Bahama Mama Report

A few months ago Owen watched a YouTube video of the Atlantis water park and became fascinated with the water slides. Thanks to generous grandparents and Bob's hard work and financial planning, his dream became reality as we jetted off to the Bahamas for Spring Break.

When I told friends we were heading to Atlantis, the most common comment (after "can I go too?") was ... "the food is really expensive". I can confirm this is absolutely true, but that Owen thoroughly enjoyed his $16 Key Lime cheesecake slice and my $48 tuna fillet at Olives' was cooked how I prefer. I also tried my best to eat $65 in desserts at the Poseidon buffet - the boba tarts were my fave! After all, there's no dieting on vacation.

The resort is huge and gorgeous (good for walking off all those boba tarts) with interesting architecture and details everywhere plus four stunning "Chihulys".

I loved encountering sea life at every turn. There were turtles and sting rays and starfish in pools right outside our tower doors, sharks and other predators cruising overhead in a long tunnel and through blue lagoons, and fish of every kind enjoying the watery depths of "The Dig".

And while the pools at Atlantis are large and pretty, the stunning ocean a few feet away is the real draw for me. I was slightly disappointed as there had been a storm a few days earlier and for the first two days no one was allowed in the waves. The surf remained rough and we only ventured in up to our knees but just being in such beauty is amazing.

Fun was had by all at the water park. The "lazy" river ride was the best I've ever been on thanks to rapids and the waves that swept through the course. Owen tackled most of the slides, as did Bob and my dad got into the act too. But I'm the only one who braved the Leap of Faith!

Atlantis is also well known for Dolphin Cay. As Owen had been permitted to swim with a dolphin when we went to Discovery Cove a few years back, he thought the Sea Lion Trainer Experience would be fun ... and it was! We got a tour of the feeding and veterinary facilities - and saw a jar of sea lion cataracts, an eyeball, a dolphin tongue and brain, all floating in formaldehyde. Then we waded into a cold pool to interact with two sea lions. We were able to free swim with them, feed them, and give a command. Our trainer shared a lot of interesting facts - for example, the difference between sea lions and seals is that the former has external ear flaps while the latter does not - and another trainer let us watch a huge male play fetch with a float toy that he loves. No pictures unfortunately as personal cameras weren't allowed; and well, because scuba suits aren't flattering, especially if you have to pay over $100 for the pics! Before our session we watched the dolphin program which made me once again want to fulfill my life long dream of moving to the tropics and being a trainer!

Owen also managed to find time to join in with a Junkanoo band, play the slots, ride an aqua cycle, and enjoy some (quickly melting) Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

(just kidding)

And we all slept very well each night!

Spring Break in the 704

When my friend Le Anne and I discovered our kids had the same spring break, we quickly made some fabulous plans that included RVing to Charleston. As with a lot of our plans, they were foiled by Bob's crazy work schedule, but Le Anne and Marc were kind enough to invite Owen and I to spend the week with them in Charlotte and we eagerly booked our flights for two reasons:

I adore the Kieffers, and I loooove Charlotte! Trip on!

As you may remember from earlier posts, Owen, Rhys and Elloree were all born in Kokshetau; and we've spent many wonderful vacations with them. Upon our arrival last week, Rhys and Owen headed straight upstairs and spent the next few hours gleefully stuffing random objects under rugs to make jumps for their monster trucks and playing Minecraft on their tablets. 

What was most interesting this trip was how well Owen and Elloree got along; they became almost inseparable on the second day. Le and I have always said that these two will end up hating each other or being married because they are so similar in temperament and personality. In fact we think we'll have to order DNA tests before they reach their teens because they must be related!

We all had such a busy and fun week - Marc took the kids to see a Charlotte Bearcats basketball game and a minor league baseball game; and we all visited the best free kid's library I've ever seen, plus the aviation museum, a plantation with horses, and a raptor rehab facility. 

We had yummy meals at home cooked by Marc, and several at two of Marc and Le Anne's Mellow Mushroom restaurants (Owen's fav is the Ballantyne location because the upstairs tables have computers in them; mine is the newest location Uptown because of the amazing mid-century, "Mad Men" decor Le Anne designed). 

Under a sunny sky the kids jumped on the trampoline and played soccer against the moms. On the rainy days we took the kids to see "Rio 2" and played Twister and Skip-Bo, and on Friday we celebrated sassy Elle's sweet sixth birthday. Every moment was well filled with fun and friendship.

  

Waiting for the metro to take us downtown - two ninjas and a cutie

Outside the free library. Carolina blue sky!

O Man

The world famous "Blonde with Dog"

Playing vet at the rehab center

May all your wishes come true!

Again with the ninjas

Now, let's talk about Charlotte, shall we?

I've become a bit obsessed. Charlotte is a compact, clean, green and welcoming city. I like it. But what I really love is the Kieffer's neighborhood, Dilworth.

Built in the 1820's as Charlotte's first "streetcar suburb", the streets are lined with majestic oak trees; the beautifully kept houses a mix of bungalows, Queen Anne style and colonials. The neighborhood buzzes with friendly folks walking dogs, jogging by, or watching over their playing children. Cute shops and restaurants are within easy strolling distance, as is access to the city center via train, bus or roadway. Sitting on Le Anne and Marc's back deck in the early evening, surrounded by lush greenery and watching birds flit and flirt through the sky while the lights on Charlotte's towers and buildings twinkle is a joy.

I'm working on convincing Bob that any of the following Dilworth for sale houses would be fine with me!

Gotta keep dreaming, right?