"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.