Maine was fun for a lot of reasons. We were excited to go up for our week-long vacation with the Bowers' and Wengles, but we also had Carolyn and Adrian's wedding so it was a nice bi-fecta. Downtown Portland was cute and happening and yet another place we could see ourselves living. The wedding great: fun, funny, short, and meaningful ceremony, and great party afterwards. Cousin Lyssa drove up from Philly in terrible traffic for something like 37 hours, so big thanks to her for watching the kids.
After the wedding, we packed up and got on a ferry to
Great Diamond Island in the Casco Bay with the Bowers' (Mike, Stacey and
Lily) and the Wengles (Fred and Erin). The island was the definition of relaxing. Well, relaxing with kids anyway. Fred and Erin seemed to be relaxed, and Stacey and Mike only have Lily so they trade off being relaxed. Ali and I were as relaxed as we could be with two kids who apparently plotted in advance to only nap simultaneously for 30 minutes the whole week. But they couldn't help it - it was such a beautiful spot right on the water with our own little beach and a big yard with old trees and tree swings.
We decided not to bring the port-a-crib that Sadie only fits in diagonally, and she slept in a real bed for the first time. Jake and Sadie shared a little room connected to our room that probably had the best view in the house. She did great in her big bed, although we did find her on the floor a couple of times. No crying, so she must have decided to relocate sometime during the night??
The island was pretty isolated, with only a little quickie mart and the random lobsterman on a bicycle with his catch of the day for food. The other option was to order from the mainland grocery store and have them deliver, which we took advantage of. The food came in cardboard banana shipping boxes which were the kids' toys for the whole week. Towers, mazes, art projects imaginary trains, and random games. Even if you don't live on an island, I recommend getting your food delivered in banana boxes if you have kids.
Jake loved his role as gang leader of Sadie and Lily. The two girls are both just two, and at the age where they're just starting to acknowledge and play with each other. Ali and I were both proud of how Jake looked out for the younger girls and tried to include them in his games. They had their issues of course, but overall the kids all played great together and I think next summer they'll all be able to play together even more. Fred and Erin did great too - no fights over toys!
It was so much fun. I think all of us left the island thinking, "so how many lobsters do you have to catch every day to live here full time?"
Check out more pictures
here.
