Who's Your Daddy?

Since we decided to hang out in Florida until somebody around here launches a space shuttle, we have gotten to spend 24/ 7 with Ollie and Henry. It is wonderful! We love it and have a great time on this impromptu vacation.

But we have noticed something.

Jason calls me "Hill" {as most people do; go ahead- it's fine}. I call Jason "Jas" {because I'm a natural shorten-er}.

Ollie has picked up on this. Today he said, "Hill, could I please have some ice cream" and "Hill, WHEN IS THE SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH?" {I might have heard that last one 482 times. Maybe.}

I really, REALLY don't want to be one of those parents who is okay with their children calling them by their first name. Much less one who allows their kids to call them by their nickname. It all just seems so hippie-ish.

I'm pretty much a stickler for Mommy and Daddy.

If you must shorten {it's in their blood}, then Mom and Dad- which sounds too grown up.

I'm even a stickler for ma'am and sir.

"Yes ma'am, Hill" just doesn't sound right.

But here's my dilemma. As much as I don't want to be called "Hill" by my children, I ALSO don't want to be the grown woman who calls her husband, "Daddy".

There's just a certain eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww factor there.

Anyone else?

Those of you who have kids who can talk, have you gone there?

Any solutions?

I think I might have to do that {and I guess I do it a little bit now} in order for my kids to call Jason "Daddy" and vice versa. Oh my. I'm turning into a Duggar. I think there just needs to be a certain boundary.

But now that I think about it, I think my parents called each other Mom and Dad. Oh my. One more step towards this.

I don't know what I'm going to do. Maybe wash MY mouth with hot sauce when I call my husband "Daddy". Something's gotta give.

In the mean time, we are just correcting as we go and laughing secretly at with Ollie. It's not the first time.

Here are some pics from our time hanging out at the beach. Then the pool. Then the beach. That's pretty much our routine. Yesterday we did go to the Brevard Zoo and it was awesome! We got to pet a giraffe! And the kids knew most of the animals from watching Diego. I told you there's nothing that bad with TV! They actually knew what a Tapir was!

Unfortunately, I completely forgot my camera for that complete photo op. UGH. Hate it when that happens! It was as hot as Africa, though, so we were sweating like banchees.

Oh, wait! I did find this picture from my phone. Helllllo there, Giraffe!

As of right now, we are set for a shuttle launch on Wednesday morning at 5:30 AM- which means we have to be on site at 12:30 AM. Oh yes. In the AM. And then we are going to drive back North to reality.

Until then, don't forget to click down here and register for a $50 gift certificate to Darby's adorable Bug Boutique! Can't wait to pick a winner tomorrow!

In case you haven't heard

In case you haven't heard, the Space Shuttle Launch was "scrubbed".

That's NASA lingo for "we still got up at 1:15 am only to find out we had no where to go".

The good thing is that we hadn't woken the kids up, yet. And I have to admit I was pretty happy that I got to go back to sleep.

We officially still have our cool tickets, but depending on what "they" say today, we might or might not come home. I'm still holding out hope, just so I can live with the 2 day trip to get down here. Or the fact that we will most likely have to do it in one day to get back. OK. Can't think about that. Moving on.

While we are here at the beach, we might as well take advantage of the surroundings, so we headed for the beach. We were happy to see some sand on Friday night. And then we ran into some locals.

And then Ollie and Henry got to try out their beach toys.

Henry is NOT impressed at all with the ocean. He is very skeptical, screams and does not want to go near the "scawy wat-y".

So he got to hang out with his Nana on the sand.

Saturday we were happy to get in the ocean. There's never anything wrong with your toes in the waves, right?

Ollie was in heaven and built castles and played ALL morning with his dad and grandpa.

And might possibly have gotten buried in the sand. Saturday afternoon we hung out in the super cool pirate area of the kids pool {but didn't get any pictures since I was in the pool with the kiddos} so we were pretty water logged yesterday. A perfect day at the beach!

So we are still here in Cocoa Beach and are trying to make lemons out of lemonade- or sand out of sand spurs. We might go to the Kennedy Space Center today to visit since they owe us. And maybe I can talk them into a launch soon. I can be pretty persuasive.

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Don't forget to pop down here and register for a $50 gift certificate from Darby at The Bug Boutique! You have until Tuesday!

Family Ties

I am so happy to announce that Jason's sister, Carrie and her family have moved back to town! Carrie is watching our doggies this weekend, so she is already helping us out tremendously!!
Thank you, Carrie!!!

I'm so glad you and your sweet family are here. Ollie and Henry are BESIDE themselves to play with their cousins every day.
And, in case I ever need any help with your brother, I know you've got my back... or his head.

Don't forget to click down here and comment for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to The Bug Boutique!! CUTE STUFF!

T minus 32 hours and counting

Me and Hubs as Space Camp Counselors riding Space Shot (circa 1998-ish)

Do you know the story of how Jason and I met? If so, then you'd know we are space geeks.

As in, moon boot wearing, shuttle tile owning, trivia knowing, astronaut loving, downright dorks for some NASA.

So, with that in mind, I planned a secret trip for Jason's birthday {which is today!} to see a Space Shuttle Launch. It just so happened that one is planned on a Saturday {fewer days to take off work}, near his birthday and it's one of the last shuttle launches that will ever happen. AND I GOT ON SITE TICKETS!!!!! {Of course you don't have to have tickets; you can see it from anywhere on the right side of Florida, but since we're geeky- in case you missed that above- I wanted to go all out.}

The tickets we got are about 6 miles away- which is the closest you can be so your heart doesn't stop and all {minor details}.

We will spend Thursday night in Georgia and then we'll head down to the Cape {watch out, don't trip over my geeky-ness} on Friday.

The launch is scheduled for 7:19 AM Eastern Time on Saturday.

Which means we have to be on site by 2:30 AM on Saturday. Apparently that time exists; I had no idea. They shut all roads around Kennedy Space Center near a launch, so you have to be there really early before they close everything down.

Did I mention we are taking our kids and Jason's parents? We are.

Must go finish packing!
Sunscreen? Check.
Bug spray? Check.
Video camera? Check.
Stories that will one day force my own children to also be space dorks? Check.

Don't forget to scroll down a post there or click here and register for The Bug Boutique Giveaway! You have until Tuesday!

Bug Boutique GIVEAWAY

It's giveaway time!
I'm so excited for you to meet my friend, Darby. {Not to be confused with this Darby who is wonderful in blog land and in real life- whose husband I grew up with.}

Darby and I were sorority sisters in college and probably have a few embarrassing pictures together floating around on Facebook. We lived together my freshman year in a dorm that was literally condemned the minute Spring Semester was finished. Falling tiles and exposed insulation; we loved every minute of it!

She lives in South Florida now {probably without a crumbling elevator} and has an ADORABLE boutique called The Bug Boutique- named after her son whose nickname is "bug". Isn't that cute?

Here is Darby and her cute fam {picture swiped from afore-mentioned facebook}:

So Darby is super crafty and talented and makes wonderful handmade purses, diaper bags, aprons, dresses, burp cloths- you name it! She has fabrics galore to choose from or you can even have her choose what she thinks looks good together based on what you tell her you like {I love this option because it takes me forever to decide that kind of thing}.

Darby has offered a $50 gift certificate to her shop for one lucky blog commenter! How much fun!

Here is what you need to do to enter:
1) Go to Darby's site, The Bug Boutique and window shop. I guarantee she has something for you or a gift that would be perfect for someone you know.

2) Pop back here and comment in the comment section {just click on the orange portion there on the bottom right that says "comments"} on your favorite item. That will earn you one entry. Be sure I have your e-mail address if you'd like to win.

3) For another entry, you can become a follower of this-here blog {right hand column over there- those cute little people- you can be one, too!}. If you are already a follower just comment a second time to let me know that you are or that you became one.

4) For a third entry {if you are so inclined} you can blog about this giveaway. Come back and comment again to tell me if you do that.

Winner will be chosen by Random.org on Tuesday, June 16th at 8 pm {or as soon as I can get my kiddos to sleep}.

If I was playing, I believe I would pick this:Or a couple of these tops {for my nieces' birthdays coming up soon}: Or maybe a handbag or 12 for myself:

Good thing I'm not playing. But you should! So go visit Darby and come on back here and tell me what you love!