Mad-Libs and More

We drove down to Daytona today, and yes, there's this little race thing going on this weekend.  Talk about timing.  We saw the blimp overhead, and the big crowds here on Friday, all getting ready for the weekend of racing action.  Some day we'll join them to see a race and get into that NASCAR thing, although it's nothing passionate like some folks tend to be.  But if you're in Daytona while the race is going on, why not go check it out?

Madison was watching the figure skating tonight at the Olympics, mainly for this guy here:

It's the flying Winnie the Pooh guy.  Instead of flowers or roses, fans throw hundreds of Winnie the Pooh dolls on the ice after each of his performances.  It's because he likes Winnie the Pooh.  I can't imagine Disney not doing something about this.  Meanwhile, all these dolls are collected, and he keeps his favorites and sends many of them off to children's hospitals.  It's all good.  Madison loves the sight of flying Winnie the Poohs, and to be honest, who wouldn't?  It's pretty surreal!

We drove down today, so much of our day was spent on the road south.  We didn't really encounter any traffic, except in Atlanta, of course.  It doesn't matter what time of day you drive through, it's just sort of given that you'll experience traffic.  Regardless, the rest of the journey was easy.  We were listening to Riders Radio on the way down, that ongoing serial Daddy loaded up on the player, listening to Riders in the Sky in their old weekly radio show.

On the way down, and we'll have all throughout this trip Mad-Libs.  Madison has two books full of Mad-Libs, including one from the movie "BFG."  She also has a Halloween-themed one, so there's this constant request for words, one after another.  Verb!  Adjective!  Adverb!  Animal!  The stories are finished and read by Madison, and then she's ready to do it again:  Verb!  Adjective!  Noun!  Number!  We've probably done about five of these.  You get worn out trying to think of some super creative, weird or funny nouns or adverbs.  It's brain exercise!

On the way down, we had plenty to eat in the car.  Mommy made sandwiches, and we made our traditional stops along the way, particularly the one at the Florida Welcome Center.  Captain Citrus has moved over behind a counter, and the attendants there still are giving out that free orange juice.  The roads were clear from there, and the weather just fine.  It was an easy drive, and soon enough we were there with Ba-Ba and Nana to see them again.  It was a warm welcome!

We talked and laughed and caught up on things, although we talk a lot on the phone or computer.  Still, there's obviously nothing like face-to-face meetings.  They were happy to see Madison, and she was anxious to hang out with them as well, playing games and fooling around.  We'll be here for a few days - a shorter trip.  But it'll be  nice!