Goin' North for Family Time

My kiddos are still in school. Sigh. The only bonus is that the school snow closures before Thanksgiving were half days, and because the teachers by law get to retain those shortened school hours (?), those in charge at the district changed the calendar from full days this week to half days. So, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week my children get to come home early. Yea!

Except that yesterday my daughter's middle school got an extra bonus. It was closed due to a massive burn-up of an electrical transmitter which resulted in no power and no heat since the windstorm on Saturday. So, free day for her yesterday! Yea-again!  Today, her school was in session but powered by a rented generator the size of a Mac Truck parked in the parking lot to keep heat and lights functioning. Rumor has it that the school has major electrical damage that will take all of Christmas Break to fix. Hmm, good timing?

We took advantage of the half days today to enjoy a trek up North to visit with my mom's cousin, her daughter, and two granddaughters who are visiting this week from a plane ride away. What a fun day! While it took us awhile to travel both ways, it was well worth the drive.

My mom's cousin recently moved to our state to be closer to one of her daughters (who was working today) and into a senior living community. I have to say, if we could all afford this lifestyle that feels more like a 5-Star Hotel, I don't think anyone would complain about getting older and downsizing to condo-type living. It really was gorgeous, huge, and very welcoming.

The older cousins were so kind and very accommodating to take my two younger ones on a full tour of all the "fun stuff" - ping pong, art studio, golfing range, and the swimming pool (had we known to bring bathing suits, they would have been allowed to jump in), leaving the adult cousins time to chat in the condo. It was fantastic fun. I hope the two older ones enjoyed it as much as my two sure did.

Very thankful for the school schedule change that allowed us to take the day to explore Up North with family. That's what this season is all about. Family time, and we got some today. Triple Yea!