Ninjas are deadly and silent...They're also unspeakably violent....

Betty wanted to do one farmer's market before heading back north. We were up early Thursday morning ready to go but Emma was having no part of ..."shopping". We told her we would only be gone a short time so if she wanted she could stay home. She is 11 so she is certainly old enough to stay alone for a short period of time. When we got home she met us at the door with her face made up and a Ninja pose. Betty asked her what on earth she was doing....she replied "In case I had to protect myself, I wanted the bad guys to be scared". What a kid!!

Look out lad, a mermaid be waiting for you....

Our last full day was a trip to Weeki Wachee Springs and the mermaid show, animal show and boat ride.
Greeting us at the gate was this fellow, who seems to pretty much think he can roam wherever he pleases....

Emma loved the mermaid show....she is now practicing to be a mermaid!!

The animal show.....

Snakes....my favorite....NOT!!!

Yep....a future mermaid.

Beach baby, beach baby...there on the sand...

Tuesday we headed back to Orlando and the Disney beach Typhoon Lagoon. Since it was 92 degrees, it was definitely a good decision. Here the wave is just starting to roar in....

Emma and Betty enjoying life on the Lazy River .....

And of course "Pop"

Here is Emma waiting for the Typhoon and insisting she is far enough back.....

NOT.....she tumbled few times, lost he goggles and being the drama queen she is, I am sure by time she gets back to Clayton, that wave will be bigger than the tsunami in Japan.....

Cuz when it comes to saving this amazing place....the answer is black and white....

Emma's choice of amusement parks this visit was Sea World. It actually worked out very well, as they had a special where if you paid for one day, you could return for a second day within a year. This allows us back in during Christmas when they will have the Polar Express and all the fabulous decorations. We will also see the new show which opened today and brought back Tilikum....the first appearance since last year's tragedy.

I love this picture of Grandpa and granddaughter strolling the park.....
Salt, Emma and Betty.....

Emma and the flamingos....

Emma or Salt have never been big roller coaster fans but Emma wanted to do Return to Atlantisand talked her "Pop" into going on with us. Emma started up the first steep grade and says..."oh man, I think I just might be in trouble".... She didn't want to go back on Monday, but said by Christmas she would be ready.....

The Sea Lions and Otter show....a favorite!

This girl is like the BEST trainer....

The mime....probably my favorite part of the show. Funny, funny guy!

The amazing acrobats....

Enjoying lunch and loving her "whale dish" full of cookies.....

Emma got right into the Shamu chant.....

Great show....as always!

God Bless America.....

Betty and Emma arrived in Florida on Saturday afternoon. Her plan was to stop at a motel Friday evening, but being "Spring Break"....she could not find a motel. Thy pulled off into a rest stop and along with about 30 other cars, took a short nap. She ended coming straight through.

Since she needed some rest, we didn't plan anything to exciting for Sunday. Pop took Emma to the pool we did Ruby Tuesday for dinner and then went to Karaoke at the club. We were SO proud of Emma.....she took the mike and sang God Bless America. She had the crowd on their feet, hats off and hands on hearts.

Check out what bed she ended up in.....she comes into our bedroom and says, "I can't sleep cuz Mom is snoring....Pop, you sleep with mom and I will sleep with Grandma".....uh, I don't think so Em. Pop did however, give in and went out and slept on the couch so she could cuddle with Grandma. He is such a great grandfather!!

Pop and Em enjoying the pool....after leaving in snow flurries, cold and wind, this 86 degree pool was a hit!!!!

Who was having more fun???

Emma's Easter basket....started out with a small basket and by time she got here grew to a clothes basket....

I finally got my little house with a picket fence....LOL

Make our way to the beat of the drum...pray they may be best as one...

We took off today and went to Wooton park where they were holding the Dragon Fest. This event has been going on for nine years, but this was the first time Salt and I attended. We will definitely be going back next year. Great entertainment, great food and only a $3.00 entrance fee. Here Ruth and I pose with the dragon..... Wooton Park is where many sea planes land. This is a little water park they put together for the children. They were sure enjoying it yesterday!!

The Dragon Boat races are the highlight of the event....

Some tae chi demonstrations....

I didn't see these until we had already had our lunch. Then I saw and smelled them when a couple of people were eating them....they will definitely be my choice for next time. They were a pork and rice dish.

Dancing dragons.....

The fabulous acrobats who perform daily at Disney....

Emma won the hula hoop contest on the island last summer. She would love these girls....they were amazing!

This was the most spectacular....check the distance between all these hoops.....

The hat jugglers....

These girls were adorable....here they are just dancing like teenagers.

These were supposed to represent two Chinese priests.....

The twirling plate dance.....

And...and egg roll eating contest.... (which Salt should enter....first prize $100).

15 contestants....5 egg rolls each. First one done and showing a clean mouth was the winner.

The boy with the black shirt and hat was the winner. Why are the winners of all these eating contests the skinny ones?

Two American boys who fell in love with Chinese drums. They made the drums out of wine barrels.

And a few belly dancers for good measure.....