Michigan State game day!

Owen has mentioned more than once he’d like to attend MSU and today he said he really liked it (but to be fair, it’s the first real campus he’s been on and he didn’t see much of it). I then asked if he wanted a pic on the campus of his future alma mater…and he obliged. Unbelievably it’s just 3.5 years away.

We got free tickets from Vettix and Grannie went with us!

We got some souvenirs—and Tom got a Sparty Party beer!

We had a cool view.

Right in front of the scoreboard!

This cute little one was in front of us!

Unfortunately they didn’t play too well and lost so that was a bummer. But we still had a good time!

And on the way back to the hotel, we took a mini detour and drove by the capitol.

Spring Break Day 6: State Parks

We were up early to start the day at Weeki Wachee State Park — we were planning on hitting the waterpark and the live mermaid show (which they are famous for). But unfortunately, Linda and I BOTH read the information completely wrong in the exact same way…so the actual waterpark (slides, lazy river, etc.) wasn’t open. There were some birds wandering around but other than that it was pretty dead.

We did stay for the mermaid show and though it was neat it wasn’t super exciting. I guess it’s a cool “Hey we did that” time!

So then Lin wanted to head to another park—Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. We stopped for lunch at a random pizza place I found on Yelp and had to laugh when it was right next to a Marine Corps recruiting office!

I can honestly say I’ve never seen this sign before:

Then we stopped for ice cream on our way home…because how could you NOT stop at this huge ice cream cone?!

And then it was time to go home…which the kids were excited about because Grannie said we could go to the pool and promised Owen he could drive!

It was pretty dead when we got there around 6. I actually went in the pool and underwater with Katie! She was impressed I could do a front and back somersault — and she finally did a back one on her own. When Owen and Grannie came back about an hour later, the pool was empty except for my two.

Sidenote: The yacht-rock-esque station is playing Soldier of Love by Donny Osmond. It’s from 1989. GET OFF MY LAWN.

Then Katie and I sat on the back of the golf cart for our final ride…and had some fun as we rode over some bumps and Owen took some corners a little crazy.

Spring Break Day 5: Manatees!

Linda surprised us and told us she wanted to take us swimming with the manatees! So, being in a wetsuit was a first for me and the kids!

Unfortunately, this time of year is the end of the season — most manatees have already begun the trek to warmer waters — so we actually had to hunt for them a bit. We eventually found this mom and baby and followed them, hoping they’d go into calmer waters…which they did, but they didn’t really go to a place we could easily get to them.

We did eventually get into the water but it was hard to see much since the water was so cloudy. That said, at one point, a manatee swam directly under me! Like inches below me!

The guide was taking photos for us so that was nice not to have to worry about…but the manatees weren’t very calm today so we didn’t get pics of us with them underwater. This is about the best we got of us in the same photo:

The kids loved the guide’s description of them as “2000 pound sea potatoes!”

We definitely wanted a selfie with our guides!
I wrote them a review on the car ride home!

Back home, we completed the beach glass puzzle with one day to spare!

Owen was serenading us with his snoring.

Spring Break Day 3

We started the day with a delicious breakfast at The Flying Biscuit and then did some souvenir shopping.

On the way home we stopped at a farmer’s market to get some Honey Bell oranges (omggggggg they were super juicy and delicious) and couldn’t resist taking a pic of this gigantic carrot!

Then we went home and went to the pool again for a bit.

It was nicer outside than in so I did my reading thang on the porch (yes, with sunglasses and reading glasses).

Grannie and the kids went to the village square to listen to the live music while I stayed home and worked!

Spring Break Day 2

Grannie surprised the kids with a longer golf cart drive…for Johnny Rockets for brunch — somewhere we ate on the cruise! They loved it! Grannie and I enjoyed adult shakes.

Then we walked around a little, Katie named two turtles in the bay, we got some souvenirs, and then went to another pool.

I had this exchange with the waitress:

Waitress: So that's a strawberry daiquiri. 

Me: Margarita.

Waitress: Yes, daiquiri.

Me: Not daiquiri, margarita.

Waitress: Yes I know what you mean.

Aaaand it tasted like a daiquiri to me! (Not bad but…not a margarita!)

Riding home, Katie was a little hot and grouchy.

Back to the pool after dinner…

Unfortunately someone got a little too much sun…

Soooo happy to be able to wash my face tonight!

Spring Break Day 1

Welcome to creepy crawlies!

First practice session driving the golf cart! Grannie is brave!!!

Driving all of us to the pool!

My view today from the shade of a cabana at one of the “executive” pools.

Katie: I haven’t put sunscreen on in a long time. This feels weird to be doing it in March.

The whole pool area!

The kids immediately disappeared in the pool. Grannie was in the sun. The music was great. I read my Kindle and hit the adults-only hot tub — then ordered a frozen margarita!

Of course I was 100% in my element—so the kids didn’t want to stay too long. (I thought we’d be there all day like we are when we go to our pool…but we were only there like 1.5 hours!)

It was hard, but we did it.

It was a loooong and emotional day to be sure…but it was good. It was healthy. We grieved. We celebrated. We were extremely proud of Owen as he read one of my dad’s poems at the service. We visited with family. We heard some good stories. We got hugs. We ate cookies (y’all know my dad was a cookie fiend!). And we laughed.

And then my stepmom and I had a Thimbleberry margarita after everyone left.

And then the kids went kayaking and I took photos and just enjoyed the perfect weather sitting on the dock with my feet in the water.

It was hard, but we did it.

All the feelings tonight.

It’s really strange being here at my dad and Lin’s house…and he’s not here. I keep expecting to see him shuffling in to say good morning, coming to the table for lunch, grabbing a Coke from the fridge, sitting in his rocker, sneaking some cookies, or giving him a kiss goodnight.

But at the same time — and of course something I feel immensely guilty about — is that it’s almost… easier? less stressful? a sense of relief? because there was so much involved in his daily care and dealing with his anxiety.

I’ve pretty much been avoiding any serious grieving before now because we only really saw him 2-3x a year so it was mostly “out of sight out of mind” (as crass as that may sound). But being here…and the memorial service is later this morning…well, I predict I will be a hot freaking mess. Just writing this is hard.

I don’t want to adult today.

Four years ago, August 11, 2018.

And we’re off to the UP!

It’s time to pick up the kids from grandparent camp!

First, my traveling face. LOL

We had to drop Olive off at the sitter’s (we’ll take her next year once she’s more potty trained). She loves car rides!

Stopping for lunch at a gas station! They opened the side of the RV and we had a quick non-fast-food lunch!

The last 15 miles looks like this.

We’ve arrived!

And Lin had bought Thimbleberry margaritas so that happened first thing!

Grandparent Camp 2022

All photos and captions are from Gramma Jean!

Down at City Park in the river. It was COLD!
Looking for petoskey stones.
Goggles helped find them!
Swimming at Higgins Lake North State Park.
First ones there and last ones to leave! Five hours.
Owen now knows how to ride and mow the lawn!
Painting rocks on a rainy day!
A little laundry to do on their last day.
Our pit stop at the Big Mac.
Now it’s Granny Lin’s turn!