Legoland

When P asked me what I wanted for my birthday I knew he wasn't ready for my answer.  He suggested a weekend away, doing something fun, or just going somewhere to sit by the pool and chill. I requested to go to Legoland. Huh? We have documented SS's Lego obsession and she has been pleading to visit the Mecca of everything Lego. Somehow life got in the way, even though we had two free tickets last year.  We also have not been blessed with a ticket fairy, a magical creature who asks where you want to take your kids, then provides tickets to said places.  SS surprised us by waking up on her own, beautiful smiles and everything at 6:20 a.m. Unheard of for our daughter on a Saturday.  Not only that, she requested and ate breakfast.

When we go to Knott's it's all about the rides and Snoopy. We were concerned that SS would think of the park as a place to just see Lego models, and we were right on the money.  SS tried a few rides, but her attention was on the models. Probably also trying to figure out how to land such an amazing job.  Getting paid to play with Legos. Unlike Knott's the price tag for Legoland is too much to invest on season tickets, just so SS can admire the models year round.   

Disneyland has been on SS's wish list, especially after being bombarded with ads for Cars Land. Tickets for a weekend will run us about $600, never mind food, lodging and souvenirs. After today's experience we are not sure we want to pay so much just to have SS spend all her time in Cars Land and It's a Small World. Damn you ticket fairy! SS's driving was disastrous.  The video of her on that red go cart is hilarious.  Then at the end of the driving course the kids are prompted to go to a kiosk to get their driver's license with their names and picture. Oh goodie, then the parents take it to the register and have to shell way too much for the silly license.

This picture cracks me up, because at the helicopter ride SS did not want the police chopper, she insisted on the fire fighter chopper. We thought she was going to make a beeline for the firefighter, but when she realized it was a woman, putting on lipstick (in full gear no less), she gave her a disgusted look and settled for the cop.  Come on SS, tell us how you really feel.

This time I got a taste of being SS's passenger and it was one scary ride. Neither one of us is volunteering to teach her how to drive.

P made sure to shave his head early this morning, he just hates a sweaty head with that much hair. SS watched him and said "Mama, I love it when Baba shaves his head. I love how he looks." You and me SS, I'm right there with you. 

Thanks to Grandpa SS knows all there is to know about Star Wars, and was she excited to find out that there's a cool exhibit at Legoland. SS with a miniature Darth Maul.

I'm not a Star Wars fan, and there's only two characters I know. First is R2 D2 and SS gets a kick out of my fondness for the robot.

Then my IQ dropped thirty points when I saw Wicket the Ewok.  

The rest was all about SS and Baba, as they were speaking a language I do not comprehend.  Our bad girl with her bad boy Darth Vader.

Funky looking Darth Vader, too wide, but SS was smitten anyway.

Now this is more like the real thing.

The icing on the delicious Star Wars cake SS had been happily eating. This X Wing model is (for now) the largest LEGO model created. It weights 23 tons, consists of more than 5,335,200 LEGO bricks, and it took 32 model builders more than three months to create. Yikes.

SS really enjoyed the Chima movie in 4D, and it didn't bore us either, a bonus.

A trip to Europe is on my bucket list, and among my must sees is the Eiffel Tower. It's a pipe dream, but it's something I have wanted to do since I was a child. P has never ruled out said trip (as when he wins the lottery), but has always been adamant that France won't be one of our stops. Not sure what his deal is, but he won't consider it. Next year I have a big birthday, a milestone birthday and I hinted I might want to realize my dream (nah, not going to happen). As we were approaching this model P whispered "There you go, the closest you are going to get it." He is lucky there were too many witnesses, and his daughter was with us. Otherwise he would have found himself overboard and unable to come up for air.

Another one bites the dust.

Our baby lost another upper tooth today, and it happened at school. I dropped SS off this morning with a wiggly tooth, and she excitedly showed me her treasure box from the nurse's office when I picked her up.  SS has been full of wisdom today, this morning she figuratively knocked me on my rear when she expounded on a subject P and I are incredibly indecisive about. It happened while I was getting her ready for school this morning. It took me a while after getting back to text P the details. The kid is only six, where does she get that from?  Of course the ultimate decision is up to us, but at least we know where SS stands on the subject. It also means we can't use her as an excuse if we choose to pursue our hearts. As I was about to dumbly state that it was the first tooth she lost at school SS said "At least this one didn't fall off when my face hit the concrete." Ouch, our girl was really traumatized by that collision last year.  I was wondering if SS was messing with her tooth, but it fell off when she bit into a cookie.  They kids made dog cookies in class today, and the darn cookie was the culprit. SS is looking forward to her Tooth Fairy money. I asked her what she was going to do with her $5. SS said "I'm going to put it together with a lot of yours and Baba's money to get a Power Ranger toy." Six year old wisdom indeed. 

Not bad for her second time.

We have to give kudos to our girl, because it was so darn hot last Friday, but SS stuck to the end of her lesson.  A few of the older kids quit because of the heat, and we would have gladly allowed SS to stop if she asked.  SS had a much easier time and the coaches are working with her really hard because they want to see her succeed.  And as much as she whines there is no better feeling than watching SS have a nice shot, then she looks at us with that cute little grin of hers. 

When I arrived last week P informed me that SS had managed two bull's eyes, and I was very sad to miss them. She had some very good shots, and she had not so nice shots. the important thing for us is that she does not allow her size to get in the way of trying new, fun things. 

And why was our baby full of attitude? Not a bull's eye, but her last try of the day.

SS was rewarded with a big stick for her efforts.

It's music time.

Yesterday SS took her first music lesson, and we wish we could say it was a resounding success.  It is something that she has looked forward to for so long. And when we anticipate something for a long time, reality hardly ever meets our expectations. Except when it comes to having children of course.  In SS's world she would be handed an electric guitar connected to an amp, and a microphone. Instant rock star. We have been asked before why we have not enrolled SS in music lessons earlier, given her obvious love of music. Because she was way too young, and that was confirmed at the end of her lesson.

We were told that guitars would be provided as this is only six weeks, an introductory class. In another stroke of parental genius I neglected to ask if they had left handed guitars. Of course they didn't, and the same as with archery, we felt the instrument was too big.  The instructor felt that it was fine.  He also stated that we could have SS try to play right handed as it is not unusual for left handed people to play that way.  Last night P and I were discussing this issue. We firmly believe that SS is neurologically wired to use her left hand. We also worried that those around her would push her to use her right hand for convenience. Is it worth it to get her a used left handed guitar? By the way, it's the same damn instrument, only the strings are in reverse order. That is if you are right handed, to left handed folks it's the right order.

Oh no SS was not a happy camper. She missed the first class and the teacher had to bring her up to speed quickly.  We are surprised he did not boot her after the first fifteen minutes, because she really had a lousy disposition. Guess there are advantages to being so damn cute.  Like her brother, if she does not master a skill the first time presented, she pouts and wants to give up.  That is why we awful parents make sure to expose SS to as many different activities as possible, to challenge our inherently lazy child. 

Gee whiz, can't I get a break from instruction? If SS was miffed at the how to hold the guitar and use a pick lecture, the reading part placed in her in an even more foul mood. She had to learn about hand positions, frets, and chords. OY!  We were almost convinced that it was going to be her first and last lesson. But Teacher G was very patient, and got SS to play her first chord after what we thought were too many unsuccessful attempts. Then again neither one of us plays an instrument, so what the heck do we know.

Then it happened, her first chords were unexpectedly Jingle Bells. Ever since her preschool Christmas recital SS has been all about Christmas songs (much to our dismay, and year round). That is what got us the first smile of that horrific hour.  When the class was over teacher G informed us that he would keep her in the class. He also told us that SS is the first child under seven he has ever accepted. Uh, the brochure said six years and up. We toyed with enrolling her last year, and that is what deterred us. Teacher G said that she caught up well and did well.  Whatever that means. 

As we were leaving SS saw her dream car, and no we are not kidding. She screamed MONSTER TRUCK, and headed to admire the mammoth vehicle.  She quickly cozied up to the truck for a picture.  P thought it was cute as all get out and that made me laugh.  Because knowing SS she will ask for such a monstrosity as her first vehicle.  Not thinking for a second about the logistics involved given her size.

And yes, that is SS lovingly stroking the huge tire.She dreamily caressed the tire while saying "It's spiky too." Seriously, what else could anyone ask for in a child?

And to think I've wasted time missing her.

After dinner this evening SS and I were in the van. P was still in front of the restaurant and I wasn't looking at his whereabouts. I'm in the middle of a conversation with SS when she panicked, I could see her fear face. She then said "Where's Baba? I CAN'T SEE BABA!" That kind of freak out has not happened in a while.  It's probably a by product of the slight change in roles we have recently experienced.  SS gets to spend much more time with her Baba, and barely notices my absence. Prior to my return to work SS would rely so much on me, sometimes to the exclusion of her father.  After spending all day with me, she would do her happy dance when P came home, then she would go back to asking me for anything she needed.  It's good that SS is relying more on her Baba, and I'm going to stop wasting time missing her. Sigh, wish I could.

P and I switched cars after dinner, and when we said our goodbyes SS sent me on a trip down memory lane. When she was very young, not very long after we came home, we were in the van and P was on the phone with me.  As our conversation ended, we did our usual I love you, and as soon as I said the word you SS did kissing sounds, two to be exact.  That is when I realized, much to my chagrin, that the girl really pays attention. Because that is how our calls usually end. Disgusting, I know, and rather embarrassing if I do that around adults.  Tonight that is exactly what SS did after we said goodbye. That girl just cracks me up all the time.

Because looking up to watch the TV right in front of her is too much effort.

 

There was a time when she patiently waited for her food to be served.  

What is one to do in sweltering heat?

The header picture is SS's shout out to an amazing woman, Diana Nyad. OMG, that swim was just epic. The fact that she succeeded 35 years after her first attempt (29 years old for those of us under a rock or mathematically challenged) is just icing on the cake.  Never, ever give up on your dreams.  Diana epitomizes how SS was named. SS was named after a woman who instead of enjoying her well deserved retirement (by a long shot) instead took in a newborn girl at 67 years young. That girl grew to worship her grandma, nah, her Mami, and years later SS was named after that awesome woman who did not see age, race or creed. Mami was responsible for P and I, then us.

Oh yeah it's Batman! How tough is our girl? She did not let sweltering heat deter her. She wore her hoodie in said heat, defied the odds, because she was BATMAN! Until she wanted something from us, removed the mask and was her whiny self. 

 

Wait, she's now Spiderman.

Shooting spiderwebs from her wrists.

And climbing walls, What else could we ask for as parents?

Happy Labor Day.