Part 1: Travel party - myself (46 - happy birthday to me yesterday!), DH 48, DS11, DD7, and DD3.
Travel day- I always promise myself I’ll pack early this time, and get sleep the night before our trip. Foolish mortal. Once again, up until 2 AM packing, and realizing that yes I am going to have to check some luggage. Oh, and hunting a wasp which had made its way into my bathroom. Fell off a swivel stool in that process…not a good choice!..and hope I only bruised my heel. Up again at 6. Checked AutoSlash and sure enough was able to rebook my minivan rental yet again for $20 less! DH was already gone to coach an early freshman football practice, which got turned into a lifting session by the governor yesterday who moved our football season to spring. Woke the kids and loaded up the car. We pulled out as DH arrived home, we were driving separately since we return at different times. Was pouring rain all the way to St Louis but thankfully slowed to a sprinkle by the time we reached parking. DS11 helped me get all the bags, stroller and car seat transported. Shuttle and bag check went smoothly but the scanner didn’t like our car seat, probably too much cereal and waffle crumbs! Had to wait 10-15 minutes for a supervisor to inspect it. We were disappointed that Auntie Anne’s was closed but found some other snacks and reached the gate just before DH made it, in spite of leaving 45 minutes after us! DD3 has a habit lately of screeching at the top of her voice when frustrated and did so while we waited to board. The gate agent beautifully called her out and told her she couldn’t get on the plane if she was going to do that! She made quite an impression on DD3. Plane only had 44 passengers and we headed to the back so it wasn’t crowded. This was my first time bringing a car seat on the plane. The flight attendant had to bring a seat belt extender to get it buckled in but worked out fine! DD3 was more comfortable with it and cannot climb around touching everything, and most importantly I can rest my head on it and try to sleep! Arrival at MCO also went smoothly. Bag check was a little crowded but I hung back with the kids. Car pickup was easy and our Walmart pickup order was ready just as we approached, in and out in no time! Kids were dying to know where we were staying because I hadn’t told them. Arrived at BRV and it will work out nicely. With the blow up toddler bed we brought, each kid has their own sleep surface. It is a little cramped with 5 but we won’t be in room much except one day. Had dinner at Boathouse at DS (tuna poke appetizer was awesome!) and DS11 decided he wanted to try lobster, oblivious to price!
Returned to hotel to swim. The kids love the slides at the pool. Closed down the pool then off to bed.
Hurried to Up! Bird Adventure which was about to start. I never saw the version with Dug but this iteration was awesome! Informative and focused on the birds.
As was just about everything in Dino Land. DS, DD7 and I rode Dinosaur and DD3 and DH rode the Dino spinner about 4 times in a row without getting off.
Great pics!
