Hello From Jacksonville

This weekend we are up in Jacksonville (technically, Ponte Verde but whoever has heard of that?) for Florida Hospital Leadership weekend.  We used to go to these back a few years when I was in my old position at the hospital.  Now we're here because of Duncan, obviously.  Back then, it was held in Clearwater but for whatever reason, they've changed it to here.  I'm guessing because of the golf but who knows.  To give you some perspective, I would say there at least 300 leaders and then their families so we're talking a  pretty large crowd.

We left to come up yesterday afternoon.  Since it's almost a 2.5 hour drive I told Duncan we either needed to come during nap time, if he could his schedule to support that, or we would need to go at like 7:30.  There's no way I was going to go during a non-sleeping time for Brady and listen to him cry the whole way there.  Actually, in Brady's defense, a few places we've gone in the last few days have been crying free.  If only that could continue!  At any rate, Duncan was able to maneuver his schedule to fit in with nap time and off we went at 3 pm.  The whole morning was spent rushing around trying to get packed, cleaned, etc.  You always think you have more time than you really do.  The drive up was quite peaceful with the girls watching a movie and Brady indeed sleeping for most of the way.

So here we are for three nights and I'm once again glad we've perfected the art of sleeping all in one room.  This time we have two doubles so that we can each take a kid or kids if things get out of hand.  Last night it was food on our own so we found a nearby Panera and then hit the sack around 9:15.  The girls were keyed up as expected and probably didn't go to sleep for at least an hour after that.  The morning we had a great breakfast provided by the hotel and then the hotel also provided entertainment for the kids.  I had noticed on the handout that it said it was for children ages 3 - 13 ONLY.  The capital letters were their emphasis, not mine.  I figured that meant Aubree was with me.  When we checked in, a friend of mine from Sabbath School who also happens to be one of the persons in charge of this whole operation, said to not worry about it.  Aubree would be fine and to just put that she's three on the paper and if any one gives me a hard time, they can come to her.  I waffled back and forth as to whether I was being dishonest or not by putting that age down and in the end, I went along with it since my friend told me too.  As it turned out, I don't think it mattered what I did because they didn't even look at the paper and Aubree was more than fine.  They didn't even glance my way when I left with Brady.  I went back to the room, fed Brady, and we both took a little snooze.  Bliss!

I finally figured I should go check up on them.  As I was heading back to the the room where they were, I was walking through the lobby and I saw all the kids walking in from outside with little bags.  They were on a scavenger hunt.  Calleigh was at the head of the pack and I finally saw Aubree who was bringing up the rear.  She was clutching her little bag and looked as happy as a clam.  I was told that she was perfect the whole time so I was relieved although not surprised since aren't kids always better behaved when their parents aren't around?

Posing with Luke Deininger in their pirate gear.  Not sure why the hotel was handing out these items.

Getting in a little reading time...

...and an attempt at a photo.

This afternoon we were on our own for lunch (rest of meals will be provided by the hotel) and activities. It would have been so nice if this resort had an indoor pool but for some reason it does not. And wouldn't you know that a cold front just came in.  As we were walking out to our van this afternoon, it was windy and the temp was only(!!) in the low 60's although it felt chillier.  Calleigh started complaining that she needed her hat and mittens.  Oh, those Florida girls.  Duncan told her that if it was like this up in New England, they would be jumping in the lake.  Needless to say, this weather is not conducive to our swimming in the ocean or one of the pools.  That left the playground which they were at for several hours (no nap for Aubree although we tried).  

A little stop at Target and both girls wanted their picture on the red ball.

This evening there was a kid's program which we attended.  It went from 7:00 - 8:30 and I was afraid we might have a little trouble with Aubree considering she had no nap.  But save for a brief meltdown over a pinwheel she couldn't get to work, all went well.  I must say that the teachers did a great job when you think of having to entertain toddlers for 1.5 hours.  They'll be back doing it again tomorrow for church.

These are no spring chickens teaching the class.

In other news, the countdown to the Christmas season starting (on my Dad's birthday on November 15) is in full swing!  We all can't wait.  Calleigh has been asking to sing Christmas songs during worship but I'm holding her off.  Over the last few weeks, Calleigh has talked very animatedly to Aubree about the Boston Pops, "Aubs, do you remember the Pops???!!"  Aubree replies, "I don't like the Pops."  And then Calleigh is quick to remind her that it's music, not an actual pop.  Back in September when my dad went to purchase the Pops tickets, I had told him only to get two tickets.  When we went last year we had decided that it just not as enjoyable for us because it's hard for the girls to sit still and be quite and at $33 a pop (pun intended), including infants, it's not all that cheap.  So I just said two tickets thinking maybe Duncan and Calleigh could go.  But then I said to myself, I really need to go so maybe it will be Brady and me.  Finally, when Calleigh started talking about it a bunch of times to Aubree (without my prompting or anything), I figured I can't burst her little bubble about it nor do I want to stop the tradition since my family has been going every Christmas for as long as I can remember.  Needless to say, Papa has been commissioned to get three more tickets and it will now be all five Grodacks attending.  Yay!  

It's also that time of year that whenever the see something in a store, I remind them that Christmas is coming and they can put it on their Christmas list.  This message is apparently getting through to them.  As we were checking out at Target this afternoon, Aubree gazed longingly at a princess doll next to the register, picked it up, and said, "I'm going to put this on my list."

Brady is well.  Still on the road to recovery, we believe.  He really is a very happy baby other than being in his car seat.  He's definitely in the "put everything I can get my grubby hands on into my mouth" stage.  This evening he started chewing on my hair which is one more reason not to have it down very often (or I suppose I could just get a haircut one of these days).  As expected around this age, he's been breaking out of his swaddle.  The other night I had to re-swaddle him three different times and that was quite enough.  I finally decided to give my friend Amy's invention a try which is to put long socks on their arms and then swaddle them.  Works like a charm!  No more breaking out.  Thanks Amy!

Well, Duncan is shooting me the stink eye (if I could see it in the dim lighting) from his bed so I will close here.  Look at that, I'm posting a blog before midnight.  Awesome.