Here I sit typing . . .
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| Can you see it? |
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Well, pardon my pessimism and shut my mouth.
The minute we arrived, I walked onto the balcony and saw what I thought was a floating log, or a large rock. A few minutes later, we realized it WAS a manatee - they can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes. What I first saw was a sleeping manatee. Friends, there are easily a dozen manatees wrestling together in the water behind our unit. We can't stop taking video snippets of their antics. It's wild. (below is a 45 second video of the manatees - highly recommend).
What's more wild?
Coach thought manatees had legs.
He told Curly: they probably like it here, because it's so shallow they can walk around and eat the sea grass.
Curly: Uh, so they can't walk they have fins, father.
Have we stopped making fun of him for this? No, why do you ask?
Rae had never heard of a manatee. Curly chuckled about that initially, but then we let it drop - because Kay and Rae's lack of experience going to aquariums, reading books with a parent, and traveling places tends to be off limits.
He's batting 1,000:
We played a game of Code Names on Saturday night, and when Tank's clue was 'birds for 2', there were two bird cards on the board. 'Penguins' and 'Hawk'. Coach overthought his team's answer, tried convincing Rae that a penguin wasn't a bird.
Coach: Wait, they swim, hmm, I don't think they're birds, are they?
Tell me which parent visited the zoo with our 6 older kids 7,000 times, without telling me.
What would you serve?
A few days before we left for Florida, I decided that we should host an early Easter dinner on Holy Saturday. Rae and Kay are becoming Catholic at the Easter Vigil mass Saturday at 8 pm. Coach's folks are staying at a hotel, so that they can attend. We've been married almost 30 years, so I know they'll bolt back home (an hour north) first thing Sunday. I need to feed them. Plus, they've been in South Carolina since mid December and we haven't seen them. Also invited: other friends and family. Maybe 25-30ish people.
We return Friday. I tidied before we left, but believe-you-me, my work is cut out for me. I bought the three youngest girls new dresses before Florida. Check that off the list.
People will eat ham on Easter, so Not ham. Fancy is not the answer. I'm aiming for easy. Maybe shredded barbeque chicken in the crockpot - buns for those that want it. Open to ideas. Oh, I ordered a Costco cake before I left for Florida. I can whip up a 7 layer taco dip with my eyes closed, so appetizer = no brainer.
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Have you seen a manatee in the wild? Did you know that a manatee has no legs? Do you play Code Names? Are you anxious to hear about how Tank told off a guy at the pool yesterday? (I so want to share, but keeping this short) Can you guess what happened?
Well, we were supposed to see manatees while kayaking in Florida a few years ago, but they were nowhere to be found. I’d be doubtful like you! I love Code Names. No extensive rules!
ReplyDeleteCrockpot meals are the way to go. Tacos (with any type of meat in crockpot) is another idea.A black bean salad would go well with your chicken sandwiches.
Bijoux - Dang, if you're kayak had come down this little inlet . . . well, you're kayak probably would've been capsized. They are so active. Code Names is so fun, but our family members can get pretty intense about it. Kay had the word Bugle and she thought that was a bird, so imagine Curly and I picking all the actual animals when she said 'animal for 2' and being confused about what she was thinking. Playing with kids who don't know what the words mean adds another dimension to the game.
DeleteI've thought about tacos too. Might be too many add ons, like too much for the elderly folks to build their own tacos. But, something along those lines would be great. I've never made a black bean salad. Hmm.
Your manatees weren't wrestling....... My Florida neighbor's husband works part-time at a local marina. He called her one afternoon to tell her the manatees were mating. We jumped in the car and spent the entire afternoon watching their hilarious antics. We've made a trip to the marina an annual outing along with several more neighbors, beach chairs and cocktails. Fun in the Florida sun.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - Bah ha ha. l gotcha. Well, they are sure enjoying themselves, so maybe you're right. That's hilarious.
DeleteThe manatees are so cool. How special to be able to watch them from your accommodation balcony. It sounds like you've got the menu covered. Crockpot is a good way to go—let's you enjoy the evening as well.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - The manatees are so cool. Who knew? It really has been a cool added layer to our stay. We're sort of in the middle of nowhere - near a marina and the 'resort' area has a pool, rinky dink beach, workout room, etc. But we aren't near a town or anything. So glad we opted for 3 bedrooms vs 2.
DeleteLet's see, Tank's a great guy, so I bet he told off someone who was being rude/obnoxious to others.
ReplyDeleteI haven't played Code Names; it's hard to get my kids to play anything.
You know, maybe Coach shouldn't criticize Kae's science project if he doesn't know about marine mammals and birds. (I still think her project was good. We could run a statistical analysis if she ever needs to redo it to get more science on it for the fussy people. )
mbmom11 - You got it. It's quite the story and it really surprised me so much that I was speechless. That's a rare occasion.
DeleteI bet your kids would enjoy code names. It is so much fun. Lots of trying to connect words. No right or wrong answer.
That's hilarious. Maybe he shouldn't poke fun at her project if he can't remember that a penguin is a BIRD. Bah ha ha.
Crock pot BBQ chicken is a great idea, add some pickles on side, cole slaw, baked beans, corn bread. Bam! You're there ❤️
ReplyDeleteAnne Marie - Great suggestions. We're about to pull into the driveway. Long ass drive. I've got my grocery list partially ready to go.
DeletePortillos Italian beef. Order online from the catering menu. Comes with bread, gardienera (sp?). Easy.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I think I would make Italian Beef in the crock pot myself vs Portillos, because they sell it at Costco, but I do Italian Beef and pasta at our grad parties. We do love Italian Beef.
DeleteI've never seen a manatee before, you don't get them in South Africa, so they aren't in our aquariums either.
ReplyDeleteA crock pot meal is a great idea, you'll have too many other things to do to be standing over the stove or oven for ages.
Nicola - I am not surprised you've not seen one in South Africa. I have four crockpots and I'm not afraid to use them. I think I will make a few crockpot items. Simple is the way to go.
DeleteI feel like Coach needs some remedial work on animals. LOL
ReplyDeleteThat’s fantastic news about the girls becomicatholic! I’d wondered if they were/if they were going to etc. Are they excited?
-Joymariecooks
Joymarie - I was like WHAT ON EARTH? A poker face is key when playing Code Names and Tank had to bury his face in a couch pillow. I was just STUNNED. A penguin NOT a bird? What now? They are excited, but I think Rae is more excited. Makes sense - she's more mature. She told her friends before leaving for vacation: NEXT TIME YOU SEE ME, I'LL BE CATHOLIC. :)
DeleteManatees are so cool to watch! We used to have a house in Florida; there was a park nearby where they would go in the winter as the water was warmer due to a power station in the area. Such gentle giants.
ReplyDeletePat - Manatees are so cool to watch. We went to a Manatee information center where we got to touch stingrays and we learned that they are drawn to the power stations. It was so fun.
DeleteWhat a bonus for that VRBO! I'd spend way more time out there than just having coffee if that were the show.
ReplyDeleteI've often made shredded chicken in the crockpot for a casual family dinner. Sometimes, I throw taco seasoning and salsa in and serve it with taco shells and flour tortillas and all the fixings. Others, I just add seasonings and offer bbq sauce, buffalo wing sauce, and other condiments to heap on buns for sandwiches. Then I throw together a pasta salad of some sort, offer crudites/dip, and call it dinner. If it's summertime, I'll add some chunks of watermelon as a side, too.
nance- sheesh I am behind on responses. Sorry. The manatees def were a highlight of our stay. We were addicting.
DeleteI think I’d enjoy being a guest at your BBQ. Sounds delish. We think my BBQ chicken cooked too long. People enjoyed it, but some of my offspring let me know it was not their fav .
I am a big fan of baked pasta. Assemble ahead of time and pop into the oven- shells, lasagna, mostaccioli, chicken broccoli ziti. Can also do a crock pot of meat balls, and put out some rolls so people can make meatball sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteCoach needs to take the little girls on aquarium field trips, is what it sounds like! He needs to take them to the Shedd!
Costco sells shredded pork, just open the bags, dump in crock pot and add barbecue sauce. Everyone loves it.
ReplyDeleteHee hee- yes, I did know manatees have no legs and I have seen them in the wild. Where in Florida are you???
ReplyDeleteOur Easter Sunday dinner will be baked ziti...
I don't think I've ever seen a manatee in the wild, but I've only been to Florida a few times. I'm sure I've seen one in an aquarium or at a zoo, but it's been a long time.
ReplyDeleteNever played code names, but might be something to add to the game night rotation.
I've never cooked for 25+ people, so I'm not sure what I would serve. Pasta sounds easy to do in quantities tho.
Okay, I am going to NEEEEED the VRBO listing because I *must* book this place at some point because MANATEES. I am obsessed with manatees! I've seen them in the wild before, but it's been a long time.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are keeping a list of all these Coach-isms because it would make a hilarious book one day!
I love that you have a front row to the manatee's mating! HAHA--go get a room.
ReplyDeleteHow fun is that for your family. And of course, a learning opportunity for the little girls and the coach. 😜
I would do crockpot pork for tacos! Goes nicely with your seven layer dip. We do boston butts; they always come out great.
I hope the Florida visit was lovely!