Today at the Olympics, we celebrated Hayden's country, Cuba, and our events were Trampoline and Gymnastics.
Mid-morning we headed down to Tampa. Our first stop was at Trader Joe's. We have decided we're going to do a spread similar to my birthday on the last night of the Olympics, so we wanted to get a few items that we loved (I'm looking at you dried mangoes & Belgium chocolate) for that. Plus, it's a Pokestop, so the whole time we were there, everyone could collect.
Since it was Cuba day, and we live in Tampa (pretty much home of the Cuban sandwich), we decided we'd go out and get Cubans for lunch. We've lived here ten years, and I had just had my first Cuban a few weeks ago. We decided today would be a good opportunity for the boys to have a try. One of the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa can be found at the Floridian (so I had heard), so we stopped there to pick up lunch. The last two weekends we've had, we could pretty much file under Florida weekends.
We took our sandwiches to go, and headed down to Ballast Point for a picnic lunch.
The Cubans were very good, and everyone gave them two thumbs up. But, in all honesty, the two I've had are pretty much the same. It's all the same ingredients after all.
We decided we'd picnic lunch at Ballast Point because of the crazy Pokemon that can be found there. So, nobody was being rude by being on their phones at lunch, we were there for that reason.
We found this place a few weeks ago, and it's really great to visit, because while Hayden and I wait for everyone else to catch Pokemon, we can enjoy some pretty great views, and an awesome (and shaded) playground. Sometime we need to bring our swimsuits. There's even a splashpad!
After some time at the park, we headed over to Lakeland for the 'Trampoline' event. Originally, we had planned on going to Airheads (I even had a Groupon), but this new place in Lakeland opened on Monday, and I was dying to go. The place is called 2infinity. You can order your tickets ahead of time, and even do the waiver online, which makes the whole thing super quick when you get there. Plus, they only let people in on the hour and half hour. Once you are all signed in, they give you a bracelet to wear. This way, when your time is up, and they call for your color bracelet, you'll know to leave. (There's also a giant clock, so you know when your hour is up).
So what exactly is 2infinity? Well, it's *sort of* like Airheads in that it is a trampoline gym.
But here the trampolines are in a lot of different sections, and come in all kinds of different sizes. I also liked the couches for observers. Usually, when we do Airheads, I don't jump, because I get motion sick almost immediately. So I have to wait down in the waiting area, and just see everyone on the TV screens. But, not here, which was great.
They also have some added amenities to the trampolines, which is fun.
The place is WAY bigger than Airheads though. Instead of just a part sectioned off for dodge ball, it has it's own separate area.
And there's even basketball hoops for dunking!
But, 2infinity isn't JUST a trampoline gym. There's also all kinds of other things to climb on, and jump off of. Hayden really liked this area.
But that isn't to say everyone else didn't enjoy it as well.
And there's crazy things to run up.
When you get to the top (either using the warped wall, or the stairs), you get to jump (or flip) into the giant pit of foam squares!
It's a lovely cushiony landing, too. All the squares are on what feels like a trampoline, so there is a ton of give.
That isn't the only place to jump into the foam squares. There was a trampoline to jump on, and into the foam pit.
And ramps to run on and jump off of.
Oh! And rock climbing walls!
Again, it isn't a problem if you fall off. You have a nice, soft landing.
One of my favorite things was the slack line. There was an option to go on one without a rope to help with balance, and one with no rope. (I never got good enough to go without the rope).
These silky rope thingies were super fun to swing on too.
The boys loved the trapeze bar and the swing. The workers pulled them up for you, then you got on, and jumped off. I even did the swing! It was so much fun.
The last of the contraptions was this monster.
Asa was the only one who could make it across the walls.
And out of everyone, he did the best here.
But Calib made a good showing on the cargo net.
Peyton tried, but he just couldn't get it down.
The place is amazing. There are SO many different things to do here. You'll feel like your hour goes by in an instant. I loved it because even though I barely jumped on the trampolines (and even though I spent time taking pictures), I really felt like I got to participate, motion sickness and all. I hope this place does well, and stays open- because the boys are already asking when they can go back. We do all have a few scrapes and bruises. But, nothing too major. So much fun. But also, so exhausting.
When we got home, everyone was pretty exhausted. But, we needed to beat the rain, so we went outside for our event of the day, gymnastics. For this event, we made a relay out of gymnastic events, and timed each of the boys. Fastest time was the winner.
First, they started on their (pommel) horse, where they had to run around the parallel bars a few times. Actually, a few was more than that. However old you are, you had to run around them that many times.
Then you were on to the rings, which you had to run through.
Next up was the balance beam, in which you had to walk backwards on, without falling off. Next up, was the floor exercise, where you had to do a somersault on the beach towel.
And finally, in a nod to artistic gymnastics, you had to unravel a roll of crepe paper.
Peyton was up first.
Then, Hayden- I took a video of him, so he only got a starting picture.
Last up, was Calib, who took a hard fall on his 10th turn around the parallel bars.
He wanted to restart, so we let him give it another go.
But, it didn't matter much, he still got the bronze. Hayden came in with the silver, and Peyton was our gold medal gymnast.
Hayden's so excited not to be getting the bronze every time, but then he really thinks about what 'type of medal' (aka candy) to take.
After our medal ceremony, Hayden showed us all what was in his Cuba bag. Nothing was actually made in Cuba, but we did the best we could. He had a couple of things from the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa, and some Cuban crackers.
Then he gave his presentation on Cuba. He did a pretty good job on his box, if I do say so myself.
For dinner we had salad with our 1905 dressing, cuban crackers, plantains, plus beans and rice with Cuban Ropa Vieja, and flan for dessert. I had a second helping of salad, but the main dish was pretty popular tonight. It was everyone's 'favorite thing on my plate'.
Asa has been making himself some drinks from various countries too. He thought a mojito would be too easy for Cuba, so instead he made 'the old cuban'. He loved it.
Our Rio medal board is filling up!
Yesterday Cuba won another gold and three bronze medals, while Spain held steady, so Hayden overtook me in the standings.
Tomorrow is still our weekend, but we're staying around here- with just a trip to the pool planned. But, it's been so much fun to take all these field trips for the Olympics! Since we didn't really have a summer vacation this year, it's been fun to put together these last two weeks as sort of a staycation.
Asa is in the office on Thursday, but he's taking a vacation day Friday for a BIG event! However, with Asa in the office, we just have one Olympic event planned- and no countries to celebrate, so I probably won't be back until Thursday with Wednesday & Thursdays activities.
Next Up: Italy Day, Water Polo & Sailing!
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