Brave Summer Univeral Venturing

As legitimate Floridians, we don’t do theme parks in the summer. We actually reserve a lot of silent judgment for those who think it’s a great time to travel here and spend beaucoup $$$ to fry shoulder to shoulder on the asphalt. But Tate missed Universal and we need to use our passes, so here we are with all the Dave Ramsey dropouts. Tate said at least it’s not as hot as Boston… which he will forever reference as the hottest place on earth. 2022 likes to switch it up.

 

 

We are anxiously awaiting the reopening of the Mummy ride after refurbishment. The barriers are down! It won't be long. Meanwhile we rode Escape from Gringotts.

Wesley & Anna Kate got to ride the water rides with Erin when she was here for spring break, but Tate's been waiting for his chance. You get absolutely SOAKED on water rides at Universal, so it's not something you want to do every time. We've been waiting for an unreasonably hot day when it would feel good. Today was that day! Carigan and I decided to sit it out and get ice cream instead, but I was poised & waiting with my camera when they finally came barreling down Ripsaw Falls. I took a picture of about 28 strangers before the right log emerged.

I talked Carigan into riding Jurassic Park River Adventure with us, since I rode it with Erin and knew we wouldn't get drenched. And I wanted to ride it once without Ellie spazzing out. 

Our favorite way to end a day at Universal is always on Hagrid's Motorbikes!

 

The construction walls are down and the carousel seems to be open again! It's been closed for refurbishment (and hidden) the entire time we've had Universal passes, so this was my first glimpse of it in over 17 years! All the rides were closed by the time we were exiting the park, but riding the Caro-Suess-el is on my to-do list before our passes expire!

Explorations Coming to an End

I took Carigan & Tate to the children’s museum downtown in the historic Kress Building today to say goodbye… It closes next week in preparation for the bigger fancier children’s museum opening soon at Bonnet Springs Park. I’m super sentimental, but I was still caught off guard how emotional it was for me. I told the kids it was like going to see a friend you know is going to die next week. Explorations V was my AC haven and my wiggly toddler support group with all 4 babies. Its familiarity has been one of the few unchanging constants in my life over the past 16 years. I know the new museum will be great, but I feel like I’m experiencing the literal closing of my kids’ childhoods in way too tangible a fashion for this sentimental chic. 

 

 

I couldn't resist coming home and taking a deep dive into all my museum photos from years past.

 

We've shopped the baby Publix with everyone from Kendall Abrams to Harper Clements to Cambelle Hubbard. We even got to come at night and play in the dark once during Night at the Museum:

 

 

 

Carigan driving the firetruck with Megan Abrams, and one of my many playdate meetups with moms (you can see Heather Cooper and Tonya Norris above in the background). 

 

 

Putting on shows over the years, and pouting when it's Jax's turn to be the director:

 

 

They have already painted over the handprints of kids who celebrated their birthday at the museum. The Force led Carigan to the site of her handprint. It's under there somewhere.

 

Goodbye stairwell murals! We've made so many precious memories here. From Sweet Baby Wesley to Sweet Baby Tate... and itty bitty Cooper kids:

 

Wesley in the grove truck as a baby, and Tate in the grove truck as a big boy.

I've rocked my heart out in this rocking chair! Rocking down here in the cool basement was always my reward for chasing the kids all around upstairs.

 

I actually think I’ll come back next Friday on the museum's very last day, just because I’m neurotic like that. I’m thankful that my kids will get to keep so many memories of such a happy place.