Cardozo Current Events: South Carolina Baseball Trip

Baseball season has been incredibly LONG this season! I'm not quite sure what it is that has made it seem like it is never going to end. This year was a little different than those in the past because Jeff worked EVERY single game, I am employed as a Nanny 4 days/week, I have had several health issues arise, Brooke & Austin are both in school, and Addison is all over the place (last year she was just 1-4 months old during it.) Regardless of the reasons I have felt on many occasions that I was sucked into a black hole and fighting to get out.

With all of this being said, UF was gracious enough to tell Jeff that we could join him for the series up in South Carolina and they would foot the bill(including mileage......score!) I was stoked because I was going to be able to spend some time with my oldest friend, Melissa and her family. The added bonus was that Kimby drove down to join us for the weekend and kept me company during the games. Austin even had a sleep-over with her Friday and Saturday night. He was such a big boy and he had a great bonding experience with his Aunt. It really was a priceless memory!

We drove up on Thursday morning, leaving Addison behind with my parent's for the 4 day trip. I didn't think she would enjoy the car ride or the 3-4 hours spent each day at the ballpark. It was also nice to spend some quality time with Brooke & Austin, which is something we really haven't had the opportunity to do in a long time. The car ride was long, especially since every 2-3 minutes we heard "Are we there yet?" or "How much longer until Carolina?" It really didn't matter how we answered either of those questions because a 3 & 5 year old have no concept of time or mileage. When we arrived we grabbed a bite to eat and brought it to the hotel. Jeff left for the field while we tried to get a nap in. The kids and I then headed to the field where we met up with Melissa and AJ. The new stadium was incredible, complete with a grassy area and a bounce house for the kids to enjoy. We lasted 4 1/2 innings in our seats, where the kids learned how to keep score by a very sweet grandma-esque Gator fan. The other 4 1/2 innings we hung out at the kid friendly zone. The kids had an absolute blast and I left wishing we had an area like that at McKethan so we could make it to more of the games.

Friday we headed over to Melissa's house, which was beautiful and the type of Craftsman style home that I've always wanted to live in. Their neighborhood was new and full of adorable houses. the instant we turned into the neighborhood Jeff looked over at me and said "Oh I know you are in love with this!" He of course was right. Why can't we have houses like that in Florida?!? We had a great time hanging out with Melissa and AJ and as an added bonus her Mom, Maria and Stepdad, Terry had made the trip up from FL to watch AJ for the weekend. It was nice to see everyone. We enjoyed a pizza lunch and then let the kids run amok outside playing in the kiddie pool. That night Kimby arrived and we enjoyed the game, where the Gators took the SEC Title!

Saturday I wasn't feeling very well and didn't want to sit out in the heat watching a game that didn't matter and I thought it would be nice to do something special with the kids. So, after Kimby and I headed out for a bit by ourselves to hit up Starbucks(you shouldn't expect anything else when the 2 of us are together) and drive around campus we loaded the kids up and drove off in search of a movie theatre. We ate lunch at Moe's and then saw Shrek the 4th. Afterward we took them on a mini shopping excursion(purpose was bor Kimby to buy Austin his b-day presents) to Toys R Us. We had a lot of fun with the kids playing with all of the fun stuff! Of course we couldn't even leave the parking lot without taking everything out of the boxes :) Austin got a new Ironman Mask(which is HUGE!) and an Ironman shooter. Brooke got a cute little puppy with clothes and a carrying case. By the time we got back from our excursion, Jeff was done with the game and we took the kids out for ice cream.

The next morning we ate breakfast at the hotel and began the long journey home. It was a good trip and I'm so glad we went. Next year I have my sights set on joining him for the UF/GA series up in Athens......sans kids!