Back in July...

I always put off starting posts about our trips to Connecticut. Not because I don't want to write it all down but because I take an absurd number of pictures, and I get overwhelmed at the thought of how long it will take to do the blog post! So we will break this trip up into three posts.

Abbey has told me several times that she would be wiling to fly to CT with me since Mikey can't ever go for as long as the boys and I can, and I am so not ready or willing to fly alone with the kids (especially since Ryan sits in a car seat on the plane). Be careful what you volunteer for, people, because I will take you up on it! Somehow we managed to put our schedules together and find a time that would work for everyone. I was thrilled to have the help and even more thrilled to spend so much time with Abbey! She was my travel buddy many times in our younger years, and it had been too long since we embarked on a trip together. Doing this with two kids in tow was definitely a change, but her calm demeanor and ever-present smile made it all seem like a walk in the park.

And we're off! Yes, I have a death grip on William. He isn't much of a runner, but I wasn't taking any chances in the airport drop-off area. The Go Go Kidz Travelmate (which we attach the car seat to so it rolls like a stroller) is amazing. The boys took turns riding in the car seat as the day progressed. 

That Abbey exercises every chance she gets! Ryan was fascinated by the people movers. He walked against the flow of the one above, so he got a lot of steps in...always good to get some energy out before a day of flying.

This is the first flight where he really comprehended what was happening. Contrary to what most people suggest, I ALWAYS board as late as possible. I get that people like to pre-board when they can to get settled, but there is not one ounce of me that would choose to sit in tight quarters with a restrained toddler for any longer than is absolutely necessary. This is one reason that it is priceless to have help. Abbey and William boarded first and got the car seat strapped in so Ryan and I could board last and be ready to go. 

He was a superstar. We had to sit two behind the other two since there were four of us. Abbey was on William duty. He put her through a Play-Doh boot camp on our first flight. He loves Play-Doh, but he doesn't like to actually manipulate it. He prefers to tell someone else what to do with it. Nice. 

I had to stay one step ahead of this little man, but he handled it as well as any guy his age could. He wanted to stay busy, busy, busy. I had an overloaded bag of tricks with lots of snacks and new trinkets. His obsession at this point was buckling things. He spent a very long time in both airports sitting in front of his car seat playing with the buckle. Whatever works!

We had mostly smooth sailing. Our first flight was a little late, and our layover was pretty short. Of course we had to take a potty break, and then we high-tailed it to our next gate (which was not anywhere near where we landed). We jogged quite a ways, and I was holding Ryan while Abbey pulled William in the car seat. Ryan was feeling clingy and a little fussy. Otherwise I SO would have passed him off to the marathoner on my left! I was seriously huffing, puffing, and sweating. We finally made it, and guess what...our flight was delayed. Of course! Sure wish that email had come about ten minutes earlier. It ended up working out fine, and the delay wasn't significant. We made it to Connecticut without any major drama. Mom was so kind as to have a bottle of wine ready for our arrival. Whew!

Michael accompanied us to the beach on our first day. It is so nice to have a beach less than ten minutes away. It had been raining, so the beach was pretty much deserted.

Ryan hadn't seen a beach for a very long time, but he felt right at home.

Love watching these two play baseball. 

Ryan was a very patient seagull-chaser. He walked slowly and deliberately. I love how his footsteps blazed a trail in the freshly groomed sand. 

You can imagine how successful this game was. 

William took it seriously. Ryan not so much!

Just checking to see if Mommy is looking! 

This is a terrible but hilarious picture of me. You can see why with the ball coming off the bat and Ryan directly in the line of fire. 

Thanks to Abbey's husband, James, for doing a little Photoshop work on this picture. With so many squinters on a beach, we didn't have a single picture with all eyes open and the boys mostly looking content.

The rest of us were in the car. William just had to get in one more minute of beach time.

Life is rough. I have no clue why he was crying. I'm sure it's because of some great injustice. 

We lucked into one last baseball game before Michael's summer season ended.  It started at almost 8 pm, so it was a late night. The boys were champs as always. Ryan needed a little more entertainment, but William soaked it all up. 

Aren't they cute in their little chairs? 

I couldn't delete this picture after seeing that "lap dog" in the background.

She was very sweet. The boys are really good about not rushing up to dogs or startling them. They know you have to ask before you pet. This dog was a sucker for any attention.

One of Michael's coaches saw the boys, came off the field, and gave each one their own ball. It was so nice. William especially appreciated getting a ball from one of the big guys.

Ryan has good taste. Mom and Neil's chairs are AMAZING. He figured that out pretty quickly. Abbey isn't just ignoring the game here. She is sending Mikey pictures of William and Ryan with their baseballs.

This trip was really my first chance to try out my new lens. It performed well!

I should go into the ice cream truck business. They make a killing! PawPaw bought us all ice cream. My drumstick was good, but I was totally eyeing my mom's choco taco. I have never had one. That needs to change.

How all-American is this one?? 

The lens still did pretty well once the lights came on. All of these were taken through the holes in the backstop. Not too shabby.

For some reason I love Michael's left arm in this one. I am easily impressed. Steeee-rike! 

This is the photo I sent Mikey before Abbey and I embarked on a girly day of shopping fun. We took my mom's fancy car, and I was petrified to be trusted with that thing, especially on a rainy day! She made me feel better when she reminded me that it is in fact just a car. The guys in the family all make such a big deal out of it that I appreciated the reminder. 

We ate lunch at a pub (very reminiscent of our last big trip after our senior year of college - we took London by storm). Then we were on a mission! Shop till we drop! We spent an unhealthy amount of time in one little boutique. They sold the sign above. I really, really wanted to buy it. But then I realized that it is only true for me. :) I feel like I am a pretty decent mom, and I do have sticky floors, (a) dirty oven, and happy kids. But so many of my friends are wonderful moms, and they find the time to keep a super tidy house. I didn't want to make them feel like I am judging them for being clean. I envy them and their high level of efficiency. 

Poor guy, stuck at the local ice cream parlor, belly full of ice cream on a beautiful day. 

Abbey didn't even know there was an ice cream place in their town, but when I asked what she wanted to do on the trip, she said get ice cream in the local shop. That was an easy one! It is so good, and their servings are beyond generous.  

Not sure what they are looking at - probably pictures of William. There is nothing more interesting! 

Oh this one makes me happy! 

And this just cracks me up. "Yes, PawPaw, you may wipe my face now. Not too rough though. I have delicate skin."

Abbey took two very(!) long runs on her trip, so she certainly earned this nap in the back yard. 

Bella wanted to join in on the napping portion of the day.  

Beautiful!  

I never know what the gardens will look like when we visit. My mom's green thumb is something else.  

Playing outside at any hour of the day never gets old.  

Pants schmants.  

Fishing does not require water.  

PawPaw and William bowled in the tree house. But of course. 

Abbey needed to try the local lobster before heading back home. There were no boosters or high chairs at the restaurant, and the boys did unbelievably well! It's a good thing they are both food-motivated. They stayed still to chow down. 

We wanted to walk around and take advantage of the nice weather. Abbey grabbed my camera and started snapping. 

Don't fall over the edge. That is all I ask. 

Pretty shot of a rather ugly area.

Sunset

Got the shot (finally!) - let's go home for...

...s'mores!

And with that, Abbey headed home. I was really sad to see her go. She was so much fun to have around and was a fantastic help with the kids. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her experience Connecticut for the first time. We went to an art museum that I had passed a hundred times but had never entered. It's fun to have someone with new energy go somewhere you have been before and open your eyes to new activities. 

Abbey knows my family so well that she can spend time with any one of them (without me) and be totally comfortable. So sometimes she would ride somewhere with Michael or my mom. I didn't have to "babysit" her one bit to make sure she felt like a part of things. 

 I sure am glad we met the first day of sixth grade in Ms. Zembal's class! :)