Florida Trip Day 6

Saturday January 25th, 2020

We had a bit of a unique day.  Brandon and M had the special opportunity to attend a ProBowl practice.  While we were waiting for the bus to take us home after our day at Disney we learned about all the fun family activities happening at ESPN Wide World of Sports leading up the ProBowl.   We checked the schedule and saw that M and Brandon could attend a practice on Saturday morning. M was very excited to attend.  They headed out before 9:00 and didn't get home until after 1:00.  While they waited for the practice to begin M played a pick up game with some new friends. The event was not what M was expecting.  The practices are very relaxed and it was hard to tell who was who.  Still they were literally in the same place as MANY great athletes.  M was so hoping for an autograph and when none was attained he was crushed.  There were many many tears and he just wanted to leave.  I was texting Brandon at this time and he said that he was going to try change M's mood. I felt horrible that M was struggling so much.

Anticipation. 

Playing with new friends. 

Looks like he is having fun. 

M: It was fun to play with other kids. 

Ready for practice to begin. 

The venue.

There were a few photographers. 

*I am not really sure what is happening in the photos or who the people are in them. Brandon took lots of pictures and I just picked some random pics so I might not even have the best ones.

The practice. 

More practice. 

Lining up. 

The crowds. 

I might be making this up, but I think the guy with the ball is Drew Brees 

M: I just kept waiting for an autograph and no one came. 

Drew Brees playing catch with his kids after practice.  So cool!

The venue was hosting games and things too so Brandon tried to redeem the time by doing some games.  That helped a little.  Eventually they saw a crowd gather around Shaquem and Shaquil Griffin, two brothers who play for the Sea Hawks.  They were doing wacky games and contests.  M really enjoyed watching them and was able to get a high five from (at least) one of them.  He was eventually able to get both their autographs and was very happy about it.  They finished their time together with a second trip to Chick-fil-A.  M came home in a great mood.  He was very proud of his autographs and called the morning one of the highlights for the week.

M: I was just so upset about not meeting players that it wasn't that fun to play games. 

How many skittles can you get in a cup using chopsticks while blindfolded?

The Griffin Brothers!

Giving High Fives!

M:  That is my hand about to get a high five. 

M:  This is when I got an autograph!

That is me, next in line!

M:  I got them!!!  (Me:  Thank you Jesus) 

M: I had to pose like Mahomes next to Mahomes!

This day ended up being way better than it was a couple hours ago!

While Brandon and M were doing their thing, the rest of us were back at the resort.  First we checked out an onsite park and tried to catch some warm sun. Then we checked out the lobby and pool area.  T was quite impressed. Then we took the kids to the arcade and they had a lot of fun playing many different games and picking out lots of little prizes.  Uncle Bret and A were generous to share their tickets and points with T.   So thankful for a resort with so many amenities.

T: The lobby was SO fancy!  I loved it!

Catching some morning rays!

T: The air hockey table was really good and that made it hard. 

T: I could barely reach the pedals on the car. 

T: It was an intense race. 

T: This game took a lot of points really fast!

T: This was the best game.  We played a long time and even played without using our card. 

My dad rocked this game and played it quite a while. 

After the arcade we checked out another pool area and another park.  The girls had quite a bit of fun together. My dad and brother played Shuffleboard and the girls played in the room and watched some TV I think.  We ate some lunch and the guys returned.

T: We played school and house and other games on the park. 

After lunch we all put on our suits and headed for the pool.  It was right about 70 degrees, but it was sunny and the sun felt good.  I never got in the water, but the kids enjoyed playing at the beach and the pool and hot tub and laying in the sun.

Beach Babes!

Our family Pose One

Pose two. 

The whole crew. 

Lining up... again. Another day, another pool!

The water felt great!

While they enjoyed playing in the pool, the hot tub was still a hit.

Hot tubs are the best. 

The girls spent quite a bit of time with my mom at the sandy beach.

T: We decorated a castle. 

T: We also wrote our names in the sand. 

After swimming and showers we went to Denny's to eat.  It was a bit intense and the server was not the most friendly and that was very stressful for me.  It was truly the most stressed I have been at a restaurant in years... or ever.  It was so glad when we could leave.  I pray for that woman, that she could have joy.

We ended the night looking for souvenirs.  It took a long time to make decisions and M ended up with a pocket knife (his first, a big deal) and T with a Mickey wallet and a bracelet.

Once we returned to the resort I washed a load of clothes in the in room laundry and we said goodbye to the family.  They all had early flights (my parents and A back to MN and my brother to Jamaica), but our flight didn't leave until 9:47pm, so we still had one more full day in FL!