The Connecticut Adventure

Thursday July 6 - The Drive

I take the girls lots of places on my own. I'm brave about some things, I'm chicken about others. It just depends. Suzanne has been making solo car trips for a long time, with really young children - something she will do again in August. This was my first long distance solo car trip. The driving distance from Ajax to South Windsor is about 8 hours. Factor in needing to eat and go to the bathroom, and it could be an excessively long day!

We left at 9 a.m. and pulled into Casa de Bates at 6:30 p.m. I was very happy. The girls were great. I felt great. It wasn't hard. It was just great!

Friday July 7 - Home Day

It's nice to have a chill day after traveling. The girls played, and played, and played. They were all rosy cheeked from jumping on the trampoline. Everyone got along. It was a lovely first full day. And Benjamin. Sweet little Benjamin. It was just so lovely to snuggle a new born!

Saturday July 8 - Baseball and Half-Birthdays

Bates boys play ball. Lots and lots of ball! There was a triple header today. All three boys played. All three boys pitched. All three boys won. We were at the house for most of the day. It was hot and the girls played in the blow up pool. I think Joey blew it up? Or maybe Thomas? I can't remember, someone did. The girls played in the pool for about ten minutes - or something ridiculous and then they deflated the pool and dumped the water. Anna had been schooled by her father about not wrecking the lawn, and she was very happy to comply.

We didn't sing "Happy Half-Birthday" but Kate was happy with her "seed" cookie!

Thomas' game was the last of the day and Suzanne hadn't yet been to one of his games so she really wanted to go, so we did. We got there just as Thomas hit a triple. It was awesome. He pitched well, his team played well, and the girls were over the moon to spend lots of money at the snack shack. 

Sunday July 9 - Church

Quiet Sundays are lovely. Church was good. That is all!

Monday July 10 - Town Pool

One of the things the girls really wanted to do was go to the town pool. It took us a while to get moving, but we got there! The girls had a great time. Suzanne's friend Monica came with her kids (well 5 of 6 I believe) and there was another family from Suzanne's ward that was there as well. Next time I must bring snacks! Monica saved the day by sharing her snacks. After the swim we went to 7/11 to get slurpees! Good times! And of course there were Benjamin snuggles. 

Tuesday July 11 - Lutz Children's Museum and 7/11 day

I can't remember when exactly I thought it would be a good idea to look for reciprocal deals, but I did. We have a membership to the Science Centre in Toronto, and there were a few reciprocal deals to be had in Connecticut. The first one we decided to check out was the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester. The museum itself was really tiny. There was one big room to explore, a gym that had art tables and a stage, and a small area with animals in cages - rescued animals that were being helped out, or just given a home. Fiona was the perfect age for the museum, Alice too. Kate and Anna liked it, it took some prodding, but all four girls really had a great time. And considering how tiny the place was, we stayed for quite a while.

And of course it was 7/11 day so we had free slurpees on the way home! I'd never participated before. There aren't very many 7/11s around here so I've heard the line-ups are ridiculous. In Manchester - no line up at all. There were two women with a tray of cups and lids right inside the door. One was recording numbers in a notebook and the other handed out the cups. It was very efficient and totally awesome!

Today's agenda also included trampoline jumping and snuggling. Alice loves to snuggle Benjamin. She held him lots, and always wanted me to document! 

Wednesday, July 12 - Home, thunderstorms, Joey went camping overnight with a friend

Today was a quiet day. Quiet days are good too!

Thursday, July 13 - Girls-Jump Off, Thomas' Birthday, Joey camped out again

We started today with French Toast for breakfast for Thomas. Thomas turned 12 today. We've celebrated a few birthdays with Thomas which is lots of fun. We took some silly pictures. After breakfast the girls and I got ready to go to Jump Off, a trampoline park/play place. Thomas and Isaac went to Six Flags.

We had talked about going to Jump Off yesterday and it didn't happen. We went first thing - well, not first thing, but we went out when it was still morning! It was great because it was getting pretty busy by the time we left. The place was awesome. Really something for everyone. We jumped for two hours which might have been a little long, but the girls really did have a fun time!

After Jump Off we had lunch and then at some point later in the afternoon we sang Happy Birthday and we had brownies. Happy Birthday Thomas! Oh and all the boys went out for dinner to the Texas Roadhouse - Thomas' choice.

Friday, July 14 - Thomas' Birthday Celebrations Continue, Adventures in West Hartford

Goodness, today was full! Thomas had a birthday celebration with friends at Jump Off this morning, Isaac went with some friends to Six Flags, Suzanne had a meeting - after she took the boys to Jump Off. She went in to Hartford with Benjamin for her meeting - maternity leave means different things to different employers! 

Another one of the reciprocal museums was The Children's Museum in West Hartford. This place was considerably larger than the Lutz. Goodness, compared to the Lutz it was enormous! The girls had lots of fun. They were good about waiting and staying together. We saw some animal demonstrations and played with lots and lots of puzzles. Everyone got a treat from the gift shop (except Fiona - she wanted a cupcake) then we left. I finally got a hold of Suzanne as we were walking to the car, we agreed to meet at NoRa a cupcake place which was around the corner. It was when I was talking to Suzanne that I realized Fiona was missing. 

We had to walk in and out of a whale to get to the van and the girls were all following me - or so I thought. When we got to the van, I asked where Fiona was and the girls said she must still be in the whale. I ran back up to the whale and she wasn't there.  I ran back to the van assuming they were tricking me, but they weren't. It wasn't a hot day so I told the girls Fiona was missing and locked them in the van while I started to frantically look for her. It didn't take long to find her. The poor little monkey was under a tree - she'd gone the wrong way out of the whale, and had gone the opposite way from the van. A woman could see that she was in distress and was trying to approach her when I found her. I ran to her and picked her up and she sobbed. I felt so, so badly.

When I got back to the van with Fiona the girls were so relieved to see her. Anna informed me that she and Kate had said prayers that we would find her. I was so touched that the girls remembered to pray in that situation. I'm so thankful that losing and finding Fiona happened so quickly.

After our happy reunion we made our way to the cupcake shop. I didn't think that we were going to meet up - I couldn't get hold of Suzanne, so everyone got a cupcake, and Fiona the promise of a gift shop type treat later. The cupcakes were yummy and the girls had fun in the cute little shop. Then we walked to Whole Foods and had yummy pizza. Next was REI, an outdoor store. Suzanne needed something - I can't remember what. I bough sandals and a new lid for my water bottle, and Anna got a raincoat.  

Saturday, July 15 - More baseball, a trip to target and a date

Joey and Isaac had baseball today - Isaac first thing and Joey later. Joey cutting the lawn on the riding mower was fun to watch. Their yard is epic! Joey brought a "friend" inside with him after he finished mowing the lawn, and Isaac might have been a little tired after staying up late and having a game in the morning. And yes, I'm the worst every for taking pics and then posting them!!

Kate and Anna also had big plans today - they were all about making money to buy bling to be happy. They came up with a very interesting proposal and then busied themselves cleaning and tidying various locations around the house!

Alice's cuddle-fest with Benjamin continued!

Suzanne and I were going to go to Target and grocery shop for the next week. Benjamin sleeps all morning. Eventually in the late afternoon we set off for Target but had to stop in at Walmart to return something. I told Suzanne I'd run in... oh my goodness. The line was long and slow. When I came out of the store Fiona had fallen asleep. It was close to dinner time and Suzanne decided ice cream would make everything better. 

We drove to this cute little ice cream place and we all enjoyed ice cream except poor Fiona. She mostly wailed a lot because she was woken up and nothing met with her approval. She did eat a little ice cream and she eventually came to her right mind again and we finally went to Target!

Matthew was at Joey's game but left a little early so he and Suzanne (with Benjamin in tow) could go to a movie. They went to see Wonder Woman and they had a really nice date.

Sunday, July 16 - Church, a blessing and an ordination

Today was a really wonderful day! Benjamin was a sweet angel during his baby blessing. Not a peep! From his blessing: Benjamin came to his family right now as a blessing. He was blessed with a strong body. He was blessed to grow his love for his Heavenly Father and ever be soft to the promptings of the spirit. He was blessed to be baptized, to hold the priesthood and use it to serve others, to be married in the temple and to be sealed to his own family. He was told of his special names - Benjamin - valiant men in the bible and book of Mormon, and Andrew - all the men in his family that were named Andrew were happy. He was blessed to be happy and spread that happiness to those in his sphere of influence. Benjamin was blessed by his father Matthew and some friends in the ward. 

After sacrament meeting the next event was Thomas' ordination. This was done in his deacon quorum class during the third hour of church. All went well and thankfully my littles were reverent! Thomas was blessed to know he is a young man of value to God, blessed to protect those around him and himself and to fortify those around him. He was blessed to serve those around him. He was blessed to one day get the Melchizedek priesthood. He was blessed to have a pure heart and be reverent when passing the sacrament.

At the end of church we took some pictures outside. Today was really lovely and I was so glad to be there!

After church the boys were in scout camp mode! Joey, Thomas and Matthew needed to finish packing and then drive up to Palmyra. Registration for camp began first thing in the morning, so they decided to go up a night early because it's a five hour drive.

We said goodbye - see you soon (except Uncle Matthew, he won't be able to come up in August) and took some pictures, and then Suzanne and I took some pictures of Benjamin in his blessing outfit.

Monday, July 17 - Kidcity

This was one place that my girls requested. I think we've been twice before? They've loved it every time and today was no exception. I've got to say, this was my third outing with the four girls - they were so great. SO GREAT! It was easy breezy to take them out. They cooperated, they stayed together, and they had fun; we all had fun!

And sometimes Benjamin likes his swing... and sometimes he doesn't!

Tuesday, July 18 - BARF!

Fiona woke up this morning desperate for water. I gave her some water and then she started to gag. I picked her up and ran her to the bathroom and mostly made it. There was nothing in her stomach so she just barfed water. But still, not good. Poor little Fi. I put a sheet on the couch and got a barf bucket and put on Netflix - or something. Poor little thing started asking for food. I gave her water, she barfed. She slept a little. I can't remember how many times she barfed. At some point in the early afternoon after she'd actually kept some water down I finally gave in to her demands for food. She ate and asked for more and more. I was so thankful that whatever this was passed so very quickly and didn't affect anyone else! So thankful!

At some point Isaac took the other girls to Nevers Park but it was really really hot. It was a good day to hang about an air conditioned house with a sicky. And at some point Suzanne did let me touch Benjamin again!

Wednesday, July 19 - Clean children, a trip to the temple, the mall and the park

I started today with a mini photo session. I wish I knew more about photography. I know so much of it is just experimenting, but I do wish I knew more. I did have fun though! Oh and Alice needed to pose like a dog!

One of the things that I really wanted to do was go to the temple. Before there was a Benjamin I was excited about going to the temple with my sister. That will have to wait! But at least I could go see the temple and walk around. Last year the temple and grounds were still under construction. 

We drove to the temple sometime in the afternoon. It was a hundred degrees. It was so hot. We walked around the temple, took a few pictures. Fiona would not cooperate at all. She was such a stinker! We didn't stay long, but we did get some cute pictures, just none with Fiona. (All the girls had been bathed - yeah for clean hair in pictures!) Next was ice cream. We showed up just behind a group of fifteen people, but we did eventually get ice cream and I eventually calmed down!

We drove back towards home and poor little man, Benjamin was not happy. We pulled over and Suzanne nursed him, but he got mad again when he was put back in his car seat. Suzanne suggested we head directly toward the mall - she had a phone meeting and I could take the girls on their promised mall trip. Anna and Kate would finally get their bling!

We went to Claire's. It did not go well for Fiona. Not. At. All. Alice, Anna, and Kate all chose some fun stuff. Fiona was told she could have two things. She wanted four and would not be moved, so she got nothing. She had a tantrum, so that was fun. She finally calmed down and we met Suzanne and the rest of the kids in the play area behind the food court. The girls played for a little bit, we rode on the carousel and then had food court dinner. After we ate, we went to Gymboree, Suzanne was looking for an outfit for Benjamin, and Fiona found the cutest kitty-cat back pack and lunch bag for school - oh and an adorable kitty cat head band. So all's well that ends well!

After the mall trip Fiona really wanted to go to the park. We had talked about the park and she had missed out yesterday. I took the four girls to the park - it was after eight o'clock I think. The girls had fun, but it got dark and then the fun was over. I didn't get a single pic of Anna - she wasn't still for long enough!

Then it was time for bed, more Benjamin snuggles and starting to pack.

Thursday, July 20 - Bye Bye Bates

I was sad. I tried to tell myself that it was all okay because they are coming up in August, but I was sad. I packed up and was ready to go by 10ish but Suzanne needed help getting out the door. She had to go into Hartford for a meeting. We said our goodbyes and pulled out just before 11 I think? Went to Target, bought snacks, a water bottle, markers and a little bit of clothing and then we were finally on our way home.

My sweet Ken was worried about me - I was tired. He offered to take the train and meet us in Kingston so he could drive us home. I thanked him but told him no. We got home around 9. The drive was pretty good. A few "moments", but we had a really really awesome trip. So great! We can't wait until it's our turn to host the cousins next month.

One more thing I want to remember. A lot of my trip was spent doing four things - my blog book for 2013, laundry, holding Benjamin and watching Poldark. I had a great time with my sister, with her kids and with my kids. I'm so thankful to be able to create such happy memories with my family!

And one last goofy thing, Kate had Annie Bunny Pasta for lunch every single day but one!