Father's Day Weekend 2023

Father's Day weekend was AMAZING! For me, at least. I feel kind of bad for how Larry's turned out though. I feel like I got another Mother's Day weekend though, it was so good...again, for me.

Our original plans were for him to leave for Wendover Friday night and stay until Sunday night. However, when he looked at hotel prices he decided he'd just do a Saturday to Sunday thing instead and just try and stay up (maybe take naps in common areas or on the bus). I told him it didn't sound as much fun, but he figured it would be good enough.

I decided I'd do a trip to the zoo with the kids, it sounded like a lot of fun, and I figured I could invite mom and grandma along and we'd all have a nice day there. Stace ended up deciding to come along too so I knew it would be a lot of fun.

Larry got to sleep in a bit on Saturday and then head out for the bus ride out. I got the kids ready for the day and we headed out right after lunch time (kids could get a decent nap on the drive to the zoo and then, most likely, on the way home too). Going to the zoo ended up being SO much more fun than I thought. It was SO nice to visit with mom and Stace (Grandma spent the day with Tanny). The weather was FANTASTIC. I brought the perfect amount of snacks for the kids (even though I only planned enough for my kids...it worked out great still). I stayed on top of the sunscreen so none of us got burnt. We even had enough time for the kids to enjoy the splash pad for a little mid-zoo break AND mom treated us all to some ice cream (well 4 cups that we all shared, but same difference).

We ended the visit saying goodbye to Stace and her boys, getting pics, and riding the Carousel (a huge favorite of kids). The kids got WIPED out and slept pretty good on the drive back. We got home just in time for dinner. Since they had a late nap I let the kiddos stay up while I did dishes and cleaned up a bit and let them get out any extra energy.

I decided to do bath night on Saturday since we were SO gross from being outside. Larry told me to call him once they were all down because he had gotten a hotel room (I assumed he got too tired). He ended up telling me he lost ALL the cash he brought with him and we have a strict no using cards for more money rule when gambling so he had nothing to do for the next day (the bus wasn't due to pick him up until 8 PM). He said he decided he's done going out there until he has someone to go with (kind of me, but I don't plan on going out there for a LOOONG time).

Today he said he spent as much time as he could in the hotel room (until checkout at 11), he loaded up on the free breakfast items, then just read the book he took out with him (that he was already almost halfway through), TWICE. He walked to the closest grocery store for snacks and the park across the street to get some fresh air, and that's about it. It sucks because he didn't bring a change of clothes, a phone charger, anything else to entertain him so that's all he did.

I feel bad his special day was such a bust! Luckily, he has a birthday coming up that we can, hopefully, make up for this weekend. He's still on the bus to come home and I can't wait to see him and relax in our comfy bed (he said he didn't sleep the best in the hotel since he didn't get to have a fan directly on him). Last year wasn't the greatest either (with a new baby and my anxiety and all) so maybe next year will be his year haha. Luckily, I do have a few goodies for him to "open" (I may have forgotten to wrap them, but they are in a box for him to open at least) and some cute little "Father's Day" worksheets the kids did for him to laugh at when he gets home (though I may wait till tomorrow to give them to him since he gets home so late tonight).

So Happy Father's Day to our special guy who works so hard each day, is able to balance school/work/and 4 kids with a (sometimes) crazy wife haha. Happy Day to the guy who makes us laugh with tickles and jokes. To the guy who makes us Mac N Cheese every Wednesday. To the guy who goes along with all my crazy plans and activities out of the house, even when it feels too hot or we're both exhausted. To the guy who is always willing to let me take a nap during the days and encourages me to find ways to relax more. To the guy who is the greatest ever!! We love you so much!