All Weared Out

Virginia Fun Passes in hand, the three of us set out to Busch Gardens for the first time this year. That place is truly amazing -- and gorgeous! Who needs Disney? It is no wonder it has won the "most beautiful theme park" award so many times. Plus it is huuuuuge -- there was no way I could take it all in. And even being there all day, I knew we hadn't even seen the half of it or even a third of it. We were so lucky -- the forecast was for thunderstorms, but it turned out to be a gorgeous day and blissfully not crowded at all considering it was Memorial Day Weekend.

By decree of our pint-sized dictator, we started off in the Sesame Street "Forest of Fun," home of the infamous Grover Roller Coaster. And again, and again, and again. You get the drift! Sam's favorite ride and my least favorite (of course) was Prince Elmo's Spire, which boosts you way high up in the air and then drops you down fast without warning. All in all it was one nauseating ride. However, I am grateful for not having to live down losing my breakfast, which was a distinct possibility for a while.

Then we took the skyride/gondola over the park, flying over the grazing sheep and goats of Ireland with its thatched roofs. And voila, we got off in France! There were no in-flight snacks, but the cheap airfare and lack of jet lag was much appreciated! Daddy Mac and I were in heaven since we both love French food, wine, culture, etc. However, the little dude was not having it since it was lunch time and there was not a deep-fried nugget to be found in any bistro there. We stumbled upon the Smokehouse and had some great BBQ and an Elmo cupcake to re-energize the Saminator.

We wandered into Germany, which reminded me of Munich in the summertime. Ah, it would have been so nice to grab a stein of beer on a hot day, but alas... We were lucky to get Sam to watch the show at the Hofbrahaus for five minutes before declaring it "boring." (He is too young to understand that the show was not intended to be watched sober at 2 PM.) So we set off to the Land of the Dragons. There were rope walkways which sure wore me out and lots of really neat kiddie rides. It's hard to beat riding a carousel, flying on a dragon, driving a ladybug, smashing into bumper cars, and even taking off on a WW II biplane as if you were the Red Baron. What do you do for an encore?

And there's more?? Oh yes! Italy was breathtaking with columns everywhere and yet a few more kid rides in the spirit of Da Vinci. And then it was time to go because we had a small human time bomb on our hands. It almost exploded on the tram back to the parking lot. However, with careful handling we made it back to the car safely where the surly little man passed out within seconds.

When we stopped to pick up some good German beer near home, Sam woke up, announcing, "I am so weared out by Busch Gardens." I'll drink to that!

LibbY

Been to the Jeff Lately?

We hadn't been the the Jefferson Hotel there since their big LeMaire "makeover" last year, and it impressive! We went for Bernie's birthday since it is one of his favorite places in the world along with Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, and Ferrari dealerships. We met up with one of his fellows Martini Crewe buds (and Martini-in-law wife) who earned their nickname by drinking martinis at the jefferson every Friday night for years. Ah, youth! (And we missed the rest of you -- you know who you are!)

The new jazzed-up restaurant is amazing! They added a big snazzy bar as you walk in which has some specialty drinks like a ginger mojito and a "corpse reviver." Plus they have $5 drink specials on weekday nights, not bad for a five-star restaurant! They also have a deal right now that you can order a three-course dinner for $30 if you eat by 6 PM. We got another great deal, the "LeMaire package" which covered the room, a three-course dinner, room-service breakfast, valet an gratuity for $350. They even upgraded us to a gargantuan room, of course exquisitely decorated. I guess the Great Recession is not over yet, and we were the lucky beneficiaries! (Drinks not included. Reality had to kick in at some point!)

As you can see, they have brought back the alligators, too! Not real ones unfortunately, but there is a historical plaque out front, some statues, and lots of cute alligator stuff in the gift shop.

Sam had a great time at home going to Mickey D's for a happy meal with his favorite babysitter. It's nice that someone around here is still a cheap date!

Libby

Ever Been to Tallahassee?

It's OK! I hadn't, but now I'm a big fan! It is like Richmond in lots of ways -- a small Southern city, a little known state capital, tons of history, lots of charming non-chain restaurants, a great cost of living, very social, and so wonderfully easy to get around town. Oh, and it's hot and humid-as-all-get-out too, so no wonder I feel at home!

There were quite a few firsts as well -- my first time seeing Spanish moss, cypress trees, a white squirrel, a Florida panther, and experiencing a sake martini as well as iced green tea with honey and mint. Pretty good for one day, huh? It was also the first time I heard the mosquito referred to as "the state bird of Florida." Sorry, mockingbird, you are the last to know about your pesky replacement!

There are more museums here than you could ever take in on a weekend or even a week for that matter. I lost count, but I think today we saw four amazing ones-- the Old Capital, the Goodwood Museum and Gardens, Mission San Luis, and the Tallahassee Museum. We also had an insider tour of our newly renovated, hip and happening Hotel Duval, once known as the "Second Capital" of Florida. Oh, there was one more attraction-- we took in some Pink Floyd at the Challenger Learning Center's amazing planetarium.

So what am I doing up at 1 AM after all that? Good question and goodnight!

LibbY

Financial Responsibility 101

Since the sun was so incredibly bright today, I took Sam into CVS to get some sunglasses. Lo and behold while we were there for all of five minutes, he found everything in the world that he wanted, needed, and absolutely had to have! He was especially entranced with a package of two Superhero Squad guys for only $3.99. First I told him to wait for his birthday. Then when he started whining about not wanting to wait that long, I resorted to the hard drive of my mind, a scary place to be.

Falling back on some random parenting advice, I asked, "Well, why don't you pay for it? Do you have any money?"

He replied, "I do! I do! In my piggy bank!" Oh sure you do, boy. So we go home and check out the piggy bank. Here I am expecting a few pennies to dribble out. Oh no -- over $7 in change comes shooting out with a vengeance. Since he actually did have the money to pay for it, I had to stick with my word. Dontcha hate that?

I ask the burning question, "Where did you get all of that money?"

He smiled, "From Daddy's tie place." (That's where Daddy Mac keeps all of his spare change.) Then he blurts out with an impish grin, "When he's not home!"

By then Daddy Mac had come into the room and heard the antics going on. He told Sam he'd take him to go get the toy as long as he promised not to take any more money from his closet when he's not home.

Sam replied, "Next time I'll go straight to the bank!" Pointing at Daddy Mac, he burst out, "And the bank is YOU!"

So much for Financial Responsibility 101.


LibbY