Shopping

We took a break from shopping and stopped in the pet store. Skyler really enjoyed looking at the bunny rabbits:

Waving hi to the birds:

We also had fun looking in Claire's and got to sample some free chocolates before skid-daddling right out of there so I wouldn't be tempted to buy something!

Then on to Toys R Us...more fun and besides looking for staples (clothes, socks, etc.) we got a few supplies to stock the vacation activity bag (Toys R Us has a buy 2 books get the 3rd free deal). I found Skyler a cool looking very boyish hiking shoe that has a hummer on it that lights up.( So now we have to go hiking-maybe Geocache?) Manny explained later to Shayna that boys need brown shoes because they get them dirty.

Of course I now have to go back and order the Skechers sneakers I want to get Skyler- just my luck the style I saw and like is only sold at this store (I checked others and on line).

Next shopping excursion is for me - Nordstrom's - seeking a black sarong (lost mine), Rachel Pally caftan top, and maybe a crinkle silk dress or skirt, maybe check out resort wear, bathing suits...and maybe walking black boots if I can be lucky enough to find a pair (I like the look of the boots with a casual dress, no stockings -saw it on the girl on the show "where we live" NYC episode). Let me note that I rarely buy myself anything and want to get a few key items so I won't look like a total schlep going out at night during the vacation.

Best bargain finds: $3 jeans for Shayna at Toys R Us, $3 hooded fleece jacket size 3T for Skyler at Children's Place, $2 nice T-shirt for Skyler at Children's Place size 4T. When I see a great bargain in a future size I grab it!

Also, I had Shayna try on all her jeans. Since I bought her some new ones last year, all but one fit very well. and the jeans known as "London jeans" now are no longer London jeans...because they now don't fall down!! (you know- "London jeans are falling down, falling down, falling down....").

Cuteness

Skyler now gets the cuteness factor. We were looking at Shayna's folder that had a picture of a cute white furry baby seal on it. he came over, looked at it, pretended to pet it, and said "awwwwwww." Shayna and I thought Skyler saying "awww" was cuter then the thing that was cute!

He did this again with the big bear in the playroom.

Note: I told Shayna not to use the panda bear folder for music because that folder never comes home and I would never see the cute panda.

Basket Car

Skyler enjoyed his ride in the "basket car" that Shayna gave him. He even said "beep beep!"

Halloween costume planning

Now that October is almost here, the Halloween planning has begun. Planning costumes, looking through various activities, etc.

Shayna decided instead of going as Cleopatra she wants to go as a "blue angel." which is, a white angel dress with wings, blue hair (wig), halo, and accents such as blue fingernails, lips, cool looking sparkly make up (silver & blue around eyes etc.).

I like to dress them matching, but this is impossible with her as the blue angel. So I was thinking of maybe dressing him as an actual blue angel, as in the Navy jet pilot...but besides downloading thier patch can't find a costume like that (just air force pilot which looks nothing like it)...plus even if he wears the patch don't think anyone would get it. So my other choice is him going as a devil since she will be an angel. Lots of little boy devil costumes to choose from. or I an just dress him in something that has nothing to do with hers.

Lil' Copycat

Manny was stretching and Skyler decided to join him and stretch too!

Audition STATUS Update:may be more good news

Just found out today from Shayna's agency that she now is back IN the running for the PBS Kids Go commercial. Apparantly, the child who was booked now can't do it, and Shayna was next on the list since she almost was picked. Its still not definate, but I should find out within a day or two. It shoots either Sept. 28, 29, 30 or Oct. 2nd. May shoot more then one day as well. She will make $500 per day.

This is the way show business works! Always a wait and see and sometimes you don't find out until the last minute.

She is already booked for the Activi-TV on October 12th...so if she gets this it will make 2!

::::fingers crossed:::::

UPDATE: I found out on Tuesday that she didn't get it.

Underwater Educational Materials

Shayna and I found that we have quite a few ocean/underwater themed books and educational materials around the house. I found a 3 CD-Rom Ocean Life set, with one CD all about coral reefs. Shayna found 2 great picture books to read: Underwater Alphabet and Sea Sums. She also found the "Little Tropical Fish" coloring book...which she and Skyler enjoyed coloring with colored pencils. These items (minus the CDs) will be going into the activity backpack I am putting together for the trip (plane time, restaurants, etc.). Now I just have to figure out what else to put in the bag to keep Skyler entertained for the entire trip and restaurants we will visit.

Exciting News!!!!

Shayna got booked* for a TV show today!

This was her 3rd audition on Sept. 7th.

Its for ActiviTV On Demand and shoots a half day October 12th. She will make $150.

I was a bit surprised by the phone call and e mail today, because when she auditioned there were a LOT of kids auditioning, and guessing by how many we saw just while there and knowing they were auditioning all day they must have auditioned hundreds of kids. The casting place was very professional looking and had celeb photos all over the walls that had cast movies through them (like Sylvester Stallone, Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear). An 11yo girl I chatted with while waiting Shayna's turn said she got a role in a national commercial (forget which but it aired on UPN I think). All the kids there were ultra cute.

From what the agency told me it could be an ongoing thing- since its a TV show. She has to wear jeans and a solid color long sleeve shirt (no white or green), and they will be using some "green screen."

I'll update when I find out more...as the shoot date gets closer she said we will find out more details like time& place, etc.

I told Shayna she can use the money she earns as her own spending money while we are on vacation in Hollywood/Ft.Lauderdale/Miami and the Keys and Turks and Caicos in November.

*note- they do not say "You got the part" but "You got booked."

Vacation Plans

We are going on vacation from November 21-Dec. 1st. Its been a looong time since we have gone on a vacation (besides short trips to the NJ shore). Last plane trip was in 2002 to California for Manny's brothers wedding, before that in 2000 for Jami's wedding in NM...so while those were both a ton of fun and we did a lot and saw a lot of new things, it was not a true vacation that we planned 100%.

It will be a 3 part trip. Here is our plan:

1. Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, FL: stay in Fort Lauderdale on the beach. Check out Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale. Manny will try and line up job interviews. Not sure if we will venture into South Beach area (have done it so much pre-kids and can do that after moving there).

Hotel web site:
http://www.pelicanbeach.com/

Trip advisor web site with great candid photos:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34227-d80483-r5830463-Best_Western_Pelican_Beach_Resort-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida.html

2. Key Largo (Florida Keys): staying Bayside at the Sheraton Beach Resort water view room. Will do swim with the dolphins (in Key Largo- they do have SWD in a few other places in the Keys and Miami etc. also), lots of snorkeling, exploring, bay beach swimming, rent a boat, scenic restaurants (I already picked these), gorgeous sunsets and manatees! The hotel also has a wooded path through the forest and a nice pool. I am looking forward to the snorkeling - Key Largo is famous for great reefs. Will also venture as far south as Marathon and Grassy Key and No Name Key (mile marker 30 or so) but not all the way to Key West.

Tidbits: did you know George Bush Sr. goes to Key Largo every year and stays in the "presidential suite" in the gorgeous Cheeca Resort in Key Largo?

2 famous movies about Key Largo: key largo and african queen. The REAL African Queen is right on the marina in Key Largo.

There is even a 9 hole golf course at Cheeca and Jack Nicklaus goes there too. Another visitor is Gen. Schwarzkopf.

official hotel website:
www.keylargoresort.com


hotel on tripadvisor.com, has great candid photos taken by people who have stayed there:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34344-d207829-Reviews-Sheraton_Beach_Resort_Key_Largo-Key_Largo_Florida_Keys_Florida.html

3. Beaches Turks & Caicos, the Caribbean (all inclusive): I booked a one BR suite in the villas with concierge service. In addition to the all inclusives it gives us fully stocked mini bar (so always have milk/juice etc. and snacks for the kids). Besides all the awesome caribbean features and gorgeous pools it includes the kids camp and it has Sesame Street there (the characters, shows, activities), nannies, etc. We will put Skyler in the kids camp for a few hours so we can snorkel. Also includes 2 scuba dives/day. It has 10 restaurants. They have nannies if you want to go to the "adults only" fine dining restaurants (one is a good French one). They have a kids "pirate" pool and an "X-box" room. Michael Jordan vacations here.

www.beaches.com


I have been using this GREAT website for my hotel and trip research- it has traveler reviews under each item (hotel, tourist site, etc.) and also candid travelers photos. Great for finding out the "real deal" and more info. then a hotel's web site gives. Of course, you have to not take the reviews TOO seriously as some people find fault in anything, even a 5 star resort or Four Seasons. Some of the comments can be quite comical. Also good for finding out tips, what to do, even what part of a hotel/resort is best to stay. I would never have thought to have all the swim gear and suits packed in the carry on in case you can't check in right away (most hotels you can use the premises even if your room is not ready yet).

www.tripadvisor.com

Mysterious objects

We saw three of these odd looking objects as we were driving through New Hope to pick up Manny's car. Shayna and I were intriqued as to what they could be. A house for Gnomes? Fairies or sprites? Shayna deduced that sprites and fairies are too small. On the way back, we had to stop and take a closer look. Here is a photo of one of them:

We did find out what they were. If you want, take a guess as to what they might be. I'll post what they are in a few days!

UPDATE:

The objects are a work of art/sculptures inspired by Monet's haystack paintings. They are made with wire framing with a gauzy hay like material on top.

Go here to see one of the hay stack paintings:

http://www.impressionist-art-gallery.com/monet_haystacks.html

Skyler Van Gogh

Skyler really likes using his color wonder markers. here he is creating a work of art: The color wonder markers only color on the color wonder paper, so no worries about coloring on walls and furniture. he has gotten a hold of regular markers in the past, and drew on at least one piece of Broyhill furniture, a file cabinet, and maybe a wall or two, adding to the wall art that Shayna did at his age.

Fishing Day

We did a day trip to ocean city, NJ today and Manny and Shayna went fishing on the bay on the "Family Fisherman" boat. They did REALLY well, and Shayna even caught the first fish! They didn't bring any home, as they were all throwbacks (they have to be at least 12 inches to keep). Shayna caught 6 Sea Bass and Manny caught 2 Sea Bass.

It was a hot day, sunny and about 80-84F. We also went early so we could have breakfast at Doc's, at our old- FIRST-marina in Somers Point. What a wonderful breakfast. They even had our table waiting for us, all set elegantly, when we walked in! Its so classy and the view is so nice. The food is the best- they had sauteed onions with the potatoes and the french toast there is just like I remembered (when they used to serve breakfast every day in 1999, then they stopped serving breakfast for a few years and now serve breakfast on sundays only). Its the only place I have had French toast made that way- thick cut, lightly fried with a cinnamon crispy layer (like a monte crisco sort of). Its also not pricey- was cheaper then the rip off Beach Club Hotel restaurant. Shayna faintly remembered the french toast (she was only 2 1/2 but loved it then), but she loved it this time too and ate every last crumb. You may not think there can be much variation in how a place makes eggs & toast but this is the best for that too.

Next: what Skyler and I did while they went fishing.

Beach Day

While Shayna and Manny fished I took Skyler to the beach. My first time taking him to the beach alone (oh my). Gone are the days relaxing on my chair with my feet in the water, occasionally reading a book, or napping. Skyler is on the move about 90% of the time there, unlike Shayna, at his age she sat more in one "area" and played or would stay within eyesight in the wet sand and shallows of the ocean. Skyler likes to run all over the place and into the waves and back hundreds of times saying "woooooooe!" I think he means "wow." When we first approached the beach, after parking and getting out of the car, we walked through a narrow pathway through the dunes and although I could hear the loud surf maybe he was not aware of where we were going, because when we got onto the sand and saw the waves and beach he said "WOOOOOE!" He likes to play with whatever kids are around, and will go up to them and start playing. One little boy when he heard me call him Skyler said "thats a COOL name!" he was only maybe 5 or 6. Skyler also didn't want to play with his toys (except his yellow shovel because I kept handing it to him) but everyone elses. In the pic above, Skyler and this little boy who looked a little younger then Skyler, took over this hole another older boy (maybe 6ish) was digging (may have been his brother, not sure- there were about 8-10 kids all intermingling on the beach).

In the pic below, Skyler playing with these 2 little girls. The one leaning down with the lighter hair reminded me of a little Paris Hilton.
After the beach we picked up Manny and Shayna. Then we pulled up to the boardwalk and I got my fix: a bubble tea smoothie drink to go, slices of pizza from mack & mancos to go (eat at home later), and a frozen custard for shayna. We don't have anything close to as good as Mack & Manco's at home. Its so good you even eat the crust (Shayna eats it too)!

Everyone fell asleep on the ride home except me, because I was driving.

Skyler's writing

Besides saying almost all the letters in the alphabet, Skyler started trying to write them this week. He just started doing this on his own. He drew a rudimentary "m" and then said "mmmm" and "em" when asked what it was. he also likes to draw "I" as in just a line, as that is easy to draw. Then he will proudly say "I!" He also drew "O" and "c." Of course, when I grabbed the camera, he didn't draw anything so exciting, but I will try and get a pic next time he does. Here he just drew a giant letter "I."

Coming Soon

Due to some technical camera problems for the time being I only have a verbal update.

Skyler now....

*Can say most of his letters and ID them.

*Started to "dance" using both his feet/legs and arms (before was just arms). He dances and then we both clap.

*Knows his colors and shapes

*Has added more words to his vocabulary.

Other News: We had a successful yard sale last Saturday and Sunday despite the fact the paper goofed and failed to run our ad. We may have another one in a month or two since all the signs are already made and the stuff all boxed up, priced and ready to go. We have been successfully using Craigs List and made a few big sales: the Dinghy, my breastpump, one power wheelchair and some smaller sales like the mini fridge and hedge trimmer.

Working on planning trip to Florida & Carribbean in early November: if anyone has tips for good family hotels on Miami Beach I'd love to hear them. Thinking of staying at the Fontainebleau.

Audition Update

Shayna now is up to 4 auditions in a period of 3 weeks. Its starting to get confusing.

Here is a summary of all:

AUDITION:

#1: PBS Kids Go! Commercial/TV spot-Philadephia Casting, Olde City. Auditioned Wed. August 30th. STATUS: made "First refusal" and is very close to getting the part. May shoot sometime between 9/28 to 10/1, they said to hold those dates open. This was a cool script- something to do with following a treasure map, finding a secret door, etc. Shayna read from script and acted out as she read.

#2: Movie- student film at Drexel U.- Shayna auditioned Wed. night sept. 6th. Got to see some of Drexel U. and saw the Film/TV/Media area. She read for the part of girl being "bullied"- boy tried to take her jump rope, she had to act it out as being annoyed, then act as being angry. Will shoot weekends in Mid October. STATUS: unknown.

#3: Activi-TV for Comcast on demand- TV program: auditioned Thurs. sept. 7th at Heery Casting. Cool loft like casting studio at 4th & Vine, Olde City. Some celeb pics on wall- did casting for Rocky and Invincible. No script reading or "sides" just asked her questions about herself and her day. Shoot date: No idea, they did not give out any info.

#4: Cable TV program about Madonna, Zig Zag Productions, Soho, NYC: will audition for the part of Lourdes, Madonna's daughter, on Friday Sept. 15th. We were able to get her "sides" ahead of time on the internet so she can see her lines for the audition ahead of time.

Cookie Cake

I am such a MOM. I couldn't resist getting this ultra cute cookie cake for Shayna to bring into her class today. I do know this means bringing snacks two school days in a row*, but that is sheer coincidence and it will most likely be months before I send in a snack again. This seemed so perfect for the first weeks of school and Shayna absolutely LOVES cookie cakes. *she brought in the moon cakes Thursday and did not have school Friday or Monday.

Pancake Creativity

I made chocolate chip pancakes today and two pancakes accidentally morphed into a snowman shape. Instead of seperating them, Shayna said she wanted them like that. She got out the whipped cream and proceeded to make this snowman. she purposely made him hum drum- not happy or sad.

Oddity #1

we sometimes find odd things around the house that Skyler did. Here is where he decided the spoon belonged:

Auditions

Shayna had/has 3 auditions within one week.

1. Wed. August 30th: Commercial for PBS Kids Go! 99 kids auditioned and they will choose 7-8. Pays $500 and films Sept. 14, 15, or 16th.
Note: The man filming her audition said she did great and she was the best he saw all day. Now hope the director feels the same.

2. Wed. Sept. 6th: audition for student film Drexel U. No pay but credit, copy of film/reel, and meals. Films ?

3. Thurs. Sept. 7th: TV Spot for Comcast On Demand. ActiviTV, an interactive children's program. Pays $150/ half day

Good luck Shayna!!!