The Smokies in Review Part 1

We did have a pretty good time in the Smokies and it was closer and it was cheaper since we shortened our trip and Dollywood was way cheaper than Disney. I'm still upset we missed out on the trip I had planned for so carefully. But, c'est le vie! This is a pic of part of the waterpark that was at the hotel we stayed at. Very, very cool and they are not even done building it yet. It will eventually include an indoor waterpark. It's called Wilderness at the Smokies. The waterpark is included with your room and is for hotel guests only. We scored our room for only $89/night and we were 1 of 5 families staying there. Most of the time, the only people we saw were the desk clerk and the lifeguards. It was good and weird at the same time.

After a full day at the waterpark, we went to the Black Bear Jamboree which is a dinner-show. It was fun! ALL kids ages 11 & under eat and attend FREE! So, if you think about what you would spend on a sit-down dinner out anyway, it really wasn't that bad. They take your family's picture as you go in, which of course you can buy. They film each night's performance and if you buy the picture, you get a DVD of that night's show for "free". Then, while you are eating before the main show starts, they film everyone and you are on the movie, too. Of course, I knew they would zero in on BFG and sucker us in. I wasn't counting on them doing close-ups of me eating my corn on the cob and my ribs. Yup, there I was(am?) gnawing on a rib bone right at the end and they FREEZE-FRAMED on my face! So, about 100 people or so are watching it right now getting a good laugh. Oh, and you should see our picture. BFG looks terrified. Seriously, she looks like we just kidnapped her or something.

The next day found us at the top of Clingman's Dome. ( I have no idea if that's how you even spell it.) Now, that was an interesting part of our trip. Let's put it this way, I do not ever plan on climbing that thing again. Rhett had some fading memory from his childhood where he climbed it with his family and there is some infamous picture or something. So, up we go. Now, you drive for miles up into the mountains just to get the sorry thing. (I apologize to whoever made up this Dome thing. Was it Clingman? But what were you thinking? This was like a sick joke.) First of all, it is alot colder up there. Of course. And who had forgotten everyone's jackets at the motel room? Me. So, BFG had on a sleeveless shirt and shorts. Other people were in coats, y'all. I took BFG's blankie and tied it around her like a straight jacket. So, she had to climb the mountain without the use of her arms. That is when she was climbing. Yeah, not the best idea to expect a 3 yr old to climb 6000 feet up. Of course, we had no idea it was 6000 feet up until an elderly lady told us at the top.

At the bottom, we had unknowingly arrived at the same time a tour group had. Rhett heard the tour guide telling the group to take their time that they would definitely get winded. Rhett laughed and laughed. Ya' know 'cause most people in the group were senior citizens. Well, what we didn't think about was how thin the air was. Within minutes, Rhett and I were wheezing and gasping for breath. I am not kidding. I could not breathe up there. And not even like all the way up there. I mean like barely on our way. Rhett couldn't even carry BFG. We had to crash out on a bench while all these 70 yr olds breezed past us.

At one of the many benches we stopped at, BFG found this big, beautiful just luscious snail crossing the asphalt path. Uh, yeah, we were on a paved path--not even hiking. Anyway, it was just a gorgeous snail and BFG was fascinated. She wanted to stop and watch it cross the path. Are you kidding me? I was freezing, couldn't breathe, and had noodle legs. I was not waiting on a snail to get across this path. Plus, Rhett and I were so put out all we wanted to do was to get this whole thing over with. We made her leave the snail. Yes, she threw a fit and yes, I wanted to just snatch the thing up and bring it to the top with us. But, unfortunately, the Smoky Mtn park guide was stopped there with us and we had passed a gazillion signs reminding us that disturbing the wildlife was a federal offense. The rest of the way up the mountain we had to listen to BFG cry and whine, "I miss Snaily. I want Snaily. Snaily is my best friend." Very annoying made even more annoying by having to waste precious oxygen to yell at her to drop it. I promised her we would check on "Snaily" on the way back down and we'd see how far he got. Just make a note to yourself to never ever make a promise on a snail.

We finally got to the top of the mountain. I was so so happy! Rhett seemed to keep walking, so I said, "We're here! This is it, right?" Wrong! I turn and see some concrete spiraling ramp thing going up even further with some weird-o straight out of the 60's dome thing. So, on we went with me and BFG whining the whole way. You notice from the picture that it was an overcast day. We had hiked up the mtn. in a cloud. People typically climb Clingman's Dome for the view. The view, y'all! We could barely see the person in front of us. Totally not worth it. The only cool thing was that we were walking in a cloud and it wasn't raining. But the water kept condensing and dripping off our our hair. If BFG were a little older, it was the perfect water cycle lesson.

Smile! Click, click! And we were headed back down. Finally! But as you know, going down is worse than going up. My leg muscles were water. I could barely manage to keep myself from tumbling down the mtn. They hurt so bad I even considered what would happen if I balled myself up and did try to roll down. I still think I may have come out better since I had shin splints for the next week from this thing. BFG just could not walk at all. We had to take turns carrying her down the mtn. with mostly Rhett doing it and even he was struggling. Everyone we met on the path was laughing at us.

We finally got back to Snaily. And, unfortunately, Snaily never made it across the path. Someone stepped on him and obliterated him, which kind of makes the don't touch the wildlife signs ironic 'cause we could have saved him. But, they didn't ask me when they made the rules. Well, BFG is just a mess over this snail. I know it was worse since she was exhausted and her legs were hurting. She cried and she cried and she pouted and pouted and demanded another one. I just could not wait to get to the car. As pathetic as this sounds, by the time we get in the car, I am screaming at her over that stupid snail. "I can't get you another one! It's over! Snaily's gone! If I got you another one, Mama would go to JAIL! Is that what you want? Mama to go to jail and never see you again?" At times like these, I have no shame. Although I have to say a night in jail may be preferable to climbing Clingman's Dome in the above conditions with a 3 yr old.

We start driving back down the mountain with BFG crying and squalling about that snail. I suddenly have to slam on my brakes 'cause there is a bear cub in the road! I seriously almost hit it. I was stunned and I think Rhett was too. It the first bear I've ever seen in the wild. Before we could say, "Bear!" it had run up a steep embankment out of sight. Guess who was the back seat and missed the whole thing? You got it! BFG starts squalling over that and saying, "I miss everything! Whaaaaaah!" It seemed like she cried forever. I think I finally gave her a piece of gum or something and that helped. It's hard to chew and cry at the same time. Don't get me wrong. I wish she had seen it. I would rather she see it than me esp. since I would not cry uncontrollably over missing it.

All in all, it was a miserable 3 hours or so that I could have lived without. Although, seeing the bear was really cool. And that's what vacation's all about, right? Crazy stories make memories.

Mama Said

We're Still Alive and Kickin'

Just wanted to let everyone know that we did make it home from the mountains. I'll fill you in just as soon as I can. As soon as we got home, we set to work repainting BFG's room. Yeah, it was one of two rooms out of ten that had a fresh paint job from the previous owners and did not need it. But yellow just wouldn't cut it for ol' BFG. Her room had to be Cinderella-blue. It only took hearing, "When are we going to paint my room, mom? When do I get a blue room, mom?" about a thousand times before I caved. So, the lesson learned is if you ever want something from me, ask me a thousand times and it's yours!

We've also had Revival this week which has plum worn me out! Loved every minute of it! Thrilled at the decisions that were made for Christ! But I am sooooo sleepy. I feel every minute of my twiddle-age as all I want to do is head off to bed with my heating pad and neck pillow and stay locked in the house for the next few days.

Zzzzzzzzz . . .
Mama Said

Muffin Tin Monday: Hello, Ocean! & Vacation Misc.

We did a thematic unit on Oceans/Beach because that's where I'm supposed to be right now. But God and Hurricane Ike had other plans. We based our unit on the book Hello, Ocean! because I found a cool lapbook on Homeschool Share. You can check out our lapbook below. We didn't quite finish it but that's okay. I'll keep it and pull it out to finish and review when we actually get to go to the beach.
Muffin Tin contents: Sand Dollar Sandwich (two tortillas with cheese melted between), Coral (Cheetos), Deep Divin' Desert (blue jello with gummy fish), Wet Sand (peanut butter with graham cracker crumbs mixed in), Shovels and Driftwood for the Sand (Keebler Cracker Sticks and pretzels) and Whales. Oh, and Ocean Water to drink (lemonade with blue food coloring). BFG had a blast with this muffin tin! I think it was her favorite one. She really pretended to be digging in the "sand" with her "shovels" and she kept having "beached whales" (Her Whales would be dipped in the peanut butter.). She would say, "Mom, have a piece of coral." and then whisper to me, "It's really Cheetos!" and giggle and giggle.

Isn't our lapbook precious? I think all this preparation and leading up to our trip is what made not being able to go so disappointing. Luckily, Rhett came up with the idea of going on BFG's birthday which is Thanksgiving week. He thinks he can take just a few days and put it with the Thanksgiving holiday. Shhhhh! We aren't telling the fam yet. So, for this week, I guess we are going to head to the Smokey Mountains. I think we'll have fun. There's a waterpark we can go to and of course Dollywood. And I think we might try one of those dinner show things. It's just not what we all were expecting. But down here in the South, going to the Smokies is like a rite of passage. So, might as well get'er done for BFG.
I found this idea on the Crafty Crow. I didn't make it exactly the way it's supposed to be 1) 'cause I don't roll like that when it comes to sewing (um, 'cause I can't sew) & 2) I was in a super hurry. I still like it though and BFG was mesmerized.
And it rolls up all cute and everything. I think the best part is if she drops her crayons in the car while coloring (which always happens) the crayons will stay all tidy in one place instead of flying all over the floorboard.

Well, chickadees, I'm off to the mountains! Holler at'cha when we get back!
Mama Said

Cancelled!

Yup, that's right. Our vacation is officially cancelled. Praise the Lord that they did refund all of our money due to the weather. But this has been a miserable past few days trying to figure out Ike. There has been tears, yelling, threats---all done by me. The Happy Quest didn't hold through on this for me.

I am so, so upset. I just wish we had not told BFG we were going to Disney until we were in the car on the way. Plus, this was our first vacation in three years where Rhett was not in school and doing online schoolwork. Not to mention that last year, I had this freak surgery and was not allowed to get in the water or even sit in the sand. I know I sound like a spoiled brat and should be grateful we get a vacation at all. And I'm sorry for that. It's just really hard looking at my precious baby girl's face and telling her that her dreams aren't coming true after we've talked it up for the past couple of weeks.

The whole thing is just ridiculous. I've run myself ragged to get an ocean-themed lapbook done with BFG and now we aren't even going. We are still toying with the idea of just running down to Disney for two days and coming back before it hits. But I'm really scared of getting stuck on the interstate for days trying to get out. Aaaaaaagggghhhhh! I just wish I knew what to do. This is the absolutely only time Rhett can get off probably for the next 6 months. So, it's do-or-die.

Mama Said

Summer Beauty

My roses that Rhett gave me for my 30th birthday this past spring. Aren't they beautiful? I'm so glad this last bunch bloomed before we left.

Hannah & Ike & Josephine! Oh, My!

(Don't forget the survey!!! Look to your left right now!!!! See it!!!)

Aaaaagh! Thanks for ya'll's prayers! It looks like we will miss Hannah. Now, we have to worry about Ike and Josephine! Please pray again. Thank you so much!!!! We have even talked about not going. But I just know if we don't go, it will be beautiful weather down there. If we do go, we will be evacuated. No, we won't be evacuated 'cause then we'd get our money back. It will just be terrible winds and rain and we will be forced to leave because we are so miserable. Sigh.

I'm still planning though just in case. Although after a gazillion errands yesterday and more to do on Friday, I think I might opt for the swimsuit and white T-shirt plan. It's soundin' pretty darn good about now.

Anyone have any good car activities for almost 4 yr. olds? Or any tips on making a 10 or 11 hour drive any easier for BFG? I have to say this is one time that it is almost a relief to have an only child 'cause she doesn't have anyone to fight with in the backseat.

Mama Said

Vacation Countdown!

Yea! Our vacation is almost here! We leave on Saturday for a week of sun and fun and one day @ Disney! Reality check: Hurricane Hannah is headed right to our vacation destination and with mine and Rhett's vacation record---it will probably rain the entire time we are there. I'm hopeful it will hit and move on before we get there. But I'm tellin' ya do not be surprised if they have to evacuate Florida on Friday and we miss our entire trip.

But I'm carrying on with the vacation planning. This is probably my favorite part anyway. I love to plan what to pack, what has to be done before we leave, what we are going to do in the car, where we are going to eat on the trip, what activities are we going to do, what toys to take to keep BFG occupied while we lounge around, etc. I LOVE planning! It never works out the way I plan and then I get mad. But C'est le vie! (sp?) And the more I plan, the more I pack which makes Rhett an unhappy hubby. In his mind, we could all make it through the entire trip as long as we each had our swimsuits and a white T-shirt. I'm serious. If I said, "Everyone, put on their swimsuits and a white T-shirt. We're leaving.", Rhett would be so, so happy and would leave for our trip that way. Honest truth. No kidding. He started in on me weeks ago about what I didn't need to take and what we could get by with. He does it in a jokey, hint-hint nice way. But I know what he really means. But, no one worry. I usually win this one (minus a float or beach chair unless I supervise the packing of the car). Of course, now we only have ONE beach chair, HIS, because MINE is now lying in a ditch somewhere because Rhett used it to weigh down a tarp covering the truck bed and of course once we hit oh say 15 mph, the beach chair flew OFF never to be seen again despite prolonged searching! But that's another story and I'm over it. No hard feelings. I hope whoever snatched it from the side of the road before we could get back home to look for it is having fun sitting in it considering we live no where near the beach. And I hope Rhett has fun sitting in the sand this year.

Anyway, I am having a really tough time deciding on whether or not to bring BFG's big stroller. Our umbrella stroller is not worth bringing. I hate it. I think I'll put up a survey and y'all weigh in for me. Here's the details: BFG is a few months shy of being 4 yrs. old. The big stroller will take up half of the backseat. We can rent one the day we are at Disney. The town we are visiting has trolleys in the sightseeing district, but the pricey tickets are only good for 3 days out of the 7 we'll be there. We should spend more time at the beach than walking around, shouldn't we? There may be a hurricane in which we will not be walking around outside, but may have more inside walking around if we go to malls, museums, etc. The more she walks, the more she naps, maybe?

Please help! And pray Hannah will hurry up and get over with or even better break up and never hit!!!!
Mama Said