Not Sold Out: Rays Baseball

Where I'm from, it seems like someone has to die in order to get season tickets. Hello Steelers Football. BUT, not so much the case for baseball games and definitely not so much here in Tampa.

So, when Ryan said he wanted to take the little man to a Rays game, I can understand why one would giggle when I said: Oh, can you get tickets?!

From the pictures I was getting all evening, you wouldn't have even known they were watching a game. Seemed like more eating and playing than anything...
Can't go to the game without trying the Papa John's pizza. Which, Ryan said was delicious...and from Ronan's face, I think he would agree.

And he kept eating...and eating...

And apparently, they could have sat ANYWHERE they wanted...

But, for entertainment value, Ryan chose seats by the actual rays tank...where you could pet Bat Rays...

Ronan wasn't too keen on touching them...Ryan said he was scared to death when they came by.

For $22 (2 tickets) plus food (unknown cost), it wasn't too bad of an evening, considering Ronan was pooped when he got home! Gotta love having the space for a little man to run.

Necessary Evil: The Portable DVD Player

2 kids. 15+ hours in a car. = no way to avoid the portable DVD purchase.

Let me rephrase that. No way to avoid buying yet ANOTHER portable DVD player for the vehicle.

We've had, oh let me see, 5, I think?!

Riley had one as a toddler. We bought one for our first trip from Pittsburgh to San Diego. Life-freaking-saver.

Any parent knows that even if you can get 1 hour and 37 minutes of quiet because your kid is watching Aladdin, you'll do what you have to, to get that time of driving in. For Riley, back in the day, it was Veggie Tales. In fact, I still think I could sing every single one of their Silly Songs from beginning to end. Pathetic. Roll your eyes if you will, but you know what I'm saying!

Of course, with how well these fine pieces of equipment are made, it didn't survive our entire time in SD, so before we moved yet again, we purchased a dual DVD player.

***Sidebar: Can anyone tell me why oh why not one company can make a dual DVD player and do it so that there are no issues? You would think with how much technology we have out there, that someone would have figured this out. Rant. Over.

We get to Tampa and one of them dies. One screen works, the other doesn't. With two kids, it just doesn't fly. To avoid a tantrum, we put it in front of Ronan...but then Riley was straining her neck to watch with him -- and don't mind that he would occassionally swat at her for watching HIS screen. Nightmare.

So, with this pending drive and my anxiety of being in the car for that extended period of time...I went out and bought a new set of DVD players. Target specials always get me excited, so I couldn't pass it up...until it was installed and everytime it would play, it would suddenly stop.

After lecturing the kids on how to properly take care of their DVDs and handling them in the car, I came to realize that it wasn't their fault (at least not completely.) The reviews on the DVD player I purchased were, well, how should I put it? They sucked. FAIL. Back to Target it went which brought me to right now.

A trip to HHGregg and then to Best Buy brought out the worst in me. Who would have thought I would get so frustrated over this purchase? Finally, after debate - with myself, with Ryan and with Ronan (who had nothing to offer that was of any value other than telling me he had to pee --go Potty Training!), I purchased the Philips portable 9" Dual DVD LCD screen player.

It's installed. Test run complete. So far, a success. BUT, if this thing fails on me before we leave Tampa, I am going to flip a sh*t. $200 isn't easy money to come by and to have spent it on something I've already purchase several times over, well, it's not easy to swallow, either.

Wish us luck. And if you are curious as to the DVD players that failed us, the first was a JWIN and the other was an RCA.

Goodwill: Hate Me or Love Me, Here I Come!

Every transfer I have experienced with my family, we do a few things.

1. Sort into piles of: Keep and Not Keep
2. Sort the Not Keeps into Sell or Donate
3. Hold a Garage Sale and pray you sell it all
4. Bring the unsold items with the original donate items and DONATE IT ALL.

I have made 3 trips to the Goodwill Donation Truck. And can I just tell you, I breathe only sighs of relief as I empty out my trunk into the hands of the donation person and they give me a receipt for my goods.

I think I was hereditarily born a hoarder. My dad keeps everything. You need a 1967 stapler? He's got it. And not just one of them, he's probably got 3 of them. The difference between him and the hoarders on those shows, is that he's an organized one. He buys the most random stuff, but he has a place for them. Sometimes, being in his house is like being in a really clean flea market or antique show.

Example: I called him last night looking for a Polaroid Camera. (I know, so random, but I have a purpose for it.) I only called him because I know if anyone has one, he does. Of course, he has one...but due to film complications on my part, I'm not going to be able to use it. I digress, because my main point is that he has everything. And here I am...trying to get rid of what I can.

So, I have this tiny grain of guilt everytime I bring a bag to donate because I do go through the thinking that maybe, just maybe it'd be worth keeping that puzzle with the two missing pieces...or the dinosaur that is tail-less. But then I think about unpacking all that into a new place at our next duty station and I'm back to feeling that cleansing sensation I had when I started that post.

With weeks left, I'm finally seeing an end to the donate piles and whatever is left in the house is basically coming with us or is just waiting to be tossed. What a feeling though...and it shouldn't be for just us military families that move every 3-4 years. If you have stuff taking up room in the garage that hasn't been touched for years, it might be a nice opportunity for you take it out, sell it or donate it...it's nice to purge every once and a while...I highly suggest it.

Just For Laughs

I have often complained about entertainment and it would be that with only weeks left here in Tampa...that I would discover the high entertainment factor a place like the Tampa Improv would offer an adult of legal drinking age.

A couple weeks ago, two friends and I went to see DeRay Davis. (I don't have pictures of that evening, unfortunately.) We didn't know who he was, we just knew we wanted some laughs. Mission accomplished. I realized that I thoroughly enjoyed leaving all the stresses of moving, of motherhood and just reality at the door for a couple hours of belly laughing. I had not one lick of alcohol and sore abs the next day, as proof of how much fun I had.

So it came as no surprise that I was totally on board for an almost last-minute girls night out to see Jim Breuer. (My picture, taken with the iPhone, didn't turn out as well as my friend, Lisa's did...so if I ever get it from her, I'll post that one!) It was hysterical. It was nice to have the chance to meet him and take a picture...funny guy, great comedy, must see.

And now that I've found my little niche of entertainment (that doesn't include fart sounds from a 3-year-old, scratch-your-head-in-confusement questions from a 7-year-old and just everyday entertainment from a 32-year-old husband...), I'm hoping to take advantage of the various comedy clubs I might be close to when we move. I know of one in Pittsburgh that I'm hoping to get to before we leave there!

But, if you have never gone or don't think you'd enjoy it, trust me, you just have to give it a go. Be open for laughs. Try not to get offended. And just enjoy yourself. I know I did and I wish I had more time with my friends to see more of the upcoming shows...

Devastated at Seven.

You can't blame her for being emo. (That's short for emotional.) She's been at this elementary school since Kindergarten and is leaving before the end of the year.

Hence, the crying herself to sleep two nights ago...

Riley and I have been through an emotional rollercoaster together. We disagree just like most mother/daughters do. We go through spats. We crave time together. We are both emotional. And so it was that when I walked into her room on Sunday night to give her a kiss and talk to her before bed, she broke down, with her hands cupping her face, wailing:

"I'm so stressed! What if I don't make friends at my new school? Why do we have to move?"

I wasn't quite prepared to have that talk with her. Last time we moved, we both cried, but she was only 4 and not completely aware of what was happening. She left her friends and was upset, but somehow, we were able to get through it once we made it to another state. This time, not so easy.

She's attached. She has BFFs. Her BFFs are also moving (they are military too). It's just an all-around traumatizing event surrounding us. I tried my hardest to comfort her. What can you say when you know this is part of the life you live and that we have to do our best to adjust to that situation?

I told her I'd be going through the same thing with her and that we'd have to stick together and make new friends together. She wants to know more about where we are living and what's around -- so I'm going to get her more involved...but beyond that, I'm sort of lost.

We are throwing a "going-away" party for her and Ronan...getting them together with their closest friends and I'm hoping that helps a little. I plan on having an album there for all the kids to sign and put their addresses and with a polaroid camera (I still have to procure), I'm hoping to take pictures right then and there and throw them in the book for the kids to sign.

I'm hoping that helps. It won't cure it. It's just a band-aid, really...but I need to get through the rest of this month...

Who would have thought this was going to be so hard. I know I'll miss my friends, too...but I know how to cope with it. I guess I just never put myself in the shoes of a little 7-year-old who has whole-heartedly invested herself in school and her friends...I fear the next move, 4 years from now! What are we going to do then?!

If you have suggestions of what we can do to ease the situation, I'd love to hear it...

Freezer Burn

...narrows down the dinner options, that's for sure!

With only a few weeks left (days are dwindling down for sure!), we've had to push ourselves to eat at home (for the most part) and most of that requires a long stare into the freezer.

With an overabundance of chicken nuggets, tater tots, and frozen veggies...our dinner outlook is starting to look like a kids version of those Hungryman meals my dad used to buy for us as kids. I love me some chicken tenders dipped in buffalo sauce, but I don't know how much of it I can handle. We had some last night and I'm actually dreading dinner tonight, because I have no desire to eat that and what's left in our pantry isn't too appealing right now either...

...so lies the cons of moving. Who wants to take a major grocery shopping trip when you know you don't need all that food...

Take-out anyone?

First/Last Trip to Busch Gardens, Tampa.

(Here are the nuggets on the tram on the way to the car from the park...)

I am a Disney Snob. What else can I say? I guess I was expecting something different...something more conducive for little ones and I should have known better than to think it was anything like Disney. Because it's not.

Great for teens. Great for adults. Not so great for kids that aren't exactly close in age, or kids that one likes coasters and the other doesn't. And not so great when the one that likes the coaster just so happens to be the younger and shorter one.

They were able to ride one ride together. Then, we stood in line to find out that Riley was too tall...got in another and found out Ronan was too short.

Oh well...hopefully they will have more fun at Kennywood, in Pittsburgh...I'm pretty sure it was more family friendly there...

O.N.G.

Kids are parrots. They repeat everything. Hence, Riley's first words being, "oh shit." Yeah, I know...Mother Of The Year. Hey, who would have thought that all those days of me holding her and dropping stuff, it would actually affect her vocabulary...although for her memory's sake, she'll just know she said "momma" first.

And now that Ronan is Mr. Chatty Chuck, he's repeating the most random things. He recites parts of television commercials, songs from his favorite shows and his latest, saavy texting vocab.

You can imagine the smile on my face when he was annoyed at my offering to him of healthy foods when he exclaimed:

O.N.G., Momma. No fank-you. No Ban-ya. I want some-fing wike diff-went. Some-fing in the cwoset.

Translation: Omg. Mom. No thanks. Why would I want to eat a banana when I can have chocolate chip cookies that are perched on the top shelf of the pantry.

23 Days.

That's right. 23 more days in Tampa. I'm mentally checked out and ready to go. I'm so looking forward to seeing my friends back home, spending quality time with them, going on a real honeymoon with my husband and moving to our new home.

I'm sorry I've been slagging on the blogging. We've done a couple fun things here and there, but with all there is to do around here (laundry. laundry. and more laundry.), I have been putting the big blog posts off.

I'll eventually get back into it...so please don't give up on me if you are a loyal reader. I promise, I'll post more updates. Soon.

Modge Podge Blog Post: Catch-All

With so much going on in life, I haven't had much time to blog...so here is catch-up for everyone!

A few weeks ago, my dad came in from Pittsburgh to visit us. My mom was staying with us, so it was a nice family reunion. My brother came into town and we hung out for the 36 hours my dad was able to be here. Ronan spent the greater part of his Pa's visit trying to impress him with his batting skills...and he did.
Riley enjoyed scooting around and getting out early from school to spend time with her Uncle Mike and Pa...

Then, came Ryan's big 3-2 birthday. With my mom visiting, we were able to get out and go on a date... I don't know about you, but I think he looks great, for 32! Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Along the way, we celebrated 9 glorious years of marriage. Truly, it has flown by so quickly and lucky for both of us...we are still in love with each other and are looking forward to many more years! We didn't go crazy with a celebration, we did do dinner...but we plan to do it big next year. 10 years is going to be a BIG deal!

But, the big news. On April 1st, Ryan advanced and made Chief! He's officially Chief Egal! I'm so proud of his accomplishment and having been in a little less than 14 years...I feel like it's a huge deal. I was so honored to be a part of his day and held back tears when I heard all the nice things that were being said about my husband...

This is the pinning part...Ryan had asked me to do it, but being the nervous wreck I am in front of crowds, I politely declined and watched with my kids.

They read what his certificates said...

And then Chief Egal was asked to say a few words...

He held back his tears when he talked about his Grandfather and how he wished that he was there to share this moment with him...it was so emotional, but a great side to see of someone who is usually so strong...

And then here we all are...

I'll have to scan in his bootcamp picture at some point, but I swear, he just gets better looking every year.

Congrats to my husband on achieving what he has and looking forward to sharing many more of those moments with him in the future. I truly appreciate everything he has done for our family and the choices he has made to keep our family stable...love you, Ryan.

Ah yes, and then Easter. Well...we didn't do as big of an Easter as we have in the past. Mainly because our kids have so much and we thought about what else we could possibly do that would add to their stash of stuff. With Ronan's food allergies, it seriously limited our selection of candy...so I opted to not do baskets like I've done in the past and give each of the kids a few books. We did a cheap-y egg hunt at home...which they were totally entertained by...and just enjoyed each other's company...

We only have a few more weeks left in Tampa before we make the big move...so I'll make sure I try hard to keep the blog updated... We've still got some things going on here and I'll need to document those!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

All About Hats

We lead very exciting lives. So exciting, in fact, that occasionally, we'll head over to Target (on a random errand) and spend an immense amount of time in the hat section. Mentally having to get over the fact that my kids could potentially get lice...I let them entertain themselves and in turn, entertain us.

They can be such goofballs and where they come up with the poses, I have no idea. You would think they were auditioning for some music video sometimes!

(Riley actually wanted us to buy this hat for her...uh, no?)

(Ronan looks like a skater dude here...)

Ronan tends to do this thing with his arms...he crosses them like he's Vanilla Ice.

Gotta love these kids...and the free entertainment. Well, not exactly free. Who can leave Target without spending a little bit of money?!