Friday, April 30, 2010
Early Father's Day Present
Arabella and I picked up Jay's Father's Day present while we were on vacation. As I was unpacking the suitcase it was in, he came into the room and saw it. So instead of waiting to give it to him on June, we gave it to him last weekend. It put up the hammock on Saturday and he jumped right in. Looks like he is going to get a lot of use out of it. Arabella seems to like it as well!
A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words
After a long day of traveling, Arabella and I waited for Jay's flight to arrive from Nova Scotia where he was on business. His flight was delayed over 2 1/2 hours. From the time our flight landed and we got through customs until his flight landed we waited almost 4 hours - not what we were planning on, but we were at the mercy of Daddy's carrier, Air Canada. It was way too long for my Little Bean to have to wait to see Daddy. But she was a trooper and was able to stay busy coloring, reading, eating snacks and playing with teddy. As soon as she saw him, she ran to him and I was able to snap this photo.
This is one of my favorite photos of Jay and Arabella. You can just tell how much they missed each other and how much they love each other.
First Plane Ride With Uncle Mike
Thanks to Uncle Jeff, who works for American Airlines, we received first class treatment. Arabella was able to watch our plane come in to the gate from the tarmac and was able to check out the cockpit. We also were able to have our pictures taken right next to the plane. When we left Florida, Arabella had an extra special treat. On our flight from Jacksonville to Miami, Uncle Mike flew with us. She had so much fun and wanted to sit with him so they could watch Shrek on her DVD player. It was nice to get some help for one leg of our long day of flying. Too bad Uncle Mike wasn't able to fly with us back to Montreal. Thanks Uncle Mike for flying with us! Thanks Uncle Jeff for giving us the royal treatment! You guys rock!
Jacksonville Zoo
We spent one beautiful, sunny and warm day exploring the Jacksonville Zoo! It was a great zoo, not too big and not too small. Arabella enjoyed seeing all the different animals and she especially liked Stingray Bay. At Stingray Bay we were able to get up close to the stingrays and even touch them as they swam by. They are such beautiful creatures and it reminded me of when Jay and I were in the Cayman Islands and we were able to swim with them. Arabella also fed the giraffes and had so much fun doing so. She liked to watch the otters swim and liked the flamingos and watching the bonobos.
Since it got a little warm, Arabella decided that she wanted to cool down in the splash park. It enjoyed running around and exploring all of the different splash pads.
We even had the chance to walk out on the dock in Trout River and feed a few seagulls. Arabella loved how close they got to us.
It was the perfect day!
I Love You Grammie & Uncle Mike
I hate that this picture is blurry, but it still is full of love! Arabella was giving hugs to Grammie and Uncle Mike at the same time...what we used to call a sandwich hug when I was growing up.
Afternoon In St. Augustine
For Jeff's birthday, we took a drive to St. Augustine and spent the afternoon walking around the historic district. Saint Augustine is the oldest permanent European settlement in North America. The city was established in 1565 to protect the sea routes and prevent French and English expansion. We walked around, checked out some stores and enjoyed a yummy lunch and gelato.
After the historic area, we visited the Castillo de San Marcos. This fort, or CASHOLE (a/k/a castle) as Arabella liked to call it, is the oldest masonry fortification in North America. After nine wooden forts failed to adequately protect Saint Augustine, the Spanish Crown authorized the construction of a stone fortification in 1672. Since that time, the Castillo has withstood bombardments and hurricanes, only changing hands through treaty. It was built by the Spanish during 1672–1695 with blocks of coquina. It was built to protect and defend the city of St. Augustine which belonged to the Spanish at the time. Later, the structure was used for various reasons including holding Indian prisoners during the Seminole Wars and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
(Information taken from http://www.nps.gov/casa/forteachers/upload/Teacher's%20Guide.pdf)
Before leaving to come home, we visited the carousel and the park where the carousel is located. I was leery about how Arabella would react to the carousel because anytime she rode one before, she would freak out. But not this time! She loved every minute of the 8 rides we took. And even wanted to have more! Everyone got in on the action at one point or another and we just laughed and had a wonderful time. Once we were able to peel her away from the carousel and horses, she played for a little while on the playground. Mike, Jeff and I also had some playtime on the swings. I had forgotten how much I liked to swing and it was so relaxing. All in all it was a fun and enjoyable afternoon. I am sure on our next trip to Florida, we will make the short drive to St. Augustine just so Arabella can ride the carousel again!
After the historic area, we visited the Castillo de San Marcos. This fort, or CASHOLE (a/k/a castle) as Arabella liked to call it, is the oldest masonry fortification in North America. After nine wooden forts failed to adequately protect Saint Augustine, the Spanish Crown authorized the construction of a stone fortification in 1672. Since that time, the Castillo has withstood bombardments and hurricanes, only changing hands through treaty. It was built by the Spanish during 1672–1695 with blocks of coquina. It was built to protect and defend the city of St. Augustine which belonged to the Spanish at the time. Later, the structure was used for various reasons including holding Indian prisoners during the Seminole Wars and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
(Information taken from http://www.nps.gov/casa/forteachers/upload/Teacher's%20Guide.pdf)
Before leaving to come home, we visited the carousel and the park where the carousel is located. I was leery about how Arabella would react to the carousel because anytime she rode one before, she would freak out. But not this time! She loved every minute of the 8 rides we took. And even wanted to have more! Everyone got in on the action at one point or another and we just laughed and had a wonderful time. Once we were able to peel her away from the carousel and horses, she played for a little while on the playground. Mike, Jeff and I also had some playtime on the swings. I had forgotten how much I liked to swing and it was so relaxing. All in all it was a fun and enjoyable afternoon. I am sure on our next trip to Florida, we will make the short drive to St. Augustine just so Arabella can ride the carousel again!
Le Petite Gym at Jax Beaches
Since Arabella was going to miss 3 of her classes at Le Petite Gym while we were on vacation, we decided to make up a class at a location in Florida. That is one of the things I love about Le Petite Gym, they are so flexible and accommodating.
Arabella had a chance to show Grammie all that she has learned in her classes her at home. She had a lot of fun running off all her energy and learning some new moves. She was taught how to walk on the low bar of the uneven bars while holding on to the high bar. She was just like a pro! Arabella also practiced walking on the beam and enjoyed the bubble activity that they did at the end of class!
Arabella had a chance to show Grammie all that she has learned in her classes her at home. She had a lot of fun running off all her energy and learning some new moves. She was taught how to walk on the low bar of the uneven bars while holding on to the high bar. She was just like a pro! Arabella also practiced walking on the beam and enjoyed the bubble activity that they did at the end of class!
Fabulous Friday Finds
Fabulous Friday Finds is when I let my inner Fashionista shine. Fabulous Friday Finds will be a recurring post about fabulous items,whether they be fashion, makeup, home decor or anything else fabulous, that I find.
I love purses and have a great collection of them. When I was in college, I worked for Coach and received a discount that was just too hard to pass up. During that time, I purchased a number of bags and accessories and I have kept them in excellent condition. I also have other bags from other labels as well, but I would have to say that Coach is probably my favorite. I keep all my bags and accessories organized and protected in my closet. I have even taken pictures of them, just for good measure. Jay swears when I am not looking, he is going to sell them on eBay. But, if he knows what is good for him, he won't!
One of the most coveted bags is the Hermes Birkin Bag. If I had a completely disposal income, I would have one, but alas, I don't have the kind of disposal income it takes to purchase one and there is usually a waiting list for them. The "Birkin" bag is a hand-built purse from Hermès, named after the actress Jane Birkin. The Birkin typically costs more than $6,500 and can take up to 48 man hours to make. They bags distributed to Hermès boutiques on unpredictable schedules and in limited quantities, thereby creating scarcity and exclusivity. Hence, the waiting lists.
NEWSFLASH!!!!! Hermes Birkin Bags No Longer Have A Waiting List!!!
It would appear that the Hermes Birkin bag, the most unattainable It bag in fashion history, is not immune to the current recession.
A called placed to Holt Renfrew (the closest boutique selling Hermes) at 1300 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest in Montreal, did in fact confirm that there is no longer a waiting list, and if I wanted to I could stop in and pick one up today! Too bad I am cleaning and waiting for a no-show French instructor or I just might have jumped in the car to pick one up! Just kidding Jay!! With this in mind, it now appears that anyone with the cold hard cash to do so can join the ranks of Hollywood starlets and fashionistas everywhere by carrying their very own Birkin.
I love purses and have a great collection of them. When I was in college, I worked for Coach and received a discount that was just too hard to pass up. During that time, I purchased a number of bags and accessories and I have kept them in excellent condition. I also have other bags from other labels as well, but I would have to say that Coach is probably my favorite. I keep all my bags and accessories organized and protected in my closet. I have even taken pictures of them, just for good measure. Jay swears when I am not looking, he is going to sell them on eBay. But, if he knows what is good for him, he won't!
One of the most coveted bags is the Hermes Birkin Bag. If I had a completely disposal income, I would have one, but alas, I don't have the kind of disposal income it takes to purchase one and there is usually a waiting list for them. The "Birkin" bag is a hand-built purse from Hermès, named after the actress Jane Birkin. The Birkin typically costs more than $6,500 and can take up to 48 man hours to make. They bags distributed to Hermès boutiques on unpredictable schedules and in limited quantities, thereby creating scarcity and exclusivity. Hence, the waiting lists.
NEWSFLASH!!!!! Hermes Birkin Bags No Longer Have A Waiting List!!!
It would appear that the Hermes Birkin bag, the most unattainable It bag in fashion history, is not immune to the current recession.
A called placed to Holt Renfrew (the closest boutique selling Hermes) at 1300 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest in Montreal, did in fact confirm that there is no longer a waiting list, and if I wanted to I could stop in and pick one up today! Too bad I am cleaning and waiting for a no-show French instructor or I just might have jumped in the car to pick one up! Just kidding Jay!! With this in mind, it now appears that anyone with the cold hard cash to do so can join the ranks of Hollywood starlets and fashionistas everywhere by carrying their very own Birkin.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Visit With Dori
While in Florida, I was able to spend an afternoon with mom and Dori. We had fun catching up and relaxing. Arabella took a nice long nap at Dori's and when she woke up she able able to enjoy Dori's pool. Arabella also got to meet April, which she enjoyed since she is such a dog lover. April also enjoyed being fed carrots by Arabella. Thank you Dori for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend the afternoon with us!
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