Cruise me baby!

We went on a cruise!!! They were 4 most awesome days in a long-long time. We left Thursday July 9th, spent next day at sea, arrived at Cozumel, Mexico on Saturday, Sunday was another day at sea, and came back Monday the 13th.

If you have never been to one I strongly recommend it. It is a floating hotel with entertainment, all-you-can-eat buffet, elegant dining, art gallery and art auctions, kids camps, shows, dancing, gambling and drinking (if you're into it), pool, hot tubs, gym, spa, room service, games, contests (like hairy chest contests, battle of the sexes), mini-golf, shopping and tons more. Do I sound like an info-mercial? I just can't describe how much I loved it.

The day we left to drive to port of Tampa was the day we agreed to leave our screams, whines and cries at home. I think it worked! We arrived quite early, so we had some time to drive around Tampa till we came to the actual check-in spot. It was pretty easy to park the car across the street, bring your luggage, check-in, and... walk straight into the magical palace - Carnival Inspiration ship. Each guest was welcomed by a grand piano music. Not sure if everyone was starving to death or is it a free food that does it to you, but the buffet lines were long. Food on a cruise ship is extraordinary (as well as amounts consumed). After feeding local poor starved seagulls our french fries, we went up to play mini-golf before we left the port. Even though it rained and was very windy, golf balls rolled in an unusual patterns, it still was fun. It was awesome to watch ship leaving the port and being followed by a tiny coast guard boat. We also had one drill. Everyone on the ship had to grab their life-jacket and head over to a muster station to listen to some safety rules.

Don't know if it was all the driving and getting up early, but we were tired after we got to our room. However, curiosity won over sleepiness, so we went on a cruise ship exploration. We entered a few raffles (I won four works of art through them!!!). It is worth to go on a cruise just to see if you can win some of them. Some of the prises were - bottle of champagne, art, spa services, cash (if you win bingo), and best of all - free cruise!

Even though buffet style dining is convenient and easy, we decided to try elegant dining. You need to dress up a bit for it but it's worth it. The food is artisticly prepared, the servers are friendly and smiling. Each table is served by at least three people. Our head waiter was Antonio from India. He said he was from Indiana, a bit too strong accent for Indiana, but hey, who to judge? Well, he was pretty funny. I ordered this gazpacho soup, so he brought this little garnish on a plate a size of a single sushi, saying here is your soup. I thanked him thinking wow, I knew portions in an elegant restaurant meant to be small, but this one could not satisfy a fly. Little did I know our funny waiter was playing a trick on me, holding a pitcher with my gazpacho behind my back. The moment he poured it into my bowl, it all came clear to me and I rolled on the floor laughing.

Next morning we started with a visit to a pool. Water was salty. It was really busy too. Then I went to an art auction (my personal favorite). You can learn a lot about modern artists there. Amy and her canadian husband Chris (both redheads) were the auctioneers. I loved the way Amy led her auction, joking and making everyone excited.

We took a lot of pictures while on board, but purchased only one. They were over 20 dollars each. Spa was pricy as well, so we found other things to do. I visited this highly pumped-up "Shopping in Cozumel" meeting, where you're told little passwords that you can use in different stores in Cozumel to get free junk (seriously, not worth the whole wasted time, but fun to get something free). They're really pushing you to purchase jewelry in Cozumel, and if you're like me, and your heart melts if you see something new and shiny, there's ton to choose from.

Saturday morning we arrived at Cozumel. I just can't settle to the thought that we visited a foreign country, because it was so fast. The main point of interest for me in Mexico were Mayan ruins. This mysterious land with its traditions and history, own calendar, prophecies and human sacrificies sure will send shivers down your spine. But this place is a tourist must. We took a boat to Mexico's main land and a bus to the ruins of Tulum. What a beautiful location! Turquoise waters, historic lands, iguanas, bright hand-made crafts. Our bus tour guide Ceasar was half mayan-half spanish. So, seeing Mexico through his eyes and his stories was just more fascinating. What is it about this cruise, that everybody makes you laugh? I don't care, I was so into it, I laughed all the way. South Mexico thrives on tourism, it is their goal to bring more tourists in the country to boost its economy. Swine flu didn't help tourist flow last three months, but Mexico is doing much better now, welcoming everybody again.

I got little somber lesson about shiny toys from Ceasar. Mexico doesn't have its own gold, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and tons other widely advertised and sold jewels. However, it does have silver and something really special and meaningful for mayan history - obsidian. It was used in mayan rituals and to decorate their temples. Golden obsidian is black, but it shines like gold in the sun. Spanish conquistadores were attracted by its shine, who came to a new land in search of gold. People were killed and only later the spanish realized it wasn't gold after all.

So, at least now I know what to shop for in Mexico;-)))
After our excursion we had some time to explore the ruins on our own, to take pictures and dunk ourselves in the salty turquoise water of the gulf. It was too hot, so I didn't bother changing into a swimsuit - the water felt very refreshing. The moment we returned to the bus, it started pouring. What a great day!
The last day at sea we finished some things that we hadn't previously visited - water slide, adult-only area, another stage show. It was very bright and colorful, dancers and singers had me wondering about where they kept all those costumes.
Thanks to Skip, our cruise director, even boring "customs regulations talk" wasn't so boring.
I am definitely looking out for another cruise vacation opportunity.

Our family right before boarding

Ship's interior

Hungry seagull swiping french fries

Port of Tampa

View from the deck

Eric - master-putter

Silly time

All-you-can-eat sushi

Valentina's bunk bed in our stateroom

Each night we were visited by some strange animals)))

Valentina and I are at the pool

Ice carver with his creation, and us using kissing birds as an example

Another view from the deck in the endless waters

Handsome and pretty at the captain's party

Misha falling asleep everywhere

Sunrise in Cozumel

On our way to Yucatan

With our awesome guide Ceasar

And some more crafts...

Last week our sewing group didn't meet, so I had sewing withdrawals, as you can see on this next image. I had previously bought two sparkly purple fabrics, which I used along with some ribbons from my collection to make these two pillows. And I used up all the stuffing I had laying around our house. This is what I got:

Here is this week's project: summer dress for Valentina. She picked the fabric (again, from my stash), and of course, she picked the dress from the pattern (with ruffle and pockets).

Ocala...What's in Ocala? Blueberries and springs - that's what!

May through July in Florida is blueberry season. We usually go once or twice a year to pick-your-own places for some fresh right off the bush juicy blueberries. Last year we went to Barbara's and Claire's blueberries and we liked it. So this year we decided to repeat this visit. Oh, how I love blueberries! Apart from being healthy and so delicious, kids love them, too. The benefit of pick-your-own places is that they only charge you for what you put in the bucket, not what goes in your mouth while you pick ;-))) We stayed there for quite a while, so we all had enough time to fill our tummies (and buckets) with blue goodness, and enough time for the kids to befriend a local dog. Even though I love to pick blueberries, I don't particularly enjoy sweat dripping from my face while doing it. Summer in Florida can be very exhausting, so to balance our day, we went to Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest (another family favorite). Water in the springs is crystal clear and really cold. The closer you get to the source of it, the deeper it becomes and the harder it pushes you away. Water color is magical. Groups of people bring their scuba diving or snorkeling equipment to discover magnificent views down below. Sometimes you can spot a blue crab in the depth.

Caught in the act

This dog put his head on Valentina's lap in total loyalty

Alexander Springs

No pictures - no post?

We went to Dinosaur World today and I forgot a camera. So, no pictures in this post! When we drove there, the weather was nice and sunny, but the moment we stepped out of the car, it started pouring. We were prepared, though. I had put rain coats for all of us in the trunk previously (you never know Florida weather). So they came in handy. Now, on the other hand, maybe it was good that I forgot camera, cause we would look funny in the pictures wearing our rain coats and dripping water from hair, wet shoes and all...
Anyway, armed with rain coats we embarked on our dinosaur adventure. It is basically a walk-through park with life-size dinosaur statues throughout. You have to stop and read a sign about every dinosaur. There is also a fossil dig for kids, which was closed due to some flooding, boneyard, where kids got their own paleontologist tools - shovel and brush, to unearth some dinosaur bones (this area has a roof over it, so it was a nice break from rain). There is also touch-and-tell and few other displays.
And what would you guess kids like the best? Huge Tyrannosaurus Rex statue? Some gruesome dino-killing-dino displays? Guess again! Snails! Yes, snails. Those tiny things slithered everywhere in the park, especially in the rain, and the kids were so fascinated by them, they wanted nothing to do with those dinosaurs. Who cares about some fake museum displays, when you can be picking up snails, making them hide inside their shells, stuffing them in your coat pockets, watching them slowly make their slimy path on a smooth rock? Next time I'll know better to bring them to see real animals, and not some stuffed boring junk. Interaction, interaction and more interaction - that's what they need! Even though they loved digging for bones and doing touch-and-tell, that only proves my conclusion about "more hands on, less boring".
I should mention one thing: Valentina said "Thank you mommy for bringing us to dinosaur place today, it was fun". How sweet is that?

I forgot to mention in my previous posts our trip to Miami Zoo two weeks ago (again pictureless). That place is really huge. To look and see all the animals there you need few days, especially because there are few fun stops on the way, like playground. It is really nice, clean and the workers are knowledgeable, eager to answer questions you might have. I asked many questions about koala, and the gentleman with feathers in his hat (jumanji idea?) answered all of them. There are monkeys, tortouses, elephants, different kinds of birds, tigers, kengaroos, jaguar, reptiles of all sorts, warthogs, and much-much more. Wish it was located closer to us, so we would go there again often.

Keeping them busy without TV (second trial)

I have to say though, we didn't completely ditch TV, because "one-car situation" makes it really hard to come up with a lot of activities and entertainment at home. So, we just minimized TV time to about 2 movies a day instead of 5 (hey, I need a little rest time from my over-active kids). I am hoping to cut down even more later.
And I have to say, we were busy. Yesterday I ransacked kids section of Michaels' store for some projects, hoping to stretch them for weeks. Haha, my kids were done with them all in a day. Next time I'll have to hide the fun stuff before they get to it.
So, these were the projects for today:

Both kids worked on these funfusion projects (cat and caterpillar) and also this butterfly foam puzzle (that one took a minute)

My little artists at work (and their finished projects)

I got carried away a little

Of course, they played with LEGO ;-))

Our guinea pig Whiskers is not exactly a project, but I thought he deserves to be here, since he got his bath today (rare occasion for a guinea pig) and is looking so handsome.

Do One Silly Thing Every Day ;-P (tongue post)

Father's Day crafts

Being thrifty and finding new and creative ways of keeping kids away from TV (even though for a little bit) made me thinking (and googling). So this is the result:

Valentina's and Misha's hands cut-outs make heart-shaped frame for their art ;-)))

This cute camp fire is virtually expense-free craft: the idea and the instructions here. Valentina and Misha each made one for daddy.

We added our little touch: instead of tissue paper we used red, orange and yellow fabric. We also sprayed rocks with glow-in-the-dark spray for an eery look.

Valentina working hard drawing flowers for daddy

Our family rarely dresses up, so when we all were ready for church this Sunday for Father's Day this is what we looked like. I'm loving the 10-second delay on my camera.

My recent crafts

Diaper cake for friend's baby shower

Butterfly dress and purse for Valentina

Fabric map of the world for Misha's room

I spruced up this peacock picture with some peacock feathers

My little french corner: to go with the peacock theme - peacock feathers glued on canvas, ribbon lamp shade

Princess skirt for Valentina and a matching vest (not pictured here). The scalloped edge on the skirt was something new for me.

My Prince Charming

Eric had a birthday this month. So, here is a little tribute to my hubby. I tend to take him for granted a lot. Sometimes it seems he's always there, I know him, what else do we need, right? But if I don't pause and think how happy he makes me and the children, this is going to be one more thing I let pass me by. Well, I'll try to come up with the original "Eric trivia list". I promise, I won't say things like "he's a great father and a husband", because, gee, if he wasn't I wouldn't be with him ;-)))

1. He falls asleep when I read stories or talk.

2. He talks in his sleep in some jibberish language, especially when woken up with a start.

3. His shoe size is smaller than 12, but he always insists on buying size 13.

4. He knows what aggravates me and does it anyway.

5. He likes cold AC, cold drinks, and even though he frequently gets brain-freezes, still gulps his drink in a blink of an eye.

6. When we lived in Minnesota, he wore shorts in winter, when we moved to Florida he started wearing pants.

7. He has "podophobia" (please don't make me explain).

8. His all-time favorite movie is a chick-flick.

9. He lets me wear pants in the house.

10. Ever since I got obsessed with Twilight, he buys me magazines with Twilight characters on the cover.

11. He surely enjoys his Wii time.

12. He likes wrestling (I'm rolling my eyes).

13. He likes wrestling on Wii.

14. In all he changed about 20 jobs (being Papa Bear costumed character was one of them).

15. When kids misbehave, he likes to have a one-on-one conversation with them in the room, after which they come out comptletely changed.

16. The last book he read was "Final Exits" by Michael Largo .

17. He would go to a girlie store with me (shoe store, perfume, cosmetics, to name a few) and would carry my heavy purse without a word of irritation. Gotta love his patience.

18. He can do anything he puts his mind to, be it a house project, or fixing a car, or moving across the country.

19. Kids love him, he even got a little herd of little friends in Belarus, that would follow him wherever he went. They even gave him some gifts and notes with their names. One of them wanted to come to US, so he said "you can bring me in your suitcase with you".

20. Valentina and Misha learned this good-night phrase from Eric: "I love you, good night, spokoynoy nochi, good night, don't let the bed bugs bite, spokoynoy nochi, good night", because it is not enough to say one thing, you know, so they say the whole thing before they go to bed, every time. Oh, and that goes after the routine hug, kiss, and butterfly (eyelashes on cheek).

21. Laundry. I have to talk about this. Eric would mix my whites with his blacks. I banned him from doing laundry ever again, but... read #4.

22. He always carries stuff in his pockets, and empties them all over the house, again... #4.

23. He is always there for me whenever I need him, he is my husband and BFF in one person.

24. He is an easy-going person.

25. Eric biked to work 3 hours a few times and took bus, just so I could have a car.

26. He can cook a great dinner, but his favorite is to grill.

27. He is not picky and this is great. He would eat anything I cook, and then thank me for it even if it is tasteless or salty or burnt. He can wear shirts that are 10 years old and not care.

28. He grows a gotee on vacation.

29. He sometimes calls me from work just for us to not say anything, really.

30. The first time he flew on the plane was for our honeymoon.

31. He is a great father and a husband. I know, I know, I promised not to say that, but what kind of a wife would I be, if I didn't?

Love you, Eric

So to celebrate we went to Lake Louisa State Park for a picnic,

walked in warm lake water and looked at tiny fish,

Valentina and Misha climbed a tree,

went home to a little surprise.

Wanna see something mouthwatering? Click the link

http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/imdb/vi8782361/