In retrospect, this year’s spring break was generally poorly planned. We spent five of the last eight days in the car. Our day in NYC was kind of a bust. And today everyone was so worn out from all the traveling that we left Sea World after only half a day. I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I can’t even really salvage tomorrow because we have to go food shopping and do laundry, which will take up at least half the day. Oh well. I guess they can’t all be winners.
Tag: spring break
-
March 20
I was on the road and couldn’t fill out a bracket before the March Madness started, so I printed out paper ones for me and Billy before I looked at any scores. Billy had already seen some of the scores, so he got one freebie that I missed (really, High Point?), but otherwise we’re on even ground. I’m having fun looking up all the scores and marking up the brackets. I am a nerd. We were going to go to Sea World today, but Christina still isn’t feeling well. We did come to Orlando (which was a wall of traffic from start to finish, thank you, Florida), but I think we’re going to stay in. Hopefully Christina feels better tomorrow. If not, she’s going to have to find a bench to lie down on because we have to check out of the hotel at 11.
-
March 18
Pretty decent drive from NJ to VA today. There were a couple spots with traffic, but nothing more than a few minutes and otherwise traffic was very light. I hope tomorrow is just as easy, but I take nothing for granted. We got to the hotel pretty early, around 3:15. I spent some time telling ChatGPT how disappointed I was with it (for some reason this felt necessary), did some crossword puzzles. Then we went to the Subway at the gas station for dinner, bought some snacks, played some Uno, called Billy. Now I’ve showered, watching some basketball, and pretty soon I’ll be off to sleep. I’m hoping to get an early start tomorrow. Arriving early enough to have time to relax before crashing is nice. Fingers crossed for another easy day. We’ll see. I’m ready for anything. Kind of.
-
March 17
We had a nice day living the life at Aunt Cathrine and Uncle Bob’s senior living facility. It’s like living on a giant cruise ship. The place has everything imaginable. Today’s highlights included visiting the facility thrift shop, going to the pool, playing Uno, and having a fancy St. Patrick’s Day dinner in the dining room. They seem so absolutely happy here, and honestly, who could blame them? It has been so good to spend some time with them. I’m glad we made the trip.
-
March 16
We traipsed the town today. I learned a very important lesson, which is that ChatGPT is a terrible trip planner. Like, class-Z-minus terrible. Still, we managed to have a good day. Not hard to do because let’s face it. NYC. We had dinner with an old friend and was spotted at random by my old boss while we were eating. What a cool NYC moment. We did a lot. Black and white cookies at Zaro’s at Grand Central, Color Factory, Miniso, lunch and frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity, Chelsea Market, High Line, the Lego store, a stop at Starbucks during the worst of the torrential rain, dinner at Cowgirl, cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, and back to the Jerz. I am exhausted and wired all at once. And that is why I ❤ NY.
-
March 15
Made it to NJ in really great time. It’s so great to see Aunt Cathrine and Uncle Bob. We spent the afternoon and evening getting the grand tour and catching up on pretty much all the things. They seem so happy in their new place and I don’t blame them. This place is pretty awesome! They rented us the little guest apartment that is right next to theirs and it is really so very nice. I’m truly exhausted, though, and glad for some quiet time before going to bed. Tomorrow will be a long day – and hopefully not too wet. Please?
-
March 19
Yesterday was hands down one of the best days of my life. I told the girls we were going to a Yankees spring training game and got them up at 6am. They saw the signs for Magic Kingdom as we got closer, but assumed we were going past it. It wasn’t until we were at the gate paying for parking that Christina realized we were there. Robin was half asleep and didn’t react until we got to the monorail and then I could see the excitement in her face. The day only went uphill from there. I am so grateful to have had this experience with my two most favorite people, who appreciated every single detail from start to finish, didn’t fight at all, and just lit up all day long, even on the long lines. I know it’s cliche to say that Disney is the happiest, most magical place on earth, but for us yesterday it was. I am so grateful that it cost the same to go there as it would have to go to the Yankees game, which is mind boggling. It will be a long time before we can afford to go again, but this was the perfect time and it couldn’t have gone any better.
-
March 17
After more than ten years, we finally made it to the Catty Shack Ranch. And instead of any of the beautiful cats, bears, and foxes they’ve rescued, I took a photo of one of the wandering roosters. I was promised that while the tigers do mostly get fed chicken, they do not eat THESE chickens. Once an animal comes to live at the ranch, they are safe. No discrimination.
-
March 16
We went to the Kennedy Space Center today, which was both cool and mildly disappointing. Look closely here and you’ll see Robin peeking through the window. We had fun, but I had kind of expected there to be less focus on the flashiness of space travel and more on the science behind space travel. I left with more questions than answers, and felt like I spent most of the day standing around and very little of it actually doing anything. It wasn’t bad at all, just not exactly what I’d hoped for. Especially for the amount of money we spent. Also today I learned that one of my favorite work colleagues passed away last night. He had been sick, but I don’t think anyone ever thought he was dying. I am sorely going to miss him, and that may also have contributed to my lack of enthusiasm today. I would really like to attend his funeral service tomorrow, but it’s 4.5 hours of driving each way, and I don’t have a babysitter for the kids. I am going to have to be there in spirit and send my love and hugs from afar. And so goes another day.
Year in Photos 