It's so weird when Calib is gone, you guys. You have to strike a balance between not doing anything he'd be upset about missing out on, but making sure we don't just sit around doing nothing, because that's no fun for Peyton and Hayden. I had hopes of hitting the Space Center- since Calib isn't very interested, but our escrow payment was due (so get ready for the Waterstrauts to be doing a whole lot of nothing this next week, we are trying not to spend anything!), so that's not going to happen this go around. We might go to the Seabird Sanctuary this week though. That's free and not up Calib's alley at all. Anyway, not only was Calib missing, but Asa was in the office this week. I didn't even know what to cook for just three of us, and the house was sooooo quiet!
We did go out on Tuesday for a game of Top Golf. We didn't want to order lunch, so we got waters and snacks to share. When you just rent the bay for an hour, and get the queso, and donut holes- it makes for a decently inexpensive activity.
Since there's room in the car, we brought along Madison. She gets along really well with all the boys, and with the extra space in the car, Peyton asked if she could come along. Since you rent the bay for a time limit, and don't pay per person, it wasn't going to cost us anything extra, so it was no problem. She just had to be Calib and use his card. She actually scored really well, and won, even though she hadn't ever golfed before.
Then we headed next door to the Bass Pro Shop for their free summer kids events. We went window shopping, and got to do some archery. Except for Hayden, we've all done it before at Disney, so we've had a little practice.
We were lucky enough that there was nobody else in line, so we even got to take a few steps back and try it from the line farther away.
I was a little worried about Hayden shooting the bow and arrow, but he did really well! He even hit the bullseye.
Before we left, we did a little more window shopping, and decided we'll need a boat someday. But you know, after the house, and then eventually a new car (or two), and ... well, it's a ways down the line.
We also made a couple of trips to the library, and we got their summer reading all signed and completed, and mailed in our slips for free Rays tickets. It's a lot easier to get the boys to want to go to the library now that it's a Pokestop. We got Calib's phone this week in the mail, so Peyton's been using that one, while Calib has mine in Ohio.
We even went out for summer of shakes one night, and I offered to swing by the library (it's like two minutes from Sonic) so they could try and take the gym. The library of course was closed, so we just sat out in front.
On Thursday, Asa took a vacation day, since it was our dating and engagement anniversary. We've been together 12 years, which means we've now officially been married longer than we've been together. It took long enough! (Thursday also marked 8 years since we got engaged). Anyway, We're not always together on it, since I'm usually in Ohio this time of year, so we wanted to do something. But, like I said, we're trying not to spend too much. Plus, Peyton and Hayden can't always be trusted to get along when we're gone. Calib usually smooths things over, but with Calib gone, we didn't want to go too far, or be out too late- so Disney was out (too far), and Dinner was out (too late).
Instead, we decided to make a mini 'Florida weekend' out of it, and do some things we hadn't done before. We headed to the Container Store to window shop for the new house, which is super fun. So many possibilities. On my must have list for the new house, the Elfa systems for every closet in the place. I was in love.
Oh, and I HAVE to have this for my house. It's 40 bucks though. But, it's a moose! And I love it. Just, you know, if someone wants to get me a house warming, birthday, or even Christmas gift.
Then we headed down to Ybor City. That part of Tampa is so awesome, and has lots of history. You guys, Teddy was there!
But, it's also home to the oldest restaurant in Florida, and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. It's kind of a staple here, but we've never been, so it seemed like a good pick for our anniversary lunch.
The restaurant itself is really pretty.
And there's a couple of different rooms you can be seated in.
We were in the very first room, with the big chandelier, and the balcony.
The place seems kind of fancy, with their wine and the waiters in tuxes..
But, it's not too pricey if you stay to the sandwich section of the menu. (Tapas and other plates could get expensive though).
Anyway, first they bring out this warm, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside piece of cuban bread wrapped in paper. As far as bread goes, it was perfect. And our waiter even gave us a loaf to take home.
We opted to get the Ybor City deviled crab croquette. It was good, but now that I've had it, I probably wouldn't get it again. Everything on the menu looks interesting, and I'd like to try some other things.
Asa and I had a half Cuban and the 1905 salad. The salad is where it's at, you guys. They bring it to your table and make it all right in front of you. The dressing is amazing. I usually can't taste 'layers' of flavors (I think it has to do with my lack of a sense of smell), but I totally could in the salad. The Cuban was good too, though it wasn't anything too special. However,it was the very first one I've had in Tampa. Which, is a little crazy, that's like what this place is known for, food wise.
After lunch we wandered Ikea for a bit, looking at their closet spaces (it wasn't as impressive as the Container Store), and then picked up a couple of things in their food section for the olympics. Then we headed to the new Sprinkles to collect our free cupcake we had on our rewards account.
Sprinkles hasn't been there very long, and I've only been down to Hyde Park a few times, so it was all pretty new to us. We ate our cupcakes at the park, and enjoyed the shade. It's realllllly hot out there these days, but we try and tough it out.
Plus, Hyde Park is adorable.
Right now they also have 'Ambient Play', which is totally free. You just sign out the paddles, and you get to ping pong. I totally added this to my birthday olympic extravaganza weekend list of possible things to do.
We had dinner at home, Asa made me General Tso's chicken over rice for dinner, which is one of my favorite things he cooks. And then we went over to the Land O Lakes Rec Center with the boys and Madi.
There was some park playing, and some swinging. Nobody would give me an underdog though. That was disappointing.
(Aand look they have a free library too! And the Spooky Old Tree was in it!! )
But we were also there to Pokemon hunt. (Did I mention this is Peyton's favorite new past time).
The funniest part of them playing is running into other people who are playing.
We spent the rest of the evening playing cards in the blanket fort, because that's what 30 somethings do for their anniversaries, obvs.
In other news, Hayden had a build n grow on Saturday. I don't love everything about Asa's new schedule, but it is great that we can go do that together in the morning before he works.
And, last night after he was done with work, Peyton convinced him to go ride bikes and hunt some Pokemon. They rode over to Justin's house, and then posted the picture in forever chat for everyone to see.
That's all I've got for you today. Calib still won't be back for another week, and poor Ellie misses him like crazy.
Next Up: I'm just working on final Olympic week planning, and we'll probably have a pretty low key weekend around here. But, we do have LameCon coming up Saturday, and probably some pool trips in our future.
