Today I take a step back to enjoy a beautiful mother-son bonding moment with a Picnic Lunch Under the Orlando Eye. This post is sponsored by Gold Peak Tea and Collectively. All opinions are my own.
Picnic Lunch Under the Orlando Eye
So much had changed in three days.
“I can only have water in my water bottle for P.E., Mom. The P.E. teachers told us that we HAVE to have water only so the gym floors don’t get sticky. Sticky gym floors would be HORRIBLE. Can you remember to only put water in my water bottle for P.E.? It’s really important.”
He told me more in that one conversation about second grade than his whole first grade career. In three days my son went from me begging him to tell me ANYTHING about school to 30 minutes straight of all of the latest news. An AWESOME science experiment. A COOL art project. A math challenge that he won. All of the “bucks” he was earning for good behavior. Everything sounded so exciting, so hopeful compared to previous years. And then I heard those fateful words in my ear…
“When are you coming home, Mom?”
OUCH. Sitting in my hotel room, those words had an extra sting this time. I was on yet another work trip. But this time, I was missing my son’s first week of school. Cue overwhelming mom guilt. Is it possible for a child to grow up so much in three days? Absolutely. When I came back home, my 7 year old son had aged overnight (well, three overnights). He looked so much older, wiser and was talking a mile per minute.
While I know that I couldn’t get that precious time back, I knew that I needed to make it up to him. Second grade is such a special year, it’s one of the most vivid school years of my youth. I wanted him to know that. So I planned a special picnic date just for us.
First, we needed picnic essentials. So we drove over to our picnic party spot, Del Taco. A few minutes later we emerged victorious with tacos, extra napkins and a BIG ole sweet tea for mom. Hey, don’t judge. It’s over 90 degrees right now in Florida. Mom needs her sweet tea! Thankfully Del Taco now has Gold Peak Tea for all of my sweet tea cravings.
I may or may not have indulged a few sips before our picnic.
Then, we took our picnic to the Orlando Eye. We LOVE this new area of town: a ginormous Ferris Wheel overlooking Orlando, a big grassy area for picnic-ing, and lots of people watching in this hot tourist spot.
Chowing down our delicious Del Taco meal (tacos and tea definitely are a winning combo!), we took in all of the sights around us as we sat, ate, and talked and talked and talked about all of the important happenings of back-to-school that I had missed.
It was wonderful afternoon as we looked up into the sky and had a memorable picnic.
Head into your local Del Taco, Red Robin, Jack N The Box, Five Guys Burger & Fries, Boston Market, Carl’s Junior, or TGIFridays to pick up your delicious Gold Peak Tea, picnic lunch and few priceless bonding memories with your kids. While I may not be able to get back those three days of 2nd grade, we will always have our Picnic Lunch Under the Orlando Eye.
A little him. A little me. A little tea.
How are you connecting with your kids this back-to-school season?
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Jessica says
That carousel looks amazing! I’m so ready for back-to-school next week. Fortunately, so are my kids!
Colleen Lanin says
That sounds like so much fun. My family has always loved picnic lunches, and the scenery there is beautiful.
Sarah Bailey says
Oh wow what an amazing place to stop for a picnic – hands I would love to visit Orlando again one day and I could see myself jumping on the eye! x
Chavonne Harvey says
Wow, those are some amazing sights! Looks like a fun place to take the family. We are doing a lot of DIY crafts, like making paper wallets and homemade playdoh. We also love playing games as a family too.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I love the idea of taking the kids on a picnic to get some alone time. I actually just took my daughter to get a manicure with me this weekend. It was so much fun!
Pam Wattenbarger says
what a fun picnic sport! We love Gold Peak tea here, it is a staple at all our family get togethers.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I love iced tea, it’s one of my favorite drinks year round. Over the years I’ve always felt a bit sad when it’s time for the kids to go back to school.
Brandy says
That sounds like fun! It looks like such a great place to bring the whole family for a picnic.
Melissa says
What a beautiful way to connect with your kids and spend some quality time together enjoying a picnic. It looks like you found the most picturesque spot!
mary says
We love the Orlando Eye. I just sent my parents there for their 57th wedding anniversary. They loved it too!
Crystal says
This is the first time my kids have gone to school without me. I transferred them out of the school I work in. Gosh I am dying for those details at the end of the day. Since they’re already giving me “Fine” and “Nothing” answers, I need more picnics like this to reconnect & delve deeper into their days.
Nikki Wayne says
Nice, what a wonderful time you have spent with your kids, Under the Orlando eye sounds pretty amazing.
Brianne says
Picnic’s are my absolute favorite! And that lunch and setting looked just perfect!
Janet W. says
What a fun idea to have a picnic lunch! That’s nice quality time spent together!
Nicole Escat says
Good to know that you have a quality time with the kids. I love your spot!
shell says
How fun to have a picnic with your kids! My youngest is headed into second grade next week.
I didn’t realize this tea was in Five Guys- I love eating there.