Friday, February 29, 2008

color me the proud wife

Ed's miniature-golf-hole submission to the Walker's Walker in the Rough has been accepted. Hooray!

Not to give it away, but let's just say it's marble-run inspired and he worked very hard on it the night before it was due (he's very good at high-pressure deadlines, this one). Not only that, but his agency, BBDO, agreed to sponsor it. So now when it comes to actually constructing the thing, he can do it during work hours (double hooray!).

To my family who visits every Memorial Day Weekend, guess what we can do this year (as if Grandma and Grandpa didn't get enough miniature golfing with us in Florida)? And to anyone else out there who wants to visit before Labor Day, we get unlimited free passes.

Now I know how it feels to be the wife of a rock star.

quote of the day

(After watching luge videos with Papa on YouTube.)

ELIAN: When I get older, I'm going to wear a helmet and do the luge.

MAMA: Are you trying to give me a heart attack?

ELIAN: Yes.

(A few minutes later, standing on the couch.)

ELIAN: Now, I'm going to do something very scary...It's called the FL-UGE.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Phlorida Photos


Ye was definitely enchanted.



Note: Different shirt. You thought I was kidding about miniature golfing every day.



The little man was in charge of distributing golf balls. It went like this: blue for him, green for Papa, orange for Mama, purple for Grandma and black for Grandpa.



Something we did, that amazingly enough, wasn't golf-related.



Notice the concentration-mode tongue -- just like Papa!



The little dude's heroes du jour.




Grandpa and his Mini-Me.




A beach-trolley snuggle.




A pelican about to dive for a fish.




A vision in pink.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

"i like florida"

We just returned from five glorious nights in Florida, otherwise known as the "I-like-Florida" tour only because Elian said these words about every 5 minutes. That along with how much he loved Grandma and Grandpa.

It's always hard for me to write about the more eventful events. I get a little overwhelmed trying to remember everything that happened. But since I'm leaving Friday morning for Sacramento, I wanted to get as much as I could remember down. There's no chance of me remembering anything come Monday. So, here's the somewhat detailed play by play.

Our stay in Florida with Grandma and Grandpa Schulz got off to an awesome start when we headed to baggage claim. I said to Elian, "Look who's here to pick us up, it's Grandma!" and he ran the distance to her arms open and a huge smile across his face. Back at Grandma and Grandpa's, Grandma marveled the boy with her ability to produce an endless supply of cardboard tubes for his creations. And the little man patiently waited for Grandpa to return from his golf tournament so that he could swing a club with him. When Grandpa arrived, we ended up going miniature golfing. Little did we know, this would be one of five trips to the miniature golf course. The things you do for love. (By the way, in Florida they take their miniature golf VERY seriously. This is where we played. -- and it was totally worth the $9.75 admission price.) We wrapped up the evening with Grandma's famous chicken and wine sauce and a Florida staple: key lime pie. (Little did I know this would be one of probably five pieces of key lime pie I ate while I was there.)

The next day, we attempted to go to the beach. But since we got a late start, we were stuck in an awful line of traffic longer than we wanted to be. And isn't a beach experience supposed to be about relaxation? So instead we found a great place for lunch, then played a round of miniature golf at a different place (the little man got two, count 'em, two, holes in one!). Then, we sampled three of Baskin Robbins' 31 flavors. We had so much fun that day -- it ended up being a very happy accident that there was so much traffic. We got back to Grandma and Grandpa's and hit the pool. Then, Grandpa cooked up some fish on the grill and Ed made his pineapple salsa as an accompaniment. More key lime pie.

Saturday, we spent some quality time making marble runs and playing golf with Grandpa before we went out to lunch with Dr. Hakim & Co. Back at Dr. Hakim's place, Elian tried his hand with some living room putting. Then it was back to Grandma and Grandpa's for the big Edison Light Parade. (By the way, in Florida, they take their parades VERY seriously.) This was a two-hour parade that apparently people set up chairs days before. There were some cool floats, some festive marching bands and gunfire, lots and lots of gunfire -- apparently this was a new addition to the ELP (lucky us). The fellas and I made a food-booth run and picked up a giant turkey leg for Aunt Roberta, a "bratwurst" for Grandpa and some Latin fare for Ed and myself (pork, black beans and rice, and plantains - yum). Lest you think there was no miniature golf that day, there was. We played it on our way to Dr. Hakim's house. And here, I'd almost forgotten.

On Sunday, we got an early start and headed to the beach. I'm pleased to report, traffic was minimal. We spent a few hours building sandcastles, collecting shell remnants, and the highlight of the morning, watching Pelicans and dolphins just off the pier. We feasted on Greek gyros followed by ice cream. Arteries, shmarteries! When we got back, Elian coerced Grandpa into playing more golf (he really had to do some arm twisting). I may have rested my eyes for a little bit. Then, more swimming at the pool followed by more miniature golf for EVERYONE! Grandpa blamed his game on the fact that we were playing in the dark and that Elian had once again chosen a black golf ball for him. We went out to dinner where I ate about six pounds of mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon.

Monday morning we lounged around. Elian played some golf with Grandpa and some Gnip Gnop with Grandma. Then, we went spent some time at Lakes Park splashing in the fountains and riding the teeny tiny train. We had lunch at the same yummy place we ate at when the day we skipped the beach. Then, remember that huge line of traffic I told you about on the way to the beach? Grandpa got in that line of traffic to pick up some fish at the fish market. Lucky for Elian, he had Papa's iPod and a few episodes of Calliou. Some of us were not so lucky. That said, the delicious fish dinner that night made it totally worth while. Did I mention we ate more key lime pie? And that we also went miniature golfing AGAIN after dinner?

It was a pretty sweet trip. Elian professed his love for Grandma and Grandpa no fewer than 6 million times a day. He also told us how much he liked Florida. And miniature golf.

Now that I've given you and overly detailed day-by-day diary, I'll close with these random thoughts/memories I don't want to forget:

Seeing the box of egg sandwiches we were served on the plane that said this: Buddie's "quality" food -- which reminded me of this website.

Elian and Grandma playing "Two little puppies sitting on a couch".

This quote of the day:
MAMA: Good shot Tiger Woods!
ELIAN: Thanks, Mama Woods!

Grandpa and Elian watching a pool tricks tournament on ESPN (who knew?).

My newfound crossword-puzzle addiction.

My newfound fresh-squeezed-orange-juice-preferably-orange-cranberry addiction (although I think the husband might even be more addicted than I am -- he practically had a juice glass attached to his face the whole trip). Damn you, Sun Harvest Citrus and your free juice samples!

My newfound keylime-pie addiction. Again, Sun Harvest Citrus, I blame you.

Then today, I was showing Elian his new magazine. There was something in there about a Sea Lion to which he replied:
"That's like Sea Line Pie" (apparently he had gotten his fill of key lime pie in Florida too.)

Stay tuned for pictures.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

like hope, but different.

This came from a "frequent Hernan-dos reader." It makes me giggle and want to cry at the same time.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

things i have learned from baking and frosting valentine's cutout cookies with a 3-year-old

• It's best to spread it out over two days: Baking one day, frosting the next.

• Even if you decorate special M&M-covered cookies for certain papas, you have the right to change your mind and decide that they're all for you.

• Ditto about the special green frosted cookies.

• Oh, and that part about bringing the cookies to Florida and not eating any until you're there. Sounded good at the time.

• When you're three, there's no such thing as too many sprinkles.

quote of the day

(I'm trying on a dress I bought to wear for a friend's wedding.)

"Mama, you look good in that...You look like a wedding girl!"


I can always count on the kid for a little ego boost.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

mission annoying

Ever since he saw this on YouTube, the little man's been somewhat "enamored" (understatement alert!) with the theme to Mission Impossible.



Yesterday, I listened to him sing this theme for about 20 minutes straight while I made dinner. And while that doesn't sound too challenging in itself, it was the same spot of the theme over and over and over and over and over. And did I mention over? I had to do everything in my power not to scream "SHUT UP ALREADY!!" But he was having so much fun, moving his marble throughout the house, pretending our house was one giant marble run, that it made the annoyance totally worthwhile.

I'm pleased to report he was at it again this morning. This time though, his Mission Impossible was cut short. Where's Tom Cruise when you need him?

Thursday, February 07, 2008

quote of the day

(Calling from the other room with equal amounts excitement and surprise.)

Mama, I got out of the couch crack!!!

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

quote of the day

(While reading Ferdinand the Bull before bed.)

PAPA: What is that?

ELIAN: A shirt.

PAPA: It's called a "Camiseta" in Spain. What are those?

ELIAN: Pants.

PAPA: They're called "Pantalonas" in Spain. (Pointing to shoes) Do you know what those are called in Spain?

ELIAN: Shoes-a-pita??

waiter, there's a RAT in my soup!

Today during lunch, little e told me he saw a mouse (more specifically, a rat -- "like ratatouille") in his chicken noodle soup. Of course I had to take a picture. The little man can spot so many shapes and faces in things (and not just in his poop).

If the bowl's a clock, look around 4 o'clock. Can you see it?

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Sunday, February 03, 2008

on the count of three, you will cluck like a chicken

quote of the day

(Watching pool tricks on You Tube.)

Elian: I want to watch that one.

Papa: Pool Gods??

Elian: I like Gods.

Papa: What do you like about them.

Elian: Because they're so funny.

Friday, February 01, 2008

drop that whopper!

I'm not a vegetarian. Sometimes the thought of meat gives me the heebie jeebies. Then, in the next minute, I can crave a big, juicy steak or hamburger. We probably eat meat two or three times a week but I think I could definitely give it up without missing it too much (especially if I had my own private chef like Oprah).

Anyhoo, in the spirit of tree-hugging tips, I thought this was kinda interesting. Particularly about the 9th paragraph down where it says: "...if Americans were to reduce meat consumption by just 20 percent it would be as if we all switched from a standard sedan -- a Camry, say -- to the ultra efficient Prius."