Jellyfish

I was apprehensive about this last weekend.  Houston had been seeing huge thunderstorms, and this was the weekend we had slated to visit Galveston (a.k.a. same weather).  A lot of people don't realize that Houston is on Galveston Bay, so when we say that we're going to Galveston, it means traveling through Houston to the island of Galveston, and whatever type of weather is happening in Houston, it's probably happening in Galveston or has just finished up with Galveston and is now hitting Houston.  So, huge thunderstomrs, they type that shakes houses, made me hesitate to visit Tanner.  I considered asking him to drive up here, but in the end, I packed the kids in the car with half the house, and headed for Sugarland.

Did you hear about Reagan and Sugarland?  Tanner told her that he was living in Sugarland for the summer.  She looked at him very seriously and said, "Daddy, I don't believe in Sugarland."

Tanner was taken aback for a few seconds because he had taken her to see his apartment and to visit Sugarland at the beginning of the month, so he asked, "Why not?" 

Reagan frowned as she thought over what she wanted to say.  "Well," she said slowly, "People can't live in Sugar Land.  It's not good for people to only have sugar.  It will make you have tummy aches and your teeth will fall out."

We arrived safe and sound in Sugarland even though we drove through a storm.  We saw sheet lightning and bolts of lightning, and thunder shook the car, we had hail and big splatters of rain, but by the time we pulled into the parking lot, the sun was out, the air was musty from all the evaporating rain, and we had the promise of a beautiful morning.  We actually took the girls to the swimming pool that same evening.

We drove to Galveston the next morning and parked on the seawall.  That's where we met the jellyfish.  The girls darted out into the ocean way too fast.  I had just sat down to take a look at the currents, and they were already splashing in the water.  I didn't say anything because Tanner was with them, and after a quick glance, the water seemed pretty safe.  Unfortuantely, they didn't last more than five minutes.  Reagan started crying, and Tanner brought her to me.  I realized almost immediately that it was a jellyfish sting, so I told her to pee.  I had my hands cupped and everything, but Reagan just cried even harder.  Kate joined us, and I tolder her to pee. She looked alarmed.  Then Georgie came running out of the water crying, and Tanner followed her.  I told Tanner to pee.  They all just stared at me in horror!  I was laughing by then, and I gave up.  I dried Reagan off and took her to the car.  I knew we'd just have to wait for the sting to go away since no one could pee for me!

So, we drove to the mini-golf course and the girls putted around for a couple of ours.  I lasted for about an hour before the bugs started to love on me and covered me with bites.  Each of the girls managed to get a hole in one, so I take it the golfing session was a success.  We were going to drive back home, but when we started to drive along the seawall, I noticed an area that had two life guard stations and a bunch of people out in the water.  I knew that there couldn't be that many jellyfish in that area or else the beach would be littered with kids crying, so we piled out of the car and had our day at the beach anyway.   (Not to worry, I only let the girls go wading.  Kate was allowed to go up to her midcalf.)

We came home tired out but happy and made dinner, took the girls to the pool, baths and bed.  Sunday was much more relaxing.  We went to the movies, ate popcorn, candy and more candy.  Had a nap, went to the pool, ate pbj's for dinner, packed, drove home.

We're getting ready for Emily.  I'm thinking I need to clean house...