Rainbows, Butterflies, Flowers & Dogs: March 2015

Monday, March 30, 2015

Friday, March 27, 2015

Fire & Ice

The trip started with an ice storm in Cedar Rapids early Monday. Road conditions were a bit dicey en route to Iowa City (6 AM); but fine from that point onward.

Friday morning called for an EARLY departure out of Clearwater. All was on time until the pilot informed us we were turning around (30 minutes into the flight) because of a warning light that had come on. Once on the ground, we had 4 firetrucks chasing us. All were asked to deplane. We were seated near the back, and Emmie needed to use the restroom. After the plane was emptied, Grandma knocked on the door:

Grandma: You ok?

Emmie: Yeah. I'm trying. I may need another 20 minutes or so though (her concept of time is not reality yet).

Flight Attendant: She needs to deplane sooner than 20 minutes from now.

Emmie came out shortly after. I was in the back, and startled by the Fire Chief in all silver gear following me up the aisle (still not sure where he came from). He told the pilot that there was an issue.....hot air in the hydraulics. Glad we turned around! A plane was sent from Sanford such that we arrived to Moline with only a 3 1/2 hour delay.

Quotes from the trip:

Emmie: Hey, City Hall (Oldsmar). Eric is in that.

Kris: Do you mean the Hall of Fame?

Emmie: Oh, yeah. That.

Emmie asked more than once (while at Busch Gardens, and on the Pirate Ship), "Am I dreaming?"

Upon seeing dolphins in the water, "This is like paradise."

While collecting shells:

Emmie: This is another piece to the same shell. We must be making an orphan.

Kris: What is an orphan?

Emmie: Remember what you said. It has a pearl inside it.

Kris: An oyster.

Emmie: Yeah, that.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for making this trip memorable!!!

On to the next adventure......a weekend with Dad in Chicago/Kenosha.

While driving from Moline, Phil yawned in the car. From the backseat, Emmie asked, "Want me to drive?"

Thursday, March 26, 2015

1, 2...10

Dolphin Video

Dolphins

Shenanigans

Pirate Cruise

Dolphins & Turtles

Moving to the Music

Mom Too!

Clearwater Beach Inflatable Slide

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Stingray

Fort De Soto Beach

Fort De Soto

Emulating Grandpa

Busch Gardens Recap

Emmie, Mom, Grandma & Grandpa trekked to BG. 8+ hours in the park.

Favorite Animals: Kangaroos & Hyenas

Favorite Ride: Sand Serpent Roller Coaster
Mom had to keep Emmie in line twice. She tried to escape because was scared, and even shed a few tears as we neared the front of the line. At the end, she asked the attendant if we could stay in the coaster to go again.

Favorite Ride with Grandpa: Raft Ride (because Mom got soaked) and the Bumper Cars

Favorite Ride with Grandma: Log Ride!

Favorite Food: Dippin' Dots

Favorite Drink: Slurpee

Favorite Show: Madagascar Live. A 20 minute concert. E was in the front row and danced throughout (unless the characters in costume got too close to her.....in which case, she clutched Mom as hard as she could).

I wouldn't let her get her face painted at one point. Referenced the ticket cost, and taking advantage of everything that was included, instead of "add-ons" that the theme park has in place to make more money. Her response was simpler than my explanation: "This Sucks"
(She may have picked that up from Grandpa?)

Purchased: A $6.99 hard plastic Bengal Tiger for herself, a necklace for Mia and suitcase of little animals for Shawn. Discussion in the store:
Grandma: Why don't you get her a Penguin necklace? This is cute.
E: No, I want to get her this unicorn necklace.
Grandma: You didn't see unicorns here. That doesn't make sense.
Mom: You didn't see penguins either.
Emmie ended up choosing a baby Tiger necklace that Grandma didn't like. Emmie retold the entire story to Grandpa:
"Mom had to get in the middle. She yelled at Grandma."
(I didn't yell)

"Too Late"

Emmie got a kick out of the fact that her headband ended up in the front of the boat also, despite the fact that we sat in the way back.

Feeding the Kangaroos

The Kangaroos, and Hyenas, ending up being Emmie's favorite animal experiences on the day.

While peering through one of the Hyena window exhibits:
K: Emmie, look, there is a hyena right there.
E: Where? Where?
(I let her look for awhile)
E: Where? I don't see it.
K: Look down.
E: Oh my gosh (as she jumped back).
She retold the story to Grandpa:
"It was literally right there. I was right next to it."

Day 2 - Part V

"A cute little baby kangaroo!"

Day 2 - Part IV

Emmie loved the Meercats also. She made the comparison to the game that you have to guess which hole a guy will pop up before smacking it. There was also a meercat lounging/tanning on his back...."you can see his prive".