St. Martin

We didn't really have a game plan for St. Martin.
Most of the shore excursions had an age requirement our kids didn't meet. We didn't want to get off the boat just to get on another smaller one or taxi to take us to another beach 40 minutes away.

Instead we walked 1/4 mile past the first set of tourist shops to another beach front tourist area.

We paid 10 bucks for a spot of beach that had two beach chairs, an umbrella, and some buckets and shovels for the boys to play with.

Looking back next time I would have searched out a more picturesque spot but the boys could have cared less. They made friends, looked for sea shells, and got really sunburned in exposed places.

Ethan wanted to be buried in the sand, then wasn't so sure about it...

then decided it was OK.

Clouds rolled in and out. We even got a few sprinkles. But mostly we just had a really relaxing day.

By mid day we packed it up and returned to the ship for lunch, a good rinse in the out door showers, then spent the rest of the afternoon with the pools and water slides practically to ourselves.

An Epic Norwegian Adventure

With a week to kill in between visiting with Houston kin and the arrival of Slocombe family in Orlando we decided to try out a Caribbean Cruise. We chose the Norwegian's newest ship the Epic not for it's destinations but because it's Kids Club takes two year olds and the dates lined up perfectly.

More than any other cruise we've taken this one was super kid friendly. With lots of activities for the kids outside of the Kids Club, striking a nice balance of time together and time apart was easy.The ship's Freestyle atmosphere took some getting use to. This cruise ship in not necessarily a party ship but you can go to the buffet in your bikini and ride the elevator in your banana hammock if you so choose. We own none of the above and choose more modest attire and felt just fine in that as well.

There were pools just right for Ethan, a splash park for Graham, and water slides for Zach. Both Ethan and Zach were eligible to climb the rock wall and there was a crazy spider web of climbing bands that tested the boys' climbing and coordination.

Chris and I actually got to relax on this cruise. After breakfast we would drop the kids off and work out, clean up, relax a bit then get the kiddos for lunch. We would spend the afternoon all together and then either eat together or feed the kids and drop them off again so Chris and I could have an evening out.

Our first evening we dined together at the back of the ship watching the sun set.

Chris giving Ethan a few tips on how to use the tongs at this Brazilian Steak house.

The ship was hosted by Nickelodeon so when the kids weren't in the club we went to several character meet and greets, dance parties, and Slime Time Live shows. Zach was even chosen to participate in a pool side Nickelodeon game; where a Dad had to catch water balloons in his giant pants thrown by Zach and a friend. His team won! He was very happy he didn't have to be slimed.

By day you could meet Sponge Bob and Friends; by night this room is an 18 and up club. Ethan thought the cages were great. We decided not to go find out what they are really used for.

Unlike other cruise lines that have a main show every night that is really hit or miss as far as entertaining or seat availability. On this line you book your tickets ahead of time so everyone gets a chance to see great acts like...

THE BLUE MAN GROUP!

The bigger boys loved, loved, LOVED the show and Graham liked it OK until the end when we posed for pictures with an actual Blue Man.

The last night of the cruise there were still tickets available so the all the big boys went again while Graham played at the club and mom packed in peace.

A tradition at the end of the show is for giant rolls of paper to drop from the ceiling and then gets passed from the back of the room to the stage. During our first show there were some fuddy duddies in front of us that had no idea it was part of the show and were quite upset with our kids for sending massive amounts of paper their way. We never did get an apology for their nasty looks and sneers once they realized it was all part of the kooky show.

The boys were in heaven at the end of the second show because they had an entire row and therefore several rolls of paper to themselves.



For our adult time we ate wonderful meals in much needed peace, caught a few Second City Improv acts, played ping pong with out little helpers, watched a U2 concert on a giant screen, and drank fruity drinks at an Ice Bar.

It was a unique experience but a bit strange to have on a cruise where the majority wear little more than a bathing suit and flip flops. My exposed toes couldn't take it for too long so even though we were having a nice conversation with some fellow guests we didn't really hang out much after we downed our drinks served in ice cones.

If you are looking for a Caribbean Family getaway that balances adult time and family time - this is the ship for you.

Houston....We Have A Problem

The problem is that the Moms and Dads get tired of NASA way before the kiddos do.

Just look at all the fun we had.....

....testing the pull of gravity on different planets.....

.....lunar landing ships....


....shooting balls up into the air.....

...and of course launching rockets!

These models of life in space really creeped the boys out.

At first they were really confused asking, "Are those guys real or not?"

I thought this was cool because instead of standing on earth looking at the moon in the distance it was a view from the moon with earth in the distance.

For a while we had two little Moon Doggies.

Through this vault door is something really cool...

moon rocks you can actually touch.

After lunch we toured the R & D facilitates and saw some of the crazy stuff they use on space missions.

The guide told us that recently some visitors came to test drive this thing and put it through a few tests. When we found out it was the guys from England's Top Gear we knew these would not be any ordinary tests. As Chris and I love this show it will be interesting to see what they do with our government's little toy. They've driven some pretty expensive cars but I'm not sure any of them cost what this does.

Our last stop was Rocket Park where retired rockets have been laid to rest and where little boys get to oooh and aahhh and create plans in their minds on how they can build their own rockets.

After a bit more last minute shopping, and Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake indulging we said our goodbyes and thanks and set off for the next leg of our trip.

Our flight to Miami left insanely early in the morning but compared to our normal 8-10 hour flight times this two hour flight was a piece of cake especially because everyone slept through it.

Upon Ethan's insistence this cow from the airport has been added.

A Surprise Southerner

During the planning stages of our trip we knew we wanted to get to Louisiana to see Chris' Grandpa but weren't sure how we would fit the drive in and still have time to visit everyone.
Then Chris' Dad pitched an idea we were excited about but weren't sure Great Grandpa would go for it because it meant a full days drive and sleeping away from home which he hasn't done in about 10 years.

SURPRISE! He agreed to have Grandpa J. fly out pick him up and bring him to Houston for a couple of days and WE ARE SO GLAD HE CAME! Zach was so excited to show Great Grandpa N. the Lego set he'd bought with the birthday money he'd sent. That is one thing about Great Grandpa: he never forgets a birthday and always sends the nicest greetings.

Ethan was also really glad to see Grandpa J. He monopolized all his time insisting on playing guessing games like, "What's in my ear?" and having stories told to him. It looked as though both mutually enjoyed the time together.

For dinner one evening we headed over to Lupe Tortilla. I don't know which is better the amazing FOOD or the DIRT PIT out front. We thought going on a Thurs. night would alleviate a long wait but we were wrong this place was hoppin'.

In actuality the wait was less than an hour and as far as the kids were concerned with a place like this who needs food anyway.

The toughest part was the boys hardly touched their food and wanted to be back outside. We the parents wanted to eat but as you can see above they did need some supervision to keep them from getting run over. It was nice to see many of the children taking turns with the cars. I think I only witnessed one spitting match and for a change Ethan was on the receiving end instead of the giving. Next time we'll try to get prime seating by the pit so we can have the best of both worlds.

Back at Uncle Roger's house we gathered to celebrate an early Surprise 83 birthday for Great Grandpa N. We thought it appropriate to do so since we were all together and we wanted him to know he is loved, especially by his Great Grand Kids.

Snap Shots

As for most families it is rare for the entire Jenkins clan to be together in one place. In only a few short days we crammed in shopping, eating at Cheesecake Factory, attending the Temple, playing with cousins, doing the tourist thing, more shopping, and a quick but very painful family photo shoot.

After weeks of trading emails about where and when and what to wear...

I ordered everything ahead of time so it would be there for our arrival.

So glad I did because having arrived a day late it would have been very difficult to go shopping for something suitable, mostly for me.

We arrived at our expected time....

but the lighting wasn't quite right....

so we let the boys run around in hopes they would be ready to sit when the time came. No such luck that just became the preview for really awful picture taking behavior.

I think however, thanks to photo shop, the photographer will be able to work some magic. I have only seen two preview pics of the kids that look good but I also know they weren't all right next to each other when the real picture was taken.

Can hardly wait to see what the real photographs look like because these squinty eyed ones just won't do.