Waiting to soar over California.

SS loves to fly and Soaring Over California is one of her favorite rides. She is still wrapped in her blanket, keeping DOG close to her face, but willing to stand in line for the ride. It's ten minutes past SS's bedtime, let's see how long she holds up. She's walking, no more stroller as she is almost nine years old.

Finally

Look that hedge is a car!

SS noticed immediately, we had to be informed.

Two weeks since its debut and the darn ride is not working.

Now we can have lunch.

You are the best Wookie ever.

A chat with Kylo Ren.

SS makes tahini-yogurt sauce.

Typical Saturday morning with SS finding her way to our bed sometime after P has left for work. She started her day with a bagel with blueberry cream cheese (she has moved on from the strawberry kind), and as always, milk.

P is really good at finding new recipes, and I immediately liked the one we are making for dinner. However, the sauce has tahini (sesame seed paste), mint, and dill. SS loves mint flavor, but having Junior Mints is far different from tasting the herb. I decided to get her involved in the preparation, to perhaps get her to buy into the sauce.  That and I terribly miss cooking with the girl.

SS read the recipe (why my mini iPad is on the counter), diligently measured ingredients and added them to the bowl. A bonus is that SS inadvertently practices reading and math. By the way, I have had that Pyrex bowl since JJ was three years old, I was so upset when the lid shattered last year. But I'm keeping that bowl.

.

SS mixed.

She folded.

And she is proud of the finished product.

The moment of truth...

Well, she declared it delicious, so we are safe.Wednesday night SS and P made a batch of excellent chicken strips. SS was very proud of her floured hands, face, clothes, etc. P was stoked about using his beloved deep fryer. There is no way I could have taken pictures of that process, let's say it took me two days to get the kitchen back to semi normal. But they had fun, and the strips are indeed excellent. They just need to learn my method of clean as you go along. I think I have a chance with SS, but it's just never going to happen with P. What matters is that they had a great time, and it's so good to hear laughter around here, because it doesn't happen often.

SS is on countdown to her birthday mode and we are afraid she is going to stroke out from excitement. The number one toy on her wish list is sold in Japan, so she will have to wait until a week after her birthday to get it, and that is with expedited shipping. We are not doing a birthday party this year, just don't have it in us. But we are going to our favorite all you can eat sushi restaurant for SS's birthday dinner. It's truly remarkable how much sushi the girl can put away. When it's just P and I, we are limited to how many types we can try. But we had no idea SS was our sleeper sushi eating weapon. She's developed such a love for sushi that I have had to put some in her lunch box for school. During a school trip last month she ate 10 California rolls, she was about to start on number 11, but it was time to pack their things and leave. Needless to say P is bursting with pride about this.

Sunday morning with SS.

Getting ready for PJ day.

We are on our way to pick up items for a tikka masala dinner, snacks, movies, then home to lounge around. I'm also venturing out in my PJ pants. That takes guts because our first stop is Cardenas, and my people dress up even when shopping for groceries. But it's fun and our occasional Saturday thing. P thinks SS looks like a strange ninja.

SS lost her first molar.

Front lower left to be precise, and SS made a Lego chest to place her molar.

Back home bunking with her friends.

If we are lucky SS won't be up until at least 6:30 a.m.

Waiting for the shuttle to our car.

Snoopy blanket is usually back in the backpack or carryon after we land. It hardly ever leaves the hotel room, but this trip was different. SS hauled that blanket with us everyday, and while we are back home (sort of) she is not ready to put it away.

SS napped for about half an hour and is understandably tired. Waking her up for school tomorrow and getting her ready is going to be challenging. I'm glad P will be home and we can tag team her.

Almost home.

SS did not sleep much on the flight to SFO. We depart at 11:00 and get to San Diego ninety minutes later. Sleep is unlikely to happen. At least she has her PJs on and will hopefully pass out on the drive home. We adore SS but after spending the night on a queen sized bed with her, we can't wait to gently dump her on her own bed.

Also, we are getting old, our energy ran out last night. Aging absolutely sucks.

Pre flight snack.

We are hoping SS gets to sleep most of the five hour flight. She really had a rough night and should be exhausted.

Leaving New Orleans.

Crab cake lunch at Gumbo Shop.

Lafayette Cemetery Number 1.

Finally!

I am glad we requested two beds on this trip. SS has slept on her bed twice since Nana passed away, and we were looking forward to a few nights without being kicked. Last night it paid off in ways we could not have anticipated. We thought SS was definitely on the mend, asleep, when she stirred and threw up. Her bed was useless at that point and had she been between us on a king size as usual we would have had to change rooms because the mattress was soaked. Sorry if TMI. Once we cleaned her up and got some water in her SS settled in our bed and managed to get some sleep.

We were greeted with this beautiful sight at 6:45 a.m., and about time. We were very concerned about SS being sick on our way home. And for once my sick obsession with over packing paid off. Lots of clothes needed for SS.

SS did not eat much of what should have been her dinner last night, but a few bites and milk are better than nothing.

One more because we are so grateful SS is feeling better. We are about to check out of the hotel, pick up a few souvenirs, and hopefully visit at least one cemetery before heading to the airport.

On the mend.

It's almost 4:20 and SS managed to have a Popsicle and some broth. She gave us a scare and we were close to take her to the Children's Hospital because her stomach was hurting again, and she was in tears.

One thing JJ and SS have in common is that they do not get sick often. Then when they do it's big, unexpected and scary. Most parents have plenty of experience by the time their kids are eight, not the car with us. SS fell asleep about half an hour ago, and P is also asleep. They both really needed the rest.

We have to be at the airport by 4:30 p.m. tomorrow so we might not be able to get to do much before then. P complained about not feeling well around noon and I'm hoping he won't get sick or the flights home will be excruciating. I'll pack while they rest and hope for the best.

We are staying in today.

This was our night, and it was a long one. SS was tossing and turning and could not sleep then bolted to the bathroom. She was in there a while and I went to check on her, opening the door just in time to watch her throw up all over herself.

I felt awful for my poor baby because she caught whatever I had with worse results. It's a good thing I over pack because she ended up taking three baths and changing clothes a few more times. We had to resort to keep her with just undies at a point. We need to go to the laundromat later today to get her clothes washed.

We lined one of the trash cans with a shopping plastic bag and made it SS's puke bucket. You can see it on the night stand on the left side of the picture. It broke our hearts to see and hear SS cry. At her age I had logged many sick hours but SS doesn't get sick often. Last time she vomited was before me moved. SS was miserable.

P made a run a three in the morning to a pharmacy for med, Popsicles and baby wipes. SS finally settled and fell asleep around 5 a.m. It's almost eleven and SS has been awake for almost an hour and feels much better. We had a lot planned for today but there is no way we can risk going out after the night SS had. She says her tummy no longer hurts and there is no vomiting. However we think it's best to let her rest.

Cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe Du Monde..

Shark watch.

African penguins.

Fun time.

We are going to have another late start.

We went to be really early for us last night, after having pho for dinner to settle my stomach. Then the jerks next door had the TV on blasting. We called the main desk and they called the room and there was no answer. They probably passed out with the TV on. SS was crying at 2:00 am because the noise woke her up several times. I so wanted to rip them a new one.

SS woke up about an hour ago, had breakfast and is now playing. P's sleep was also disturbed and is now catching up on some sleep. We will hopefully get out of here in the next hour.

It's good to see P get some rest, sleep has been eluding him this past year. And he actually had breakfast this morning, something he rarely does. I'm taking that as a good sign he is on the mend.

Archery memories.

We had a really late start.

Short story is I spent the morning sick vomiting and serious stomach cramps. The worst part is that it was NOT the the consequence of getting hammered on Bourbon St. last night. It will be long time before I have Taco Bell.

P insisted I rest, and when I was ready to go P desperately needed a nap. We will see how much we can get done.

Interesting sign...

Let's try again.

This picture gives a better view of the name of the street.

SS has her own street!

Jackson Square

Baby it's cold outside! It's 48 degrees but feels like 43, we don't do winter.

It's only 6:00 a.m. home.

We thought it'd be a good idea to let SS sleep because a cranky SS is not good. Plus it's freaking 38 degrees outside. It warms my heart when I see SS with her Snoopy blanket.

This is the first time we have traveled carry on only which is quite the feat for me because I always over pack. We did cheat a little, getting some items in the car seat bag. SS made sure she had DOG and her blanket. Along with her Star Wars bath robe and toys. Carry on only be dammed the girl must have her comfort items.

There

Almost there.

What's that?

Poor SS, when I took out the CARES she asked "what's that?!" Yeah it's been way too long since we have done something fun.

She makes herself at home no matter where.

Funny thing about SS is that the tedious security process does not faze her. She was excited about taking off her shoes,putting her suitcase, backpack and coat through. How weird is that?

Really, bored already?

About time.

She woke up really early.