The Loud Americans: Jimmy and Kays Excellent Adventture

Sunday, July 08, 2018

Jimmy and Kays Excellent Adventture

When Jimmy and Kay found out that we werent going to Michigan to be with the family for the 4th because Billy had a tournament in Salt Lake City, they pitched a fit. They LOVE being at the cottage with their cousins. Its nonstop sports - volleyball, thunder, soccer, home run derbies, tensie, connect four, swimming, tubing, the list goes on and one.

We thought about it and thought - hell why not?! Called up Tammy and Jeff to see if they'd be in charge of them for a week (pick up at airport, make sure they ate, were nice, polite, etc) and they were IN! Next up, 2 airline tickets for teenagers. Turns out Jimmy can fly alone since he's over 15 but poor Kay is one week away from 15 so had to fly in the unaccompanied minors program. Needless to say, its a $150 charge, each way, to escort your own kid to the gate,wait for them to board and then have a trusted adult (with the right secret code) do the same on the back end. It did go very smoothly but not entirely sure why it cost so much. So, we used their frequent fliers, booked the trip and they were off!

They were both excited for their 1st solo flight and full week without parental controls. The night before we asked them what good behavior looks like and they ticked off all the right answers - please, thank you, no long showers, bus your dishes, compliment the chef, no sibling arguments... you know ... the standard parent lecture.

They were a bit disappointed to find out the flight was only 51 minutes but it was good practice for the next time (or so they say).

Tom treated them to lunch at the airport and then we didnt hear from them for a full week - no calls, no texts, nothing. Good thing they were surrounded by family and we got the scope anyway.

They landed at Tammy and Jeff's and spent the next 3 days in Grand Haven going to BBQ's, swimming in the pool, watching movies, playing connect four, making breakfast - super fun cousin time.

Then, off to Glen Arbor and Grandma and Grandpas cottage. To put it in perspective, Grandma and Grandpa have a cottage on the same piece of land as Auntie Lynn and Dadu. The cottages are part of an old resort that Tracy and her family went to every summer with Lynns family. Some serious long time memories, history and traditions up there. Its so fun to go back and relive all the great memories. In fact, Lynn's kids were all up too with their kids so... there were 9 kids ranging ages 16-11. Serious kid heaven.

They had SO much fun and were full of stories and inside jokes when they returned. In fact, Kay's phone died on day 1 of the vacation and she actually SURVIVED! Not only did she survive, she had a great time!! Yeah, see technology CAN be overrated.

When we told them that next year everyone was coming to MPLS for the 4th (since TKD nationals will be in MPLS next year) they balked - NO WAY, we HAVE to go to the cottage, its tradition, please mom?! Wow, they really must love it up there. Kay even asked to get it in the will (nice.)

So, we reserved a cottage on the same property for next year and it'll be full on madness, figure we'll send them up 1st and then join with Billy once his competition day is over.

Oh the things we do for our kids....

Some highlights (photos shared by aunts and grandparents, not by kids;))

Thank you to the whole village that looked after them for a week. What great training for them to be on their own (at least from us) and prove what good kids they are. AND...have fun;) Love you all!!

Let's just say ... Jimmy was expressly forbidden to bring "the hat" but he did - it caused controversy and then everyone of the boys wanted to wear it...urgh