At this point in the trip, we hit the road and I don't even think I told the Human Bear that we were in a new state because I was lacking any and all energy to get up and out of the car. We're good Mississippi, just gonna pass on through...
We made it to Pensacola and realize we also did not see a sign for Florida. I believe we took so many different back roads that we didn't get a proper Welcome Center. Oh well, better luck next time. We were so excited to see Jason that we didn't care...but he wasn't in town yet. Holy hell, what can we do to pass the time? At this point I NEED backup!
For those of you that don't know, the Human Bear is a hoarder! She is also fully aware that I don't support a bunch of unnecessary crap while trying to support who she is; therefore, she started compiling tons of rocks (for a rock collection at home). She knew two things: 1) Don't ask if I can do this b/c Mommy will say no and 2) Don't ask for help carrying them b/c Mommy won't do that either. Keep in mind, it's about 8 million degrees at this point of the day and we've done a small hike from the bluffs down to the water.
Her strategy was to stack as many as she could in her hands, ask me to carry the bubbles when she started to struggle (b/c the bubble were previously approved) and finally to scream "NO ROCK LEFT BEHIND!" each time one fell on the hike back up to the car while trying to recover the fallen rock without losing the others. I respect her will, independence and character all while not pressuring me to support her desire for more things to take home that we will lose track of and I will eventually get rid of when she forgets about them. haha This Bear is something else! I completely forgot about these rocks until unpacking at home and grabbing a bag that was so damn heavy I said, "is this full of rocks?" yes, yes it is she responds excitedly. Haven't seen them since.
Even though she was carrying at least 10 pounds worth of rocks, she still had to stop and read...and there was a lot to read!
Is Jason here yet to relieve me? NO, get in the car Bear, to Sky Zone it is, we have NOT had enough entertainment yet!
WE FOUND HIM. And in no way do I feel badly about leaving the two of them together to get some quiet Mommy time!
How do you know Jason has made it to town before you see him?
Day Two, and the reason we were actually here is for my 20th high school reunion. It is now literally time to start partying like it's 1999! Fourth of July fireworks and some good food were coordinated by some great people to kick off the festivities.
Flashback to week one on the road, our AirBnB (that we scheduled 5 months ago) got cancelled while we were on the road and we got the most kind offer ever from a classmate that wasn't able to make it back for the reunion to use her family's house. There just aren't enough words to express how thankful we are to get that help and hookup!
All of the kids were so well behaved and nice to each other throughout the weekend festivities!
We didn't even make it to the fireworks because we were all so tired but it was a great afternoon making new friends for the Human Bear and catching up with oldies but goodies for me.
Waking up to some of the best "I missed you so much" snuggles. These two are bestie Bears.
Because we just don't have enough Bears in this equation yet, we decided for Father's Day, we would get Jason his own stuffed bear representation. Meet: J-Wes. With each stop, we added whatever souvenir we wanted to give Jason to the Bear.
It's more than just the look...listen to this!
We think he liked it!
I love a lot of people in this world and this is one of them. Meredith and her whole family are always a highlight of my trips. Meredith and Mark got all four of their kiddos out for breakfast to meet us the day after July 4th...that's true love!
These two were immediate friends!
Only two families out for breakfast and all these kids! haha I'm only leaving with one:)
Back to relaxing...one is asleep and one is not. I'm sure you all know which is which!
Realizations while preparing for a 20 year reunion, I can do 2 out of 3 things before I stop caring: clothing, make-up or hair. I went with the first two, embraced the new wrinkles and rolled out!
The actual reunion was at Seville Quarter. I always enjoy this place. It's funny to go back to places and not realize what was happening around you when you were there in high school. I'm not sure if people that actually live there these days love or hate this place but when you just pop in every 10 years, it's fantastic:)
We got a dueling piano show and excellent food!
We did not plan well what songs we were going to request so someone shouted Closing Time and it was hilarious for some reason...most likely b/c they JUST opened. People that graduated in 1999 are always a little confused, we never know if we are closing something out or opening it up but we all try really hard.
Mr. Jones and Me! Why couldn't I think of that song when I needed it? Military families always overlap in the most random of places. My Dad was in the Marine Corps with him and I was in Japan with his daughter Nora for 1st grade so of course, it only makes sense to end up in high school with Nora and have her Dad as your math teacher:) He has made both of our reunions and it makes my heart happy.
This is one of my favorites b/c I have serious issues not contacting everyone I've ever met when returning anywhere. No, Switzer was NOT in my graduating class but Jason and I lived with him two separate times in our lives and that's just good stuff:) People were confused and it was wonderful. Thanks for walking down to meet up with us Switz!
Some of you may be wondering what happened to the Human Bear while we partied in a city where we don't know babysitters. That brings me to a second family that always makes my whole soul happy. The majority of the Alsops were in town and offered the keep the Human Bear FOR THE NIGHT!
I was a little worried that she would be nervous because (although I've kept up with Lauren since we graduated) the Human Bear hasn't really hung out with them. While we were out, the photos and videos started rolling in though and I'm fairly certain she may have had more fun than we did at the reunion. This child's life is a constant party.
I do believe my sparkling water to be missing!
As if a day in the life at Chrispie and Pop Pop's house wasn't enough, they are always coming up with games to take it to the next level! Doesn't the Human Bear look totally uncomfortable that her parents abandoned her?
The games continued into Day 2 and when you run out of cool whip, you MUST switch to chocolate pudding...those are the rules!
Smoothies that just weren't exactly right so Chrispie added an ice cream scoop in it!
So let's recap just what I've seen so far: spa treatment, pool, pie eating contests, boat in the pool. What could be missing? AAAAAHHHHH, yes, the water balloons. Always more to be done...Thank you Neal for having as much energy as all of the kiddos!
I hope Ella's ACTUAL grandparents are ready to be pressured into getting a pool because now she knows this is a thing and look at her joy to be a part of it! haha
You can't NOT have fun here...within five minutes I heard Jason call Lauren's Dad "Pop Pop" to his face. I'm going to laugh about that forever. We may also walk around our house now too saying "I miss Chrispie and Pop Pop" hahaha
If you know Jeremy Switzer, this is funny! Although it may not look like it, she likes me, she really likes me.
Although I'm not certain which one of us had the hardest time leaving Chrispie and Pop Pop's house, I believe everyone was excited about the Human Bear riding home with Jason! Yeah for Daddy/Daughter road trips.
Goodbye Pensacola and hello home. It's back to Baton Rouge we go. I have another "Random Tidbits" post in my head but the reality of that materializing may be slim to none. If it doesn't come together then we will start the countdown to planning for the next summer trip. We had a blast and are thankful for the opportunity to do this and all of the amazing people we've been lucky enough to spend time with along the way.
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