Thomas the Train and StoryLand 2011

At the beginning of each summer I make a plan to ditch as many chores as possible, and have as much fun as we can.  It's not always as easy as it sounds, but I think this past weekend was a smashing success.  On Thursday at noon, Ahren and I ditched all responsibility, picked up the kids early from daycare and camp, and pointed the car north towards Bartlett NH.  There we met up with our friends The Dewey Family and spent four of the most fun packed days together I could have imagined.

On Friday morning we went to what was probably the highlight of Zach's entire year - A Day Out With Thomas.  Zach simply could not believe that he was going to get to ride on Thomas the Train, and must have asked me about it 47 thousand times before we were finally climbing on board.  He had a blast, although he was probably regretting how late he stayed up the night before when the rumbling of our little train ride put him right to sleep.  Luckily he woke up before we left so that he could say a proper good bye to his buddy.

Yay for Thomas!

Ready to ride.

He's got a ticket to ride...

Thomas was very overwhelming!

After a brief rest at the condo, some lunch, and a tooth falling out, we packed up again and headed off to StoryLand!!  We spent a day and a half in the park, and it was a blast.  Lexi and Zach were both tall enough and willing (after a little prodding) to go on all the rides - even the water rides, and their friends Morgan and Marissa were not afraid of anything.  So, we were like eight kids on a mission to get to the front of any line as quickly as possible, only stopping to eat all sorts of junk food (a very unusual treat for the Lippman children).  In the evening we had great, relaxing dinners all together, and then got to relax with some beer or wine, or both, once the kids were (finally) asleep.

So much excitement ahead of us!

Whirling Whales

Twirling Turtles

Zach and Lexi driving the tractor

Who can resist taking a picture of kids in front of a big bear?

Girls on a Turtle

They were surprisingly yummy!

 

The kids driving again!

On Sunday, we went out for a fantastic breakfast, said goodbye to our friends, did a little bit of shopping in North Conway, and then rushed back home so as not to miss National Ice Cream Day at Benson's, and the Sunday Evening Concert on the Common.  It was an amazingly fun and exhausting weekend.  All of the pictures can be found here.

Lexi and Marissa - sweet friends.

Zach and Morgan dance their way through breakfast.

After such a fun and busy weekend, I easily could have taken today to relax and catch up on some way overdue chores around the house.  But, we heard that our friend Nick from In The Nick of Time, and his wife Tracy would be singing in a bookstore in Westboro.  So, I woke the kids up bright and early this morning and we made the one hour trek to see the show.  It was a great show, and the kids were very excited to meet Nick in person after listening to his music for so long.  So we are now thoroughly exhausted.  Tonight calls for an early bedtime for all, and then back to work/camp/daycare tomorrow - I think we're all looking forward to the break!