The Weekend ..... So Far .....

So I flew into town on Friday afternoon ..... and caught the shuttle bus to the hotel. This is the hotel that several parents had told me had a shuttle bus to the school. So I decided to stay here, for the first time.

Upon checking in I found out that this was a myth. There was no shuttle bus. Well, there was a shuttle bus to and from the airport, but not to the school. It just so happens that the school is right next to the airport, so I asked the hotel guy if I could take the shuttle to the airport, so that I could walk to the school. He informed me that I could not do that ..... I could only take the shuttle back to the airport when I checked out of the hotel.

Seriously.

He then informed me that sometimes the school would send a shuttle for parents staying at the hotel. I found this hard to believe, but I called the school anyway.

I was right to find it hard to believe.

But the very nice man who answered the phone .... the commandant of the cadets (I found out later) told me that he would come and get me.

Nice man.

Fortunately for me, and Son #2, this man was not familiar with Son #2, which happens to be a very good thing ..... or so he told me.

So he took me to the school, where I met up with Son #2. Then he and I walked over to the airport, where I rented a car ...... and was totally ripped off ..... from Dollar rental. I guess that walking up and renting a car is akin to buying an airline ticket at the last minute ...... they totally nail you to the wall. I had to pay almost $200 to rent a car for 48 freakin' hours.

And so my weekend continued.

Son #2 and I went to the school's Casino Night, where I tried to teach him the fine art of Black Jack. We went up and down with our number of chips and then we gave them to a friend of his so that we could make an early escape.

We returned to the hotel and just relaxed for the rest of the night.

I had to have him back on base at 8:00 a.m., which came very early. Breakfast and "games" were scheduled for the parents. "Games" consisted of challenge courses and a very high zip line.

Three months ago, when I signed up for this weekend, I paid for the "games", thinking I would totally kick butt on the zip line. I love a good zip line.

But now I have a 7 inch incision on my hip that was warning me all morning to stay far away from the zip line .... and the harness I would have to wear.

And so ..... after much internal debate ..... and a throw-down challenge from a master sergeant ... and texts and FaceBook posts from caring friends .... I managed to stay smart and not cave in to the desire to rise to the challenge .... and zip the line.

I watched and photographed Son #2 doing everything.

After the morning we returned to the hotel where we promptly took naps.

And then came one of my most un-finest moments as a mother. After waking up we went over to the movie theater and I bought tickets to see "Crank:High Voltage". Now, I had never heard of this movie .... didn't know that it was a "sequel", didn't know that it was total crap, or that it was full of sex and violence.

I have always checked out movies before letting the kids see them. "Before".

But today we just went over there to see what started next and he wanted to see this movie. I went along with it ..... big, big mistake.

I ended up walking out of the movie.

And being very ashamed that I had taken him to see it.

Not my finest moment ..... but there ya go.

Not only did I fail to screen what we would be seeing, I bought him a cheese pizza and I had nachos ..... for our only "real" meal of the day.

Go ahead ... hand me the trophy now ...... Best. Mom. Ever.

After the movie we returned to the hotel room, where we've hung out since.

I had a snack mix from the vending machine (and wine from Wal-Mart) .... he had snack mix and cookies.

I've totally sucked at motherhood this weekend.

So ..... we hang out some more tomorrow ... before I return home early in the evening. I wonder how many trashy movies I can take him to ..... and how much crap I can let him eat ... before returning him to the school?

Other than that .... it's been good to be with him. His grades are good, his attitude is great ... and I can't wait to have him home.

Here are some pics:


Him, showing me his grades (yes, his eyes are closed but it was the best pic I took):

A parade ..... Marines really go ape over parades:

Post parade:

Hanging out in the hotel:

The zip line tower:

The rope-climb on the challenge course:

More of the challenge course:

Rappelling:

Son #2, waiting to start the challenge course:

Getting ready for the zip line:

Waiting up on the tower:

The "confidence" course:

Getting ready to climb the wall .... as a team:

Hanging out today in the room ....... :

.... and watching stuff he never gets to watch (gag!):

So there you go.

Our weekend so far. I took several videos that I may post later, but not tonight. I'm pooped.

Thanks for all of the "first love" comments .... you've done a great job. Those who have not answered can always jump in and keep it going ......

Enjoy the rest of your weekend .......