Leaving on a jet plane...

Last Friday Chris was offered the chance to receive an award for his plant (along with 4-5 other co-workers) for Quality Plant of the Year. The conference is in Clearwater, FL (near Tampa). It was a leave Monday (4/28) return Wednesday trip. He turned it down because he didn't want to miss my birthday (awe, I love him for that). Well we started talking and thought why can't I come too and celebrate my birthday together (what more could a girl from the Midwest ask for than soaking in the sun on the beach). Luckily the spot hadn't been filled and he could still go. His expenses will be covered and all we need to do it pay for my flight and find someone to watch the kids for 3 1/2 days. I have a wonderful friend (Angela) who had once offered to watch the kids for us for a few days. I called her on it and she said she would do it, all I would need to do is have someone else watch them during the day on Mon and Tues while Angela was at work. I can do that I have a large core to mom friends that I know I could count on to babysit for me.

Then late tonight we talked some more and decided we didn't want Jake and Casey to miss out on all the fun in Florida. So after a few hours of booking flights and a hotel room we have spontaneously planned a trip to leave Detroit on a Saturday and return Wednesday. We'll be staying right on the beach in Clearwater, FL. Along with checking out all the there is to do in Clearwater, on my birthday we'll drive 2 hrs to Orlando and visit Sea World. One of my favorite places (what a great present to me).

We told the kids tonight about it and they are thrilled. They ask if they will see Mickey Mouse. All they know about Florida is that is where Mickey lives (that's what we tell them). This will not be a Disney trip (but one of those will come in the near future).

Starting tomorrow I must hit the tanning salon. I have only 11 days to get ready. Florida here we come!