Now that our Olympics are over, its back to 'normal' school work, or as close to 'normal' as things get around here. But you know, workbooks, Khan Academy, Time4Learning, that sort of thing. Anticipating the transition would be rough, I decided on Monday I would take the boys out and take home school on the road. I packed up some brain quest, flashcards, games, and books and we headed over to Clearwater. We stopped and had lunch at Panera, and then went to the beach.
I couldn't believe how crowded the beach was, on a Monday, in February! It's not even Spring Break time yet and we had a heck of a time finding a parking spot. I was hoping to get some playground time in, but we had to go way past that area to find a spot. But, that also meant a little more room to spread out on the beach.
After some reading and such we played a little in the water (it's still pretty cold), and played in the sand.
Monday night after we got home, Sophie had an accident. In the process she lost her nail. There was blood EVERYWHERE. And, that pretty much sealed Asa's fate of not going with us to Tennessee, someone had to stay here to keep an eye on the Sophs. She's doing much better now, a little over a week since the incident. No more wrapping her foot, which she HATED.
Friday morning, I got up early with the boys to drive.. and drive... and drive. After a very long day in Georgia, we stopped at Fazolis for dinner, something we don't have here in Florida.
We got to the hotel in Sevierville, TN after about 13 hours on the road. (and we only stopped twice!) It was not the best of trips, but we arrived in one piece, so I'll call it a win.
The next morning, Cort (the flexatarian) made us bacon to have with the AWESOME Captain Crunch French Toast Clint made us. Yes, you read that right. And yes, it's as amazing as it sounds.
So sweet, no syrup necessary. Thanks, brothers. It was a yummy breakfast.
When I was a kid, we stayed at a hotel with an indoor pool, putt putt, and such one weekend every winter. This is the next generation equivalent. So the kids spent most of their day in the indoor pool.
Surprisingly, the weather wasn't too bad that far north. The outdoor pool had just opened for the year, but the water wasn't going in the slide yet.
That, however, did not stop Gwen and Peyton from sliding down in it.. stopping just short of the actual (very cold) pool.
The playground is either a new edition, or we'd never played on it thanks to the usual really cold weather we deal with when we meet up in February.
The hotel also added a putt putt course. The kids loved it, and since it was totally free and nobody else was there, they all had the run of the place.
From the outside, you could get a closer look at the inside slides. Despite Peyton's best efforts, Hayden refused to go on it.
Lots of Putt Putt...
More shenanigans..
We were on the 5th floor this year, which made for a nice view off our two balconies. Our room was like 4 rooms in one.... three of the rooms are like normal hotel rooms, all with their own bathroom and either a balcony or a fire place, and the middle room is a kitchen/dining room/living room combo. It's a nice set up for the 11 of us.
There was more sliding and more swimming..
And while we decided the pool was too cold, the lazy river wasn't totally unbearable. Though, Uncle Clint was the only adult to brave it and get in with the kids..
It didn't last that long, before the kids with purple lips came to us asking to go back to the inside pool.
Affter watching the sunset over the mountains,
we all went down to the pizza place at the end of the street for some dinner (Moms treat! Thanks, Mom!)
Holly took the kids for one more pool trip before we spent the evening playing games.
The next morning, Jess brought us all some donuts and it was time to head back to Florida. Yes, I was only there one full day.
The trip back however was WAY faster. I made it in 11 hours exactly, with four stops. Yay for non-existent Sunday traffic.
Up Next: Back to Normal, after a Disney Day!
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