We did the drive again. I'd say one last hurrah. Buuuut, it is nice to save all that money on airfare. Two trips to FL and one to coastal GA might be enough for this clan. SD was a little better. The kids were great and patient beyond their years. Long, hot when you're south, car rides suck. Poor Charlotte got out a rest stop in GA on our way back with a soaking wet T shirt because the A/C hadn't made it's way back to her, was not turned on right. She cheerfully said her body is just efficient at letting go of heat. She bursts my heart right open.
Anyway, the ride down is far more cheery than the ride back. Daddy-O and I got in a stress argument at the KY-IL boarder. I still feel the guilt.
Universal Studios was nice, in a packed spring break sort of way. We rode the train to Hogwarts three times. Natalie was in heaven with the Harry Potter area and both she and Charlotte loved their magic wands. They were "selected" in a presentation by a wizard to be his "students" and trained to use their wands properly. ie: never put it in your back pocket. When they walked out of the room, there was a cash register we had to visit. Nothing is free, especially at the large theme parks! The wands really were "magic" and the girls loved walking around Diagon Alley and Hogwarts making the magic happen. Also, butter beer=good stuff.
Cocoa Beach was nice. We got a late start that day and got there at 5 or so. Haha. But, we found parking and it was not crowded and still hot and sunny. Charlotte was her little fish self jumping in and out of the waves. The laughter I heard from Natalie as she brushed up against the waves coming in reminded me of when she was really little. Pure joy. Daddy-O loved it too. He was really nice about asking what we did when I wen to FL as a kid, like he wanted to continue that tradition through the two trips we took.
Charlotte insisted on getting the academy award that said "best teacher" for Mrs. Barker. Mrs. Barker is the most amazing teacher I have ever had the privilege to know. She is a phenomenal human being so I guess that is the cornerstone. Charlotte wanted to pay for the token herself too. Love, lots of love.
While on break, our beloved Badgers advanced to the elite 8. We watched that game from the NBA Restaurant at Universal. I am so proud to be a Badger. Our fans are second to none. We got home in time on Saturday night to watch the win over KY. What an amazing team...it still gives me chills to think of what a great squad they had and how adored they were by the rest of the country. We will miss you, Frank the Tank.
It really was a good trip...likely our last at the theme park capital of the world!
XO
