Last post from Fort Lauderdale

This is the last post this vist. Although we were here for 5 weeks the last few days have gone by so fast. Here are some photos from our last week.

On Friday Belinda dropped us off and we enjoyed an early morning walk on the beach whilst we waited for the shopping mall to open. Our main purchase was a book about birds in Florida ... now we know what kind of bird it is that Stella has caught! She must think she is a cat as she catches and kills at least one bird a day.




Saturday was a girl's trip to the Nail Parlour. I have never had such nice nails so I think no housework for a while so that they last. :) Lily had light blue with a sparkly white pattern ... the toes have lasted longer than the finger nails.

Roadtrip

Having picked a basketful of Mangoes we set off to take them to Arthur's nephew, Courtney who lives near Tampa. The drive takes just over 4 hours so Belinda packed a cooler with drinks and a bag with snacks and we left about 3 pm Lily played with her DS, read and sung until finally giving into a nap on Grandad's arm. Once she woke it was I Spy and other games for the rest of the journey.

We had a great weekend visiting with Courtney, his wife Leslene and their youngest son Michael. Lily became Michael's shadow for the weekend. We were joined for some of the time by Courtney's brother and sister, Mark and Shirley, and their mum, Arthur's sister Olga. It was good to catch up with everyone and there was a lot of reminiscing going on.

We left there at 3 pm Sunday for the drive home. At one stop along the way we were joined by birds who came down to share the McDonald's fries.

Arthur, the dog whisperer

70 years young today

Lily had to leave for school at 7.30 so she woke the birthday boy at 7 by squirting him with her water pistol. Then she and Belinda served him with a very large Banana Split for breakfast which he duly obliged Lily and ate (complaining of feeling sick once she was off to school!) He was very happy with his present.

This evening we went to Seasons 52 restaurant for a very nice dinner. Then it was home for ice cream cake, which of course I couldn't eat but at least I have fat-free ice cream here.

Easter Weekend

Saturday was a shopping day ... first for food, then a girls' trip to the shopping mall for new clothes and to find a birthday present for Arthur. Settled for a bright green ipod, Nano. The afternoon was spent sitting by the pool watching Lily and her friend Max swim followed by a very pleasant dinner at The Outback Steakhouse.

Easter Sunday was an early start for Lily with an Easter gift basket left by the Easter bunny even though she had declared very clearly on Saturday at the mall that she hated the Easter bunny. She doesn't like any large dressed up characters so would not go anywhere near the 6 foot bunny that she could have had her photo taken with. Kelly had to leave early for the Bahamas for work and the rest of us got ready to go to Breakfast and Easter egg hunt at a friend's house. It was great fun watching the children race round the yard collecting the plastic eggs and then the tucking into the candy while the grown ups started with a liquid breakfast (Mimosas, Pimms, Bloody Marys and Beer!) Then came breakfast although by then I guess it was Brunch as it was late morning.

In the afternoon we went to Kelly's parents home for Easter Dinner. Lily enjoyed a swim in their pool closely watched by their puggle Riley and grandad. We were back home in time to decorate a few eggs before bed time for Lily and time relaxing in front of the TV for us.

Toasted marshmallows

This evening, after dinner, we sat in the garden and toasted marshmallows. Although this is one of the treats I am allowed on my fat free diet I have never toasted them before. It was a lovely evening.

Fun in the sun

The weather here has been beautiful and we are getting our fill of sunshine and fresh air. There was a record high of 92F on Monday followed by unseasonal lows in the 50s Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Today was very warm again and the forecast for the coming weekend is good. The new Tiki hut by the pool certainly provides some welcome shade.

We enjoy pottering around the house and yard, followed by a swim in the pool. Arthur enjoys helping out with the dogs and they lap up the extra attention. There are now 3 dogs here, Marley the puggle, Guinness and Stella who are both Rottie Cross and were both rescue puppies. Stella, the newest addition is growing fast and looks as if she will be taller than Guinness.

Last week I met Lily from school each afternoon, allowing her to come home earlier than usual from after-school care. Her school is only a short walk from the house. Then there is plenty to do .. swimming in the pool with grandad (I only swim when there is no splashing going on), artwork on the drive or in the playroom and endless games about animal shows and animal doctors.

This week Lily is on Spring Break so the fun and games have gone on all day. On Tuesday Kelly took Lily and I to the Museum which has lots of interactive exhibits.