Final Days of Summer Break

We always try to make the last week of summer break as fun as we can. Before I went back to work, I would let the kids pick one final activity and we would spend the week fulfilling their wishes. They were small and easy to please, so it was generally trips to the library or out for ice cream. We would also usually take one final weekend away. When we were in Maryland, we would go to Philadelphia or Williamsburg. Our first year here we went to Atlanta. The last two summers were plagued by travel restrictions, so we didn't go anywhere in 2020 or 2021. This year, we contemplated another trip to Atlanta, but we have so much travel booked, that it didn't feel prudent to spend the time or money on a weekend away. However, we did try and fill the week with as much fun as we could while Thomas and I still worked.

Monday afternoon, we went to Universal. It was nice to focus on one park and we had a good visit. Tuesday, we went to Islands of Adventure. We had dinner at someplace new (Blimpie's) and rode several rides. The wait for Velocicoaster was reasonable at 50 minutes, so we got in line. About 25 minutes in, they started making announcements that the weather may cause the ride to temporarily close. We checked the radar and thought we could beat the storm. And, we did. But, just barely! We were the second to last group to make it on. Literally, 90 seconds later and we would have missed the ride. We decided to leave after that, although I wanted to try and wait out the storm, but was out-voted. That ended up being the right call, because the outdoor rides never reopened. 

Wednesday we went out for ice cream. Thursday was Kara's back to school night. I took her and we met all her teachers. Friday, Luke and Anna went to Marta's to spend the night. Luke has been wanting to spend a night there all summer. We don't let our kids do sleepovers with friends, so he was very excited about this. Marta picked them up around 10. Originally, it was just going to be Luke, but he was a little nervous, so Anna went along. And, they had the best time! They went to the Minions movie and had pizza for dinner. On Saturday morning, they had pancakes and bacon and then I dropped off the other kids for bowling. It was rock-n-bowl and they loved it. Meanwhile, I went to lunch with my sister. After bowling, they went to Pelican's for ice cream and then we met back at Marta's house. We swam and chatted and had a delicious dinner.

Wednesday ice cream

Bowling with Marta, Elizabeth and Travis

Sunday, we visited my dad and then went to a Flying Tigers game. We did the Sunday brunch and enjoyed the meal and the baseball. Luke got two balls, which he used to practice with that night. Thomas took him to the park and they played for almost two hours! I think that made up for the Saturday practice he missed.

Monday, Thomas and I took off work early. We went shopping at Kohls and then took Luke to his meet the teacher. She seems very nice and has been teaching 3rd grade for 13 years. Then, we all went bowling. Bowling can be frustrating for me, because I used to be really good at it. Now, I am pretty bad. The first game I didn't even break 100 (I got a 95)! But, I managed to not get grouchy about it, I was trying to be a good example to the kids. Overall, I would say the bowling and the attitudes were mediocre (except Thomas--he was good with both). Jack was super sporadic, getting spares and then throwing gutter balls. Anna gave up and quit, then sat sulking for some unknown reason. Luke used the bumpers, so there wasn't much for him to be annoyed about, but he kept hoping for a strike. Kara didn't bowl the first game, but was a good sport the second game. We ended better than we started and I think everyone, except maybe Anna, had a good time. After bowling, we went out for ice cream. Everyone did definitely like that part. Except Thomas. Have I mentioned on here that he has not been eating added sugar? He started in January and it was going to be just until our cruise in March. But, he liked how he felt and has kept it going. It is very impressive!

Tuesday was our last day before school starts. Kara babysat. Thomas had to go into the office, so it was a quiet day. We did play Settlers of Catan (Me, Thomas, and the boys) and went to dinner at Dairy Queen (Luke's request). 

And that concludes summer break 2022.