Wells - Take Two

A few weeks ago we went up to Wells, Maine for an extra long weekend.  It was much better than last year in that we didn't spend any time with Jack in the hospital.  Instead we spent a lot of time in pools, at the beach, playing arcade games, and eating ice cream.

 

First stop before checking into our hotel, the diner for lunch.

Jack made this pancake face all by himself and he was very proud of his creation.

On our first night we attended a Surfider event at a nearby nature reserve.  

We had a picnic, watched a movie about ocean pollution, 

and heard a band play, sometimes from unique vantage points.

We also saw a rainbow.

 We spent two days at the beach building castles and moats,

 and Jack learned how to boogie board, with mixed success.

Here is a brief video of him on a good run.

We went down to York one day and did some shopping.  

Jack tried his first salt water taffy and was pretty neutral about it.   

 "Do I have something on my face?"

 Ready to party slightly under water.

A good (and healthy) time was had by all.

- S.

July

Finishing out July, on a free weekend we went to a local farm and did some blueberry picking.  Unlike last year, there were enough left over to freeze.

Then it was family weekend time in Maine.  This year didn't go as smoothly as usual due to a camper breakdown and, unrelated,  Jack reverting a couple of years and having multiple breakdowns for reasons we can still only speculate.  But we did get in some of the usual activities.

Working in the dirt pile.

 Trying out cornhole.

 Fire supervision.

Marshmallow toasting.

Next post: Our trip to Wells.

- S.

Lake George

A bit behind on posting, but we went on a family vacation to Lake George, NY about a month ago.  We rented a house with Derrick's family on what turned out to be the most hot and humid week of the summer (so far).

Checking out the lake.

Hanging out at the beach.

Weird to be at the beach and not get all salty.

Ready and waiting for his first fireworks display.

Play for a very brief example of Jack's dance moves which

shows his excitement over the fireworks.

Also had to get in some history education, of course.

Gift shop at the Fort.  :/

In the stocks.

What is a summer vacation without a round of mini golf?

- S.

June

Finishing out June, Jack had a visit from Grandma and Pop Pop and went fishing.

 We also celebrated Father's Day by attending an old-timey baseball game.

Jack enjoyed the popcorn, but not the mosquito bites.

Example of what old-timey baseball outfits look like.

We also marched in the North Shore Pride parade in Salem 

with a group of people form my work.

Jack complained during the waiting around part but then after marching proclaimed, 

"That was the best ever!"

- S.

Last Day of School

Jack's last day of kindergarten was two weeks ago.  For the end of year show this  year they did Seussical Jr.  Jack sang two songs with his class and his costume was a tie-die shirt and a felt bowtie.  Here he is belting out one of the songs in front of the Cat in the Hat.

After the performance we went back to Jack's classroom where his teacher Kerry gave all the kids a certificate of completion.

Obligatory last day photo in front of the sign.

 Now traditional last day of school trip to Kane's.  Chocolate honeydip is serious business.

Among the pile of papers we brought home on this day, this was a good one.  

"My favorite thi[n]g about school was math."

I also enjoyed Jack's interpretation of A Starry Night.

- S.

Strawberry and TJs

School is over for Jack and he had his first week of camp.  This past week he was home with me two days out of the week, so I'm back to having to convince him to run errands with me.  We went to Trader Joe's and happened to pick a nice cashier who let Jack behind the counter and he got to scan our entire order.  He got an extra long strip of stickers as payment.

Unrelated but noteworthy, Jack ate a strawberry off his strawberry plant last weekend.  Noteworthy because this is the first time we've gotten ripe fruit off a strawberry plant before the birds (or other animal) got to it first.

Upcoming posts: Jack's last day of school/end of year show, Father's Day, and the Salem Pride parade.

- S.

Weekend

A busy weekend with lovely weather.  Friday Jack had a playdate at the park with his buddy from school.  Saturday the first s'more of the season happened.  Sunday we made it to Salem Willows, early in the season for a change.

Giving Salvi a push.

Always a thumb up for s'mores.

Probably the last year he can squeeze into this ride.

Learning about pinball.

 Though it doesn't look it, he was pretty excited about getting this prize.

- S.