Birthday surprises so far ...

Today my little sister turned 50! Our day began with a light breakfast and we were picked up by a driver to go to the marina. Little did we know that we would have a chartered boat taking us to a shallow swimming area with stingrays and stone fish. From there we were taken to a private, uninhabited island where a smaller boat came to take us ashore. As we got closer, we could see a beautifully set table with lobsters and chicken on the BBQ, shrimp, pasta,vegetables, salad, and wine. Let me just say, the "Bachelor" series had nothing on us today! Once we'd finished there was an amazing birthday cake brought out. The beach was spectacular and we took lots of beautiful pictures. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are now back at our villa to shower off the sand, rest a bit (important to keep pacing ourselves), and then primp for a late dinner. A truly phenomenal day.

Day Three

Lovely breakfast ... sunbathed ... took a tumble on the tile landing on my hip and arm but nothing broken ... massage at spa ... lunch ... sunbathed ... primped for dinner ... lovely dinner at hotel ... tomorrow the surprises begin!

Day Two

We decided that today would be our relaxing day. We slept in but were up in time for breakfast at 9a. We ate a delicious meal of eggs, fruit, muffins/croissants, fresh squeezed juice, and coffee in the gazebo. We then enjoyed the next several hours sunbathing which attracted quite a stream of gardeners, caddies, pool boys, etc. by the yard! It got to be comical. All that relaxing works up an appetite so we had grilled ham/cheese sandwiches, fruit, chips, and drinks made for lunch. We took a break from tanning to go to the pro shop at "The Teeth of the Dog" course. A truly spectacular view along the water. We stopped and made a spa appt for tomorrow before returning home to rest for dinner. Tonight we dined at la Casita at the marina. Delicious meal with excellent service right on the waterfront of multi million dollar boats. Another day in paradise!

Day one

Despite our original flight being cancelled into La Romana yesterday and the ensuing stress that caused, we made it via another flight into Santo Domingo. We had a great driver who greeted us and brought us the hour plus from the airport to the resort. As we went thru many small towns along the way, the level of poverty here was apparent. Homes constructed of cinder block or sticks formed into huts, transportation for families of four were on a motorcycle or scooter, women carried things on bowls balanced on their heads, and mule-pulled carts carried bound bundles of sticks.

Casa de Campo is a city unto itself and the main means of financial support for this portion of the island. We were greeted by our concierge who brought us to our fabulous villa on the 11th green of The Links course. We were introduced to our maid and butler who will be here daily from 7-3, prepare breakfast and lunch, and whatever else we need. After reviewing the amenities Of the resort, we were presented with. Platter of fruit, nuts, and chips. We had dinner at The Beach Club tonight and an adventurous ride on the golf cart there!

Tomorrow we plan to relax by the pool and will be dining that evening with the resort owner. Tuesday will be a spa and shopping day, check out pro shop, and Wednesday the other gals arrive and the surprises start. Somewhere in there we are doing horseback riding and shooting. Don't want the week to go too fast!

I'll take some pics tomorrow of the villa but it's not recognizing the ones I downloaded to my iPad to post here. Will work on that tomorrow! My cold is now laryngitis but will bake it out some tomorrow! Until then ...

My villa for next week!

I'm not excited or anything but here is our villa for next week - 6,000 sf, 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths - I think we can adjust to the accomodations!  I may never come back!

Birthday boy

Hard to believe but Ryan was 17 yesterday.  Saturday night he and Mark left on a quest for sushi only to get to the restaurant and it was closed for renovation.  They decided on Oggi's and enjoyed salad and BBQ wings pizza.  It was also a good opportunity for them to discuss some situations that had occurred during the week one-on-one.  Of course it's quickly become a tradition to have a chocolate satin pie in lieu of a cake for birthdays.  Can't blame them as they are delicious!  Connor had waited all week for Ryan to wear the Chevy's birthday hat which you can tell really thrilled him!  Then he thought it clever to give Ryan the shirt he'd gotten him in a Victoria's Secret bag ... only at 14.  Ry was a good sport though and loved the shirts the kids each got him as well as his birthday money.  With his second paycheck we opened his very own checking account so now he can cash his own checks.  This should be an interesting learning experience!

Connor came home with a less than stellar report card so he continues to be grounded.  Perhaps another 6 weeks of no phone or privileges will show him we're not kidding about being on the Honor Roll.  He's definitely going through a defiant stage and, frankly, I'm over it.  Why they can't see that doing what's right makes life better all around is baffling to me.

This will be a busy week as I have a lot to do before I leave Saturday for my big trip to the Dominican Republic.  I am SOOO excited!  A whole week relaxing in a lovely villa with my sister and her friends, being waited on by the house staff, laying on the beautiful beaches, and exploring the island.  I can't wait!

Jake gets his stitches out on Wednesday and will no longer be a cone-head.  He's actually adjusted fairly well although it has cut down some on his speed - not the most aerodynamic feature!  He and Buddy try having their games and it just doesn't work with a big thing around your head.  Connor also has 3 lacrosse games this week, Ry has school twice, I have a nail appt and my girls' craft night, plus the New Life guys are coming to group Thursday night so we're excited to see them again.  In between I need to pay a few bills and ensure everything is ready for Mark before I go.  

Poor Jake

It has been one of those weeks! A pricey plumbing bill, a dropped soda can which exploded all over the kitchen, and then an emergency trip to the vet. As I was taking Ryan to work Saturday, Connor called to tell me that Jake's eye was cut and bleeding.  Called the vet to alert them of our arrival since stitches may be needed and indeed they were.  We can only suspect that he was after a creature and stuck his head into a palm tree and caught one of the spikes as it's a clean slice across his eye.  He came within 2mm of slicing through the cornea, has 7 stitches (they can't stitch inside for fear stitches will cause an ulcer on the eye), ointment/pain meds/antibiotics, and a very annoying cone!  We have to watch he and Buddy all the time because if Buddy licks his eye and any stitches come lose, it will be a big problem.  It was a rather sleepless night but he's slowly learning the parameters of the cone and that he can drink with it on.  We're very grateful that he didn't lose his sight.

Unfortunately I missed Connor's first lacrosse game since I had to get Jake before they closed.  They lost to Poway 4-1 but that's not bad given so many kids on the team haven't played before.  Ryan came home excited to have gotten his very first paycheck which I anticipate will last about two nanoseconds once it's cashed.  We have a ways to go on the money management side of working!  

Ryan's first creations!

Ryan's first pizza (Hawaiian) and cinnamon twists!  

First Job

Today is Ryan's first "real" day on the job.  He completed his training last week and today it's only him!  If you're in Rancho Bernardo and like pizza, stop in at Round Table Pizza and enjoy some!  He works today, tomorrow and Sunday so he should be fairly tired by the end of his shift as each is from 8a-3p. 

Mark enjoyed the chance to visit with his cousins despite the reason for his trip to Denver.  The funeral services and military honors were very nice and the weather cooperative.  This weekend begins lacrosse practice and a Grandma Baby Shower to attend.