Day #2 in Paradise

So yesterday morning we boarded a plane in Atlanta and landed in Paradise. A sweet man who I'm pretty sure had only one working eye drove us the 52 miles to Negril. I was bartender, being the front of the bus. We had a good ride and then got out, only to be met by a sweet Jamaican woman holding guava-rum drinks of some kind for all of us. We were shown to our villas and our luggage appeared later at our doorstep as if moved by magic fairies. Lunch was served in the outdoor dining room followed by swimming in various pools and the ocean. Our personal bartenders fixed us drinks all afternoon. Dinner included grilled shrimp, jerk chicken, and various other Jamaican dishes. This morning the coffee was strong and we spent the morning walking on the beach, drinking fruit smoothies and sunning ourselves.

It's been tough so far. Tonight will be Jessica's (Michael's little sister) rehearsal dinner. They have put tables next to the pool, covered with brightly colored tablecloths for the dinner. Glenn, our bartender and general helper in all things, has so far found me grapes, boxed american cereal, crackers and very cold water. I fear I will soon wake up from this dream. But for now, I'm enjoying it. I can't believe God made such a beautiful place, and that he would then give me the opportunity to spend 5 days in it!

Elliot's first book

So last night I came home from some last minute shopping and found Elliot in his bed stuck on page 9 of "Cooking With the Cat". He had read that far and got stuck on 'into'. So I guess he's reading now! He's so exciting and has read this book at least 5 times in the last 24 hours.

New dress

So J.C. Penney had a sale. This is the dress Michael picked out for Elsie. Doesn't she look old?

First fruits

Here is Elsie enjoying our first cucumber from our garden. I guess it is pretty amazing that you plant a small green stem in the ground and 2 months later you can eat something growing on it. The kids certainly thought so, although Elliot is not a cucumber fan. Bug is. She'll eat anything.

A week at home

So Maggie's morning school was closed last week for vacation. But I had to work in the mornings. So Michael stayed home with the kids and I must say - he is a LOT more fun than I am. One morning they went to the pool with a friend. One morning I came home and they had pushed the couches together, making a 'boat' from which they were fishing for sharks, whales and other sea creatures. My favorite was the day I came home and found a flower, houses and animals made from paper - they had learned origami.

Papa wins the fun award. I'd rather stay home with him any day!

Summertime

Code Yellow

I lost Elsie today in Target. I don't mean she ran a couple of aisles over and snuck back to me. I mean I was checking out, reached into my wallet, gave the cashier some money, turned around and she was completely gone. Now if you know Elsie, you know she thinks it's funny to hide. So I thought she was probably just behind the next check out counter. I put my wallet away, pushed the cart toward the door and said, 'Bug?'

No Bug. No Bug anywhere in the front of the store. No Bug in cosmetics, near the snack bar, in the women's clothing, by the customer service desk. No Bug. I'm starting to panic. I say to a red-shirted woman standing nearby, 'I can't find my daughter.'

Here is where the Target people move into action. They were FABULOUS. This woman asks for a description and says on her walky talky, 'Code Yellow, Code Yellow. We have a 2 1/2 year old girl in a white dress and tennis shoes. Code Yellow, Code Yellow.' Immediately a security guard is at the front doors, which completely lock down. All red shirted people STOP what they're doing and start looking for Bug, whom they find in LESS THAN 2 minutes. A tall woman walks toward me, holding Bug's hand. Bug walks to me and hugs me, but she was NOT scared. In fact, she looked like she'd just met a new friend.

Why do I have the feeling this will not be the last time with Bug that I hear 'Code' something?

Mail

On the way to school this morning:

Elliot: I'm going to live in California when I'm a grown-up.

Me: Why?

E: So I can watch Matthew drive race cars.

Me: Will you come and visit me?

E: Yes, always.

Me: Will you write me letters?

E: Yes. You should always live in the same house so the mailman knows where to find you.