OK, I Like My City

I was a pretty cool mom yesterday, I must admit. Even though the employee at Tom Thumb had to tell my boys to "Please stop playing kickball in the store", I wanted to treat them with a surprise trip to the city waterpark. So while they played Lego Batman on Wii for the 37th time this week, I quietly made 4 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and stuffed them into our cooler along with various other snacks. Then, stealthily packed another bag with towels, bathing suits, sunblock, etc. With the swift covert action that only a ninja mom, like myself, can deliver, I got all the goods in the back of the van without the kickballers having a clue. Wuh huh huh!!

When we pulled into the parking lot and they realized where we were, Ethan asks "Why did we go here?" I explained to them that everything we needed was behind their seats. They were stunned into silence for a whole 4 seconds! Then Dominic kept repeating "Well this is surprising!" "This is really surprising!" "Mom, your surprising us!". They immediately became gentlemen. Dominic even offered to carry a bag! Dominic!!

Besides the fact that my kids had a great time at the Lewisville Old Town Waterpark yesterday, I have to say that I'm very impressed with the amount of awesomeness that my city offers for such a small amount of cash. For only $6 (Ragu was free) I was able to take my boys to the waterpark and have a really great time. And it was super clean. With lots of shade. And I got a chair!

One of the highlights was when one of the kids pooped in the pool. Everyone had to exit the water until they got all the poop out. Then I'm sure there was some code they had to abide by for cleaning poop reminants and making sure all the poop germs were gone. We had to wait for at least 20-30 minutes. I didn't care. It wasn't one of my boys who pooped in the pool. They might have poop on their underwear but at least they go in a toilet. Well, 2 out of 3 anyway.

Besides the 2 awesome waterparks that my city, Lewisville, has for it's citizens, look at this...

EEEEEK! Isn't that cool? Hey, we're no sleepy town. Check out the names on that poster. Excuse me! Led Zeppelin? B.B. King? Janis? Santana? Incredible String Band? (OK, I don't really know who the Incredible String Band is. But they sound incredible, right?) I just wanted to let everyone know that just 2 weeks after Woodstock all these performers were in Lewisville (then a raging population of a little over 9,000) performing at the Texas International Pop Festival (Yeeee-haw ya'll!) Because when I think international pop festival, Lewisville is the first place I think of. Totally.

Another cool thing about my city is that back in 1934 The First National Bank was robbed by The Barrow Gang. That's Bonnie & Clyde people. OK, so Bonnie and Clyde weren't actually at the robbery itself, but they were here earlier that year scoping it out. My point is... I'm not real sure. But we're pretty darn special. I tip my hat to you Lewisville.

Mommy and Carmine in California

This past weekend Carmine and I went to California for a long weekend. It was so nice to see everyone, even though the trip was over in a flash. In fact it feels like we never even left Texas. But 3 days is better than nothing. What was awesome is that we managed to surprise everyone. With many a close call, neither I or Grandpa spilled the beans.

Thursday night we all went to dinner at our old stomping ground... Stewart Anderson's. Back in the day, Stewart Anderson's is where The Johnson's used to go when we wanted a fancy night on the town. I remember all 6 of us sitting in those big boothes with the even bigger walls seperating us from the other guests. It was like dining in a cubicle. We would all get to laughing so loud. I remember others staring. It wasn't much different this time either.

Friday morning Nicky came over to spend the day with Grandma and visit with us. We all met Grandpa at the usual breakfast place in Huntington Harbor. Nicky was so funny playing with Grandpa's phone trying to find the animal noises. Later he made me nervous because he would go right up to the edge of the docks to look down on the water. He showed no fear and it made my legs turn to noodles. Friday night Carmine stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa while Cameryne, Deja, Julie, and I went to see Alice In Wonderland and eat a fabulous Pinkberry. Aaaaahhh... I know how over-priced they are Brad, but I just don't care. It's THAT GOOD.

Saturday Julie and Christian came over. I can't believe how much that boy has grown! And to hear him talk is a riot! By this time Carmine was nearly 100% recovered from his ear infection while my sinus infection was in full force. I felt like crud. To make matters worse I wasn't getting much sleep because Carmine was still on Texas time. He was waking up at 5am. I wanted nothing but a bottle of Nyquil, my earplugs, and a bed in a dark room. However I quickly perked up when Grandpa brought home In-N-Out for dinner. Carmine ate his first french fry that night. Saturday night Julie, Carmine, and I drove our butts out to Ontario to pick Samantha up at the airport. This would be the only time I was able to see her. Even though the the visit last a few short hours, and I was incredibly sick, I would do it again. We got home at midnight.

Carmine woke up at 4am Sunday morning. Yes, I said 4am. I can't remember the last time I felt this tired. Thank God Grandpa came to my rescue and swooped up Carmine. I slept in until 8! When I emerged from my cave, Grandma and Grandpa had a feast cooking. Bacon, 2 kinds of sausage, muffins, bagels, pancakes, potatoes, and eggs. After a lot of eating a quick good-bye to everyone we were off to the airport. And let me add, from now on, non-stop is the only way to go. Especially when traveling with an infant. And especially when you are sick and traveling with an infant.

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