Clowning Around! (7-16-08)

Off to the circus we go!!  I have had circus tickets for a few months and I could not believe the day was finally here.  I think I was more excited than the kids.  I remember my mom and dad taking me, Michelle and Jules to the circus.  The clowns always scared the hell out of me with all the canons and guns they shot off.  I warned the kids about the bombs and we were on full alert.  I was really impressed with all the acts.  It was a magical night and the kids were in awe.  Mason loved the tigers, horses and elephants (especially when they pooped) and Maddie was in hysterics with this one particular clown.   She giggled so much that everyone sitting near us turned around and started laughing with her all evening.  Art and I loved the death defying motorcycle act where they rode around in a metal ball (way SCARY and COOL).  We lucked out and the modern day clowns don't shoot off canons (they blow bubbles) and we were happy campers.  It was the perfect evening except for paying $12 buckaroos for a bag of cotton candy.  That's crazy, but it sure tasted good! Mimi introduced Mason to cotton candy and he is now a CC addict.

For the next couple of days we are hanging at the house getting ready for our Texas adventure.  I am giving birth to a beautiful fever blister on my lower lip.  That's a sign to chill out a bit. That's what I get for slamming in a Lego Land trip and the circus days apart.  So, if your going to make it to Juanitos I will be the chica eating queso with the big fat red lip.  No worries I will get my own bowl.  We are all so excited about the trip home and cant wait to see our family and friends.  Art is still scheduled to come in for about six days.  We are still planning on meeting at Juanitos (in Pearland on Grand st), Wed the 23rd from 6-8:30pm, for anyone who can make it.  I know of some friends coming in that I have not seen in 10-20 yrs.  I will be sure to take some pics and look forward to seeing everyone.  I am just so thrilled about being well enough to make the trip.  On that note I am doing grrrrrreat!  The remaining side effects from the whole Willy ordeal consist of minor right facial numbness and tingling, mild metallic taste (not stopping me from munching), minor slurred speech, deaf in the right ear and mild fatigue.  I was thinking today about how much better I really do feel and how nice it is to look over my right shoulder and not feel the world spinning.  Now maybe I will hit some of those overheads I kept missing in tennis.  I plan on hitting some tennis balls with Michelle when I go home.   So many good times ahead.  Hope to see you soon!! love, Dara

Hear Arty ROAR!!

Well we are definitely going balls to the wall with fun activities with the kiddos.  On Monday Art did not have any work going on (not so good news), so we decided to make the best of the day and headed towards San Diego to Lego Land (great news!!).  First trip that way with no hospital visit.  We made a pact to live each day to the fullest and Arty is helping to make sure we adhere.  Lego town was awesome!!  Tons of cool animals, people and things all made of legos, millions and millions of legos.  I could not believe all these little pieces came out to be such master pieces.  I just imagined myself walking around my house stepping on all the pieces the kids  left out.  Or I could just suck them up in the vacuum.  I have a history of trying to pick up large items with the hose.  I am now on my third vacuum in four years with most of them going in for repair once or twice.  Its quite the challenge to see if the bulky item pickups make it or not.  I get excited when they do (one less time to bend over) and cringe when I hear the vacuum in distress.  The repair guys love me!  Back to the Legos, it was an incredible experience with a hugh water area as well.  I would recommend the park if your in the area.  It caters to younger children til about 13 years old.  Maddie and I were in a boat behind Art and Mason tooting around.  Art has been wanting a boat for about 3 years since we moved by the lake.  I took this opportunity to harass him that this will be the only boat he will be driving for a little while.   We are recovering financially from my medical expenses and the real estate downfall.  All is good and we will bounce back.  I am just glad to be alive and smiling for these pictures.  Love, Dara