First Day of School & Summer Blahs

This is the time of year that I hate Florida. I debated "hate" because it is a strong word, but by mid-August, I think it is accurately describes my feelings. This is my 5th August here and I can now see the cyclical pattern. I love Florida in February. I like Florida from about November-May. I tolerate June and July and then I hate it beginning in August. The heat becomes unbearable and the holiday season is too far away. The kids are back in school and the work/school/activities are tiring. It is my least-favorite time of year.

This year has been especially depressing. Thomas and I had an anniversary cruise planned and we also had a family Thanksgiving cruise on our agenda. Both cruises had fun itineraries and we were excited. However, when final payment was due, I just couldn't bring myself to pay for the Thanksgiving cruise. It felt like too much money and I didn't feel like we should go. Thomas agreed. The kids were very disappointed, but they understood and we sold them on a Thanksgiving at home. And, after canceling the family cruise, Thomas and I didn't feel great about going on the anniversary cruise. Child care was problematic and it felt mean to cancel the family vacation but keep the adult only one. So, we canceled that too. The kids told us we should still go, but again, it just didn't feel right. Maybe the next time we hit 20 years we can do something fun <sigh>. I know that canceling was the right decision, but it definitely didn't help my mid-year-crappy-mood-slump. 

The kids are back to school. It is hard to believe that 3 of them are now in high school! We had some issues with Kara's schedule, they took her out of an academically advanced class and put her in child development. They said they had to "balance" the electives. Fortunately, we were able to get it fixed. The high school has 4600 hundred students this year and it is a mess. They have 60+ portables and the kids said at times it is difficult to even walk to their classes. And, they still only have two lunches, leaving kids to sit on the ground. The new relief school opens next year, so they just have to make it through this year. We did have a small victory with the buses. They were scheduled for the first run in the morning and the second run in the afternoon again. I engaged in another e-mail writing campaign (getting people on the phone was impossible) and they ended up reevaluating the bus routes and changing many so that the same kids aren't arriving early and staying late. I like to think that my efforts had something to do with the change, but who knows? I could definitely write an entire blog devoted to that topic, but I will leave it there and post first day pictures:

Still dark out. The plan was to do more photos after school with all 4 kids, but Jack had band practice and Luke had baseball and we never got it done.

Meanwhile, Luke is in 4th grade. He really likes his teacher and I think his year is off to a good start.

In other news, remember how we got Anna a new figure skating coach? Well, the ice rink fired her. They didn't tell her why, just that they were terminating the contractual relationship. Her coaching privileges were immediately suspended. She had only been Anna's coach for about a month, so I didn't feel a tremendous loyalty, but we did really like her. So, we said we would try and follow wherever she landed. I assumed it would be the other Orlando-area ice rink. But, nope. Somehow, we are making a trek to the Lakeland Ice Arena now. I used to complain about the 30ish minutes to the Kissimmee rink. Ha! Those were the days! We may have not followed, except Anna had signed up for a competition literally the day before the coach was fired. We told Anna we would make the Lakeland drive until after the competition (in October) and then reevaluate. 

Saturday was our first trip down. We had to be there at 6am which meant leaving at 445. In positive news, the drive down was super easy. The rink had an issue with the ice, so the schedule got messed up and they ended up doing a lot of off-ice training. While we waited for the ice to open, I met Marta for breakfast. It had been a while since we had caught up with just the two of us, so that was nice. Then, she came back to the rink and watched Anna skate. I would have seen my dad too, but he is having some health issues, so he asked me to give it another week. And, my sister was moving Amanda into college. I am hoping to work in lots of visits during my Saturday mornings in Polk County. Thomas is ready to trade-off the driving with me, but since I want to see my family, and with baseball tournaments starting soon, it makes sense for me to take care of the skating duties.

Screenshot showing off her new spinner from the jumps and spins off-ice class.

The drive home took about 90 minutes. Marta and Frank had planned on coming for dinner, but Jack wasn't feeling well that morning, so we postponed. I had bought a ham, so we had that. Jack was feeling better and wanted us to dress up and eat in the dining room. So, we did. It was pretty fun. We had a leisurely dinner and good conversation.

Being silly :)

Sunday morning, Thomas, Luke and I went to Volcano Bay while the teens slept in. We had a great time. 

That concludes the first full week back to school. Both of Luke's baseball practices were canceled due to the weather. Luke didn't mind, his interest seems to be waning. Band practices are back in full swing. And, to finish, two more random pictures:

Luke had to make a hat for a mad-hatter tea party. He added some mardi gras beads and called it good.

Jack's current "for fun" book. He is on page 929.

Summer Winding Down

Sunday, July 23 was Thomas' birthday. We went to the outlets and Thomas got a Purple pillow. Jack and Luke got sneakers and everyone got some clothes at Old Navy (we had an expiring coupon). Then, we went to Taco Bell for lunch (Thomas' choice). I can't recall what we did the rest of the day, it was whatever Thomas wanted. I do recall that we had homemade tacos for dinner. A double-taco day! And, while we are talking about Thomas, I think I mentioned that he set a goal to run 500 miles this year? Well, for July, he set a goal for 100 miles. And, he finished on July 30th. He was around 430 for the year at the end of the month. We are very proud of him :)

Birthday Boy!

On our Friday off, Thomas and I took Luke and Anna to Volcano Bay. We got there for early park admission and got so much done in the first few hours. Then it started to get crowded, so we left at lunch. It was super fun. I wasn't planning on renewing for Volcano Bay, but maybe I will, at least for those of us that like it.

Saturday,  I took Luke to baseball practice for his new team--The Vipers. It is largely made up of the Leones. Two of the three coaches banded together to form the new team and most of the same players joined. While at practice Luke got bit by something that caused big welts on his hand and arm. I thought it was just a bad reaction to a mosquito bite, and maybe it was, but his hand stayed swollen for several days. (After about 36 hours, we did a telehealth appointment to make sure it wasn't anything we needed to be concerned about and they said it was just a localized reaction.) Meanwhile, Thomas took Kara to Return of the Pride for the high school. She got her schedule and then got out of there.

That night, Thomas and I went to my final birthday request--dinner at the Titanic Museum. The Tilleys joined us, but we didn't prearrange to be at the same table and they couldn't (wouldn't) accommodate the request. Thomas and I arrived early and went through the museum. They had more actual artifacts but it wasn't as big as the one in Pigeon Forge. Dinner was fun. They did a good job of paying homage to the Titanic while still being entertaining. They had 5 characters representing people on the Titanic, including Molly Brown, Ms. Gibson (a famous silent film star who survived the sinking), the ship's designer, the captain and a maid who straddled both time zones (the others only "lived" in 1912). The food was just okay, but we enjoyed the evening. At the end of the experience, they had the passengers separate into gender and moved us to the "deck of the Titanic". It was solemn and sad. I can only imagine the confusion and terror those people felt that night.

Selfie in front of the recreation of a fancy suite.

Touching an actual piece of the Titanic

On Sunday, we went to a Tigers game and did the 34-Club. We had a really good time. It was a fun weekend!

Jack had band camp on Monday and Tuesday. He liked it much better this year. The show is Lord of the Rings themed. He and Anna got their schedules. Neither has as many classes with friends as they would like (according to Anna, she doesn't have any!). They do have AP World History together. The last class they had together was also history in 8th grade. The school is about 40% over capacity. They have 60 portables and I don't know how they are going to get everyone through lunch. I am also mad about the bus situation. They are doing two runs again. And, my kids are still on the first run in the morning and the second run in the afternoon. At the start of the summer, I contacted the transportation office and asked them to please not penalize the same kids twice again. They said they had more data to make better routes and would take parent feedback into consideration. So, I had hoped for a change. Nope! There is a bus in the gated part of our neighborhood who is on the second run in the morning and first run in the afternoon, so I know it isn't solely based on location. I am seriously very frustrated. The bus will pick them up  at 6:13, so they can sit around at school for an hour in the mornings. Then, they will sit around after school for 45 minutes. I wish we could drive them, but a) traffic (remember, 4600+ students) and b) I have a job. 

I think that is all the news for now. One final picture. Anna found a recipe for copycat Chick-Fil-A nuggets. It came out pretty good.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Friday was my birthday. I had to work, but I worked from home and Fridays are generally slow and a shorter day, so it wasn't bad. I started my day with exercise and a healthy breakfast shake (made my Thomas of course). Hopefully, that means getting the year off to a positive start. Each of the kids came downstairs and immediately wished me happy birthday. Except Luke, who came downstairs and said, "Happy Friday!" while giving me a mischievous grin. He asked me if I thought he forgot, then, he wished me a happy birthday too. 

After work, we started on one of my requests--two days of games. I laid out eight games I wanted to play and we got started. First, was Just One. Then, we played an old favorite Scattergories. We have had that game a long time, in fact, it predates the kids. It is fun to go through the box and see the old lists written by family and friends. Some of them I don't recognize and I wish we had people write their names on their papers. Regardless, it was nice to add to the collection.

Then, we went to Culver's for dinner. Following Culver's we had my very delicious, made from scratch by Kara, chocolate birthday cake. 

Then, presents! I know that I am difficult to shop for, I don't try to be, but I can never think of anything I want. I don't collect anything, I don't like clutter and I have everything I need. As my family well knows, my preference is always to spend money on vacations and experiences rather than things. So, I don't make it easy for them. But, they still managed to exceed expectations. Luke made me Mickey and Minnie Mouse out of beads; Jack gave me a coupon for 50 days of assistance in the kitchen, along with a very sweet note; Anna gave a fun watch band,

About a week before my birthday, Kara was asking what I wanted and I told her I wanted one of her famous home-made gifts. She has always made us very creative things, but she told me her crafting days were over. So, I was really glad that she hasn't lost her touch. She is way more creative than I have ever been. My mom was very creative and Kara is named after her, so I like to think she inherited the gene. She said this was the last time. I really hope not!

Thomas and I are going to a dinner at the Titanic Museum next week and he also got me a gift that is coming in the mail today (always fun when a birthday can extend over multiple days!). And, he has been celebrating my birthday all week--we went out to lunch at my chosen restaurants, he cooked dinners, and basically just catered to whatever I wanted all week. I was definitely well-celebrated!

After dinner, Anna and I went for a walk and then we all played game #3, Clue. And, in what can only be described as a birthday miracle--I won! The kids have demanded a rematch.

Anna and Kara liked posing the pieces.

It was one of my favorite birthdays! I really appreciated my gifts and Thomas and the kids were so kind and thoughtful all day. I felt loved and appreciated and special. There were lots of hugs and no one complained when they saw all the games I had planned for them. I also had calls, texts, emails, Facebook messages, etc., from friends and family, which was nice. When we went to bed, I told Thomas that I wished every day could be my birthday :)

So, happy birthday to me! Today, the boys have basketball and we will play more games. Then, tomorrow we get to celebrate Thomas. July is an amazing month!

Last bonus pictures, the girls both did Instagram "stories":

Anna's First Competition & Visitors

Anna competed in her first ice-skating competition on Thursday. It was a bit of a roller-coaster. We really like her coach, but also really like her learn-to-skate instructor. Her instructor is a bit tougher on Anna and more hands-on with showing moves; we asked her to do a couple of lessons with Anna before the competition. And, she was concerned about the category Anna was registered in. She called Anna's coach and we got her category switched. But, it meant we had to go on Thursday morning instead of Saturday. This was on Monday. Thomas was participating in a hearing that he could not reschedule. So, it was me and Anna. Jack thought about going, but when he heard we were leaving at 6am, he decided to watch the live-stream. Kara was planning on it, but her alarm didn't go off and we didn't wake her up. She had been out late the night before (more on that later) so we thought she had changed her mind about going. She was very upset and called us at 6:30am asking why we left without her.

Anyway, the competition was in Clearwater, about 2 hours away. We left at 6 and got there around 8:15. They had groups A and B for the categories and Anna was in High Beginners, Group B. We watched some of Group A and some of the Beginners. They all looked amazing! The beginners were way more advanced than I expected. Anna's group went at 9:30. The rest of the family was able to watch the live-stream. Anna worked hard on her routine, but came in 7th out of 7. She was disappointed that her score wasn't higher. But, she enjoyed the experience.

We left Clearwater around 1045 and I realized we would be passing through Lakeland at lunchtime. I hadn't made any plans with my dad because I had no idea how long the competition would take or how long Anna would want to stay and watch. But, it was perfect timing and I called to see if he wanted to have lunch. He invited us to join him in his community's dining room. My sister was also joining him, and it was great to be able to see both of them. We had a good visit and Anna was impressed with my dad's lunch friends. They are a really fun group and we enjoyed their banter and chitchat. We got home around 3:30. That night, Thomas took everyone to Chick-Fil-A to celebrate Anna's first competition. I wasn't feeling well (not sure why, but I was really dizzy) so I stayed home.

It had been a long, busy week. Kara's Maryland BFF, Ashley was in Orlando for a dance competition and invited Kara to spend time with her. On Monday, we dropped her off early for Magic Kingdom. Anna and I met them after work and we didn't get home until 10:40. Tuesday, we did the same thing with Islands of Adventure, except I also had to leave work early for a last-minute ice-skating lesson. So, it was work, then skating, then straight to Universal. Wednesday, I went into the office, Kara went to the dance competition, and Thomas took Anna skating. Kara didn't get home until 11:30 (after the competition, they went to City Walk, which is why we thought she wasn't going with us Thursday). Thursday, we got up around 5 for Anna's competition. So, I was really looking forward to sleeping in on Friday morning. Then, at 4:50, an electric toothbrush in our bathroom randomly started buzzing, waking both Thomas and I up and I never fell back asleep! Ugh, maybe tonight is the night I can get a full 8 hours (I'd settle for 6 at this point!). Anyway, Thomas and I were both still working all week, with a 6 start time, so it was a crazy, crazy week and I am glad it is over!

We stopped at the gas station right outside Magic Kingdom and had a good fireworks view.

It was nice to spend time with Ashely, Lori (Ashley's mom), and Tyler (her brother). Ashley and Kara were in the same class all 5 years together in Maryland, and it was great to see them together again.

I think this was first grade.

Now

In other news, Luke went to YMCA camp this week and was awarded Camper of the Week! Today, we went to Animal Kingdom, but it was really hot and crowded and we didn't last long.

Photo summary of a few other recent happenings:

We went to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios on June 30th. 

We had the Mottas over to celebrate Amanda's graduation from high school.

Luke was tired one afternoon and decided he needed to float.

Some Independence Day sparkler fun.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a Long-Ago Memory

Thomas and I often remark on how odd it is that people who talk with British accents sound American when singing. He showed me a clip of Elton John talking and then singing and I told him about an old association I have with one of his songs. I thought I would memorialize the memory. So, welcome to this weird post.

When I was about 6 years old, my family moved from Utah to Massachusetts. We were from MA, but had lived in Utah for two wonderful years. My parents were teachers and taught at the school on a military base. The base did weapons testing and was very small and very isolated. That is where I went to Kindergarten. When we moved, it was to the very large (to me) town of Taunton. We lived in an apartment there for several months. Due to overcrowding, my brother Kevin, who is only 18 months older than me, and I were sent to two different schools. We got there in the middle of the school year and I felt lonely and scared, going to a giant school all by myself. I hated it.

There is a song that brings back the vivid emotions I experienced while living in Taunton. It is "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John. That song was released in 1973; I was in first grade in 1983, so I am not sure why it was playing on the radio, but I can remember hearing that song playing in our kitchen as I was getting ready to go to school and feeling a giant pit in my stomach. Today, whenever I hear that song, I still feel slightly sick. There is another song called, "The Song Remembers When" that captures the sentiment of how a song can take you back to a very specific memory and for me, it is Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. There are other songs associated with better memories, like "Before He Cheats" being played when Luke was born, which makes me laugh because it is the opposite of sweet and sentimental and what you would want to associate with giving birth. But, the most vivid, even after almost 40 years, is "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." I don't hear it very often, but when I do, I am transported back to the feelings of helplessness I experienced as a sad six year old, standing in her kitchen and feeling completely despondent at the thought of going to school.

I don't think we lived in Taunton very long, but my memories of that time are sad. There was a day when I was sitting by myself in the giant lunch room and I just started crying. A teacher came and asked if I was sick and I nodded. She brought me to the nurse, who called my dad. My dad immediately came and picked me up. He could tell right away that I was not sick, but he was sympathetic and took me home for the day, stopping for ice cream on the way. As an adult, I am sure now that the feelings came from moving from a very small, very secure environment to a large town full of uncertainties. I also remember my parents fighting a lot during that time (my mom didn't want to move) and I am sure that contributed. No one was mean to me, I just felt alone. Poor little Kori.

We eventually moved to a house near my grandmother in Dartmouth, MA. I went to a normal-sized school that my brother also attended. We lived next to a giant forest where Kevin and I would spend many unsupervised hours getting lost, wandering streams and climbing trees (the 80s truly were a great time to be a child). 

Father's Day Weekend and More Summer

Father's Day weekend was great! Thomas and I had a 4-day weekend and we made good use of the time off. Thursday after work we went to Universal. We attempted to do all the water rides, but learned that Bluto's Barges closed an hour before the rest of the park. So, we only did 2/3 water rides (and, lots of others). 

Friday, we took the girls to Epcot. We rode all our old favorites--Soarin', Test Track, Living with the Land, and Spaceship Earth. We had an amazing lunch at Connections, which is new since our last visit and were happy to see that the coke tasting area was back. Beverly is still completely awful. And, we got to ride Guardians of the Galaxy! After our first ride, I thought it would be one of my favorites, but I felt like we needed another ride to be sure. Fortunately, it was as amazing as I remembered. We all rank it among our favorite rides. 

You can't see it, but there were some cute topiary's behind them. I thought I got them in the picture, but nope.

Thomas got a cool shirt that features the Epcot ships, including the Guardians of the Galaxy one in this picture.

We attempted to take the SkyLiner to Hollywood Studios, but it started lightening just as we got there. They shut down both the Skyliner and the boats. So, we walked back to our car and drove. It was really crowded. I don't like the new Genie+ system. I feel like we are spoiled at Universal, where our passes let us use the express lane after 4 once per ride. Anyway, the lines were super long and we only did a couple of things.  The number of lightening lane guests they let in versus regular line is crazy and frustrating (I counted on the Tower of Terror and it was literally about 10:1). We had a meh dinner and then rode the Skyliner to Epcot and back, just for fun. We got home around 9pm. It was a long, fun day.

Saturday, we went to the library. Then, we had the boys' basketball games. Luke's started late, so I missed Jack's, but Thomas said it was one of his best games. Luke also played really well. 

Sunday, Thomas, the girls and I went shopping. I got some clothes and new shoes. Kara got some things as well, but Anna walked away empty-handed. Thomas got the sneakers he's been wanting; he said it is like running on a marshmallow. Speaking of which, Thomas is still running almost every day. He does shorter runs so he can run more often. He also does weight workouts every other day. That coupled with his no added sugar diet (which he has done now for a year and half) has put him in amazing shape. I really should be following his example. 

That night, we went back to Universal. This time everyone went. Thomas was in charge, so we ate at his favorite restaurant (Terrace Falls, although some of the kids got food at another restaurant and brought it to Terrace Falls) and rode his favorite rides. We attempted water rides again and rode Bluto first, but then Dudley broke down and it was getting late, so we missed Jurassic Park River Adventure because we wanted to make sure we got in line for Hagrid's before it closed. One of these days we will get all 3 water rides! At Hagrid's the wait was posted at 95, but the line didn't seem that long. But, then the ride broke down and we did end up waiting the 95 minutes. We were all super tired. But, it was fun to walk out through the empty park.

Auntie Anne's pretzel break. Just a man and his 4 kids on Father's Day.

Monday, Luke had his first day of baseball camp. Thomas, Kara and I dropped him off then went to Target. Anna was in an online career camp, which runs from the 17th-27th. I bought Luke a bike that afternoon and we went to Culver's for dinner. Then, I took the girls to Walmart. Now that she is in high school, Kara is allowed to wear makeup so she wanted to stock up.

Luke and his friend Adrian. It was super cute, they coordinated their uniforms the rest of the week (they played together on the Leones and two Little League teams, so they had a few to choose from).

And that, was our amazing four-day weekend! It was super hard to return to work on Tuesday. But, the week went okay. Thomas went to the walk-in orthopedic clinic on Wednesday. His arm has been hurting for months. He was diagnosed with bone spurs in the elbow (nothing they can do for that) and inflammation in the forearm. They said it was good he came in because his tendon could have ruptured. They gave him a cortisone shot and told him to ice it every hour for 48 hours! So, he took the next couple of days off to give it some good attention.

And, a bonus picture of Luke living his best life. He was eating M&Ms and reading a book while he relaxed on the couch. I was kind of jealous :)

2018 Flashback: Cooperstown

I was looking at my 2018 blog to reread about my favorite vacation--our trip to New England and imagine my surprise when there was nothing written about the last few days. I don't know if it somehow got erased, or Kara's appendicitis happened and I forgot to finish the trip. But, I have to memorialize it somehow. Obviously, this post is written almost 5 years later, so my memory is not fresh, but using what I do recall along with pictures will have to suffice.

Okay, so we left our Massachusetts rental house and drove to Six Flags New England. We had a really fun visit, but the lines were kind of long and we weren't able to do everything we wanted to, particularly the Superman rollercoaster. We promised we would return (spoiler alert--we haven't) and do it one day. Unfortunately, I do not have many pictures of the day. But, I do know we had a lot of fun and enjoyed the park.

I took three pictures that day. Apparently, this ice cream cone was worthy of one. It must have been amazing!

And, two of this amazing carousel. One of the oldest in the country.

I have no idea where we stayed that night, but the next day (Sept 1) we went to Thomas' most anticipated stop--Cooperstown! It was the perfect year for us to visit because Alan Trammell, Thomas' favorite player of all time, was inducted right before our trip. And, of the 6 players inducted that year, two were Tigers. We enjoyed looking around the museum and being in Cooperstown. I know everyone got a souvenir in the gift shop and we had lunch at a Cooperstown restaurant. I also remember the town was much smaller and quainter than I expected. And, I know Thomas loved it!

Lots of cool Tigers memorabilia.

The newest member of the elite HOF.

Thomas with Trammell's plaque

From there we went to a really cool barn store with lots of amazing foods. A Google Search has provided the name--Apple Creek Cider Mill. It was huge, a destination in and of itself, and everyone (I think?) got a treat. I can't imagine we stopped a cider mill and did not get cider?

Then, we drove home. The drive was only 6.5 hours, so we probably drove straight through? In fact, I am almost positive that is what we did. I do remember it was a much easier drive home then there (no NYC to traverse).

Okay, this blog is pretty weak. Sorry! But, slightly better than nothing. Maybe. It was an amazing trip.

 To recap my favorite vacation ever:

Day 1: Six Flags Great Adventure
Day 2: Boston Freedom Trail
Day 3: Aunt Pat and New Hampshire
Day 4: Battleship Cove
Day 5: Edaville Railroad
Day 6: Horseneck Beach, Mom's Grave, Handy Hill Ice Cream, Fenway Park
Day 7: Newport Mansions
Day 8: Six Flags New England
Day 9: Cooperstown & Cider Mill

See August 2018 blog for more details ;)