Our Trek to Dallas

Back in February 2019, I had an opportunity to head to Grapevine, TX to check out Great Wolf Lodge. It was a night with tons of other homeschoolers taking advantage of great rates at the lodge, while taking a break from day to day life. 

We decided on going out the night before, staying in a hotel near the lodge, and exploring a few places in the area. I hopped in my back office and found a great deal for Legoland and the Aquarium. I booked us a hotel and we were off! 

Legoland was our first stop! It was super cool to see all of the pieces built out of legos. I'd say that if I had to pick between Dallas and Orlando, Orlando would be the spot to go--much bigger!  But, Dallas did NOT disappoint! 

We walked right across to the aquarium, where the kids continuously impressed the workers with all their knowledge they had about the animals ;) Tends to be the theme --- skepticism sets in when the word homeschool is mentioned, UNTIL ... did you know that these right here, sir....... and the endless facts come spewing out! ​

Back in February 2019, I had an opportunity to head to Grapevine, TX to check out Great Wolf Lodge. It was a night with tons of other homeschoolers taking advantage of great rates at the lodge, while taking a break from day to day life. 

We decided on going out the night before, staying in a hotel near the lodge, and exploring a few places in the area. I hopped in my back office and found a great deal for Legoland and the Aquarium. I booked us a hotel and we were off! 

Legoland was our first stop! It was super cool to see all of the pieces built out of legos. I'd say that if I had to pick between Dallas and Orlando, Orlando would be the spot to go--much bigger!  But, Dallas did NOT disappoint! 

We walked right across to the aquarium, where the kids continuously impressed the workers with all their knowledge they had about the animals ;) Tends to be the theme --- skepticism sets in when the word homeschool is mentioned, UNTIL ... did you know that these right here, sir....... and the endless facts come spewing out! ​

We tucked into the hotel for the night and waited anxiously to head to Great Wolf the very next day! To my surprise their HUGE FIREPLACE  was BURNING! Y'all you're in Texas in 90 degree weather--- it's HOT!!! I know, I know it's supposed to add to the atmosphere of the lodge--but it was HOTTTTTT!! ​

My girl is not fond of the water. We stayed right where you see her now. Standing at the window--watching everyone play in the water! Momma wouldn't' have had it any other way--- she's only little for so long! Although, the day we were to leave, we did go out and sit on the chairs and watched everyone play--- but let's not forget it WAS HOT!!! 

We soon realized we were not too far from Waco--the home of Magniolia Silos! My son is set on flipping houses when he's older--- we don't watch much TV, so he wasn't familiar with Chip and Joanna, but once we got there his heart was on fire! He even convinced me to buy a tumbler there so that one day when he attends college there and he works for them, he can show them that he bought a tumbler from their store all the years before! 

So we headed out to spend the day there! It did NOT disappoint guys! Inspiration for my son, an unexpected adventure for the adults and memories with the little ones! My heart was set on fire!

It was time to head home. We decided on going through Houston-- staying on major highways as much as we could, because let's face it--- four kids, two women on the road---- you MUST be safe. 

Emerson, the oldest kiddo on the trip, tends to get sick in the car. We're just about past Houston and she starts to feel queasy. She ends up sick, so we pull over to clean her up and get the nastiness out of the car.

Imagine: no lights. All interstate. Cars flying by. Us on side of road. OF COURSE it would only be us who are confronted by a MAN FROM THE WOODS!!

So Em climbs from the back into the middle section, steps out the vehicle, takes out the trash and hops back into the car. We decide to let her stay in the middle in case we need to get to her on the way home. 

...... I'm sitting in passenger seat.. facing Stacy..... talking to Em.........

Stacy:  ****slaps my arm****** ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
Me: what?!!!!!!!

Stacy: WHATTTTTT DO YOU WANT! WHATTTTTT DO YOU WANT!!!!!!!!!1

Kids: Silence. 

Me: ****rolls down window****

Stacy: what the HELL are you doing!!

Me: what do you wanttttt!!!!!!!! whattttt do you want!!!!!!!!!!

Man from woods: are you ladies okay? do you need some help? 

Stacy: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Me: yes! she's just sick! What do you wantttttttttttttttt????????????

Man from woods: I'm just checking to make sure you are okay. 

Me: getting light headed. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! What do you wantttttt!

Kids: silence

Stacy: grabbing my arm as tight as she can! ahhhhhhhhh

Man in the woods: chuckling! Hands facing car (he wanted us to make sure we knew we were safe) phone light facing the car so we could see his face. 

Me: where did you come from? ******hysterically laughing*****

Man from the truck behind us: I pulled over and walked to the car with the light on my phone facing you guys hoping you'd see us!

Stacy: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Me: OMG! *****snort**** ****cry laughing***** snort*** I thought you were going to kill us! I didn't see you! I thought for sure you were coming from woods! ****snort**** cry laughing****

Stacy: OMG if you would have come out those woods with a clown mask on... I would have SHAT myself! 

That was IT! I was hollaring screaming crying laughing all at the same time. 

I think it took me 24 hours to get back to my normal feeling self. I literally, in that moment, thought we were going to die. I think about it now, and chuckle, BUT lesson learned--- we probably need to carry mace with us--- LUCKILY he was only trying to help, but it's our reality that we live in--- that's not always the case!