Last Minute Vacay!

On Monday, as we were driving home from the city, Thomas remarked that it was getting close to the time we had gone to Florida last year. He had been reading up on the Spring Training games and was wishing we could go back. So, I asked the logical question, why can't we? Originally we couldn't go because I would be starting a new job around now. But, it is has been radio silence since the hiring freeze was announced. We started talking about schedules and when/if we could make it work. The only possible timing was if we left over the weekend. As in 4 or 5 days. To Florida. With 4 kids, one of whom is potty training. Seemed like a pretty crazy thing to try and do, but we were also excited by the idea. On Tuesday, Thomas checked in with work and was granted permission to take leave. He had just finished a week of depositions, so the timing was great. I called Marta to see if we could stay with her. She was happy to have us. Although, I felt pretty guilty since she just (as in 10ish days ago came to see us in Maryland on the premise that we wouldn't be down this year). Slowly, or quickly, depending on how you look at it, a plan was formed.

Our 3rd graders had papers with an oral report due on the 27th, so we made them finish ahead of time and deliver their reports on Thursday. They had to report on an African American they admire. Jack chose Jackie Robinson and Anna chose Shirley Chisholm. I had never heard of Shirley, but she was the first female African American to serve in Congress, she was an author and an educator and even ran for President! I also learned some interesting things about Jackie Robinson; he did a lot more than just break the color barrier in baseball. He spent his whole adult life fighting for equal rights, he was even discharged from the Army after one too many instances of working for equality, the tipping point being his refusal to sit in the back a on-post bus. Two remarkable Americans I was happy to learn more about. They had to dress the part, so Jack wore one of his baseball uniforms and Anna wore what we call "the lawyer dress" with a "pearl" necklace. Both felt it went well, and it was one less thing to worry about.

Apparently, if you are out for longer than 5 days, your school absence receives an additional level of scrutiny. We were pulling them out for 6. So, I had to send an e-mail to the Principal as to why I was doing this. But, I think seeing family is always a good reason, especially a father who is turning 75 in a few weeks (we are doing an early celebration while here). All the kids do well in school and we got some work to bring with us, so it was fine.

The driving down was not as fun as normal. We left just before 2AM, but none of the older kids fell back asleep. Luke dozed off and on throughout the day. The potty training part made it difficult. Four times, he cried because he needed to go potty. For two of them, we weren't anywhere near a place to stop. We gave him permission to use his pull-up, but he didn't want to and cried. Finally, he would hold our hand and go, but it was a tough situation. The bathrooms we encountered all, well, all except one, had automatic flush, which our kids have universally hated during the potty training phase. I need to remember to get post-its to cover those sensors. They always flush while he is sitting, which of course, completely disrupts his flow and freaks him out.

Driving through Florida was miserable. So much traffic from pretty much the time we entered the state. Orlando was especially bad, which I think is exacerbated by the fact that it is at the end of the drive. It took us 2 hours longer this trip than it did last time, due to more potty breaks and more traffic. But, we are here!

Tradition to have a picnic at the Welcome Center. I wanted the sign in the background, which means the people are in the shadows. Photography is not my forte.

We must do these signs everytime

But, this year, there was a new one too!

We drove straight to my dad's house yesterday and spent several hours with him before coming to Marta's to call it a night. Everyone else is still asleep, which is nice--they need it and it gives me time to do this blog uninterrupted. I am happy to be here and there was something fun about a spontaneous trip, but I definitely prefer planning. Primarily, because the people we want to see all have lives and plans that can't be changed at the last minute, just because someone decides to visit. Like today, my sister is in a mandatory training all day. That can't be helped. It also means that we didn't plan ahead to contact some close friends we would normally try and visit with. But, some time is better than no time and I am sure we will have a good visit.

Today, we are going to spend the day with Marta's family. Well, most of us are. Thomas and Kara have plans for a baseball game. I think the rest of us might go to the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa. Tomorrow, we are having the birthday dinner for my dad and I will see my sister's family and my brother (we may see them tonight too, stay tuned tomorrow to see how this all plays out).