Don't feed the monkeys!

     

Think ::

So hang in with me on this long story,  it has a clever idea at the end I promise. 

The past two summers we have hopped free military flights over to Europe.  A nice military benefit we get because of Major Mister Pink and his job in the  Army.  Being free made taking three little kids easier and two of them were even in diapers.

The first summer we got to the airport and were lucky to get to Germany, which was our plan.  Yet when we got to Germany we then decided to find our way to Italy, France and Austria and Switzerland.

Then last summer we planned a big trip all through Italy.  The girls watched movies about Italy and we did a ton of research.  When we got to the airport the flight we wanted was canceled so we hopped on the next one (a 5 minute decision) that was going to Spain. 
It was not till we were over the Atlantic  Ocean that we looked at a map to see where we were landing in Spain.  It was no where near where we thought.  So our Italy trip went fast out the window and we now were asking the other 10 people on the KC10 refueling Jet anything they knew about what to do in Spain. 

One of the pilots told us to go to the Rock of Gibraltar, but to watch out for the Monkeys.  We seriously thought he was kidding.
We spent 2 weeks in Spain, Portugal, Morocco and did find our way to the Rock of Gibraltar. 

We made it to Gibraltar and the rock looked just like I had imagined it from growing up seeing it on all the Prudential life insurance advertising.  (did you you know that was the rock?)

Anyway we drove on the island and then I started asking the locals what to do and what we should see.  A tour guide who was taking a break from his tour told us how to drive to the top of the rock.   He then said, "if you see any monkeys make sure you feed them"

So we then drove up to the top in a spiral like fashion on these small little roads.  We saw monkeys' everywhere, 2 yards  from our car. 
So Mister Pink told the girls to throw a pretzel out there.  (this was the monkey).  So they threw out their pretzel and in a flash of a second this is what happened.....

he jumped in the car! Of course I grab my camera first to take a photo.  (yep mom of the year - NOT)  After the photo he then jumped in on her head and was fully in our small Geo Metro.  We were all screaming like a family of monkeys.  Mister Pink was screaming like a little girl and this may have been the only time I have ever seen him freak out. The Monkeys were huge!  His teeth were shiny and sharp.  We finally got him to jump off of her head and then it jumped on the roof of the car.  Mister Pink was trying to drive fast, but remember we were on small one lane roads on top of a mountain.  The windows were all manual roll up windows and I could not reach over to roll it up.  We then thought the monkey was gone, but again it jumped back into the car.  Mister Pink finally hit it hard with his backpack and it jumped out of the car.  We stopped the car, rolled up all the windows and then sat there SCREAMING.  All of us.  I laugh at the computer as I type this.  We were in freak out mode for 5 minutes.  

It was for sure the highlight of our trip and we love to tell the story to anyone who will listen. 

The  year before our 2nd child was horned by a cow on the top of a mountain in Switzerland trying to take the bell of her neck - so who knows what will happen this year (yep we are going to try to go again at the end of August)

So here comes my clever idea.  Every year for the first day of school the girls bring in a book to give to the teacher.  We draw their hand and write a little story about what they did that summer.  We also put a photo of them. 

This year we bought one of those ginormous books at Costco.  good thing they had the 5 little monkeys, it was perfect.

 

We wrote the story about her experience with the monkey and a little note to the teacher.  They read it all year long in circle time.  ( i am sure that added more trauma to my little but makes for a great story)

Even though school is starting in about a month keep your eye out for a great book to bring to the teacher for the first day (it lasts a lot longer than i shiny red apple)

Have a great summer day

Pink ::

p.s. we later found out it is illegal to feed the monkeys and saw signs everywhere that you could be fined 500 pounds for doing so.  That tour guide must still be laughing at telling me "make sure you feed them!"

 

and the water was so clear and beautiful!!

Comments

[Tootie]

I'm still laughing at your story! That picture is priceless!! And I bet the teacher loved the book.

[Anjie]

I have a picture of Eric being attacked by a couple of huge monkeys on his back because he did NOT obey the rules of NOT feeding the monkeys in Gibraltar either. I took a few pics and even a video before I decided to help him... Coleman was screaming... It was hilarious!! Sometimes the "sickness" just comes out... pictures are priceless!! Yours is definitely a funny one too!! (O:

[Anne]

Oldest better be careful, looks like her number is up!

[Kerri]

That is the funnest story! I was laughing throughout! I don't know if it would have been quite as funny without the picture of your daughter freaking out. So good job Mom of the year...you have a great story! Love the blog(s).

[Annie]

LOL! I almost feel bad for laughing about the monkey in the car but it is such a funny story! I'd be screaming and laughing at the same time. Great pics. You will be Mom of the Year once they get to tell all their friends the story. Your daughter (the one a little scared in the pic) will love to tell the story her whole life!

[beckie]

Ok hands down, funniest story ever!!! Love the gift idea too!

[Barb]

That is a very clever idea with the book - especially if it ties in to something the child did over the summer. I wish I'd had my children after you did! I have maybe 2 years left in our family that this idea would even fly. I'll make the most of the next 2 years, I guess.

[Think]

Pink::

Tears running down my face I'm laughing so hard. Seriously can't picture Mr. Pink screaming like that. Oh my. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the book idea.

::Think

[michelle]

That is hilarious!! Great story. I bet every one of you will remember that forever.

I love your idea of giving a book to the teacher on the first day of school! Seriously, do you ever run out of ideas?

p.s. I had no idea that was the rock of Gibraltar.

[Laura]

I, too, had tears I was laughing so hard. It's stories like that that make such fun family memories. I'm already brainstorming books I could give to teachers on the first day. Great idea!

[melanie]

I have not laughed that hard in forever! Tears running down my face. Honestly the best family vacation story ever! I'm so glad you posted this.

Love the book idea too.

[Laurie]

This was hilarious. I really fear for poor Sally Jane. But seriously, a great story after you get over the trauma.

[eve]

We were just in Gibraltar a couple weeks ago and were fasinated with all the monkeys and how close you could get to them (that would never fly in the States).

As my husband went to pull the car over to where I was standing a monkey hyjacked the top of some guys' car. The guy still had family that needed to get in the car and so he rolled down the window to communicate with them. Before you knew what was happening, the monkey had jumped in his car and back out carrying a plastic bag of popcorn! Those monkeys know what's up!

That would FREAK me out if what happened to you happened to me. Scary.

[Liz Brown]

Oh poor Sally Jane! Does she laugh at this story now? Or is she still freaked out about it?

[Megan]

WOW! That's an amazing story. Thanks for sharing!

[Bobbi]

Omgosh! Poor baby! It's hilarious yet scary at the same time!

[tracey]

Wow!! Who knew!! Can't believe that guy told you to feed them! That is crazy. I would SO be freaking out!! Loved your description of your husbands reaction too :D

[Leash]

One of the funniest posts I've read in a long time!! My girls keep asking for "the monkey in the car" story! Thanks for a good laugh on a boring Monday!!

[Michie]

I love the book idea. (Of course I am a teacher and I love books, so maybe I'm biased.) My daughter is starting preschool this year, so this might be a good time to start such a fun tradition! I don't know that many teachers get a present on the first day of school! :)

[whittakerwoman@yahoo.com]

Oh my goodness! I came to your blog, because I was lookin at some back to school info. But this about made my day. Such a great memory for your family! H