Love
Est xxx
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Happy Birthday Benjamin
Today it his Benny's 8th birthday, I cannot believe that it has been 8 years since that most wonderful day. Happy Birthday to our angel, it is hard to believe that you (and your hair;) have grown so much!
Love
Est xxx
Love
Est xxx
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Great Outdoors?
San Franciscans are just so 'goddarned' (not a word as would normally use, but hey, when in Rome;) friendly. The first time we left the apartment, in the dark, to go to Safeway, the first guy who walked past me said hello. In a city of 700,000 people, he said hello to me - crazy!
Alex was so happy to have one of his dreams realised when we walked out of the supermarket with our groceries in brown paper bags, just like on the films. We told the cashier guy how excited we were about the bags and he seemed excited for us too - he was so friendly (Alex's other ambition was achieved in Barcelona when we ate takeaway noodles straight from the white cardboard boxes - it felt like we were lawyers, working late on a case in 'The Practice').
Even the homeless people in San Fran are friendly. The first day, a homeless guy passing us, said, 'hi family, enjoy your vacation' (can't think how he knew we were tourists, with our shorts and sunglasses and cameras around our necks, walking four in a line like the Brady Bunch).
There are a LOT of homeless people in San Fran. Now, we have been out and about recently and have seen homeless people in France and Italy, begging outside the churches, and homeless people in Miami, begging outside the McDonalds, but the San Franciscan homeless people have taken the homelessness lifestyle to a whole new level.
Here are some of the placards we have seen held aloft, to try to convince us to part with our hard earned money.
'Smile, I need a beer!'
'Please spare some change 4 alcohol research.'
'Why lie? I just need a drink.'
And, my personal favourite, and I think he deserved a dollar just for the sign...
'Plastic surgery is expensive, I need all the money I can get.'
One guy came up to Alex in the queue for the Cable Car and asked for a dollar bill, in exchange for his various sizes of coinage, probably amounting to 34c. But, he wanted Alex to hand the $1 over before he relinquished his coins! God loves a trier - Alex just smiled and gave him the dollar.
And, I think they must all be saving up their dollars for the tram, because there are always a few unique characters on there. It costs $2 for the tram, but let's face it, half the time the machine is broken and the other half of the time you can pretty much just slide in the back door and hope there isn't anyone checking, and it has to be warmer and more interesting than the streets. You have to be careful where you sit, but sometimes you have no choice because they sit next to you. The other evening, a particularly eccentric homeless type dressed in a top hat and his friend (who was having trouble walking - maybe his signs were working) struck up a polite conversation with Alex, tonight, another unique character was pushing his toy tram up and down the aisle of the tram, shouting, in a crazy but jovial way 'Come on everyone, cheer up, stop looking down on people, thinking you are better than them!'.
San Franciscan people just accept the fact that as they walk down the street, there is distinct possibility they will be shouted at or sworn at by crazy people, but hey, what can you do? Our friends Monique and Derek, who have just moved to San Fran, explained to us that the winters are mild enough here to be able to live on the streets all year round, and that makes it an attractive place to live for a lot of less fortunate people.
Of course, it is not a laughing matter, it is so very sad. There is obviously a mental health issue here, and care in the community is lacking. It is strange for us to see real homelessness here, as opposed to NZ, where there is so much support from charities and shelters and soup kitchens. Here, many people seem to have just fallen through the gaps.
There is a gentleman on our block, who lives in a garage doorway. We have seen him there three nights since we have been here. He is in his fifties, with grey hair, and he looks pretty smart. It was strange to walk past him two nights ago, at around 7.30pm, and see him lying in his sleeping bag, putting on his glasses, and picking up his book. I felt like we were intruding on his personal space. It was very strange.
Love
Est xxx
Alex was so happy to have one of his dreams realised when we walked out of the supermarket with our groceries in brown paper bags, just like on the films. We told the cashier guy how excited we were about the bags and he seemed excited for us too - he was so friendly (Alex's other ambition was achieved in Barcelona when we ate takeaway noodles straight from the white cardboard boxes - it felt like we were lawyers, working late on a case in 'The Practice').
Even the homeless people in San Fran are friendly. The first day, a homeless guy passing us, said, 'hi family, enjoy your vacation' (can't think how he knew we were tourists, with our shorts and sunglasses and cameras around our necks, walking four in a line like the Brady Bunch).
There are a LOT of homeless people in San Fran. Now, we have been out and about recently and have seen homeless people in France and Italy, begging outside the churches, and homeless people in Miami, begging outside the McDonalds, but the San Franciscan homeless people have taken the homelessness lifestyle to a whole new level.
Here are some of the placards we have seen held aloft, to try to convince us to part with our hard earned money.
'Smile, I need a beer!'
'Please spare some change 4 alcohol research.'
'Why lie? I just need a drink.'
And, my personal favourite, and I think he deserved a dollar just for the sign...
'Plastic surgery is expensive, I need all the money I can get.'
One guy came up to Alex in the queue for the Cable Car and asked for a dollar bill, in exchange for his various sizes of coinage, probably amounting to 34c. But, he wanted Alex to hand the $1 over before he relinquished his coins! God loves a trier - Alex just smiled and gave him the dollar.
And, I think they must all be saving up their dollars for the tram, because there are always a few unique characters on there. It costs $2 for the tram, but let's face it, half the time the machine is broken and the other half of the time you can pretty much just slide in the back door and hope there isn't anyone checking, and it has to be warmer and more interesting than the streets. You have to be careful where you sit, but sometimes you have no choice because they sit next to you. The other evening, a particularly eccentric homeless type dressed in a top hat and his friend (who was having trouble walking - maybe his signs were working) struck up a polite conversation with Alex, tonight, another unique character was pushing his toy tram up and down the aisle of the tram, shouting, in a crazy but jovial way 'Come on everyone, cheer up, stop looking down on people, thinking you are better than them!'.
San Franciscan people just accept the fact that as they walk down the street, there is distinct possibility they will be shouted at or sworn at by crazy people, but hey, what can you do? Our friends Monique and Derek, who have just moved to San Fran, explained to us that the winters are mild enough here to be able to live on the streets all year round, and that makes it an attractive place to live for a lot of less fortunate people.
Of course, it is not a laughing matter, it is so very sad. There is obviously a mental health issue here, and care in the community is lacking. It is strange for us to see real homelessness here, as opposed to NZ, where there is so much support from charities and shelters and soup kitchens. Here, many people seem to have just fallen through the gaps.
There is a gentleman on our block, who lives in a garage doorway. We have seen him there three nights since we have been here. He is in his fifties, with grey hair, and he looks pretty smart. It was strange to walk past him two nights ago, at around 7.30pm, and see him lying in his sleeping bag, putting on his glasses, and picking up his book. I felt like we were intruding on his personal space. It was very strange.
Love
Est xxx
F tram
Our San Francisco apartment is on 14th Street, in-between 15th Street and Duboce Street. There wasn't a thirteenth deck on the cruise ship either, I didn't know that people could be so superstitious, but I suppose I haven't really ever considered buying a house on 13th Street before. No, actually maybe I wouldn't.
In the guest book in our apartment, people have advised 'take the F tram everywhere' (it would also seem that about five lots of people staying here have locked themselves out, the door is a bit dodgy - we haven't yet, so far so good).
Anyway, I thought I would introduce you to our new best friend, the F tram. It is a pretty interesting form of transport, there is never a dull moment, the drivers have big characters, they usually have a lot to say, including telling people loudly when to move down the tram, telling people to take their babies out of prams, and when people should give their seats up for other people, and generally having an opinion on everything.
Twice we have got onto the tram and not had to pay, because the machine was broken, and today there were about four f trams all lined up behind each other because one of them had broken down - they eventually towed it away and changed the destination sign, to 'Nowhere in Particular'. True story!
The historical F trams have been imported from everywhere, including Italy and Portugal, Illinois, Baltimore and even Melbourne. They are so cool, I have been really taken with them, as you can see, snapping every different colour like a train spotter, next thing you know, I'll be collecting serial numbers!
Love
Est xxx
In the guest book in our apartment, people have advised 'take the F tram everywhere' (it would also seem that about five lots of people staying here have locked themselves out, the door is a bit dodgy - we haven't yet, so far so good).
Anyway, I thought I would introduce you to our new best friend, the F tram. It is a pretty interesting form of transport, there is never a dull moment, the drivers have big characters, they usually have a lot to say, including telling people loudly when to move down the tram, telling people to take their babies out of prams, and when people should give their seats up for other people, and generally having an opinion on everything.
Twice we have got onto the tram and not had to pay, because the machine was broken, and today there were about four f trams all lined up behind each other because one of them had broken down - they eventually towed it away and changed the destination sign, to 'Nowhere in Particular'. True story!
The historical F trams have been imported from everywhere, including Italy and Portugal, Illinois, Baltimore and even Melbourne. They are so cool, I have been really taken with them, as you can see, snapping every different colour like a train spotter, next thing you know, I'll be collecting serial numbers!
Love
Est xxx
Monday, February 27, 2012
Human Waste
The Canadians are very hot on their 'reduce, reuse, recycle' philosophy, I was so impressed when I went to the washroom* in the airport and I saw this sign on the bin! Go Canada, well done, I have never seen this in any other country. And the composting and recycling is everywhere, from in the museum, to the smallest of outdoor cafes.
But, it turns out that the San Franciscans do it too, and they have even more imaginative ways to save the planet!
Love
Est xxx
*That's toilets to you;)
But, it turns out that the San Franciscans do it too, and they have even more imaginative ways to save the planet!
Love
Est xxx
*That's toilets to you;)
So Attractive
We are now in San Francisco, I am catching up slowly! We have been here for five days and I can't wait to tell you everything, it is such a fabulous city! It is so full of colour and excitement, there is never a dull moment.
But first, I have to tell you that we found a magnet shop, a magnetarium, if you will. Alex's mum would love it, as she collects fridges magnets and there were thousands to chose from. Here is a selection of my favourites. Janet, you have to guess which one Benny and Naomi chose for you!
No, that's not the one!
....?
And, speaking of mustaches...
Which one is your favourite?
Love
Est xxx
Janet, have to warn you, when you receive it, don't be tempted, it looks real, but it tastes rubbery!
But first, I have to tell you that we found a magnet shop, a magnetarium, if you will. Alex's mum would love it, as she collects fridges magnets and there were thousands to chose from. Here is a selection of my favourites. Janet, you have to guess which one Benny and Naomi chose for you!
No, that's not the one!
....?
And, speaking of mustaches...
Which one is your favourite?
Love
Est xxx
Janet, have to warn you, when you receive it, don't be tempted, it looks real, but it tastes rubbery!
Thank you bear-y much!
Thank you Caroline and Mike for putting us up for the last few days, we have had a wonderful time with you and it is great to see you new home, I'm sure you will love living in Canada (even though it is a little chilly).
And to Mike, we must apologise that we have seem to have converted your ordinarily teetotal wife into a bit of an alcoholic since we have been there - we have drank wine every evening! Direct quote from Caroline, 'Esther, I don't know what it is, but something about you makes me want to drink.'
Mmmm, I am going to take that as a compliment;)
We will also be bringing a little piece of Canada home with us to remember our visit. We found this cute little guy, carved of sandstone by a local artisan. I liked his round bottom, reminded me of Alex:)
So, thanks nice again guys, it was so much fun!
Love
Est xxx
And to Mike, we must apologise that we have seem to have converted your ordinarily teetotal wife into a bit of an alcoholic since we have been there - we have drank wine every evening! Direct quote from Caroline, 'Esther, I don't know what it is, but something about you makes me want to drink.'
Mmmm, I am going to take that as a compliment;)
We will also be bringing a little piece of Canada home with us to remember our visit. We found this cute little guy, carved of sandstone by a local artisan. I liked his round bottom, reminded me of Alex:)
So, thanks nice again guys, it was so much fun!
Love
Est xxx
Sunday, February 26, 2012
First day at school!
Now, you may know that Naomi was five last August and generally, in NZ, children start school on their fifth birthday. Unfortunately, poor Naomi is missing out on that experience for the moment and will have to start her formal education when we get back home, when she will be five years and eight months old, but she will probably be way ahead by that point, owing to her mother's ultra strict and rigorous home schooling regime;)
But, who would have thought that she would in actual fact, have her first day of school in Canada? Caroline asked Jacob and Eleni's teachers if they would mind if they brought their NZ friends to school on Monday and the teachers said it would be fine! Crazy eh? We didn't have to sign a form or anything, you would think that they would need some kind of insurance for that kind of thing - thank heavens they didn't break any limbs!
Benny was so happy and skipped off with Jacob to his class, his first project was to be Jacob's assistant in his science experiment demonstration in front of the class, easy peasy.
Naomi, of course, was not so easy. After being very confident at home, she suddenly didn't want to go when she saw the actually class and teacher, I thought it was a bit too good to be true, and didn't blame her really, I suppose it was a lot to take in. But, the teacher was amazing, and persuaded Naomi to take the plunge and we left, and she was at school! The teacher took Caroline's number and made a deal with Naomi that if she changed her mind and wanted to go home, she would give us a call.
Caroline wanted Alex and I to enjoy a couple of hours together so dropped us into town so we could have a lovely romantic lunch at the Empress Hotel.
The Empress Hotel is famous for it's afternoon teas, cucumber sandwiches with no crusts, Devonshire scones and the like, but I could tell that Alex didn't really fancy that (I think it could have been the way he said 'I don't really fancy that' which gave me the hint) so we went for a curry instead, in the hotel too, which was good, and had a glass of wine with my lunch, which made me relax and forgive him a little for denying me the opportunity to drink raspberry tea from dainty cups with my pinky finger pointing.
They even sell Empress Hotel china in the gift shop, it is beautiful, ahhhh...
Caroline picked us up after lunch complete with Naomi and Eleni giggling in the backseat. Naomi had apparently remembered the teachers promise and, at lunchtime, asked her to call Caroline to pick her up - little monkey - and of course Caroline couldn't leave Eleni, so she came home too. I didn't get to take a photo of Naomi at school for her short loved first day/three hours of school, but here she is later, with her rainbow creation. I was so proud:)
Benny and Jacob, of course, had a ball.
And here is Benny's artwork, 'When I am 100 years old', and a portrait of him in 93 years time.
'When I am 100 years old I will do experiments. I will live in a Lego house. I will wear jeans and a t-shirt and eat pizza every day. In the evening I will watch tv. My snake will keep me company. For my 100th birthday I will drive a tank.'
That evening, our last evening in Canada, we also had a little birthday celebration for Benny (he will be 8 years old on the 28th Feb and we will be on a plane for most of the day). We had a treasure hunt, a pass the parcel, balloons and even a birthday cake with his name on! Thanks Caroline;)
Love
Est xxx
But, who would have thought that she would in actual fact, have her first day of school in Canada? Caroline asked Jacob and Eleni's teachers if they would mind if they brought their NZ friends to school on Monday and the teachers said it would be fine! Crazy eh? We didn't have to sign a form or anything, you would think that they would need some kind of insurance for that kind of thing - thank heavens they didn't break any limbs!
Benny was so happy and skipped off with Jacob to his class, his first project was to be Jacob's assistant in his science experiment demonstration in front of the class, easy peasy.
Naomi, of course, was not so easy. After being very confident at home, she suddenly didn't want to go when she saw the actually class and teacher, I thought it was a bit too good to be true, and didn't blame her really, I suppose it was a lot to take in. But, the teacher was amazing, and persuaded Naomi to take the plunge and we left, and she was at school! The teacher took Caroline's number and made a deal with Naomi that if she changed her mind and wanted to go home, she would give us a call.
Caroline wanted Alex and I to enjoy a couple of hours together so dropped us into town so we could have a lovely romantic lunch at the Empress Hotel.
The Empress Hotel is famous for it's afternoon teas, cucumber sandwiches with no crusts, Devonshire scones and the like, but I could tell that Alex didn't really fancy that (I think it could have been the way he said 'I don't really fancy that' which gave me the hint) so we went for a curry instead, in the hotel too, which was good, and had a glass of wine with my lunch, which made me relax and forgive him a little for denying me the opportunity to drink raspberry tea from dainty cups with my pinky finger pointing.
They even sell Empress Hotel china in the gift shop, it is beautiful, ahhhh...
Caroline picked us up after lunch complete with Naomi and Eleni giggling in the backseat. Naomi had apparently remembered the teachers promise and, at lunchtime, asked her to call Caroline to pick her up - little monkey - and of course Caroline couldn't leave Eleni, so she came home too. I didn't get to take a photo of Naomi at school for her short loved first day/three hours of school, but here she is later, with her rainbow creation. I was so proud:)
Benny and Jacob, of course, had a ball.
And here is Benny's artwork, 'When I am 100 years old', and a portrait of him in 93 years time.
'When I am 100 years old I will do experiments. I will live in a Lego house. I will wear jeans and a t-shirt and eat pizza every day. In the evening I will watch tv. My snake will keep me company. For my 100th birthday I will drive a tank.'
That evening, our last evening in Canada, we also had a little birthday celebration for Benny (he will be 8 years old on the 28th Feb and we will be on a plane for most of the day). We had a treasure hunt, a pass the parcel, balloons and even a birthday cake with his name on! Thanks Caroline;)
Love
Est xxx
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Fisgard Lighthouse
Sunday was cold and brisk but we braved the weather to take the children out for a bracing stroll through Fort Rod Hill artillery battery (thought Benny and Jacob would like that, lots of underground tunnels and ammunition storage rooms to run through) and up to the Fisgard Lighthouse. The Fisgard Lighthouse was built in 1860 and manned until 1929. Today it is still a working lighthouse but of course now it is fully automated. In the old days, the lighthouse keeper had to go up the the light every four hours to ensure the wick was still lit, and the wipe the condensation off the inside of the windows. He even had to venture outside onto a narrow platform to wipe the snow from the outside of the windows in bad weather. What a job, it came with a nice view, but wow, that was hard work! The lighthouse and cottage have been beautifully restored for visitors now, but it was not always so well kept. One of the lighthouse keepers painted the wooden floor in a black and white checkerboard style pattern (it is still like that now) after he requested carpet, but was told, in no uncertain terms that there was no money to spend, and there would be no new carpets. How awful - can you imagine what I would say if Alex told me something like that?!?!
A room with a view.
Benny and Jacob going underground.
And they all found broken bit of crabs legs on the beach, and brought them home, in the car, how lovely:)
Love
Est xxx
A room with a view.
Benny and Jacob going underground.
And they all found broken bit of crabs legs on the beach, and brought them home, in the car, how lovely:)
Love
Est xxx
Loonies only need apply
In Canada they call their one dollar coin a loonie and the two dollar coin a toonie. I thought it all rather endearing. Hi loonie Sienna!
Love
Est xxx
Love
Est xxx
Boot-iful Victoria
Unfortunately the next day Mike had to fly off somewhere else in Canada traveling through the snow and ice (sounded like 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' to me) to get to an AGM in a city where they only speak French (that's commitment for you, especially as he doesn't), which was a shame. But, if Mike had been there for our visit, he probably would have had to make-like-a-hostage and sit in the boot with Alex for all of our journeys. Caroline and Mike have a big car, but let's face it, three adults and five children is a lot of people (I did have my turn in the boot too, when Alex felt sick).
We headed not town for a bit of a touristy sightsee, and saw the beautiful Empress Hotel, the Victoria Government Buildings and some cool totem poles carved by the 'First Nations' - the indigenous peoples of Canada.
As you can see, the kids were in fine spirits.
Hello Mr Moose!
Gorgeous pic of Naomi and Eleni, so happy to be together again. Yesterday, Naomi said that the easiest thing to do would be to just move to Canada now, and go to the same school as Jacob and Eleni again, aww!
Love
Est xxx
P.S. It is no accident that in this photo they are both wearing the same colour top. They arranged it meticulously so they had the same colour top, trousers, and jacket on before leaving the house;)
We headed not town for a bit of a touristy sightsee, and saw the beautiful Empress Hotel, the Victoria Government Buildings and some cool totem poles carved by the 'First Nations' - the indigenous peoples of Canada.
As you can see, the kids were in fine spirits.
Hello Mr Moose!
Gorgeous pic of Naomi and Eleni, so happy to be together again. Yesterday, Naomi said that the easiest thing to do would be to just move to Canada now, and go to the same school as Jacob and Eleni again, aww!
Love
Est xxx
P.S. It is no accident that in this photo they are both wearing the same colour top. They arranged it meticulously so they had the same colour top, trousers, and jacket on before leaving the house;)
Oh Canada
Just a few weeks ago, we received an e-mail from our lovely Khandallah friend Caroline. Caroline and Mike and their three children, also friends with our two, moved to Victoria, in BC, Canada, for Mike's new job with Canada Rugby, only 6 weeks ago. Caroline said, if we hadn't finalized our plans for the US yet, that we were welcome to pop up to Canada to see them whilst on this side of the world. Alex (the official Skinnersontour holiday planner and also responsible keeper of the tickets and monies and passports) needed no further encouragement and booked the flights the very next day.
We arrived in Victoria on the Friday afternoon where Mike had left work early and borrowed a light amoured vehicle (almost) from a friend to pick us up from the airport, there is no way that Caroline and the kids could have picked us up, with our (almost ridiculously embarrassing) amounts of luggage.
Here is the Chu family in front of their new Canadian house, they had only moved into it on the Monday of that week, but I think Caroline had been very busy, the house looked great.
They live in an area called Bear Mountain (great name 'eh' - the Canadian's say 'eh' after every sentence just like the Kiwi's do, felt like home) which is a bit appropriate, Caroline is concerned about going too far off the beaten track in case she comes across a bear or cougar in the woods. I am worried about earthquakes, and Canadian people have to worry about the wildlife, nowhere is safe!!!
It is a lovely street, with new but gorgeous houses along it, I don't normally like new houses but I liked theirs, the Americans and Canadian's seem to get new houses right, they built them with lots of character and detailing inside, very nice.
Our children were so happy to see Eleni and Jacob and Sienna and rushed straight to their bedrooms to play Lego and dress ups, just like the old times, I think they have been missing their friends, as Jacob and Eleni must have been too.
Mike and Caroline and Alex and I kicked back with takeaways and a bottle of wine and talked and talked, we had lots to catch up on. It felt like being home again, ahhh.
Love
Est xxx
We arrived in Victoria on the Friday afternoon where Mike had left work early and borrowed a light amoured vehicle (almost) from a friend to pick us up from the airport, there is no way that Caroline and the kids could have picked us up, with our (almost ridiculously embarrassing) amounts of luggage.
Here is the Chu family in front of their new Canadian house, they had only moved into it on the Monday of that week, but I think Caroline had been very busy, the house looked great.
They live in an area called Bear Mountain (great name 'eh' - the Canadian's say 'eh' after every sentence just like the Kiwi's do, felt like home) which is a bit appropriate, Caroline is concerned about going too far off the beaten track in case she comes across a bear or cougar in the woods. I am worried about earthquakes, and Canadian people have to worry about the wildlife, nowhere is safe!!!
It is a lovely street, with new but gorgeous houses along it, I don't normally like new houses but I liked theirs, the Americans and Canadian's seem to get new houses right, they built them with lots of character and detailing inside, very nice.
Our children were so happy to see Eleni and Jacob and Sienna and rushed straight to their bedrooms to play Lego and dress ups, just like the old times, I think they have been missing their friends, as Jacob and Eleni must have been too.
Mike and Caroline and Alex and I kicked back with takeaways and a bottle of wine and talked and talked, we had lots to catch up on. It felt like being home again, ahhh.
Love
Est xxx
Friday, February 24, 2012
Vegas for kids?
When Alex suggested we go to Vegas I thought that it would be a bit sleazy, and not a place for children at all. As my main experience of America until now has mostly been accumulated from movies and crime TV dramas, to be honest I was a little afraid that someone would be murdered every hour, a little naive I know, but still, it was a concern. Strange that on this trip we have now been to two CSI locations, Miami and Vegas. Next you hear we will be visiting Midsomer in England, and we all know what happens there, there could be a real risk of being bored to death, or at the very least falling asleep before it ends.
So, it was a very brave form of myself who ventured onto the Las Vegas strip holding onto Alex and my precious children tightly (we have this habit of walking along four abreast on the sidewalk, it is all very Waltons, and lovely, but probably very annoying for the people trying to get past us) and who should we meet, but Elmo. So, much better than anticipated, unless you have a fear of six foot furry cartoon characters, which thankfully I don't.
Then the Mario brothers (yes, we tipped them double).
Then a transformer, we asked his name, and he said 'Sam' and Alex said 'no, your transformer name'. He didn't know. He obviously doesn't have a huge passion for his career does he!
And then Naomi's dream was realised, she met her favourite person in the world, she was so happy. I think Hello Kitty was making a lot of money. What a great racket, buy a fake head and a strange dress and you can earn money all day. More people should do it, just shows that in this life, you don't need talent to earn a crust, just the right mix of ingenuity and mass media hysteria and you're sorted;).
Then to the M&M store, which was less of a shop and more of a sugary chocolate coated experience. You can even see an M&M movie for FREE!
There were 22 different flavours (but surely to test that theory you would have to eat them one at a time, and who does that?) to choose from, and you can even have your M&Ms personalised. Why? What on earth are you going to do with them, other than ingest them? Who cares what they say on them? They aren't Love Hearts, (which of course, would be a completely different matter;)!
And you can even gamble to get your sweet confectionary fix - don't forget, we are in Vegas!
So, our children did have a good time in Vegas, and they even did a bit of gambling. Here they are looking tired after a big day, but very happy with their winnings:)
Love
Est xxx
P.S. I almost forgot to mention that we also went to see David Copperfield whilst we were in Vegas. It was so spectacular and incredible, I could not believe my eyes when he made a car and a motorcycle appear, and then twelve randomly generated audience members disappear (they reappeared later on) so effortlessly and seamlessly and confidently, almost as if he does it twice at night, at 7pm and 9.30pm. Crazy!
So, it was a very brave form of myself who ventured onto the Las Vegas strip holding onto Alex and my precious children tightly (we have this habit of walking along four abreast on the sidewalk, it is all very Waltons, and lovely, but probably very annoying for the people trying to get past us) and who should we meet, but Elmo. So, much better than anticipated, unless you have a fear of six foot furry cartoon characters, which thankfully I don't.
Then the Mario brothers (yes, we tipped them double).
Then a transformer, we asked his name, and he said 'Sam' and Alex said 'no, your transformer name'. He didn't know. He obviously doesn't have a huge passion for his career does he!
And then Naomi's dream was realised, she met her favourite person in the world, she was so happy. I think Hello Kitty was making a lot of money. What a great racket, buy a fake head and a strange dress and you can earn money all day. More people should do it, just shows that in this life, you don't need talent to earn a crust, just the right mix of ingenuity and mass media hysteria and you're sorted;).
Then to the M&M store, which was less of a shop and more of a sugary chocolate coated experience. You can even see an M&M movie for FREE!
There were 22 different flavours (but surely to test that theory you would have to eat them one at a time, and who does that?) to choose from, and you can even have your M&Ms personalised. Why? What on earth are you going to do with them, other than ingest them? Who cares what they say on them? They aren't Love Hearts, (which of course, would be a completely different matter;)!
And you can even gamble to get your sweet confectionary fix - don't forget, we are in Vegas!
So, our children did have a good time in Vegas, and they even did a bit of gambling. Here they are looking tired after a big day, but very happy with their winnings:)
Love
Est xxx
P.S. I almost forgot to mention that we also went to see David Copperfield whilst we were in Vegas. It was so spectacular and incredible, I could not believe my eyes when he made a car and a motorcycle appear, and then twelve randomly generated audience members disappear (they reappeared later on) so effortlessly and seamlessly and confidently, almost as if he does it twice at night, at 7pm and 9.30pm. Crazy!
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