7 Days (part one)

So last week our family took our very first "stay-cation".  I'm not sure who coined the phrase, but it pretty much means taking a vacation without going away.  Yup, that's what we did.  I was a little worried about it at first considering everyone knows how to find us and we don't live in the most private home...would it still really feel like a break?

But summer in this area is just so fantastic and we were just excited to have time to enjoy it all together and maybe do some "touristy" things we've never done before, so made the plans - plans to do things but not be super busy at the same time.  Here are some highlights:


MONDAY

Newburyport - Oh, how I love this town.  We went a few weeks ago to specifically look for a couple of things for our home at my favorite antique shop, but it was closed.  This trip was one of browsing, buying (I found a mirror I had been looking for), and eating - Upper Crust (for the 1st time.  yum!)  Granted, towns like this are A LOT harder now that we have 3 children, but we got 3 or 4 comments on how well behaved our kids were.  Awesome!

TUESDAY

Davis Farmland - This was a new one to us.  I have heard about it for years, but it is very pricey (I think) and 1 1/2 hours away.  A friend told me about a 50% discount that was available and we decided to go for it.  It was GREAT!  Seriously, we loved it!  Animals, pretend play areas, well staffed with pleasant people, hay rides, playgrounds, farm stuff, very clean and well maintained, bouncy house, TONS  of picnic areas, sun and shade, sandboxes, great safety policy, family bathrooms (with a family of 5, these are awesome!), nursing room, and an AMAZING water play area.  We spent the entire day and left just as the storm clouds rolled in.  Chick-Fil-A for dinner and it was family night!  Kids ate free, including a sundae - perfect!

WEDNESDAY

Camping!  I have not been since Eli was 3 months old and Justin has not been with us since Addison was 18 mo.  I didn't think we'd get a trip in this year but Justin suggested the campsite right here in Gloucester so if there were any emergencies (i.e. screaming children not sleeping in a tent), we could just jump in the car and come home for the night. 

We drove around trying to find a somewhat private site and managed a pretty good one!  Setting up was fun - the kids loved the tent and that they each had a sleeping bag borrowed from a friend.  Addison and El ran in and out and all around the tent while Samuel crawled around finding every possible thing to test out in his mouth.  

A little pre-dinner trip to the beach down the road was our first order of business and then dinner - hot dogs on the fire, followed by s'mores.  Samuel went to sleep great in his pack n'play.  El and Addison got into their bags about 8:30/9:00...and were up till 11!!!  We were sitting out by the fire listening to their sweet conversations, "Eli, want to hold my hand?"  "Eli, look at the stars!"  "Ooohh, so buuutiful!"

Wake-up at 5:30am with the sun - that was pretty difficult.  We had campers quite near us and the campsite tries to maintain "quiet hours" till 8:30am.  Yeah.

That day was Justin's birthday, so I had thrown some b-day stuff into the van.  We hung some decorations, gave everyone party hats and leis and Justin, a balloon.  Quite the breakfast!  Camping was great; one night was perfect; 5 minutes away was the way to go!   Until next year!

                                                

                                                 

   

 THURSDAY
J- turned 33!  Camping breakfast and then back home to unpack and chill (me and the kids).  Justin was sent off to have a day to himself.  Kayaking, coffee, books, movie - he enjoyed it and it was good for the kids and I to have some time at home.

That evening a great friend came over to watch the kids and put them to bed for us while Justin and I headed into Boston to see "All's Well That Ends Well" on the Common.  Justin didn't know where we were going - we used to see Shakespeare in the park a bit more during the before kids life.  I packed dinner complete with glass plates and real wine glasses, presents and brownies with a candle.  It was great fun and SUCH a perfect night out.