Thursday, February 21, 2008

We're Baaaa---aaaack...

Two extended delays, a ripped coat lining, 210 crabby fellow fliers and an exhausted couple of kids later, we got back Monday evening. The wall started building itself back up almost upon entry to the house so I took a couple of blog free days off. You wouldn't have liked me much those days anyway so trust me when I say it is no big loss.

The children had a great time. They both had cameras and all of the pictures I will post over the next few days will be from their viewpoint. We found out that James is quite the budding photographer, with a real eye for composition.

Leonard's cousin has a really great home in Houston. A lot of home can be had for a very little amount of money. It gets one's head spinning with ideas while one sits in the balmy air, drinking coffee and contemplating the 12 degree temps back home. But Texas and I wouldn't get along very well and it would end up being a nasty split. So, here we are.

We did not do much of anything really. A short side trip to San Antonio (stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel if you go...what an amazing view from the jacuzzi on the roof) and the Riverwalk. I was able to block out Leonard thoughts here and there until we hit the Alamo. Leonard would have loved the Alamo, the Riverwalk, walking around town. Grief got to me and I was not expecting it while viewing a movie in the Alamo longhouse. Hearing the tales of the women of the Alamo (amazing how not much is said about them in our history books, eh?) watching their husband's die...children losing their daddies... and I became breathless and overwhelmed with it all again. There are so often the times when I think that this can't possibly be real. It still doesn't, and probably never will, feel real.

We took the boat ride (the guided tour) down the river. You can almost forget you are in America and mentally transport yourself to some of the side canals in Venice. Not that I've been to Venice but it felt like how it might be like. We stopped at La Villeta, a village of artisans along the riverwalk, and I bought a pair of peridot earrings, and a peridot ring for Nik. I was going to keep it for her birthday, but I am not good at keeping things a secret.

It was, most of all, good to see James with a real smile on his face. He loves his cousin M. and she is the only girl type person that he actively seeks out for play. They had a great time together and the visit itself was all too short for them.

I get the feeling that this post is rather disjointed and I'm really not feeling like myself so I'll leave you for now with a few pictures.

James and Nik attempt to take a photograph of themselves in the H.E.B. parking lot because they are crazy like that.



Goofing off at Pappacito's, a cabana type restaurant. Everyone got a rose for Valentine's day and this is what the kids did with theirs. Okay, well, everyone did it. It made me awfully glad that Leonard and I did not celebrate Valentine's day as a "romantic" holiday. It was always family oriented.



Nicole and her cousin N. sleeping in the back of the car on the way to San Antonio. N. has, since birth, adored her. It's amazing the things she can get him to do (like sleep) when others have failed miserably.




Right outside our hotel entrance on the Riverwalk. If one goes to San Antonio, and the Riverwalk, one should stay right on the Riverwalk. I would like, someday, to stay at La Mansion, with its beautiful balconies overlooking the river. Of course, this was the day where the reality of my aloneness hit and the rest of the visit was rather melancholy.



We plan on driving down again over spring break, as my aunt and uncle were gone from San Antonio and I was not able to visit them. I ache for warmth. At least one thing to be pretty or perfect, or at least tolerable these days.

19 comments:

Donna said...

Glad you're home! And glad you "enjoyed" the trip. Everyone needs a break..love & hugs sweetie!

artemisia said...

Glad you are back, and glad the trip went well (for the most part).

It is great that all the cousins get along so well.

Plans are good. Plans help you get through the day.

Tess said...

I love the Riverwalk. Glad you're back!

Laurie in Ca. said...

I am so glad you had a get-away and a change of scenery. And going back for Spring Break is a good plan and getting to see your aunt and uncle.
The kids look happy in the pictures and I'll bet the scenery in the Spring will be so pretty. Bare naked trees make me melancholy, wishing for Spring to arrive. I am hoping your adjustment being back home is a gentle one.

Laurie in Ca.

Nance said...

I bet it felt wonderful not to be bundled up in a winter coat and mittens!

Shannon said...

I could use some warmth right about now, too.

I'm glad you had a good trip. The photos of the kids are great.

We missed you!

Karen said...

I love the Riverwalk too! Glad you had a good trip and are home safe and sound.
Great pictures too!

Kathy said...

Welcome home. I was happy to read the comment you left me and to know that you were safe and blogging again.
Hugs.

Karen MEG said...

Glad to see that you had such a nice trip, and that the kids had such fun with their cousins.
You probably need some rest again, at least that's what I find after a holiday!
Rest up!

Sarah said...

Pappasito's -- one of my all-time favorites!!!!!!!!!! LOVE it (bet it was PACKED on Valentine's day!)

San Antonio really is a romantic place, especially the Riverwalk. I'm sure that was a difficult time. I'm glad you went, though. Your kids will never forget it! Glad they love their cousins so!

Anonymous said...

Laura,
I sounds like a great time! If you drive back this way, I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and if you need a place to stop over, let me know. I'm off 35W, the Ft. Worth side of 35.

Sheila (du's mwdem)

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you had a good time. And glad to see Nicole looking healthy in those pics!

Shari said...

Thanks for sharing the pics. Lovely bunch of kids. :) Isn't it something that kids' pics are always "natural" looking, not forced. I was thinking that it'd be a good idea to get away from the Midwestern winter during the kids' spring/Easter breaks.

OXOX

J said...

I've been to San Antonio, and the Riverwalk, and had dinner at the La Maison hotel. Good stuff. But humid as hell in the summer. Now seems the perfect time to visit, actually.

Debbie said...

Glad you're back safe and sound and you had a good time! The kids are adorable and I look forward to more pics.

I think everyone is ready for Spring, even though the winter hasn't been too bad here in NC, I long for green trees!

Take care!

Rach said...

Welcome home! I missed you! I visited SA once, when B graduated from AF basic training, and I thought it was the most beautiful city.

I'm so glad you all had a nice visit. There is nothing quite like family and yours seems pretty terrific. :o)

misguidedmommy said...

Do you realize if I had done this post it would have read like this:
first we ate here, then we stopped and ate here, then we had food here, and then we ate at this place, oh yeah we saw some pretty stuff but i was to busy eating. here have some pictures of my food.

good job taking real pictures and seeing real things!

Courtney said...

I'm glad you guys are home. The pics are lovely and can't wait to see more. Nicole has quite the nice looking bf doesn't she? I'm glad the kids had a good time too.

Jeanette said...

Welcome back. I'm glad you had a good time and were able to forget for a little while. I watch this show on HGTV called "House Hunters" and every time they show a house in Texas I am amazed at how much house/land you can get for so little money! I would want to move there except for the unbelievable humidity they have!! Makes Michigan feel like a desert!!