Greg, the boys and I are heading south. To Florida, Daytona Beach to be exact and then a tour of the unhappiest place on Earth....Universal Studios. Florida in August. I know, I know.
Last December when my Dad offered me his timeshare points for a trip anywhere in the world, I pictured....well, Rome, the Scottish highlands, Bali, Peru....not me puce and screaming at the apex of the Terminator ride crying for my Mommy. However, we do all sorts of insane things for our children and barring our annual travels to the family cottage, our little family unit has never had a trip away together. Now, follow me here, my kids are 8 and 14 and I have to date not had to travel with them and their father anywhere farther than 4 hours from my front door. Truly and with great conviction, I could turn to the backseat at anytime and scream...."I WILL TURN THIS VAN AROUND!" Sure I took the boys to Alberta by myself in 2008 but I had no back-up (i.e. Greg) and therefore I was *very clear* about how that whole trip was going to roll down the behaviour tracks. :)
I am thinking that planning is the key here. We leave on Aug. 12th....I have planned for 2.5 days of driving so as to allow for side trips and the inevitable stops at strange roadside attractions that my Boy#2 can smell from 47 miles away (i.e. the World's Largest Potato that Looks Like Jesus). Although if we are going anywhere near Louisville, KY, I know where my hubs is gonna want to stop :)
I have been actively researching online for "things to do" and have found a lot of information on the web. I do know we are doing the following:
A) the Biggest Flea Market in America!! pity my van's shocks ;)
B) sea turtle conservation tour and volunteer night rescue
C) free chocolate factory tour (mmmmmmm......oops, sorry)
D) adjoining waterpark to our resort...one whole day will be sucked down into this hole.....trust me :(
E) largest National Reptile Expo in the US of A (hell.yeah.)
F) go-carts! c'mon everyone loves go-carts
G) oldest lighthouse in America tour (my attempt at educational)
We have the condo from August 14-21, we'll leave very early (in Dharma hours that is 9:00 a.m., in Greg hours that is 4:45 a.m.) and drive to Orlando where we are checking into the Universal Studio's hotel the Hard Rock. Just for being a guest, we get swipe cards that allow us to jump the lines and we get a sneak peek 1-hour prior to opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We are planning to be at Universal for 2 whole days soaking in the magic....and then we're off! Back northbound....
I really am very excited for the boys, this is a big (please God, let this be once in a lifetime) trip for our little family. Not that I don't LOVE my guys, I just hate theme parks, sleeping in other people's beds, waterparks, sand and highrises.... other than that I am sure I'll have a fantastic time! But it's all for these guys really isn't it? Oh, and no we're not bringing the damn dog. I draw the line.
I wish you luck! May you have a great time, return safely, and keep the majority of your sanity in tact.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun ! Everything on your list sounds somewhat educational ... just ask the boys if they know what elements are in water as you are walking into the water park ... ta da ! EDUCATIONAL !
ReplyDeleteBe sure to thank the Colonel for his tasty chick while you are visiting.
Girl, I can always count on you for a laugh. I know a lot of pressure isn't it?
ReplyDeleteOur babies are now 19, 23 and 25. I always tell Mike that I am his trophy wife and then I lie to everybody else and say the kids are his by his first marriage. Trouble is I think we were married before either of us was through puberty. Anyway, my point was we aren't taking that many family vacays these days but when we did or even now when we get together for the holidays in close quarters, then we know we have a four day shelf life. After that things get a bit testy verging on ugly.
Enjoy it. Put some good games on your phone, take a stack of magazines and books. I hope you can at least read in the car. I never could. Don't forget headphones. Actually, pack those first. You're going to need them. Think about splurging and getting everybody a pair.
Good looking guys. I'm with you. The dog stays. :)
XOXO,
P
Like my Gramma always used to say....."Guests are like fish, after three days no one likes the smell of them."
ReplyDeletenext year, ditch the boys and us girls will hang, someplace awesome too.. none of that terminator crap
ReplyDelete