Bon Voyage

**Reminder: This weeks posts will be a daily review of our family's 5-day cruise vacation**

After the kids realized we were going on a cruise for the week, they were literally bouncing off the walls with joy.

It took us about an hour from the time we entered the parking deck until we boarded the ship. The ship was set to sail at 4:00PM, so we had a few hours of free time.

Once we located our room, we used our free time wisely by finding our way to the lunch buffet on the Lido deck. If you've never been on a cruise, there is food available somewhere for 24 hours a day. Literally!

We wandered around the ship right up until time to sail. And the very first thing we HAD to do was to participate in a safety drill with our life vests. The drill lasted about 20 minutes, thankfully, because Lego-Man's life vest was too small and he about had a meltdown wearing it!

Coincidentally, as we left the port it was POURING down rain. But we didn't let that put a damper on the beginning of our vacation. We went straight outside and took pictures, until the lightening started! And a couple of hours later, we witnessed the most beautiful sunset as we moved out into the Gulf of Mexico!

We had the late dinner seating which was at 8:15PM!! I wasn't sure how the kids would hold up until then, much less myself! But we made it. And it was always worth the wait, the menus were delicious. So many good things to choose from....appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

As we got back to our room, our room steward, Ricky, had provided us with "turn down" service complete with chocolate and a towel animal creation. This would become the highlight of every night, as you will see. The kids could not wait to see what animal was waiting for us each night!


Here are the photo highlights of our first day on board:

Stay tuned for Tuesday's "Fun Day at Sea"

Surprisology 101

As you may remember, we are all about a surprise here at the GRITS household. And we've pulled off another one this past week.

About 3 weeks before our semi-planned beach vacation, we realized it just wasn't going to work out. We were going to have to switch to Plan B....which did not exist! The hubby found a great deal for a 5 day cruise which just happened to coincide with our vacation week.

We jumped on the opportunity and decided to keep it a secret from the kids. The secret would not be revealed until we pulled up to the cruise terminal. After all, packing clothes for a cruise is just like packing for the beach.

Of course, we got the usual questions from the kids, "when are we going to the beach?" and "are we staying in the same place as last year?" We kept our answers short and sweet, "we are going to the Gulf" and "no, we are not staying in the same place."

They fell for it.... hook, line, and sinker!

I had the camera rolling when we pulled up in the cruise terminal. It is priceless:

It took them a few minutes to figure out exactly what was going on...and I wasn't sure the Princess was going to catch on for all the outside distractions, i.e. the german shepherd and a limo when we first pulled in.

I will post on each day of the cruise this week because it's too much to share in one post. So y'all come back now ya' hear?!

Birthday Surprise

For almost two months, we have been keeping a secret from the Princess! It was all in the name of a good old fashioned birthday surprise.

Her reaction was well worth the wait....don't you think?!

And I love the part where her friend says, "I think I know what it is....it might be money." To which the Princess answers, "why would it be money??"

Now the countdown starts until August 16th, when my reign as Mother of the Year will begin.

Insanity Rules!

July 2nd was the Princess' 8th birthday! And we celebrated in style.

The theme of the day was : "Spend the night madness....where junk food and insanity rules!" I'm thinking I should have made up t-shirts as parting gifts.

For a little less than 24 hours, we had two extra 8 year old girls and one extra 10 year old boy. There were girls chasing boys and boys chasing girls. There were nekkid Barbies stuck in the basketball net and plastic spiders hidden under pillows. Oh, and I can't leave out the remote controlled whoopie cushion....every home should have one.

But most of all, we had a lot of fun!

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Just checking in to let you know we are all still here at the GRITS household and enjoying our HOT and HUMID Alabama summer.

For some reason, the summer always seems busier than the school year. I'm not sure why that is.

The kids have been going to day camp twice a week and they started swimming lessons last week. And in just 15 short days we will be going on our family vacation, which we have decided to keep a secret from our kiddos. We have told them we are going to the beach. And we are, sort of....stay tuned for that. :-)

Here's a little glimpse of what we've been doing these last couple weeks.

Slipping:

Sliding:

Grilling:

Chilling:

Boating:

Floating:

Treating:

Eating:

Singing:









Dancing:

That's what we've been up to.....what have you been doing???

Fish Tales

This past weekend we decided to go visit my parents...Yaya and Papa. It's been a few months since we've seen them and even a short get away is better than none.


Besides seeing the grandparents, the highlight of the kids' weekend was going fishing in the neighborhood pond. Every time we go visit they BEG to go fishing and this time we did!

On the advice of the man who built the neighborhood, he told us the best thing to fish with in this pond was "dough balls". Huh? So we learned the fine art rolling damp white bread into "dough balls" as our bait. We couldn't argue with the boss man??

Being the clean freak that he is, Lego-Man quickly abandoned that little project. And we had to remove the Princess off the dough-ball project because she was eating as many as she was making!

Let the fishing begin (FYI, this is a catch and release pond):

Papa with the first catch of the day!

Up next, the hubby with his fine catch:

After much consternation and a broken line, Lego-Man finally got his first catch. Well, he actually had a very first one, but reeling it in involved an airborne sequence that resulted in a landfall at the water's edge and a quick escape back into the water! I wish I had it on video. It was priceless. As was his reaction!

An afternoon of fishing would not be complete without a few awards!

May I present to you the winner of a double award for 1.) the most casts into the water and 2.) casting from the most sites around the pond:















Unfortunately, the Princess caught a few weeds, and almost took out 3 eyeballs in her quest for fish.


The "catch of the day" award goes to the hubby for snagging this little jewel:







The "quote of the day" award goes to Lego-Man, after his initial lack of success:

"I think I am being outsmarted by a bunch of fish"

And the final award goes to yours truly for the "photo of the day" award:






I'm glad I didn't let that photo opportunity get away!

'Fro Me to You -- That 70's Girl

What time is it??

You High School Musical 2 fans may have answered, "Summertime!"

But you 'Fro fans, KNOW what time it is.

That's right folks, it's time for Marcy's Sincerely 'Fro Me to You carnival.

For some of my new followers, you can go HERE to see what this 'Fro business is all about.

Basically, it's where I post some of my finest photographed moments of my life. And on special occasions I drag other people under the 'Fro bus, all in the name of fantastic fun.






Because it's summertime, I bring to you a special presentation of photos honoring one of summer's greatest past times.

I present to you me and my twin sister's swimming lessons, 70's style:


Step 1: The ol' lure them in with the inner tube maneuver.


Step 2: The ol' "jump in, I'm right here" (while walking backwards) trickery:




Step 3: Time out for emptying nasal passages of all inhaled water :




Step 4: Encouraged to swim back to the side of the pool for MORE fun:




Step 5: The "this will be a lot of fun" lie:



Step 6: That's it, we are outta here!





Swimming was always one of my favorite past times in the summer. There was nothing better than a good game of "sharks and minnows" and a never ending game of "Marco Polo"! I can remember seeing who could swim the farthest without coming up for a breath of air. I wouldn't get very far these days.


For more photo flashbacks, head on over to Marcy's place HERE where nakedness is her theme (if that doesn't entice you, I don't know what will). And why not join in the photo fun, I triple dog dare you.

Stand, Sit, Kneel

This weekend I attended my very first Catholic wedding. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but I knew it would involve some sitting, standing and kneeling.

As my friends and I settled in our pew, a celebrity was in our midst. Anybody recognize her?

Now do you recognize her:




Basically she sat three people down from me and I lost my focus like Dory in Finding Nemo!

However, the woman singing Ava Maria helped me refocus on the front of the church. That's because she started off singing quietly and when she got to the chorus I thought she was screaming in pain. I wanted to order her some Morphine STAT! Seriously, it was beautiful but the chorus was a lot of crescendo! (pulled that out of the ol' high school band crevice in my brain)

No disrespect to the Catholic people of the world, but the Baptist girl will never take the 25 minute wedding ceremony for granted ever again. If I am not mistaken, almost 13 years later, I think my wedding was 8 minutes. Oh, and lets not forget how thankful I am for the cushions on the pews at my church.

The beautiful ceremony was followed by a reception at one of the local country clubs. I've got three words for you from the reception: MASHED POTATO BAR.

'Nuff said. Just see for yourself:





This will totally be a recurring dish at all festivities I plan. Best. Idea. Ever. (Clearly, I don't get out much, so humor me here).

The bride's cake was also slap-yo-mama good. However, this little bowl of goodness was the highlight of my Saturday! That and seeing "Edna" and her HUGE sunglasses on my way out the door.

Wordless Wednesday— Summer Fun

 

Happy Summer!!

Go Light Your World

 

 

 

This is my sweet little sister, Nicolette, and her beautiful family. 

Early Wednesday morning, she will be leaving all her boys behind to serve the Lord on a 10-day summer mission trip to Ukraine. 

She has been faithful in answering God’s call.  And He has been faithful by providing the funds necessary to go on this trip.  Just today, somebody called their church and volunteered to pay the balance on her trip!  God IS good!

Please add Nicolette to your prayer list for the next couple of weeks.  There is anxiety and excitement as she follows the Lord’s calling.  And pray for her boys and hubby while she is away. Thank you!

 

Matthew 28:19-20

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."