The thing I loved the most was their excitement for every little thing. It was entertaining to see them take in everything as they experienced it for the first time. I have never known a two year old to appreciate a good view, but my baby did. It was also fun to snap a bunch of pictures, especially of Brik because he is so darn cute!
Our pit stop in Indio is always a great idea when driving to California. It breaks up the drive and is a really nice little resort. I loved that we had a walk out patio to the pond with friendly ducks and flirtatious butterflies. Roxwell was thrilled to play here all morning and I was thrilled to just sit.
Our first stop was Catalina Island and everything was absolutely perfect until we stepped of the tender and Layne saw the motor boats. We had an idea what we wanted to do on the island and it did not include having an eight year old drive our family around in a small boat where we were sure to be cold and wet. Layne didn't see it that way. He had a meltdown because we had ruined his vacation. I was so disappointed in his behavior. He should be thinking we are the most awesome parents in the world and grateful to be able to have such and experience, the other two did. Roxwell was pointing at everything with enthusiasm. He spent an hour walking around with me while the others went back to fetch more money (excursions are expensive). He had a blast and we did nothing but look. We ended up renting the golf cart as planned and Layne had another bout of poutiness when he learned he was not allowed to drive the golf cart. He did he usual "I'm going to control the situation weather you like it or not" and sat in the front seat. I let him and that is how we got out of that fit.
The REX was a kid's dance club. I took a picture of it because it in all decorated in animal print and thought my mom would love it. Layne did not, the music was too loud for him, though I have notice he has picked up some new tunes and mad dance moves since we have been home. Layne always wanted to "go explore," "see if the boat is moving," and play in the elevators. Since that is what Layne wanted to do, that's what we all did, most of the time.
We ended up getting on a bus that took us into town, where they offered the popular blowhole excursion for way less than the ship. It is a three hour tour that we would like to do if we end up going back. Jarom got the price as low as $10 per person, good to remember... This time we just walked around the town with the streets and streets of shops with everyone urging us to "come in and look around," and everything was "a good price."
One good thing about the dragonfly sting is that it calmed Layne down. It has always been like this, after a good cry, especially from pain, he becomes mellow and non controlling. It must be a chemical thing in his brain, boy, would I like to bottle it! He got into the bargaining with us. There were these bracelets that every other store carried that they sold for $3 and the shop keepers were always asking Layne if he wanted one. Layne would ask how much and they would say $3, he would say that is too much and they would say $2. I would step in with three for $3, because I am hard core. Then, we would walk away. After about five times I went up to three for $5 and got a taker. The kids all loved their Mexican bracelets with their names on them and Layne was plum happy to be part of it, he helped pick the colors and gave them to his brothers when we got back on the ship.
Because we had had a talk with Layne about how poor this area was before hand, he was really in tuned to the people around him laying on the street. He kept bringing up this lady who was laying down on the side walk and her daughter sitting beside her holding a cup. I didn't really understand why this stuck with him all day until that evening at dinner when he was telling his brothers about this illustration of the poor people. He turned to Jarom and asked "Dad, why didn't you give her some of your water?" It all clicked; camelback- water- cup. He has such a tender heart!
