The Best Field Trip Ever!

Megan's school has been following a program called "We the People," and this week, the fifth grade participated in a field trip to the Capitol. The first stop for Megan was the Cabinet meeting room where the students presented prepared questions and answers before a panel.

Megan did very well, and was composed and calm. The pic was taken from the back of the room, but it's the best I could do. Next stop was the Old Capitol where the students participated in a video vote on a topic of their choice.

They then took a quick tour of the Old Capitol before heading back up to the new Capitol to eat on the 22nd floor. This floor is very special to me and George because it is where we got married, and Megan was excited to see Tallahassee from that high. After lunch, we went to the House chambers and the kids participated in a mock legislative session day, proposing bills, amendments, and arguing their opinions on the various ideas.

Megan even got to meet Representative Alan Williams from Tallahassee.

After one more trip into the Old Capitol for gift buying, we were done for the day. Megan said it was the "best day ever," and I will have to admit that it was one of the best field trips I've been on with her.

Cafeteria Thanksgiving Lunch...MMmmmmmmm.

Yesterday, George and I took turns eating at the kids' school for their annual Thanksgiving lunch. George ate with Danny, and sent me the picture below:

You can tell Daddy helped him pick out his lunch - it is suspiciously free of vegetables.
I then ate with Megan, whose lunch was not free of vegetables (I'm a mom, what can I say?). She smiled just long enough for me to get this shot to send to George:

Actually, the smile was caused by Pumpkin Pie happiness, not me or the camera. We had a good time, but I definitely do not miss elementary school. Not even a little. At all. 

After school, Gran-ma and Papa Creamer took the kids to Steak 'N' Shake while I volunteered at TPD. I didn't get these pics until afterwards when we were almost home.

I wondered why they were so wired. I'm sure the slight blurriness was caused by their sugar-induced vibrations, and not any fault of the camera operator (Gran-ma).  It was a good night.

This weekend

Finally, I think I'm catching up. Yesterday, Danny had a great basketball game. He tried so hard, and when he made his first game basket, everyone was cheering for him. We were so excited that George completely forgot to take a picture at that special moment. He did get some other good shots, though.

After the game, we went to the Old Florida Capitol -

we were feeling guilty about not having toured it since we had just gone all the way to Texas and visited theirs. This one is in our own town. Of course, we've been in the new Capitol (we got married on the top floor, and I work for the Governor's Office, so I've been there many times), but never toured the historic one. All housed in one building, the Old Capitol contains the Supreme Court Chambers,

the Governor's Suite,

the House of Representatives,

and the Senate.

The kids had a scavenger hunt to complete, and we saw some very interesting collections.
After our educational experience, we went to the fair! I had taken the kids on Thursday night to ride some rides, but we went back on Saturday so George could join us and so we could get some food and see the animals and exhibits. Danny is obsessed with corn dogs, George and Megan are obsessed with funnel cakes, and I love caramel apples. We all had a great time.

Halloween weekend, part 2

Halloween started with a trip to church, and then an afternoon of relaxation until it was time to get ready. Danny was Ironman,

and Megan was a Candy Corn Witch (complete with candy corn packets for her to give out).

We went over to Megan's best friend Olivia's house for a great dinner (I'm still waiting for the taco soup recipe, Susan!) and then trick-or-treating around her neighborhood.

Megan even got a hug from one of the adults because of her giving nature. Once the kids were tired, we came back to our neighborhood for a trip to the few houses surrounding us. We then called it a night at a somewhat reasonable time - it was a school night, after all.

Halloween Weekend, part 1

Halloween weekend was a lot of fun. Saturday, we started with Danny's basketball game.

He continues to improve, and considering he's been playing for one month, he's come a long way. Most importantly, he loves it. Zachary even got to run the timeclock all by himself this time!

After the game, Megan went to book club, Zachary went to work, and George, Danny and I cleaned and ran errands, and recovered (me from the Austin trip, George from FAMU homecoming). Around 8, we got out the pumpkin carving stuff and went to town on our huge pumpkin.

Doesn't he look like he's having fun? I heard a lot of "Eeeewwww!" that night, but he was a lot of help.   

The Austin Food Scene

As you may know, George and I are foodies, and when we go somewhere, we seek out the local flavor. We actually feel guilty eating at a chain! So this post is all about the fabulous food finds in Austin (in somewhat chronological order).

Manuels

That first night, we needed something close to the hotel as we were so tired. Manuels was super convenient, and we were not disappointed with the food. We started with tune ceviche, and then I had the best chicken enchilada mole I have ever eaten (voted "best in Austin" too!), and George had the locally grown special - steak with goat cheese.

Oh, my, goodness.



Turf N Surf Po'Boy (Food Truck - no website)

Just 1 block from the Radisson, this ultimate hippie van has some of the best breakfast tacos I have ever eaten.

They are a "fresh from the farm" establishment, and they make their own Chorizo.

To Die For.

La Traviata

A little Italian trattoria right next to Manuels, La Traviata was our light lunch destination, and my panini and George's spinach ravioli hit the spot.

We are pretty picky about Italian, so for us to like it is a good sign.

1886 Cafe and Bakery

Our trip to the Driskill was topped off by sharing the 1886 Cafe and Bakery Signature Banana Split (and George's first ever!).

This work of art contained fresh bakery-made ice cream, and all the wonderful ingredients that come together to make a banana split what it is - Heaven...

Max's Wine Dive

This was recommended by Darrell (the concierge), and we were so happy with the recommendation.

We started with gator begnets (yum),

 

and moved on to Shrimp and Grits (George)

and the Haute Dog (me),

all paired with wine. I have never had a better simple meal.  

Moonshine

We asked Darrell for a good comfort food place, and Moonshine was promised to be great local comfort food. George even dared to try the shot of white lightning with peach flavor when we arrived. After corndog shrimp,

bison meatloaf with polenta

and skirt steak with polenta

we shared the apple pie with maple ice cream.

My mouth is watering just writing about it.

Annie's Cafe and Bar

Chorizo Migas, a local breakfast favorite, is a staple at Annie's. So are breakfast tacos, and steel cut oatmeal with fruit. The atmosphere, food, and service is exceptional, and we went back for more, literally. George and I went there for a snack of chocolate croissant

and sea salt, chocolate and caramel torte

and again for our last breakfast on Friday. Can't say enough about it.

Bess Bistro

We asked Darrell for "light," and again he delivered. Sandra Bullock's Bess Bistro, on Sixth, is a basement-level wine cellar restaurant with warm lighting and dark furnishings. Ambience is key here. But, so is the food. We went for the date night special  for $40. George chose scallops with potatoes and I had chicken over mashed potatoes with caramelized onions and a maple reduction *see very dark pic below.  

Mekong River

I had been eyeing this Vietnamese and Thai restaurant since we'd arrived, and as I walked by on Wednesday, noticed it was packed. Always a good sign. I went back early on Thursday after my bus tour, and had a Thai iced tea and an awesome pork and egg roll rice vermicelli bowl that was not only delicious, it was enormous.

I miss Vietnamese food - our only restaurant that served it closed down. I would go all the way back to Austin just for this.

Walton's Fancy and Staple

Also owned by Ms. Bullock, Walton's Fancy and Staple is a bustling bakery with very little seating (you've been warned). I grabbed a blackberry oat bar to go, and probably made a fool of myself on Sixth licking my fingers clean. It was that good. Maybe one day, I'll get to sit and enjoy it.