured in and drove around a bit, it was so breath taking to see the amount of gravestones that were  unmarked. I plan to return with the kids when the camera is unearthed from our suitcases. I'll post pictures to show the enormity of what I am speaking. Beautiful.  I also told the kids they can do gravestone rubbings on the really old stones.

After telling my  Husband he informed me that we received another response form the last batch of military care packages we sent. How ironic. Anyway, he's going to try to scan the letter into the computer to email to me-- another YAY!!

Every hotel we stay at, we have packed away all the complimentary toiletries and coffee with accompaniments and then we add that stuff to care packages. But the last few weeks collection is going to a homeless shelter in New Orleans when we visit!

Now the kids story-- Number 1 has been surprisingly helpful - at times a bit confrontational, but mostly not! Number 2 is always good, smiling, and helpful. Number 3 is always giving me a reason to question parenting. Tonight he decided he was going to repeatedly try to dunk the basketball in the pool hoop and hang on it-- throw the basketball at people, flirt with the teenage girls, and splash me with water. Ahh I have to breathe deep-- all while number 2 made a friend and is playing so nicely!!

Thank goodness it's time for bath and bed-- hopefully the day will play out a little easier with #3 tomorrow. We need to fit in some education on this trip -- we've been lacking in that area since the start of vacation- so I'm shooting for a museum tomorrow- it  is supposed to rain- so it sounds like a plan! Until then.

Yay-- We had visitors!

So my sister in law brought my niece and nephews to visit us for the last few days. We had such a good time. This resort is like a summer camp for families. It's so neat, there are trails through the woods that go under the roadway, instead of crossing with children, that lead to the outdoor pool, the gymnasium and crafts center, the indoor pool, the tennis courts, and the lakes. We walked everywhere so we could travel the pathways!

Since we've been here we have seen much wildlife. We had a raccoon come right up to the patio sliding door, so we through bits of bread at it and watched it eat. 

It was so cute. Then we came home to a skunk passing our doorway. Number 3 almost got sprayed because he decided to chase it amid my screams of "Get over here-- come back---STOP"!!! Luckily for all of us,the last saying proved to be effective and 3 returned to my side. Ethan was encountered by a fox while walking from our room to my family's room, I heard it and ran like a sissy(it was really dark outside), but he was able to see it. Then we had a snake in the front yard, and we also saw many chipmunks, squirrels, and a deer!

We also turned all our walks into flower picking time, they are just so beautiful!

All the kids had a blast and I enjoyed company as well. Today we went to the largest tree house in North America, it was in the Guinness Book of Records. It's 7 floors of tree house. It was built by a Pastor to hold sermons in. We went last year, but it's so cool , we had to go again, and show the fam before they left. I'll post pictures tomorrow. Since our last visit, they had cleaned it up a ton and added some new things. If you are ever in Crossville TN be sure to stop and see.

The family headed out today after a super fun filled visit to our temporary abode. We were sad to see them peace out, but hope they'll meet up with us again!

Our stay here has been a good one, my only gripe being I had to move rooms, and my new room wasn't as good as the first one. Plus a good portion of my day was spent moving. Bummer! But I am excited to say that my status at Wyndham is finally VIP Platinum!!! And I was able to obtain a room in Oceanside, CA while surfing the website last night. Yeah!!! I'm so excited!!!

Tomorrow marks the end of this resort stay and the beginning of a new one. We are off to a country music capital and hopefully some good lawn entertainment!

Tipping Etiquette???

O.K. so as I have stated numerous times vacation is in full swing -- but I am clueless on one thing-- tipping etiquette. For someone traveling pretty frequently, I sure am lost when it comes to this. I know I'm supposed to leave a tip for the cleaning lady and the guy who brings your bags to the room. But these full functioning resorts offer more than a normal hotel in service so it leaves me confused. For instance at the beach, there was a golf cart "trolley" to take you to the beach, you called and they picked you up at your room, or you walked 5 miles. Then when you need extra blankets or run out of paper towels or dish soap - you call and walla it appears at your door. So how do figure a tip - or is it included in the steep price tag of resorts that offer such amenities. I welcome comments to help me tackle this dilemma!