Today’s journal entry is being written for you live from Arizona!
Ethan and Ehlana seemed to be suspiciously unsurprised this
morning when Uncle Adam and Aunt Leanne came over for breakfast to spring the
early birthday surprise on Dad, but then they were probably there whenever Mom
and Aunt Leanne worked on their plans for the four-day weekend away gift. I loved finding out about the surprise as
much as Dad did, so I was good with not knowing about it early.
I seriously doubt that I want to know about all of the
presents Dad got for his birthday today, but thankfully, Aunt Leanne made sure
that he didn’t open those gifts around the twins and me. Dad actually had quite a few gifts that had been
left with Mom or Aunt Leanne from Violet, and some of his friends, so we all
needed to rush around a bit by the time we’d finished eating; and he’d opened
most of those presents.
We weren’t leaving for the airport until after Dad was
finished work, so I had all day at school to try not to spend all of my time
thinking about my first trip to see Grandma and Grandpa at one of their winter
homes-away-from-home. The tough part of
the day was dealing with the fact that I wasn’t going to be sharing this adventure
with Rowen. It’s strange to think about
it, but this will be the longest time Rowen and I have been apart since
becoming best friends when I first started school in Witch Falls. I’ll definitely need to do some special
shopping for her while we’re here.
It wasn’t all daydreaming about Arizona sun and fun for me,
since Mrs. Warren had been in on the secret; and not only made sure that I had
the extra homework for the two school days I’d be missing, but had me write the
two pop quizzes she’d be springing on my class next week too. I had to pick up extra work from the rest of
my teachers too, and had something to work on from every subject except music
and Phys-Ed. The good news there is that
I had time between school and Dad getting home from work to get everything done
thanks to a little high-powered Magi study time while I got my weekend bag
packed and chatted with Rowen and Mandy.
Speaking of Mandy, she didn’t get to come with us either, and Rowen’s
taking care of her while we’re away. That
was a last-minute change; and I think that Rowen and Mandy will both have fun
hanging out together while I’m gone.
We had the van loaded and ready to go by the time that Dad
pulled into the driveway. He had Aunt
Leanne with him, but we only had time for a quick round of good-bye hugs before
it was time to hit the road for the airport.
That part of the trip wasn’t particularly exciting, but I haven’t been
on an airplane in years, and this was the first time for the twins; so we all
had a lot of fun with the whole airports and flight adventure. Ethan and Ehlana charmed and entertained
everyone around them; including Mom, Dad, and me. The twin thing had a lot to do with that, but
then so did the fact that they played with their iPads too while we waited at
the airport, and when they could during our flight. I practically felt invisible by comparison,
but then that actually felt normal; since that’s exactly what Mom and I always
tried to do whenever we travelled before moving to Witch Falls.
We split up at the airport in Phoenix so that Mom could get the car rental
while Dad and I waited for the luggage.
We kept Ehlana with us while Ethan went with Mom; and it still took
quite a while before we met up again and could load up the minivan. More driving followed, with the only change
being the warmer weather; and then, finally, we were at Grandma and Grandpa’s
condo resort. I’m sure there will be a
lot more to see in the morning, but I was good with catching a glimpse of the
beautiful pools, gardens, and paths that we passed on our way to our weekend
home away from home. Even with the time
change, it was still after midnight, but Grandma and Grandpa were awake and
welcomed us enthusiastically. I know it
hasn’t quite been three weeks since they left for Arizona, but we’re all happy to be together
again for a few days. It isn’t something
I’ve really thought about, but Grandma and Grandpa probably haven’t spent many
of Dad’s birthdays with him since he was eighteen – between him being away for
college and work, and then their travels after retiring. Hopefully we can help all of them make some
memories this weekend to make up for all of those missed birthday moments.
We apparently have a lot of play plans for tomorrow, and
though we stayed up and visited for nearly an hour before going to bed, I still
wanted to take care of my usual nightly computing, including sending out a few
email; so I’ve been doing that – and this – in Magi mode so I can wrap it up
and get some sleep. I’m sure I’ll have
more to write about tomorrow, but not if I’m too tired to do more than have
naps all day, so...
...say ‘goodnight, Cassie’.
“Goodnight, Cassie.”
