"[...] our home will have returned to its natural state, which is a natural disaster." - You have me laughing hard on this, as for me it's very relatable :)
Caves scare the hell outa me. Went into several when a kid without hating them too bad. But, in 1978 when we were mid-20s and with a 3-yr-old, we went in Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. The walkway was so narrow that only one person could walk it. It also was so dark I was afraid we'd tumble off the path and into whatever was below. We rode in a boat in the lake at the bottom - in pitch black. I had nightmares about our son tumbling off the side of that path or off the boat for quite some time. That was the last of my trips down below....and it may have been the beginning of my severe claustrophobia. So good luck and hope you all enjoy it and whatever else that's left of your plans gets off without a hitch.
My mother has fridge magnet that says “My housekeeping style is best described as “there seems to have been a struggle”. Tho my brother gave it to her I’m counting on inheriting it.
A friend used to say her house looked like “who did it and ran?” but I like this one better! I do have a fridge magnet that says “this mess is a place”. As you can see - a proud tradition in my family!
<<I’d post pictures to prove it, but I don’t want to play a game of “I spy” where ten thousand people point out the dust bunny I missed.>> #trudat Can't wait to hear about the cave trip
It is waaaay cooler underground! I remember getting off the bus, in 90 degree heat, as the former tour came out and the cold air that came with them was SO refreshing! I think average temp is like 60 degrees? I’m sure you could check on their website.
I don't know if this has ever come up, but in all the mayhem with where your kids would be, who was taking care of your Animal Farm? (And yes, I did capitalize that on purpose! As an English major, you will hopefully appreciate it.)
The dog went with the kids to my parents house. We left the pigs alone with automatic feeders and a camera on them. As for the guinea pigs, just piled up some extra food. We were only gone for one night, and all the animals managed to survive. I might make a fine farmer yet.
I would have been most upset by no one seeing the result of our frenzied house cleaning! I hate cleaning! And for it to be wasted😫!
Isn’t there a belief that the third time something happens to you, that’s it? Third times a charm, or something like that? So no more surgeries…hopefully?
You cannot carry Waffle thru the cave. There are so many narrow paths! She should be able to make it on her own. My younger brother was 6 when he first went and did just fine. I would hate for you to miss the cave!
#FACTCHECK - Betsy did the adult Easter Egg Hunt at your parents last year - check your newsletters from then. You were impressed with her success rate against the practiced wolves (your siblings).
Wine tastings are wasted on me. I'm just there to get wasted. Except when I'm the designated driver, like this time, in which case I'm just there to play board games in between samplings. Honestly, it all just tastes like alcoholic grape juice to me. I'm not picky.
"[...] our home will have returned to its natural state, which is a natural disaster." - You have me laughing hard on this, as for me it's very relatable :)
I have to admit I am really concerned about your cave trip!
Based on the way things have been going, I fully expect to run into a Balrog down there.
Or Smaug.
I think Smaug offers a higher percentage in the escape scene.😉
Caves scare the hell outa me. Went into several when a kid without hating them too bad. But, in 1978 when we were mid-20s and with a 3-yr-old, we went in Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. The walkway was so narrow that only one person could walk it. It also was so dark I was afraid we'd tumble off the path and into whatever was below. We rode in a boat in the lake at the bottom - in pitch black. I had nightmares about our son tumbling off the side of that path or off the boat for quite some time. That was the last of my trips down below....and it may have been the beginning of my severe claustrophobia. So good luck and hope you all enjoy it and whatever else that's left of your plans gets off without a hitch.
To be fair, any vacation destination with a 3-year-old is pretty scary. I still have emotional scars from taking mine to the grocery store.
3 yrs old is very young for a cave trip! Yikes!
We had no idea it was going to be that way. Had we been able to, we'd have turned around and gone back out! :)
My mother has fridge magnet that says “My housekeeping style is best described as “there seems to have been a struggle”. Tho my brother gave it to her I’m counting on inheriting it.
That is both hilarious and accurate for our house.
I love this so much! I am now on a search to acquire a magnet or sign with this saying.
A friend used to say her house looked like “who did it and ran?” but I like this one better! I do have a fridge magnet that says “this mess is a place”. As you can see - a proud tradition in my family!
<<I’d post pictures to prove it, but I don’t want to play a game of “I spy” where ten thousand people point out the dust bunny I missed.>> #trudat Can't wait to hear about the cave trip
"...witnessing what happened would be important for life insurance purposes." 😂
Says the loving husband!
Also, if you have not been spelunking before, bundle up. Turns out you can be just as cold below ground.
That is unfortunate. We were definitely counting on it being warmer than the surface. Oh well. I guess the children clinging to me will keep me warm.
It is waaaay cooler underground! I remember getting off the bus, in 90 degree heat, as the former tour came out and the cold air that came with them was SO refreshing! I think average temp is like 60 degrees? I’m sure you could check on their website.
Just checked—54 degrees year round.
Tru dat. Take a jacket you can tie around your waist.
If something went right, I’d start to worry. You can’t catch a break...so glad you froze, er I mean enjoyed Michigan!
It was honestly pretty great. I plan to go back sometime when there's not snow, which limits my travel window to two weeks in August.
I don't know if this has ever come up, but in all the mayhem with where your kids would be, who was taking care of your Animal Farm? (And yes, I did capitalize that on purpose! As an English major, you will hopefully appreciate it.)
The dog went with the kids to my parents house. We left the pigs alone with automatic feeders and a camera on them. As for the guinea pigs, just piled up some extra food. We were only gone for one night, and all the animals managed to survive. I might make a fine farmer yet.
I can hardly wait for the cave stories…my imagination is definitely in over drive!
I would have been most upset by no one seeing the result of our frenzied house cleaning! I hate cleaning! And for it to be wasted😫!
Isn’t there a belief that the third time something happens to you, that’s it? Third times a charm, or something like that? So no more surgeries…hopefully?
You cannot carry Waffle thru the cave. There are so many narrow paths! She should be able to make it on her own. My younger brother was 6 when he first went and did just fine. I would hate for you to miss the cave!
I suspected that might be the case. I'm all for any vacation that forces me not to carry children.
Your parents use dollar bills in those eggs? With your adult crew, I figured they'd be full of liquor miniatures. 😂 🍷
The great thing about money is it can be exchanged for liquor. Hooray for capitalism.
#FACTCHECK - Betsy did the adult Easter Egg Hunt at your parents last year - check your newsletters from then. You were impressed with her success rate against the practiced wolves (your siblings).
Dry Reds... excellent choice. If you don't mind me asking, what are your favorites in that category?
Wine tastings are wasted on me. I'm just there to get wasted. Except when I'm the designated driver, like this time, in which case I'm just there to play board games in between samplings. Honestly, it all just tastes like alcoholic grape juice to me. I'm not picky.
I live up here and had no idea we had wineries down in Berrien! I thought they were all up near Traverse City. 😅
I think there are around 30 in one cluster. If you can find someone to drive you, you're in for a good afternoon.