We're Not in Kansas...What the Hell?

If we thought the Monday Night storm was bad, we were kidding ourselves. The bonus was we were not out in it.

Again we could hear the thunder rolling in the distance, though we had blue skies. Lex and I sat on the grass outside after dinner. He blew bubbles while I listened to my book. When the thunder got louder and the lighting started to flash in the distance, at this point Lex thought it was best for us to go inside. "We go in now Momma." He was firm able his request and wouldn't go inside until I got up and made my way to the door.

Shortly after the sky got dark, the rain began to fall and the wind whipped. We started to watch form the three season porch. The lighting hitting across the lake. The rain came harder as did the wind. At the same time Mad Dog and I decided that it was best for us all to go into the house. I had seen a large piece of wood fall from the tree in front of me. Mad Dog has noticed something else. Lex was very nervous and not happy about the whole thing. The lights kept flickering but held strong. The kids were playing on the floor as Mad Dog and I listened to the storm. There was a large bang. Mad Dog looked out into the side yard. The canoe has fallen off the saw-horses it had been set on. We would have to take care of that in the morning.

Things started to calm down after 20 minutes or so. We went back out on the porch. The lights finally went, which meant no water (the well pump is run by electricity). Everyone had their flashlight. We sat and watched the last of the storm. When the rain stopped, Mad Dog and I went out to look for any damaged. We did found the canoe on the ground. It didn't look like there was much damage to it. We reset the saw-horses and together we lifted the canoe and put it back in place. The smoker was completely knocked off the fire pit. A small tree was uprooted. We moved branches and cleaned up the yard as the kids watched from the windows. Cars had backed up on route 4 outside the gates of the yard. Mad Dog noticed that there was an Ambulance and Police cars were up the road blocking the road. Something had happen, possibly the power lines were down just around the bend. The kids came out and looked around. There was a tree slit in two across the street. It was getting dark and we had enough excitement for one night.

We called my Mom and let Stuart know there was some damage to the canoe through we didn't know if was old or from the storm. We would bail the boat tomorrow morning after any additional rain fell. We moved the rest of the branches before turning in. Lex and I slept in the small bedroom; Gabrielle on the floor in her sleeping bag in the kitchen; Mad Dog and Loki on the three season porch on the futon. Lex fell asleep quickly and I dozed off listening to Salem's Lot.

The following day we packed up and cleaned up to leave as best we could. The power was still out, preventing us from cleaning the remaining dishes and vacuuming the floors. I bailed the boat with Loki as Mad Dog packed the car up. My Mom called we shortly before we left to inform me that the National Weather Service confirmed there were three confirmed tornadoes in Maine on Wednesday evening. One of those touched down in Alfred. The Alfred tornado was categorized as an EF1, putting winds at 90 mph. Looking at the damage as we drove out of Alfred, the images were those of a town cleaning up. The kids didn't know, and don't know about the confirmed tornado. It was the end of our Maine vacation, it was our adventure.

She Can Talk to the Animals

Wednesday, July 21st: Photo Journal of Maine Vacation Trip to York Wild Kingdom Zoo and Amusement Park

Beach Blanket Bingo

When people think summer a lot of people think Beach! The sand, the waves the people in bathsuits that shouldn't see bathing suits. As a kid we would spend our summers on Cape Cod, about a 1/4 (probably closer) miles from the beach. We would spend the day in the sand, go back for lunch and then back again. This went on for a week and one summer I remember two weeks. My parents would let me take a friend (and again one lucky year 2 friends) with me, this was for their benefit and mine. Someone to amuse me and prevent me from saying the dreaded vacation words "I'm bored".

As I have grown older the beach has lost it allure. I don't find myself dreaming of laying on it, in fact I can't don't always enjoy a trip to the beach. My adult experiences with the beach have been mixed at best. I had the joy of going to walking on the beach in Fall and early Spring with Friend in Rockport, Massachusetts. Those mornings or evenings when the beach is just about empty and the sun is low in th sky. Magic hours are always the best time to be at the beach. I love those memories with my friends. 

The other end of the spectrum is going to the Vinyard, riding a bike back and forth to the house out of shape and being made to lay on the beach with two other girls that had the bodies that no one would deny a bakini was made for. If you can't guess this would be one of those moments that have turned me off to Beach Blanket Bingo.

Having children we want them to exprience everything they can (when we can) regardless of our feelings for such things. I don't know if Mad Dog is indifferent to the beach or not. I do know in past years he has mentioned us going, with me changing the subject as quickly as possible. On this trip to Maine we decided to take the kids to the beach. We packed all the right things, buckets, shovels, rakes, towels, snacks and sunscreen (I didn't forget this time). Lex was very excited about the beach, with great plans for a huge sandcastle. Gabrielle was planning shell hunting, which ment that we would have buckets of stinky shells to lug home. I explained ot her if she found SMALL shells we could make rings or jewelry, but hell who wants small shells. Loki, well Loki didn't really know what was instore for her, this would be her first trip to the beach.

We picked Ferry Beach State Park which stretches along Saco Bay in (you guessed it) Saco, Maine. Parking the car, we pulled together all our gear and started the short walk to the beach with Lex leading the charge down the boardwalk. We manged to spray everyone down with sunscreen before they took off for their own pursuits. Lex, Mad Dog and Gabrielle took for the water. It was cold and no one went further than their knees (including Mad Dog). Loki settled herself high on the beach sitting in the sand digging. She played by herself leaving the others to the water. Mad Dog and Lex then settled in the wetter sand for castle constructions, while Gabrielle pulled shell after shell from the ocean and placed it in a pile for the trip home. I  laid a towel down and took pictures. 

Mad Dog built and Lex destroyed (see a pattern?) Loki eventually came down to where they were playing helping Mad Dog top his bucket castles with more sand. She was very careful not to break them, unlike her brother. Gabrielle joined in from time to time, but mainly collected shells until she needed to drag me back to the bathrooms near the car. We didn't stay much longer after that, because of Gabrielle's planned visit with her Great Grandmother who lives in Kennebunkport.  

After dropping Gabrielle off, Mad Dog the kids and I headed into Kennebunkport for lunch. Mad Dog parked the car, while I got out and went into a public restroom to possibly puck. I had let Mad Dog do most of the driving - no his driving isn't that bad, but I was looking out the window taking pictures which caused a little car sickness. I didn't get that sick and once my stomach was full of lunch I was okay. We made our way through the streets looking for some place to eat, we ended up at Federal Jack's Pub & Brewery. Though I would have loved to same a brew, I stuck with water because of my stomach. Lex had the BEST Peanut Butter (to the waitress "Girl - No Jelly Please.") ever. Loki ate mostly her fries and later fed her toasted cheese sandwich to the seagulls. Mad Dog found a Black & Blue Burger (which he didn't find blue enough) and Sweet Potato Fries. I had Grilled Crab & Havarti Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries. Food was yummy and the kids (being their normal 2 child dynamic) were extremely good during the wait and meal. 

After picking up Gabrielle we started back to Alfred. Lex fell asleep in the car. We let him sleep with the window open once we got back to the house. Loki was very upset by his absence from the group. She stuck by the car, trying to wake him.  Shells were cleaned in buckets and some were lost to little feet. The rest of the day and evening was spent around the cabin. We grilled and ate. The kids played and everyone went to bed in the tent with no issue. 

Almost Perfect Storm

Maine can be a beautiful place. Like many places in New England if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it'll change. One minute your looking a nothing but blue skies and the next minute you're hiding and praying for the storm to stop. My experience with Maine is that it seems to be the worst of all regarding weather. The storms hit hard, the wind wipes through you and thunder shakes you to the core.

We have been camping plenty of time when a storm has hit. I actually like the sound of rain hitting the tent, its rather soothing. Add to that thunder, lighting strikes that light up the sky and wind at possibly 60 mph and it's not the most relaxing thing.

Monday evening the Barometer started to drop and we could hear thunder in the distance. I thought it best to get prepared for bed with the kids, getting them into the tent before the rain started. We would be camping in the yard as usual, and thougth Mad Dog had said we could sleep in the house the first night, I asked "Why?" I mean we set up the tent and like I said before we have camped in the tent in storms before. Lex was visably nervous about the thunder, repeating time and time again "Thunder Scary". The plan was for Lex, Loki and I to go to bed and Mad Dog and Gabrielle would follow shortly thereafter.

I packed the kids L.L. Bean Sprout packs with their friends, books and blankets. Mad Dog had layed out the sleeping bags after setting up the tent earlier that day. I had two water bottles, one with milk and one with water for them. We had brought along Loki's Fisher Price Rainforest Music Box to help the both of them fall asleep. Lex was very calm, I think more scared than anything else as we headed to the tent. Loki on the other hand had no fear, I don't know if this is because of her young age or ultimately because of her little personality. She is sitting with me now while I write this watching Toy Story 2 and eating strawberries by the handful, happy to have some quiet time while Lex and Gabrielle sleep.

We headed out to the tent, Lex gripping my hand as thunder rolled and lighting flashed over the lake, which was very beautiful (at that moment). There was still no rain. Mad Dog helped by carrying Loki out since she had other plans when we got out of the house. In the tent we settled down. Lex got into his sleeping bag with Jimmy and O'Brien under his arm and his "nana" (blanket) covering him. He laid perfectly still on his back his hands over his eyes, O'Brien and Jimmy in the crock of his arms, while the thurder roared. I kept reassuring him everything was okay, I was right here and nothing was going to happen. Loki was all over the place. Laying down on my pillow, running to the other end of the tent to lay on Gabrielle's sleeping bag, reading books playing with Jesse and drinking milk.

The rain started, the thunder, lighting and wind picked up a bit. I say a bit, because in the beginning it seemed rather calm. Calm enought that Lex in all his stillness actually feel asleep with his little hands over his eyes, hugging his boyz. Loki finally laid down on my pillow and started to settle, but that wasn't going to happen for long. The wind picked up severally, the rain started coming down in buckets. I was amazed by the sounds and sights. I felt like I was watching a movie, the sound was amazing. The thunder sounded like it was coming form the lake at first and then rolled to the other surround sound speaker to be coming from the higway behind us. I texted Mad Dog on my phone, joking that "Guess we won't be seeing u 2 soon". He came back telling me that the lights had flickered.

I could see that the wind was shaking the tent so badly that the rain guard at the other end of the tent was coming off. It was getting worse and worse. The tent was shaking, the thunder was so loud it was shook you as well. I thought at this point I had to get the kids inside, but the problem was I had two kids. Even with Lex asleep I couldn't leave one to take the other in, I also knew I couldn't ask Mad Dog to come help me since Gabrielle (no matter how cool she claimed the storm was from in side the cabin) wouldn't let him leave her behind in the house while he did so. I started packing the two backpacks taking everything that was a requirement. I threw my I-pod and phone in one as well. I put the milk and water in the pouches on the sides, throwing Jesse and Anasi in Loki's pack with her blanket. She was awake again and moving around the tent. I woke Lex, telling him he needed to help me. He looked around the tent and asked if the thunder stopped just as a loud one hit. I explained calmly that we were going inside and that he needed to be a big boy and help me. I put Jimmy, O'Brien and "nana" in his backpack and then strapped it to his back. The packs have the front harness clip that goes across the chest. I clipped the new waterproof, solar powered lantern (flashlight) to my tank top along with Loki's binky (which she still {damn it} uses at bedtime). At this point I started to put on my yoga pants, but the storm started to get worse I threw them in Loki's pack and threw it over my shoulder. I explained to Lex we were a team and I would hold his hand, but he needed to listen to me and stay close. I picked up Loki in my right arm and unzipped the tent leading to the screened in porch.

The porch floor was flooding, the rain coming down harder and hard. I got us on to the porch and let go of Lex's hand to rezip the tent, to keep the sleeping bags and other gear from getting wet. We walked to the end of the porch and unzipped the porch. I noticed that the smoker lid had blown off and was sitting at the other side of the fire pit. The wind and rain was whipping as I zipped up the tent flap. Lex held out his hand, I grasped it and we started to make our way around to the front of the house. The rain was coming down so hard that water was running down hill to the lake like a flowing river, with water pooling in spots on the stone patio that faced the lake. Lex slipped once on the grass, but I managed to catch him holding tight to his hand. Loki just looked around taking in the storm.

The sky was a strange color, which reminded me of the skies you see before an esclipes. It would light up with each lighting strike. As we came around to the patio I noticed the house was dark, and thought the power was out. I couldn't see if Mad Dog and Gabrielle were in the porch watching us and the storm. I kept talking to the kids, telling them we were okay and almost there. The lawn funiture was flipped and I saw other things out of place.  At the end of the stone patio I looked to the house next store. These was a small glow in the porch and I thougth they must be looking at me thinking she is crazy. Here I am in my boyshort underware and a tank top with two kids gripping tight (at least one was - Loki really was just along for the stroll in the rain) to her soaking wet in a storm.

At the door I let go of Lex's hand to open the screen-door and then the front door which was shut. I help Lex up the stairs as Mad Dog came to the door to help. Putting down Loki I wiped the rain streaming down my face. Saying we were soaked was an understatement. Mad Dog and Gabrielle got the kids towels to dry them off. I was going to head back out to get our stuff, when Mad Dog informed me that the storm would be over at 9PM, this information was based off the weather alert he received on his phone. I explained that we had to fix the rain guard on the tent roof, otherwise it wouldn't matter. Mad Dog offered to go out, but I was already wet. I headed back into the storm.

I made my way around the house again and back to the tent. Grabbing the line for the raingaurd I secured it to the stake and fixed the guard on the top of the tent. I stumbled around to the backside to check if that one was firmly secure. Entering the tent porch I looked into the interior of the tent. Things looked ok, at least I didn't notice anything on Lex, Loki and my end of the tent. I closed up the tent and headed back in. The cold hit me as I walked around the side of the house to the front door. The rain was cold and the wind sent a chill down my spine. As I opened the screendoor, I could only think this is a storm that happens in King book.

Once inside, I saw that the kids were happily playing with the flashlights and wrapped in towels. The storm was indeed over by 9PM (actually 8:45PM), you wouldn't have know there was a storm if it weren't for everything dripping with water and yard furniture tipped over. I gave the kids glow braclets and Mad Dog shut off everything electrical we had had on prior to the storm. The power was still out as a family we made our way back out to the tent for bed.

The tent and our stuff did not go undamaged as I had thought. Gabrielle's sleeping bag, which laid at the far end of the tent where the raingaurd flapped for most of the storm, until rescured . Mad Dog's bag was a little wet, but usable. Everyone moved down in the tent. Lex crawled into his bag and fell asleep shortly thereafter. Loki laid down on my pillow, crashing hard and fast. Gabrielle took Mad Dog's bag, with the plan to hang her bag out in the morning to dry. Mad Dog would double up with Loki and I. We made jokes about the "Perfect Storm" (said a deep throaty voice) and "The Storm of the Century"  Settling down I put on my I-pod listening to Ron McLarty and the characters  of Salem's Lot come to life. 

122 Miles and How Many "Are We There YET?'s"

With a packed car, three children and 2 1/2 hour drive ahead of me makes me stomach turn. Don't get me wrong I love road trips, I mean I am the woman who has driven 6 1/2 hours with a 6 month old and later with a 2 year old and a 9 month old. I love road trips and their not all that bad with kids. I will say with 2 kids, adding the third makes things a lot stickier. Regardless of all that we climbed into the car to leave for Maine.

We had packed everything we needed for four days in Alfred. We brought with us vegetables from our CSA and meat from the Meat Farm, along with a packed lunch for the ride up. We left around 10:30 AM since I had issues with uploading my book onto my I-pod (I wasn't leaving without it). The plan was to drive up making several stops hopefully preventing Loki from getting car sick. Lex and Gabrielle watched a movie on the portable DVD player (which in some ways on it's last leg). Each of the family wore their family vacation t-shirt  (check out post: Are We There YET!)at the request of Gabrielle, which loved them. Mad Dog and I filled the tank at the gas station and picked up an Iced Latte and Chai to help us make it through the morning.

Mad Dog drove and I started me Salem's Lot audio with my camera  on my lap. I planned to be trigger happy on this trip if I could help. I have a bad habit of getting caught up in the craziness that I forget to snap a few off. Loki fell asleep between Worcester and the New Hampshire border, because of this we didn't stop in Burlington as planned continuing on as far as we could go while she slept. We ended up stopping at the New Hampshire Welcome Center. Adults had bathroom breaks, kids got run around time and we all had lunch before climbing back into the car.
We arrived in Alfred around one o'clockish. Our plan was to set up the tent first thing since there was a forecast for rain that evening. The kids played as I unpacked the cooler and Mad Dog set to work on the big tent. I set up a smaller tent in the side yard but the door for the kids to play with. It's a Coleman pop-up tent we picked up on clearance several years ago. The kids ran out their energy and we ran down the day.

Before we knew it, we had dinner - Spaghetti (a request of Gabrielle's) and garlic bread. As the day ended and moved into night the thunder rolled in the distance and a cool breeze came across the lake. Mad Dog and I were ready for bed before bed was ready for us.  

Things Don't Go Bump in the Night In Maine...You Don't Hear Things Come For You!

Planning for a vacation from home is always important. You have to plan carefully and make sure you have all the things you need, so that there are no unexpected shopping sprees to correct an oversight such as forgotten underwear or shaving cream (I'm not saying I have forgotten either of these things before, they are just examples). Of course where you're are traveling too makes a difference on what you are packing and what is really necessary for a good time. When going to Maine what do I need, what is necessary for me to have a good time?

1. My Camera - I love to document things, or even just shoot for the fun of it. I usually carry my camera on me, leaving it in my backpack or purse which allows me to take photographs of the unexpected. 
2. My Net-book - This is something new for me. I think I'm taking it so that blogging when I return won't be so difficult. Getting my thoughts down at the end of the day or after something has happened always helps. Since we don't have internet where we are, it is more of  a write and store process. Which will allow me to post things when I return. 
3. A Good Book - This is honestly a joke now that we have 2 kids (actually 3 here). There is no way I am going to be able to enjoy a book while we're away. It's just not going to happen. I have thought about it and I do plan on bringing one/two, but I know deep down it is highly unlikely I will get to read a single page. 

What kind of book do I take to Maine? In the past I have found my summers filled with Chick-Lit. Yes, at one time I read Chick-Lit. I don't anymore. I think the last time I picked up a Chick-Lit book was when I was pregnant with Lex, and I just don't relate to them anymore (THANK GOD!) But Chick-Lit isn't a Maine book, that is a I'm going to New York City, or some where FABULOUS! Maine calls for a different type of a book. I think you know where I'm going with this. It calls for a Stephan King book. 

I have been a long time King fan, though in recent years I haven't read much (not just him but anyone). I listen to a lot of audio books while I work, which I recommend if you can't managed to do more than one thing at a time. My Co-workers can't believe I listen to a book and get what I get done in a day, but if I didn't I don't think I would be as okay as I am with the work I do. It makes me feel like I am accomplishing a lot more in a day. I have King's Bag of Bones on audio (read by King) which is amazing. I think his reading of the book is wonderful and I highly recommend to anyone who is an Audio Book listener. I am currently rereading Four Past Midnight, which Mad Dog picked up at the library for me. I don't know where my old paperback vision is which is all marked up. I'm planning on taking this with me to Maine, but I'm also taking something I haven't read. 

Mad Dog is picking up Under the Dome and Salem's Lot on Audio at the Library today. We'll rip them and I'll listen to it on my I-pod, which will probably be the only way I get to read this vacation. I know reading Stephen King in Maine - will you sleep? One of my Bosses said I should just watch Friday the 13th while we camp. Mad Dog has reminded me I can't watch Bring it On or some other fluff movie after I read/listen to something that scares me (a common practice of mine). I'm not worried about being scared, though I'm sure I won't be wondering around the tent after dark, but then again I don't usually unless I have to.

I guess I should go pack, seeing if I don't I will only have my camera, my net-book and a book. That would make vacation difficult. 

Are We There YET!

Last year I started the new tradition for our family: The Summer Vacation T-Shirt. I know sounds a little geeky huh? I don't plan on us all wearing them out to a trip to the Science Museum (seeing I'm the one who makes fun of the people who all dress in the same color shirt to make it easy to keep track of everyone) or anything, but it something fun that marks another summer together.

The first year (which was last year) I made them only for the kids (letting Mad Dog and I off the hook). I had every intention of making this amazing t-shirt, but waiting to the last minute I had to settle for something simple and hand drawn. The design was an outline of Maine with the family name and year on it. The colors were slightly different on each shirt. Lex still wear's his occasionally.

This year I am completely on the ball. Weeks ago I started playing around with an idea and buying the transfer paper for the iron-ons . I used clip art (and my talent for altering clip art) to create cartoons of each of us (Mad Dog is a little Beetnik).I kept them black and white and printed them on white t-shirts which I picked up today. I had a few hiccups in the printing which left Gabrielle's and Loki's the only two perfect ones, but the rest are okay and wearable. Lex loves his and is already begging to wear it. I'm hoping Gabrielle will like it too. I think this is something I will do for any of our big trips. Giving the kids something to talk about at the holidays, how Mom would make us wear those stupid handmade t-shirt every vacation.

Might just have to start thinking about next year's.

Summertime Planning

The summer is almost here and what do you think about when you think about the summer? The OUTDOORS! Living in New England means we spend a good amount of our year dealing with winter and the fact that it's just not nice enough to be outside. This of course gets old very fast when you have little ones that have a lot of balled up energy inside them.

Since summer is coming and it brings Gabrielle, taking our family of 4 to 5 for just about three months we start planning our weeks out a little more. Between camp, daycare and vacations we fill our weeks up one by one being careful not to over book and still leave time for the library, cook-outs and friends.

One of the things we plan each year is our trip to Alfred, Maine. My Mom's Husband, Stuart, has a cute little cabin on the banks of Shaker Pond in Alfred. We usually take the kids up for a few day, not always the whole week because of the weather. When we do go up, we don't sleep in the cabin - we pitch a tent! Yup, we "camp". I call it "camping" since I know some die-hards wouldn't call it that at all. We've been doing this since before the kids were born, in fact the weekend we found out I was pregnant with Lex we camped on the yard up there.

Each of the kids (with the exception of Loki, which will get one for Christmas this coming year) has a sleeping bag and an air mats (not full blown air mattresses). Everyone packs up books (wishful thinking on the part of Mad Dog and I), toys, swimming gear and sunscreen and we head up. Most of the day (even the ones where it rains slightly) are spent in the lake swimming, occasionally we take in a local baseball game, and visit the junk store (a general - has everything type place from tools, toys to kitchen and fishing equipment) and the antique consignment shop that usually ends in someone crying about wanting something or begging for their allowance in advance. Then there is the trip for ice cream at Shaw's Ridge Farm.

We cook on the grill or smoker and have a fire in the chiminea to toast marshmallows. I'm looking forward to this year, where we will explore more of the area around Alfred. I would like to go berry or apple picking while were up there. I believe Mad Dog also wants to hit the beach with the kids, since they are always begging to go. Either way it will be an adventure (one that has no hospital trips this year). We will be designing our family t-shirt for 2010. I made one last year for the kids, using fabric markers and t-shirts I picked up at Michael's. I'm would like to go for bigger and badder this year.

If you have the opportunity to camp with your kids (or "camp") I completely recommend it. It's fun. Of course they will bring their Nintendo DS's and Ipods, but there will be times when you will all hung out together enjoying the day and nature. It's those moments that are the fun part. Also, there is an excitement that happens when you sleep in a tent with little ones. It's all new to them (maybe a little frightening) and you get to see the excitement through their eyes. Mad Dog and I are looking at going real camping with Lex and Loki in the fall. Gabrielle has asked that she be allowed to skip that plan, though she is presently on a two night camping in a tent trip with her Girl Scouts as I type this. I'm okay with having one less on that expedition, since part of the anxiety that pops up on these trips is in part due to Gigi (she gets freaked out at time about everything, thought it has been better recently).

Well, here is to morning cups of coffee on the dock, taking the boat out, fishing without hooking someone next to you, ice cream sandwiches, smoked chicken, sparklers and mosquitoes. (pictures from last our 2009 summer vacation).

From Baltimore with Love!

For the past three years we have made the trek down to Baltimore for Baltimore Comic Con. This started when Lex was 9 months and nothing has stopped us, not even taking both kid. Its something we look forward to each year and I think in some way we think about it as our one true vacation.

To not put miles on our cars (more than we already do), we rent a car from Enterprise and drive down. It's only a 6 1/2 hour drive, but with the kids and stops it's more like 8. This year we got a white Kia Rondo, it was cute and the trunk space was a blessing, since we had to take: a double stroller, pack-n-play, a cooler, books for signing, 2 suitcases and case of bottled water. We also packed our trusty DVD player, which poor Loki couldn't watch since she is still facing backwards, but Lex loved. After picking up the car and packing it we started on our way. I am very proud to say that we did manage to leave before 9AM, without a trip to the T-Mobile store like we has last year. We picked up some Dunkin Donuts, making everyone happy and hit the road.

The drive wasn't that bad and I did all of it, though Mad Dog asked a thousand times if I wanted him to take over. I like driving, plus I can't keep doing the turn around thing with the kids, because I get carsick, so to drive is the lesser of two evils for me. Loki slept much to the trip and Lex slept NONE of the trip going down.  We try to set little goals for ourselves, we'll drive this far and stop, etc. We find that we usually stop in the same exact places each year. We made our first stop in New Jersey on the NJ Turnpike as usual, to eat a bit of lunch, change diapers and let them out of the car for a bit. The NJ Turnpike rest stops are crazy, and I always forget how much I hate their food courts until were in them. Mad Dog and I had slices of pizza, and Lex had Burger King, which he actually ate most of. Diaper changes were a hand off process. Mad Dog taking them, while I watched the other. Then we were back on the road.

The rest of the drive was easy enough with only a little traffic as we left NJ and entered Baltimore. When we arrived at the Hotel (Days Inn), I checked in and took Loki up the the room. Lex "helped" Mad Dog bring the stuff in on the luggage cart. This trip to Baltimore is always planned as a cheap trip. We stay outside Baltimore and we try to rent as cheap a car as possible. Also, this year we brought some food, since we were dieting and plus it can get expensive eating out all the time. Now anyone who selects a hotel online, doesn't know where it is and the area it is placed in. It was recently pointed out to us, by a new friend from the area that where we are staying isn't the best area. It's something we might take into consideration next year, if the trip takes place or it's something we might just leave alone. After getting settled, we ordered some Chinese food from a local place and ate. Lex and Loki explored the room, played and watched TV before bedtime. Lex slept with me in a double and Loki was going to sleep in her pack-n-play, however for the first time ever we had trouble with her to the point where Mad Dog took her for a drive to put her to sleep.

The next morning we were up bright and early, which worked out since the city of Baltimore were nice enough to schedule their Running Festival the same day as Baltimore Comic Con, which meant streets would be closing around 8AM. We drove into the city and managed to find a parking garage right before the streets started to shut down. Walking to the Convention Center we watched the runners and all the craziness of set-up. We detoured ourselves down to Camden Yard where we believe the runners were checking in or they had some kids stuff going on. Once we got to the Convention Center Lex, Loki and I got in line with the true die-hards and Mad Dog went to wait for tickets. Lex mad friends with everyone around us, managing to get the nice gentlemen next to us to play him Batman Theme on his phone, and even asked him if we could take his picture. When the line started to move at 10AM, Alanna (Mike's Assistant Manager) and her boyfriend Jeff joined us in line.

Our game plan was to hit the big names first. This year that was George Perez (see photo), to start with. We tag team lines and the kids, moving from table to table getting books signed. We mainly bring graphic novels with us now, leaving the single issue comics at home, with one real exception. We Lex and Loki were born Mad Dog went out an bought the comics that came out the week they were born. When we can, we get their "Birthday Comics" signed, asking the artist or writer to sign them "Happy Birthday" When the kids are older we plan on giving them this very special gift. The Birthday Comic Idea always gets a comment from the signer. Along withe the Birthday Comics and Graphic Novels we bring around The Artist Within by George Preston. The book always brings a story from the artist about the photo, or experience.

Along with getting books sign we check out the Artists Alley, where we have purchased art in the past for the kids, or as gifts. This year we played it low-key. The only purchase we made this year was for Loki. We purchased her very own piece of art from Franco, of Raven. He also did her a quick sketch of Kid Devil. we managed to get more everything we had signed, with a few exception. The highlight for me was J. Scott Campbell. It was my longest wait of the Con, and completely worth it. He wasn't doing sketches, but when I presented him with our Artist Within book, he did a sketch of Abbey Chase from Danger Girl, making very Fan Boy in line completely jealous! Mr. J. Scott Campbell was our last stop before leaving the Con at about 2ish. We were done. The kids were done and it was time to have some quiet time.

Hotel time as free time for the kids. Running/crawling all over the room for a few hours before got dressed again and went to visit a fellow Lego Manger friend of Mad Dog's Tony and his family. They were kind enough to invite us over for a little adult chat and play time with their kids, Noah and Cloe (who is 2 like Lex). The kids had fun and some cake before we headed back to the hotel for bedtime, which came very easy for everyone tonight. The next morning we were up and on the road early after Mad Dog organized everything for our field trip up to PA to the Crayola Factory. Lex of course had to help with packing and play on the cart, which might have been the highlight of his trip.

The Crayola Factory was nice. Nice if you lived within an hour of it, it would make a great CHEAP, activity with the kids. Having said that it was not worth the 2 hour detour we took to go, also I think Lex is still a little young though he did enjoy painting and cutting with their supplies. From their we got lost making our way home with the help of my two brothers directions. We ended up in Manhattan for 2 hours, and finally worked our way home to New England. We got home just about 7 PM. Everyone in the house and in bed not long after. It was nice to be home and in our own beds.

Road to Nowhere: Family Vacation

There are family vacations and then there are Family Vacations. We recently went on a Family Vacation, partly thanks to the wonderful people at Lego. Mad Dog had to go to the Fall Managers Meeting for Lego, which was held this year in Orlando, Florida. Even better than that at Walt Disney World. Since he was going to be there for two days and traveling for two, we thought it was perfect for Lex, Loki and I to join him.

The trip allowed us to stay on the resort for 3 nights for nothing and only pay for one night at half the price of the room we had. We stayed at Disney's Boardwalk Inn on Disney's Boardwalk. To help with the kids, my brother Sean and his wife Tiffany came up from Ft. Lauderdale and stayed with us.

Since the trip had some many ups and downs, I made notes for blog posts to write when I returned. I am planning on writing the next 5 posts in order of the trip, each post will act as 1 day of the vacation and will include pictures from the trip.