Buffett was Awesome!

I could spend a lot more time trying to figure out a more clever title.  Or, I could go with the simple truth. All of my highs and lows of getting and not getting tickets became obsolete Saturday afternoon.  A good friend, Tim, called with the best news.  Tim had scored 4 VIP wristbands to the concert.  Tim is a member of the National Guard who was activated on May 1st.  He's been down on the beaches working to clean up the oil since the beginning.  I'm not sure who's idea it was to give the National Guard guys the VIP tickets, but I can tell you they enjoyed themselves.

We took a little road trip down to Gulf Shores with a van full of Parrotheads.  Deciding what to wear was the hard part.  Something comfy, and cool, but still provide coverage so you don't get too much sun.  I finally decided on my average beach attire: sarong, tank top, and flip flops.  Ronnie went with a Red Shirt from Think Geek and shorts.  Red was a good choice.  With his height, 6'3, and a red shirt, he was easy to spot.  Pig tails for me completed the outfit.  Being the OCD person I am, I packed extra sunblock, emergency rain ponchos (predicted 70% chance of rain), and chap stick.  I was ready for the day.

Once we got to the concert we found out what VIP wristbands meant:  We had a special barricaded off section close to the stage.  We were about 40 years from Jimmy Buffett.

That was a wonderful thing.  We were very close to the stage, with lots of room around us.  Not a lot of people were in the VIP section so there was room to dance and move without bumping into other people. We were in a larger group of other National Guard members and their guests.  But, the very best part of VIP wristbands?

That building you see?  That's an actual bathroom.  With stall doors, sinks, everything you would expect in a bathroom.  Yes, no port a potty here.  We got the real thing.  Is it sad that a bathroom at a beach concert made us all so happy?  Ronnie and I had a great time.

The concert lasted the full hour and a half broadcast live on CMT.  Jimmy Buffett then took a 5 to 10 minute break and came back out.  He played for another 45 minutes to an hour just for the 35,000 fans on the beach.  Some people have complained on Facebook about there not being other big name acts like Kenny Chesney or The Zac Brown Band.  These people have said they were disappointed in the concert.  I can say as a Parrothead, I was going to see Jimmy.  He did have some big names: Allen Touissant and Mac McAnally and Jesse Winchester may not be names that were recognized by the average concert goer.  But, they were recognized by those who like jazz (Allen Touissant is a New Orleans musician), country fans ("Down the Road" was a hit duet by Chesney and McAnally), and we all knew the songs written by Jesse Winchester, even if we didn't know his name before.  I can say that I was not disappointed in the least.

I yelled and screamed so much that I have no voice at all today.  Paige heard me talk and asked what happened.  I try to explain it to her.  She just looked at me and said, "Silly Mommy.  Next time remember to put your voice back in your mouth!"

Summer Bowling

It's going good.  We've been a couple of times now.  While we get the lane rental free, we still have to pay for shoe rental.  By checking out a local sporting goods store, I realized how much cheaper it would be to buy our own.  Shoe rental at the bowling alley is $4.63 for a pair of shoes.  Academy Sports has shoes for $19.99 a pair.  I really tried to squeeze my feet into the $9.97 clearanced shoes, but they were a full size too small.  Shoes for Paige would need to be special ordered online and are a bit more expensive.  Overall, I think it would be beneficial to buy them for her, especially since her feet seem to have stopped growing for the moment.

We've made a standing date with a few other families to get together a set night.  It's nice for the adults as well as the kids.  The kids get to play with each other and bowl when they remember it's their turn.  Us adults get to watch the kids and talk.  That's right, actual adult conversation.  And it doesn't revolve around just work or kids, we can talk about lots more things.  The bowling alley is loud enough that most other people can't hear us.  And the managers are pretty smart.  They keep us all together at one end of the alley away from the other bowlers.  We bought the family pass so up to 4 adults can bowl for free as well as the kids.  Our bowling alley never checks the names of the bowlers, so we could have others bowl who aren't listed on the coupon.  So far that hasn't happened, as most of the regular adult bowlers can make it.

If you haven't signed up yet, there's still time.  Check it out here.

More Free Summer Fun

I'm one of those parents who likes to keep their kid occupied and active during the summer.  I also don't want to pay for a lot of activities if i don't have to.  What can I say?  I'm frugal.  That just sounds so much better then cheap, don't you think?  But realistically, there's lots of things out there to do that cost little to no money.  Don't get me wrong, we do some things that require payments, like ballet and possibly gymnastics.

I've already told you about the free summer bowling. Our area is close enough we can go to the beach, another great free activity.  We don't have a pool, but several friends live in apartments and have offered unlimited access to their community pools.  And one of my favorite places for free summer fun: the library.

Every library system is different, of course.  Google your local library system and start checking it out.  Ours offers Kids Crafts Saturdays.  The brilliant thing is that it rotates each week.  One branch has it this week, then a different branch next week.  We can do different crafts at different branches every week.  In two weeks they'll kick off their summer reading program.  The kick off is always great.  There's crafts, games, and lots of free stuff.  Area restaurants and businesses get involved.  Last year we got coupons for free miniature golf, free AAA baseball tickets, free kids meal at Applebee's, and lots of other things.  During the course of the reading program there will be other activities as well.  Then, at the end of the summer the grand finale will be a blast.  They'll open up one of the museums for free entry and have stations set up for kids to do things all over the museum.  Aside from all of that, you'll still get the regular great benefit of the library: you'll get new books to read all summer long. What could be better?

Kids Bowl Free

Nope, not a trick.  Click here to find a bowling alley in your area.  Of course there are restrictions.  My local alley only offers it on weekdays before 8 PM.  Each child can bowl 2 free games each day.  Also, there is an option for parents to sign up for their own bowling.  For $24.95 parents can sign up for 2 games each day as well.  I definitely encourage everyone to sign up, at least for the free kids bowling.  Nothing like cheap summer fun!