So Much to Say!

I've been having problems with internet and blogger, so I haven't been able to blog lately.  I'll try to reconstruct the last few days.

Friday night Tonda's 16 year old daughter, Samantha, came to Boca Grande and spent the night with us.  I had invited her to ride with us to Sarasota.  I've watched Samantha grow up and I was excited to get to spend the day with her.  She enjoyed the bow seat.

 Meanwhile, Ryan and Evan were playing with the phones.  I think they were both playing Angry Birds.

Zachary was occupied with the Wii, we got Mario Kart in Key West and he had fun with that.  He had it mastered in a matter of days.  Since the boys were busy, Samantha and I had fun hanging out on the bow.

Yes, that's the bikini I got in Miami.  I plan to rock this bikini when I lose about 10 pounds (much easier to do off the boat).  That night Tonda and her husband Mike came to Sarasota to pick up Samanatha and we all went out for Mexican food.

We had such a good time.  Tonda and I have been friends since she was pregnant with Sam.  It was so great to see her, Sam, and Mike.  The kids completely fell in love with all of them.  They wanted Sam to move in with us.  They also wanted Tonda and Mike to stay on the boat with us.  It was sad to watch them leave!

The next day we took the kids to the GWhiz Science Museum in Sarasota.  They were having a pirate exhibit.  Gee - right up our alley!

Evan loves the Bernouilli Principle ball . . . or whatever it's called.

This is Zachary from 2006 when we visited before, he loved the ball then too.  He was a year younger than Evan is now.

Potty training is going well now.  Evan's had no accidents since that awful one in Boca Grande.  He actually woke up in the night once saying he had to go pee pee.  He's wearing a pull up for naps and bedtime yet wakes up dry.  Poop is another issue, but an expected one.  He is making progress and I'm pleased with that.

Sunday morning we were leaving for Clearwater.  The weather was good so we decided to keep going.  We pointed her North towards Appalachicola.  31 hours later we are here!  It was a pleasant crossing.  I saw lots of boats so I had to pay attention on my watch, but other than that it was uneventful.  The next morning I got up to relieve Ryan so he could sleep a little and we ran into a couple of squalls.  We saw a water spout - which was kind of exciting - but all we got was a little wind and rain off it.  I huddled with the kids down below giggling and singing "It's Raining, It's Pouring" while poor Ryan was up on deck getting soaked.  I did make him a fresh cup of coffee, and after we passed the weather we let him have a nap.

So now we are in Appalachicola.  We went out to dinner last night, and afterwards we went to the ice cream parlor.  The boys opted for lollipops, a cheaper option that they consume less of.  It was fine with me!

Behind them on the bench I saw this sign, and immediately thought of my father in law, Tony.  Tony, this one's for you!

The mood on the boat is melancholy.  Even the kids are asking if there is somewhere else to go before we go home.  It's been such a great summer and great trip, and it's more than a little sad for it to end.  I suppose it's better to end wanting more than to end with a sense of relief.

Today we are going to Crooked Island, if the Air Force isn't launching drones over it.  We have a friend checking on it for us so we should know sometime this morning.  If they are, we'll just stop in Port St. Joe for the night.  Crooked Island is truly a special place, and after all the places we've been, Ryan and I agree that it's still our favorite.  So hopefully we'll finish our trip there.  We plan to stay a couple of nights then head home for the weekend.  Maybe we'll stay longer, I just don't know.  We still haven't flown the new kites the kids got for their birthdays, and we have sandcastles to build and shells to collect.  This will be a nice way to end the trip.

Potty Training in Paradise

We made it to Boca Grande this morning.  We were once again offshore, only this time in the Gulf of Mexico as opposed to the Atlantic Ocean.  What a difference the prevailing winds make!  It was a relatively calm, peaceful passage with nice winds and following seas.  It was a refreshing change from wind and waves on the beam, rocking and rolling all night long.  No one (especially me!) got sick, and we really enjoyed some quality family time yesterday afternoon in the cockpit.

Boca Grande is a beautiful, very family friendly little town.  We just love it here.  We rented a golf cart and toured all over Gasparilla Island today.  My longtime best friend, Tonda, drove up from Ft. Myers to meet us this afternoon and have dinner with us.  It was so great visiting and catching up.  She and her daughter are going to meet us tomorrow in Sarasota, which will be even more fun.

Potty training continues, in paradise.  For the record, potty training is my least favorite thing about parenting.  I like this less than getting up every 3 hours and the massive sleep deprivation that comes with that.  Success comes and goes.  Just when I think things are going great Evan has a huge accident.  As with most kids, it's the pooping in the potty that's the real challenge.  I'll spare you the disgusting details, but Zachary will happily tell you all about it!  Evan does have a few false alarms, mainly because I think he likes how we jump when he says "I gotta go pee pee."  Or perhaps he just gets performance anxiety.  Sigh.  At least we're in a tremendously family friendly environment.  After the fourth such attempt, Evan ran from the bathroom in the restaurant tonight proclaiming for all to hear that he went pee pee in the potty!  I got some friendly and supportive comments and general laughter all around.

Tomorrow morning we rise and shine and head up the ICW to Sarasota.  I've got so much boat cleaning to do.  I wanted the boat to be sparkly clean for when Tonda got here, but it wasn't.  Tomorrow I'll be scrubbing toilets (especially now with one more person using them), floors, sinks, and the infinite crevices on this boat that just collect dirt.  We'll relax a couple of days in Sarasota and then head to Clearwater, we think.   From there it's offshore again, a quick overnight to Appalachicola.  We should be home before my birthday.  A couple of days ago I was SO ready to be home, but now I'm not so sure.

Pictures from Key West

Here we are at the Butterfly Conservatory.

The boys really liked the turtles in the pond.  Evan had a long discussion with him.

The boys at the banyan tree.  Zachary's had his picture at this same tree many times.

Of course this is the only one I can find, from 2006 with Uncle Kurt.  He doesn't look as happy then, does he?

This afternoon we are leaving Key West to head North to Boca Grande.  

Kicking Around in Key West

We pulled into Key West yesterday, passing 2 cruise ships, Mallory Square, the beach (not in this order), and endless personal watercraft.  We passed the Southernmost Point of the United States.  It was exhilarating to be back in "home" waters.  The water in the Keys is so beautiful and green.  On our way to Marathon we anchored out at Rodriquez Key and the water was so clear you could see the bottom.

We started potty training Evan on Monday.

He's so proud of his Thomas underwear.  Monday's attempt was met with very limited success.

A family portrait at Burdine's, our favorite restaurant in Marathon.

After dinner we were sitting in the cockpit when a cat walked by.  I called to it, thinking it would just walk on by.   Boy was I surprised when he jumped on board to say hello.  The kids got a kick out of it.

Then he decided he wanted to check things out down below.

He stayed with us until bedtime, then Ryan encouraged him to find another place to sleep.  He was someone's pet, not some feral cat running around.  He certainly loved the attention from the kids.  Now they're begging for a boat cat.  Yeah right, that's going to happen.

Tuesday morning we sailed to Key West.  I mean really sailed.  We were flying!  Just for proof I took a photo, we are sailing 9.57 knots with 15.7 knots of wind on the beam.  This boat sails nicely.  It's amazing the difference between this boat, 46 feet, and Southern Cross I, 42 feet.  This boat is fast!.

We continued the potty training while underway.  I did question my sanity at potty training on my wobble board with wind and waves on the beam, but we'd already started so we kept on.  Precious little success Tuesday.

But, oh, what a cute little booty in those Mickey Mouse underwear!

Today, I'm pleased to report, we had some success.  Evan has pee peed on the potty many times today, albeit with a couple of accidents.  However, I think he's starting to get the hang of it.  He's quite proud of himself and loves to tell me "I'm three now, I'm not two anymore."

Today we went to the Butterfly Conservatory in Key West.  It's such a fun, special place for me.  The kids seemed to really enjoy it this year.  Evan had a long "conversation" with a turtle in the pond.  It was really cute.  I'll post those pictures in the morning.

Tomorrow afternoon we head offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.  We've said goodbye to the Atlantic for this trip.  The end of this trip is in sight.  We are going to Venice or Boca Grande tomorrow, depending on the wind and waves.  It's a quick overnight.  We'll leave around 3:00 p.m. and we'll get there the next morning.  The forecast is favorable, but experience tells me that weather doesn't always do what the forecast says it will do, especially in the Gulf of Mexico.  We should be back home in two weeks.

Key West has definitely been a highlight of this trip.  Ryan and I both just love it here, and the kids have enjoyed themselves too.  I did some more serious shopping today, such fun!  And I have a slice (just one!) of Key Lime pie in the fridge just waiting for me.  Ryan wanted to buy a whole pie, but I talked him out of it.  Remember, I have a new swimsuit to rock!

The marathon to Marathon

We are leaving this morning for the long trek to Marathon.  We'll anchor out tonight near Key Largo.  Then after a long day tomorrow we'll be there.  Two long days and we'll be there.  Marathon is a sentimental place for us.  Lots has happened there.  Zachary started talking there, saying his colors at the marina at Burdines.

Yesterday the kids went to another science museum for children.  They are all starting to run together, although the kids did have a good time.  They like that better than walking around looking at shops.

I stayed back at the boat and did the laundry.  That wasn't as much fun, but I did get to finish my book, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.  I highly recommend the trilogy of books by Stieg Larsson.  They were each almost impossible to put down and intelligently written.  

We are at the Miamarina (silly silly name) next to Bayside shopping complex.  We had fun walking around there.  We found a Disney Store, and Evan got Nemo.  We had dinner at Hard Rock, and it was loud and fun.

While Ryan put the kids to bed, I went shopping.  I found myself a proper bikini.  The Latina woman working there was so funny.  I was looking at a bottom with a little skirt, similar to the one I already own, and she loudly said "No!  That's not for you, this is."  and she handed me a smaller bottom.  I picked out a "conservative" halter and she just handed me another one and told me to "try it."  They looked really good, considering I'm not working out that much and my diet hasn't been all that clean.  It's totally different from what I normally wear, but I like it.  It's nice incentive to get back to healthy eating and exercising.

The crew is getting impatient for breakfast, and it's time to go.  This crew can be annoying at times, but I guess we've got a marathon to "run".

Only in Miami

Yesterday we explored South Beach.  We took the kids to Lincoln Mall and a walk down Espanola Way.  They were nonplussed.  I did, however, find an evening gown for the hospital gala in November.  That was a goal of mine during our travels.  In Panama City the options for evening gowns are limited to Dillards and the stores where prom dresses are sold.  Prom dresses aren't really my style, and Dillards has 15 of each dress.  No one wants to get all dressed up and see their exact dress at the event.  That happened to me last year because I procrastinated and did not get out of town to buy my dress.  This year it's a fabulous strapless column dress in a delicate floral print.  I just love it.  I have the perfect shoes for it already.  My friend Teresa, queen of antique and estate jewelry, has offered to help bling me out for the event.  I can hardly wait!

After Evan's nap we went to the beach.  The kids had a blast there.  I have to chuckle that we've been over 1600 miles on this trip and Ft. Lauderdale (Wednesday) was the first beach we've seen.  Yesterday we really did the beach thing.  Zachary body surfed for hours and Evan played in the sand and at the water's edge.

Ryan and Zachary (white sun shirt) headed out to the big waves.

Evan and I made sand castles.  I laughed when I uploaded this picture because I didn't realize the entire butt in the background.  It's so commonplace in South Beach!

I have a new swimsuit I bought this year for our Disney Cruise in March.  It's this season, I paid full price for it.  It's a halter top and a shirred bottom with a short skirt attached.  I thought it was so cute and perfect for my age (and ass).  It covers a little, but it's still a 2 piece.  Only the grandmothers had swimsuits on like me, I felt like such a prude.  When I get the chance I'm buying a regular bikini.  I'm not going for the thong bottom - I obviously don't work out as much as that mother of 3 in the background - but I don't need to be quite so conservative.

Today we are changing marinas.  We are in a marina in South Beach and we are headed over to Miami proper.  There is a science museum and a children's museum near the new marina.  Today we'll hit one of those, then the other one tomorrow.  Then we're off to Marathon, then Key West.  We are done with the southbound leg of our trip, now it's west and northwest.  We'll be home soon.

Evan's Birthday!

Today is Evan's birthday!  He shares his birthday with his Aunt Denise, so happy birthday to Aunt Denise too!  All day long, Evan kept singing "Happy birthday to me and Aunt Niece".  It was so cute.

We had presents this morning when the boys woke up.

Evan had such fun showing us how old he is on his fingers.

Meanwhile, our nefarious captain was steering us down the ICW to Miami.  Here it is in the distance.  We were thrilled.  We anticipated an afternoon relaxing by the pool.

But alas, it was not meant to be, at least not yet.  After over a thousand miles on the ICW, and after dealing with drawbridges and their silly schedules all day long, our final bridge was a fixed bridge that was 56 feet high.  Our mast in 62 feet high.  All along the ICW, from Norfolk to Ft. Lauderdale, ALL the fixed bridges are 65 feet.  Oh, the humanity.  So we had to turn around and go back to Ft. Lauderdale, head out through the cut and jump back into the Atlantic to get to Miami Beach.  Instead of motoring 20 miles we had to go 62 miles.  Sigh.  At least the Atlantic was flat.  We didn't have enough wind to sail, but the seas were nonexistent.  Mercifully.  I even made Evan's cake while in the Atlantic.

 Yes, I still need to work on my cake decorating skills, but Evan was thrilled with it.  We had cake after he woke up from his nap.

I can't believe my little angel is three!  

We finally arrived in South Beach around dinnertime.  I fixed Evan's favorite - Mac & Cheese - and we had a nice dinner.  After dinner we went swimming in the marina pool.  Evan had a great birthday, and despite our scenic route here, we all had a great day.