We just returned from a week at Universal Studios in Orlando. We had previously planned to go last June but had to cancel with the pandemic. It was a very fun week but HOT,HOT, HOT and CROWDED,CROWDED,CROWDED. We stayed at one of the resorts that is on the property, Lowes Royal Pacific. It was a nice hotel but I felt that the Disney property we stayed at was a much better appointed room. The other issue we faced is nightly downpours that weren't just passing. They ruined two out of the four nights we were there. The main reason we stayed on property is to take advantage of the fast passes and to be able to get in early to the parks. We had park to park tickets which is essential if you want to see all of what Universal has to offer. This is especially true if you want to fully immerse yourself in the Harry Potter experience. The Harry Potter world was hands down worth every other inconvenience we experienced. It is truly magical!
We all knew it would be hot and crowded and it was! The kids loved all of the rides and had a wonderful time. Our friends who also lived in Portage but have since moved to Naples, FL joined us for a few days which was really fun. We noticed that there didn't seem to be enough staff at the hotel, or the parks. Many staff expressed that because many people are still receiving unemployment benefits they have had issues finding people to hire. After spending almost a year and a half in quarantine it was very overwhelming to be in such crowds. I felt like I needed a week to recover from it.
We are back in Michigan and we can't believe it's already July. Caroline went to Camp Wakeshma this week. Jeff and Matthew are headed back to Portage to pick her up tomorrow and Matthew will be staying in Portage for the week. I am sure when Caroline finds out she will want to stay as well. Ellie was invited to go to her friend Violet's cottage and is gone through Tuesday. It will just be me and Winston this weekend! Jeff will come back on Sunday and we will have a boring fourth of July!
Matthew has been very busy with football and he is also playing for the high school hockey team. He hurt his knee while we were gone and he has been trying to rest it so he can get back to training after next week's break.
Jeff is having his parathyroid out next month at U of M. Due to all of his clotting issues he will have to be inpatient on intravenous anticoagulants before the surgery. We are anxious to find out the date as we will have to figure out where the kids will be. Right now the plan is for Matthew to stay in Oakland Twp as he will have football. Caroline and Ellie will go to Portage to be with Jeff's mom. The surgery itself isn't a huge deal. Jeff's body just likes to make everything more difficult. 😏
Soon enough it will be fall and we are hoping for a normal year with no masks!! We are excited to be able to go to Matthew's football games. Ellie is thrilled to be going to middle school. Caroline is go with the flow with school and doesn't seem to be overly excited to go to high school. Matthew just dreads homework. 😉
