Day 3 of the cruise we pulled in to Cabo San Lucas. Most of us decided to get off and explore a little. It was pretty hot, about 100 degrees. Looking out at the coast, besides the buildings and resorts, all you could see was brown. I'm used to loads of brown where we live, but it was brown EVERYWHERE.... We had to tender, board a smaller boat to take us to shore. After we got on shore, we did a quick shopping spree where we put our haggling skills to the test. Andy had spotted a Steelers serape and told Dennis if that if he could find him the JETS, he would buy it. Dennis was off on a mission! A little while later, here comes Andy wearing his new serape. He was so proud of his purchase, he wore it all day! Dennis bought one too, the Bears, but we never did see him put it on. (Later that night in the elevator, Rose spotted a guy wearing the Packers.) We decided to take a glass bottom boat tour of the coast and call it a day, so off we all went to our super safe boat, whose captain was named David, who most certainly knows and obeys all boating laws and safety...... The coast really was beautiful. We went over
areas where they take all the snorkelers and saw loads of beautiful fish. I wouldn't want to be a snorkeler in those waters though, the way the tour boats drive around so close to them. Being in that boat reminded me of the way cars drive in India or China with no regard to lanes, other cars, or people. We enjoyed the tour, if you could call it that, then headed back to the ship. We were probably on shore for a total of 2 1/2 hours. It was SO hot, we were all ready to get back to the pool. That's how the rest of the day was spent, swimming, and relaxing with a bucket of beer by the pool. The kids all LOVED swimming. I can't remember what we did after dinner, but I'm sure it involved letting the kids play together. I really should have kept a log while on the ship. When we were kids out camping, my Dad always kept a log of what we did every day. Smart.....
Day 4 we arrived in Mazatlan. The boys decided they wanted to stay and play mini-golf with Andy, Grandpa and Ian, so Rose and I went off to to see a little of the city with Dennis, Liz, Sophie and Oren. We ended up heading to the beach after a ride to the "Golden Circle shopping area" that looked just like the place we had been the day before. (These areas reminded me of
Tijuana, just row after row of shops hawking their wares.) The taxis were VW Things, if you can remember them, without any windows, and some without doors. Again, every safety precaution was taken as we crammed 5 of us in the back seat of an open-all-around, no seat belt equivalent of a Mini Cooper. The water was SO warm....I'd say it had be a least 85 degrees. We didn't have swim suits on, so we didn't do much more than get our legs wet,
except for Sophie, who practically went swimming. We bought the girls dresses on the beach. (Once 1 vendor sees you making a
purchase, they swarm like fleas.) We walked the beach a little then took a taxi back to the ship for more pool fun to while away the afternoon. The boys had a good time back on the ship that day. It was good for them to have some boy time with Ian and Grandpa. We had a lot of no shows for dinner that night, for some reason.....it was just us and the Salinas gang. Barbara & Paul had a nice dinner at an Italian place, and I think the rest were just tired of showing up for a structured dinner. That night we took the kids to the video game room then to Johnny Rockets for root beer floats.
Day 5 we woke up in Puerto Vallarta. It was cooler this day, about 85, but with a gazillion % humidity. It was beautiful though, green and very lush. Andy and I decided to take the kids on shore and see the town. Everyone else were off doing excursions. We got off the ship and Andy's
sandals decided to disintegrate right there on the spot. Fortunately for us, when we woke up that morning and opened the curtains to see the beautiful port, the first thing we saw was Walmart! Now you know me and Walmart...a match made in white trash HEAVEN! While the store was not far away, pretty much kitty-corner across the street, his shoes had literally fallen off one foot so we took a taxi. $6 dollars later, we entered the fine establishment with Andy's sandal flopping along with us. I was SO savvy and asked the hombre as we walked in....zapatos? He looked at me and I'm sure was thinking, you STUPID white trash American... then directed us where we needed to go. After making a fine selection, we proceeded to the checkout stands. The kids, being back on familiar ground, went through the store asking for everything they saw. By the time we left the store, we were all so mad at each other screaming and yelling... I felt just like we were back home! See, I CAN alienate myself in every Walmart....even the ones in foreign countries. We decided to walk back to the ship and catch a taxi there to the area they must take
every tourist who gets off a ship. However, by the time we walked the distance to the ship, we were dripping wet with sweat, had to cross the equivalent of an 8 lane freeway twice with screaming kids who wanted nothing to do with holding hands even if their life depended on it (and it kind of did), we were yelling at each other..... we decided we would get back on the ship and get right in the pool. I figured perhaps I would go into town with someone else later that day. Well, we got back on the ship, sat poolside, had a few drinks and were done. I could have gone back with Liz and Roz, but decided my visit to PV was done....we had seen the Walmart, what more was there to see? Maybe I will get back there again some day and actually see the area. That evening it was date night at the steak house. First Andy and I had a drink with Brad in a bar called Ellington's overlooking the top deck / pool area where we watched the ship pull out of the port. Then we went to dinner with Dennis and Liz and Randi and Brad while the kids went to dinner with the Aunties and Grandparents. It was a great meal and nice to enjoy every one's (adult) company.
Days 6 and 7 were both "at sea" days. For some reason the waters are rougher going north so we were treated to 2 days of rocking, which was GREAT to sleep to. It did mean a few days of
getting my land legs back once we got home though. We spent these days by the pool and doing loads of fun kid stuff....more mini-golf, game room and spending tons of time with all the family. Rose went to play Bingo with all the girls one day. Ian, Oren, David, Joey and I explored the ship while they were doing that... the boys particularly loved some WW1 airplanes that hung near our
elevators. We checked them out from every deck. We had another Fancy night on Friday and
had a birthday cake for Barbara. We humored her by taking a big family photo with all 18 of us. It turned out surprisingly well for so many people, almost half of them kids. I need to get it scanned so I can post it. We said all our
goodbyes Saturday night just in case we didn't see everyone the following morning then suddenly it was Sunday morning again and we were back in San Pedro. The week went really fast, and yet I felt like we really had a nice long vacation with everyone. A GREAT time was had by all!!! Barbara and Paul came down and spent Sunday and Monday with us before flying home. It was nice to have 2 days with them alone.
All in all, what a great vacation!!
Oren, Joey, Rosie, Ian, Aunt Paula, Sophie and David
Last week was back to school for Rose and David. Rose started kindergarten and David is in his 2nd year of preschool. Everyone did great.... no tears shed at all. Not that I thought there would be.......
Rose is VERY excited to finally be in "real" school. She goes to Midland Elementary with all the other kids in the neighborhood, as well as Owen & Madeline. She will walk with O & M most days along with Aunt Karen. This will allow me to let Joey sleep in rather than get him up early every morning. Rose is normally not a morning person, so we have been working to get her to bed much earlier now so she gets enough sleep. So far it's worked out pretty well. She has been getting up and out the door without a fight. Pretty hard to believe of you have seen her in action in the morning getting ready for preschool. Hopefully her excitement will last! She has been placed in a kindergarten/first grade combo class. After a few days of letting this sink in, we think it's as good fit for her. Her teacher is Mrs. Garcia and is new to Midland, but not to teaching. She seems really nice and Rose really loves school! Hurray!!!
David is back at Garden Road Elementary with his preschool teacher from last year, Mrs. Martin. David and Rose both LOVE her....she is a great teacher. He is part time, so attends class on M/W/F from 8-11 AM. He is back with many old friends along with some new ones too. I'm surprised there are only 14 kids in his class when the class can accommodate 18 - 19? We do pay for this preschool, so perhaps the economy is keeping kids out who normally might attend. David's first day was a short one and parents were required to stay so everyone sees what's in store for the kids this year. I had to bring Joey with me, but Mrs. Martin gave me the OK before hand. He also loves Mrs. Martin and loved going to class with David. He won't start till next year, but we will also send him there. I was happy to get to see many friends I made from the last 2 years at Garden Road. I did see a few of Rose's friends who have moved on to kindergarten there too. It's amazing to see how much kids can grow in just a few months! It was also fun to remember all the kids in David's class from the start of the 3 year old class.....how much they have grown! And so we begin ..... just 13 years of school for Rose before she heads off to college! 
