Staycation

Paul found an excellent deal on a really nice hotel in Charlotte's center city, and we decided to go on a STAYcation. The kids packed their own bags, and then they all picked me up at work on Friday just before check-in.  We had a great twenty or so hours being tourists in our hometown.

The big three?

 Just after getting settled into our room with a view, we explored Uptown a little, had an appetizer of fries and lemonade while bowling in Epicentre, and made just enough room in our tummies for a giant brownie sundae for dinner.  G and Wy took their first all-out bubble bath and then watched their first ($18!!!) in-room movie.  We were thinking we'd doze off soon, but the hotel concierge surprised us with courtesy cookies.  Why not?

  While sitting perched eleven stories up and enjoying the skyline lights over cookies, we saw the little bike taxis down below and got a wonderful idea.  We made a quick change, grabbed some hotel umbrellas, and zipped downstairs for a late-night ride around the city.  This skinny, fit man drove all four of us all over Charlotte in this thing.  In the rain!

 We woke up to breakfast in bed.  Greta and Wyatt's first time with room service.  (My second.)

 Nothing like cranberry juice in your cup as you watch morning cartoons.  Or was it ESPN?

Then, the real tourism began. . . . 

 We visited the site of the new Knights Stadium.  Can't wait to see games here next Spring!

 Across the street is the future home of the Romare Bearden Park.  Lookin' good, Charlotte!

 Around the corner, we'd have been remiss to have forsaken treats from Amalie's.

 It was at Amalie's that we cashed in two quarters in return for 50 pennies.  

Twenty-five cents in two little cups for two little kids and plenty of wishing.

This was bound to happen.

But so was this!

Telling secrets.

The Thinker?

 

 The Green!

 Hopscotch on the Green.

Almost ready to rent one.  Just needs  maybe a foot of growth and a few critical skills.

Next stop:  the light rail!

We finally made it to lunch and then were ready to play - - when the rain started.  

No matter, Greta and Wyatt made this play set a slip-n-slide. 

I got to ride the light rail all the way back Uptown holding hands with my little guy.
What a nice way to spend the afternoon.

The Booth-Masseys spent a record low for a vacation and actually had more time together with just the four of us than we ever have.  We think this might become an annual tradition.  

One of the best times I can remember.