A split format would only enhance the time with your kids, it is the quality of the time spent. Let's face it, at the state level there is a lot of pressure, i have personally been involved with state tournaments in Kansas,California and Nebraska. The latter two use split formats, the kids are fresher, the parents happier and the day extremely shorter. Here's an idea, spend some of the day at the meet, perhaps do a team building activity or a trip to the zoo, swim in the motel pool, watch a movie, walk in the park,,,