Soaking Up Some R&R
I’m ready to let these last three weeks of summer break tick off the clock peacefully until school starts back…in July.
Hope everyone had a hearty fourth celebration, or at least a great day off, or a good day working making time and a half. My holiday was low key—got to sleep in, eat some tasty treats, and hear the fireworks go off around me all night into the morning.
The kids and I didn’t do a fireworks show on that day but we had hit the Red, White & Boom show the night before. And when I tell you there were more fireworks with people trying to get on the shuttle back to their vehicles than there were in the sky that night, it’s the truth. Thank you to the two nice police women who took note of the situation and assisted with quelling the crowd and getting everyone on their way safely.
As far as fireworks, we got our fair share of those in Orlando two weeks ago which was a craaazy, but rewarding, week for all of us. Jacob’s Vex IQ middle school robotics team had their trip to the Technology Student Association’s National Conference to compete with their little bot that could…and did! I am so immensely proud of those three young men—Logan, Temi, and my Jacob for bringing a second place finish in their division back to Georgia. They see you Oklahoma and are coming for the top spot next year.
What was supposed to be a vacation for Robyn and I while he competed got twisted around when she was notified of her spot in the CDC Disease Detective Camp for the same week. I wasn’t going to let her pass up the opportunity after she’s had it on her radar for almost a year and got picked as one of 60 from a pool of 702 nationwide. So mom rearranged.
Instead of a five day stay in Orlando hanging out at the lazy river and Downtown Disney, he and I hit the road early Wednesday morning so he could be there by a 4 p.m. check-in at Cabana Bay. Nationals participants were responsible for their own transport as school transportation was not an option this trip. Anyway, I road tripped down in seven hours with bathroom and food stops.
We arrived well ahead of check-in for some time to peruse the hotel and get him acclimated to his new center for the next few days…without his mom.His squad started showing up bit by bit. Logan and his family drove down for the last stop of their three week midwest trek from Colorado. Now that mom was tired.Temi’s family flew in as it was a vacation trip for them.
After getting Jacob settled in and reminding him of who he is, I hit the road headed back around 5 p.m. and got home just before midnight. The drive home was somber because I kept thinking about leaving my 13 year old a state away without me for two whole days. But I trusted my parenting, the robotics coach, and the boys banding together to keep me sane until I was back on Saturday.
I used the following Thursday to rest up for Friday when I would trek into Decatur with Robyn for her last day of camp and the parent presentation that afternoon. She loved every aspect of that camp, learning so many new things, being in a state of the art laboratory, and making new friends nationwide.
As a parent, it fills your heart so much to see your kids grow, experience life, and thrive. Robyn definitely thrived at that camp…she thrives period. At that presentation, each participant was given specific awards by their counselors and camp organizers. Robyn earned the “Standing On Business” Award which is so fitting for her and from people who only had the “Robyn Experience” for five days.
Friday evening after some Fellini’s and fighting traffic home, we packed and I prepared for another trek to Orlando. That trek became a journey, in the busyness (yes that is a word) of my week it failed to dawn on me that there would be a magnitude of travelers on the roads headed for vacation for the start of the Fourth of July week.
When I tell you Robyn and I left at 7 a.m. and did not arrive at our destination until 5 p.m., it is no joke. We made good time on I-75 until we hit Cordele when traffic got congested and slowed. It took us one hour to travel the 15 miles from Valdosta into Florida, no lie.
Then the turnpike was no fun either. It was backed up at the third exit for at least a mile and then the torrential rain came. I had told Jacob we would be there by 3 p.m. He had a free day after 1 p.m. so we were going to make the most it. He called twice to ask where we were. When we arrived he was ready to venture out. It was a little late for Volcano Bay which closed at 7 p.m. so we decided to try a restaurant that came recommended from a TikTok food critic he likes to follow. The little corner-hole-in- the-wall chicken restaurant EatChickenFire was actually good. The food was spicy, as he and I like it, and the customer service was excellent. Our waitress could tell we weren’t regulars or locals and asked how we heard about it. Jacob explained and she giggled.
After dinner we ventured across the street to Barnes & Noble, the kids love a big bookstore. He looked at some Manga but I ended buying a SAT digital prep book for her, and eventually him.
He had a 10 p.m. curfew and room check but I called the robotics coach and told her I had him out and wouldn’t make it back in time. She gave him a pass and we headed to Universal’s City Walk for some sights, sounds, fireworks, and Voodoo Doughnuts. After dropping him off, Robyn and I got to our hotel around 1 a.m. for some much needed rest.
We picked him up on Sunday after the awards ceremony. Following a celebratory lunch, we hit some sights in Orlando which again concluded with fireworks. Heading home Monday brought my frantic week to a close, but it was sooooooo worth it!