The Time of My Life: Connecticut, Part 2

NOTE: Captions are mystifying me again! What is with the random boxes? I have tried and tried to fix the captions, but clearly my lack of html knowledge is impacting my ability to fix the problem...

Our trip was naturally divided into three parts. For the first part, Abbey was with us, so we got to spend time showing her around and trying some new things. After she left, William, Ryan and I were the only guests, so we settled into a routine since all of us feel right at home there. Part three will come later!

In previous years, Ryan has slept in a pack n play in Uncle Michael's room. I definitely didn't feel right displacing him for 2.5 weeks, and I wasn't sure about the boys sharing a room. They have a fantastic room set up with two twin beds, so that will be great next summer and beyond. When Mom and Michael visited last Christmas, I set Michael up in our playroom/study, which has French doors. I blocked out the windows with construction paper to give him a little privacy. This made me think we could try the same thing with Ryan in the formal living room. There was plenty of room for his crib, and Neil blocked the windows. Turn up the sound machine to drown out all of our noise, and we were good to go. Both kids slept amazingly well. This was the first trip since I was pregnant with William that I did not have to wake up even once with a child overnight. I loved it! Ryan woke up too early for my liking, but he takes after CC as a morning person.

Oh how I wish we had something like this nearby. There are cases of local meat on a couple of the walls. You pick what you want...

...total it up yourself and pay the open cash box. That's right. The honor system! Toto, I don't think we are in Houston anymore.

When it comes to guys, I believe this is called bonding.

Same activity, different summer! Back to the grill he went.

Oops he forgot to turn on the propane!

Time to flip.

The burgers have to cook with the lid down of course.

Patience is a virtue.

Juicy and delicious, I'm sure!

Bella wonders if Michael is posting about how cute she is.

Ryan is awake and ready to play!

The nap clearly pepped him up.

Looks like they really get the idea!

Well, Ryan needs to work on his aim a bit.

CC let them help out in her vegetable garden.

Potato!

Here is when I decided that I love my new lens, but it just will not work in the fenced-in vegetable garden! I could not back up any further, and it was driving me crazy.

Ahhhh...that's better. I can actually get both of them in a picture along with some of the garden.

I bet you can't even imagine how helpful they were!

CC bought a membership to the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut. They went the previous week, when Abbey and I were shopping. We decided to go back with PawPaw.

I was completely charmed by this little museum. It had more than enough to entertain the boys during their three (!) visits on our trip. The membership lasts a whole year, so we can't wait to go back and see what new fun they have for us next summer.

PawPaw and Ryan were willing recipients of William's cooking. Good thing because there was a lot of it!

William and Ryan totally monopolized the little Mexican restaurant. I didn't feel too bad. The place is small enough that the kids who wanted to come play in there could do something else and then walk the ten feet to the restaurant when we left.

Oh how he loves to cook! He insists on stirring every single pot that graces our stove at home.

Ryan weaseled his way into the kitchen. William likely noticed and shooed him back to the table. William is not a fan of too many cooks in the kitchen.

He is an industrious little guy.

The museum had just started working on an Italy exhibit. They hardly had anything in it, but William spotted some felt pizza. This was a huge hit! He used that shelf as his pizza oven. He has a bit of a pizza oven obsession. The kid loves Ciro's.

This adorable ice cream cart could be wheeled around the museum, and it held cones and different flavors of ice cream. I detect a food theme!

Submarine! I only fit in there with them because I am the size of a pre-teen. I have a hard time picturing a full-sized adult getting down there. It sure wouldn't be pretty.

This is pretty much the entire thing. There was an old metal seat or two, plus this control panel.

Having a grand old time.

It was hot, hot, hot in there. For some reason, the boys were totally enthralled by it. No other kids went in, probably because it was like an oven inside.

Ryan is so dramatic. Looks like William took the bubble wand he wanted.

No joke - this was taken a minute later when Ryan found the other bubble wand.

One of my favorite pictures ever. Holding hands while they watch TV.

Mom's office shares a parking lot with the Essex Steam Train, and none of us had ever ridden it! We decided to check it out before riding it the next week.

We went in the train museum. This model train set-up was out of this world. I have never cared a bit about model trains, and I was fascinated. There were countless switches people can flip that will make a fire truck's lights come on, little people ice skate, a ferris wheel turn, a car go through a drive-through, and on and on. I would love to go back just to see it!

Two little someones may need a train table!

William was too scared of the (very noisy) steam train to get close. Ryan and I enjoyed waving to all the passengers.

My attempt to get their hair cut was a total bust. We drove to the mall, and it turns out there was only one lady cutting hair with three kids in line. We didn't have time to wait, so they played in the play area for a bit before we left. It felt like home because it was very similar to Willowbrook's!

I got brave and decided to take them to Rogers Lake for a picnic by myself. They were so good!

I just can't get over how pretty it is there.

Cute...but probably not my best decision to let him put a stick in his mouth. I didn't let him run around with it if that helps my case any.

The prettiest view I have ever seen from a set of swings.

Why oh why is it so interesting to throw rocks into water?

Pretty sure I will never understand this, but that's OK. I am glad they think it's such fun!

So lovely out there!

CC and Uncle Michael pulled out a boat!

I thought it was about the coolest thing ever. The boys liked it but didn't spend much time in it. I bet they will put it to good use next year since their imaginations are running wild these days.