Stuck Like Glue

My happiest memories are associated with a song. When we arrived at Nikki's house bright and early last Friday on our way to Myrtle Beach, she announced that Sugarland's new song was going to be premiered. It quickly became our theme song for the weekend. We must have listened to it about a hundred times.  Even Brad said it was a catchy song. My favorite part about family vacations are all of the funny things that happen. These special moments are what we talk about for years to come. Cozette is at an age where she expresses the cutest little thoughts.

We immediately discovered that she did not like the sand. It just about did her in. She wanted to go back and forth through the scorching sand to wash her hands at the water station over and over.

She looked at Nikki at one point and said, "Nikki, I'm a sandy dandy!" 

All of us quickly became sandy dandies when we were on the beach. I'm not sure where little children come up with these things. I looked at Cozette this morning and asked her if she was a sandy dandy. She looked at me and laughed and said, "No!"

On Saturday, Nikki noticed that the water from her shower was leaking all over the bathroom floor. Cozette was in the bathroom with her.

Nikki said, "Oh, no! What a mess!"

Cozette asked her, "What happened?"

Nikki explained and showed Cozette the water on the floor.

"Isn't it sickening, Nikki?"

Nikki was stunned. "Cozette, did you just say sickening?"

"Yes, isn't it sickening?" She asked again.

I have no idea where she heard the word sickening. It's a word that I never use.

I asked Cozette what was her favorite part of the trip. She answered, "Staying at the big hotel!"

"What did you like about the big hotel?" I pushed for more details.

"Riding in the el-eee-vatah!"

I liked the big hotel too, because they upgraded us to a two bedroom, two bathroom suite on the 20th floor with a full view of the ocean!  

A cute little sandy dandy.

This bathing beauty did not like the sand either. 

Kayleigh said she prefers the night life!

Everett loved being a sandy dandy so much that he asked us to bury him.

The conquering hero. 

Notice Everett's mouth. He was asking for water.

I was happy when Everett busted out of that sand.

On Friday evening, we went to a place called Broadway on the Beach. This is a huge area of shopping, entertainment, carnival rides, and endless restaurants. Cozette was trying her hardest to stay up after a long afternoon without at nap.

Waiting to be seated at the Hard Rock Cafe.

A highlight of the evening was watching Cozette ride the carnival rides. She rode the mini Flying Dutchman all by herself. Well, she had to take her pacifier for a little courage. We all laughed with delight at the sight of her. It was too much for words.

Cozette also rode the boats. the Merry-Go-Round, and the Teacups. I rode the Teacups with her. I was amazed at how fearless she was, and she loved spinning round and round. We loved riding The Caterpillar. It was a roller coaster on a track that went round and round. I can't even begin to guess how fast we were going. I became a smashed taco between Nikki and Kayleigh. We highly recommend this ride.

Speaking of boats, we noticed that people were parasailing from the view of our room. We called to see if was a possibility to do it and by 3:00 pm on Saturday, Nikki, Kayleigh, and I were standing on the beach waiting for our turn. I have never been so nervous in all my life. I suspected it would be like Soarin' at Epcot, but I just didn't know. The most terrific surprise of the day was riding the banana boat to get to the parasailing.

I didn't know what a banana boat was. I thought they were boats shaped like bananas that you rode in. 

NOT on.

We received our directions very quickly.

"Straddle the boat, move quickly to your left, and hold on tight!" the lifeguard instructed.

I just stared at Nikki with horror in my eyes. It's important to mention that it was not smooth waters  that day. It was very windy, the ocean was choppy, and the waves were huge.

At that moment, a jet ski pulling the banana boat approached at a speed of about 50 mph. We straddled it as fast as we could. I found myself at the head of our group. We were riding with two ladies from Quebec who spoke French. They sat to our left. The jet ski took off with a jolt and my head jerked back as I held on for dear life.

We all screamed with horror and delight.  

We were flying through the air.

I thought I did not have the strength to hold on. I was worried about Kayleigh, but I can assure you that she never had a moment of fear.

We were going so fast, I tried screaming to slow down, but he could never hear me. Nikki and Kayleigh were laughing and the French girls were squealing in French. I tried to understand them. After all, I took two whole semesters of French in college. I really only understood one word they said.

Jellyfish.

We were going so fast. I had a hard time keeping my eyes open due to the ocean splashing in them. It really stung. I was losing my strength. I tried to wiped my eyes, but I was afraid I might fall off.  Then, I looked to my right.

There were so many of them.

At that moment, the adrenaline kicked in. I had tons of energy to keep going. I was not going to fall off into a bunch of jellyfish.

We finally arrived at the boat, and I am not sure how to describe how we felt. It was a combination of exhilaration, terror, shock, humor, and thrills. I have never laughed so hard and been so afraid at the same time.

It was awesome.

The parasailing was like a dream.

We also enjoyed a boat ride through the ocean. We were literally flying off of our seats. When we returned, Brad and Everett were ready to go jet skiing. They went to go pay only to return a few minutes later because the jet skiing had been canceled for the rest of the day. It was too dangerous to go out. I was devastated for them. Everett handled it like a man. We promised that we would return next year.

We went to the Ripley's Believe It or Not museum. The skinny mirror was the best part. Kayleigh's legs look like stork legs. Nikki said women would be much happier if they could look into a mirror like this every morning.

I agree.

 
This is Stumpy. He was fantastic. He had to hold on all night to take pictures with the tourists. People loved him. I told Nikki that I thought he had a crush on her!

This is my favorite picture.

These girls are gorgeous.

Good-bye, Myrtle Beach.

See you next year.

All in a Day's Work

Don't let this angelic face fool you!

The purpose of this post is to remind myself never to bring my children (Cozette) to Emory University again, even if I am desperate. Kayleigh had girl's camp last week, so I decided to bring Everett and Cozette with me.

How hard could it be with Everett there to help?

Here are the highlights of our two hour wait in the waiting room:

Cozette discovered the coffee maker and Styrofoam cups. She would tip toe across the room while looking back at me. I kept repeating, "Cozette, you need to come back here."  She did not listen one bit. I'm not sure how she discovered the word coffee, but I was mortified when she announced very loudly, "I want some coffee!"


"Cozette, we do not drink coffee," I replied in shock.

"Yes, we do!" She answered with a sly expression.

I dropped it, because I was not going to ignite this little fire by arguing with her.

Cozette was pacified by filling her cup with water from the water fountain and slurping it with a straw. All of this liquid caused us to have plenty of trips to the ladies room. I need to mention that I have been going to Emory for about 20 years, and I have managed to stay away from the bathrooms there. I had to take Cozette about four times. We are in the middle of potty training. I dared to let her go to Emory wearing her big girl panties. She was very proud of herself that she could use the "toy-yet" as she calls it.

Now, I usually do not speak or write about delicate matters. In my mind some things are simply best if they are kept private, so you can imagine my embarrassment when Cozette pranced back into the waiting room and declared very loudly to Everett that she has poo-pooed a little bit in the toilet.

This was not the best part.

"Everett, do you have to go poo-poo?" She innocently asked him.

Some of the elderly people looked up from reading their news papers and chuckled. Thankfully, she was not concerned about my well being, and I was spared such questions.

Next, Cozette decided to stand up on the little chair and sing about chocolate covered raisins. I had picked up a bag from the drug store. She did not eat them, but she sure did enjoy singing about them. 

Then, she decided to pretend that she was swimming on top of the little table. This was followed by her attempt to run away from me. 

Finally, she discovered the hand sanitizer dispenser. She sanitized her hands about 32 times.

These antics lasted for about two hours.

Finally, we were called back. I explained to the resident that I had my children with me. He said it was no problem.

While he was looking at my eyes, Cozette kept repeating over and over, "Mommy, I'm scared." The resident called her "buddy" several times and assured her there was not any reason to be scared.

Then we had to wait a little longer before Dr. Beck arrived.

Cozette had reached her limit at this point. We all had.


Dr. Beck greeted us in his usual cordial way. He did not seem fazed that I had brought two of my children with me. He spoke to them for a moment. As he proceeded to check my eyes, I explained to him that I was concerned that I had pink eye in my right eye. I informed Dr. Beck that I had been using my antibiotic drop. Turns out, I did not have pink eye. The sutures from my surgery were starting to unravel and needed to be removed. Dr. Beck has to cut and remove them with a tiny needle. This does not hurt but it's uncomfortable, and I have to be very still.

Cozette started crying at this point because she discovered the diet Dr. Pepper in my purse. She started screaming that she wanted to drink my Dr. Pepper.  I really did not know what to do. I would not let her drink it. Dr. Beck could never remove sutures with it being so loud. Well, I'm sure he could, but he sensed that I was very tense.

Dr. Beck summoned his residents and told them to keep an eye on my children while he removed my sutures. I was relieved and stunned that these guys had to do such a task. They kindly complied and one of them whipped out his ipod to show Cozette The Aristocats.  

Dr. Beck reported that my eye looked great and that I did not have to come back for four months. I  thanked him for all that he does for me and that I would see him soon.

Then, I added I would not bring my children next time!

He chuckled.

I think about those young doctors helping me with Cozette. I bet they never dreamed that is how they would end their day of residency at Emory University.

I guess it's all in a days work.

Cozette crashed when we reached our van.

She had a rough day at the office too!