Even though it's week 2 Alice in Otterland, it's the kids first week at Camp. A few years back we did a count down of the Top 10 things we learned or loved about camp that particular week. Just like sexy, we're bringing it back!
1. 2 days in to Camp season and we have our first ga ga ball injuries. No matter how many boo boos it's still a blast!
2. Wampanog! It's just fun to say!
3. The mosquitos are hungry and the Becotte's taste good
4. Alex passed a swim level without issue and is now Guppy 1
5. Rachel loved the zip line. It might have been a bit scary at first but she'll do it again in a heart beat
6. 3+ hours lightning storms are not fun at Camp.
7. We need to leave the house earlier than we did this week if we expect to make the bus
8. Boot Camp with Dave, may sound fun but it's hard work.
9. Alex spends all his time in arts & crafts making things about bacon
10. This week was so much fun we hope next week is even better!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
New England Food Truck Festival
On Saturday we attended the Food Truck Festival at Rockingham Park. We had heard about it a few months back and decided we would like to go. I consider myself a newbie foodie, and I love to try new things. The kids were psyched by the idea since food trucks are all over Food Network and they had heard of Roxy's Grilled Cheese.
We got there before they actually opened and roamed around to check out our choices. There were about 20 food trucks there including lemonade and slush stands. First up slush. It was pretty hot even though it was only 11 am. The kids shared a rainbow slush and gave it a thumbs up. They said it was refreshing and I did try a small bite and will agree with them. We headed over to Roxy's but the grill wasn't hot yet so we wandered on down the row and stopped at Grilled Cheese Nation.
The kids each got 1/2 a Boston Common which is a basic grilled cheese. Alex delared it a winner, Rachel not so much. It had Vermont White Cheddar for cheese and she's more a presliced American kind of girl. Allen had 1/2 a Boston Common with bacon and said it was the best grilled cheese he'd ever had. I went for the Blue Man Goo, blue cheese, fig spread with walnuts on a raisin bread then grilled. Oh man was that good. Allen's not a blue cheese fan, though he did try a bite, so I had that baby all to myself.
Netx up we head to M & M BBQ which states they make the best ribs. We split a BBQ Brisket sandwich and a 3 rib sampler. The kids both like ribs and they were going to town on them. honestly I'm surprised Allen and I were able to snag a bite. The brisket sandwich was excellent. Allen told the women at the food truck he loved her.
Rachel chowing down on a rib. I thought it was good but it was a dry rub and I like them slathered in BBQ sauce.
The brisket was seriously good.
Alex wearing the ribs all over his face. Sign that he really liked them.
Next up we headed over to Bon Me, which a Vietnamese truck. I like Vietnamese, at least the very limited amount of items I've ever had. There aren't any options in the Merrimack Valley for Vietnamese at least not that I am aware of, wish there was. If you know of any let me know.
We got the soba noodle salad with bbq pork and sesame dressing. This is a chilled salad, with carrots strips, fresh bean sprouts, cilantro, pickled red onions, some other leafy green lettuce type and the noodles & bbq pork. I could eat a vegetarian version of this no problem. Even Allen agreed. He thought it was great and had never had Vietnamese food.
We wandered by the FLour Girls truck and the kids each got 3 cider donut holes. They were fresh out of the fryer and smelled phenomenal. They each only ate one and saved the others for later at home. I can say i sampled one at home with a glass of ice coffee and it was great.
We also stopped at All American Comfort Food, we all (except Rachel) split an apple crisp and the kids each got a rootbeer float. By now we were feeling more than a little stuffed. I was bummed because we hadn't eaten at Roxy's or tried any of the seafood trucks. Cod Squad, Lobsta Love and Go Fish were all there. Go Fish had a salmon cesar wrap on the menu that looked great.
We still had a fair amount of tickets left so we headed over to Kick Ass cupcaked and got 4 to go.
Upper Left-Alex's choice Cookie Dough Cupcake.
Upper Right-My choice Mojito
Bottom Right-Rachel's Double Chocolate or something like that
Bottom Left-Allen's choice Macchiato
We brought these home for later. Being that we didn't actually eat at Roxy's I felt like we at least needed to take a picture.
While we were walking around we saw Nookie from Around the World in 80 Plates. He was enjoying the festival with his family but was nice enough to chat with anyone who approached him.
It was an awesome event, I just wish I could have eaten more. I highly recommend going next time it's around, go in a group so you can each order something different and sample it.
We got there before they actually opened and roamed around to check out our choices. There were about 20 food trucks there including lemonade and slush stands. First up slush. It was pretty hot even though it was only 11 am. The kids shared a rainbow slush and gave it a thumbs up. They said it was refreshing and I did try a small bite and will agree with them. We headed over to Roxy's but the grill wasn't hot yet so we wandered on down the row and stopped at Grilled Cheese Nation.
Next up we headed over to Bon Me, which a Vietnamese truck. I like Vietnamese, at least the very limited amount of items I've ever had. There aren't any options in the Merrimack Valley for Vietnamese at least not that I am aware of, wish there was. If you know of any let me know.
We wandered by the FLour Girls truck and the kids each got 3 cider donut holes. They were fresh out of the fryer and smelled phenomenal. They each only ate one and saved the others for later at home. I can say i sampled one at home with a glass of ice coffee and it was great.
We also stopped at All American Comfort Food, we all (except Rachel) split an apple crisp and the kids each got a rootbeer float. By now we were feeling more than a little stuffed. I was bummed because we hadn't eaten at Roxy's or tried any of the seafood trucks. Cod Squad, Lobsta Love and Go Fish were all there. Go Fish had a salmon cesar wrap on the menu that looked great.
We still had a fair amount of tickets left so we headed over to Kick Ass cupcaked and got 4 to go.
Upper Left-Alex's choice Cookie Dough Cupcake.
Upper Right-My choice Mojito
Bottom Right-Rachel's Double Chocolate or something like that
Bottom Left-Allen's choice Macchiato
We brought these home for later. Being that we didn't actually eat at Roxy's I felt like we at least needed to take a picture.
It was an awesome event, I just wish I could have eaten more. I highly recommend going next time it's around, go in a group so you can each order something different and sample it.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Zombie Apocolypse
Alex is quite creative with his legos. Recently he made a full zombie apocolypse scene with them. It was very impressive.
This is the entire scene. A little hard to see it all in detail from far away so of course I included some upclose shots.
Red Sox Game
We were the lucky recipients of 4 tickets to the Red Sox game the other evening. The kids had never been so it was pretty exciting. Honestly I can probably count on one hand how many times they've even been into Boston. We're just not city people. The whole night was exciting to them, riding the T, seeing the crowds in Boston, walking along the city streets, Fenway, the game. It was a great night.
Riding the T. Alex in particular loved this. This segment of the ride we were lucky enough to find seats, the remainder was spent standing in a very crowded T.
At the game. We had great seats, last row of the Grandstand section, which for having short kids was perfect. No one sitting behind us so they could stand or sit on the backs of their seats not bothering anyone. Alex was excited to have a Fenway Frank, when I asked what he wanted for dinner he looked at me like I was crazy. Mom we're at Fenway, I have to have a Fenway Frank.
Watching the game. For not being a sport kid he was pretty into the game. Rachel only when Big Papi was at bat. Then she was more interested in the snacks. Just like her Mom. I at least pay attention to the game.
The end of the night before we headed home. It was a great time. Thanks again to Miss Melissa for thinking of us!
All Grown Up
Rachel had her hair braided the other day when she got out of the shower, she looked so grown up. She's turning into a little lady more and more each day. Unbelievable.
Monday, June 4, 2012
What Age Would You Be?
Ree over at The Pioneer Woman has a contest today regarding what age would you be forever if you could choose. This got me thinking.
Initially I picked 8. I had a great childhood, I was fortunate being the youngest to parents who by the time I had arrived were established and a father who provided well for his family. I wasn't spoiled at 8, but I didn't want. Not that I ever did, let's make that very clear, my parents were very generous to me. But at 8 things were still fun, I had great friends, a phenomenal imagination, and great experiences every day. We spent weekends up north and most of the summer, winters consisted of snowmobiling and summers were spent by the river, swimming and fishing. We made forts and hiked through the woods. Got chased by cows, skipped rocks, chased fireflies it was great. But would I want to be 8 forever? Not in today's world. It's different, the 70's and early 80's were more innocent, at least in my world.
We will skip through middle school and high school because frankly those years sucked.
Early 20's! Those were fun. I worked full time from the age of 19, still living under my parents roof I had money to burn. I had a sports car, went on tropical vacations every few months, partied with my friends but was still responsible. Early 20's were a blast. But would I want to be 22 forever? Probably not. I might have been responsible but I made plenty of mistakes and not ones I would want to relive.
Late 20's. There was a mixture of fun and sadness, I actually moved out of my parents house finally, bought a house and got married. It was exciting but nerve racking and a bit scary. I lost my Mom, which was brutal. But we were able to spend those last few weeks together and I am grateful. I grew up alot that year. I was able to prioritize things more, money wasn't the only important thing.
30, I had Alex. Again exciting but nerve racking and scary in a whole new way. But it was exciting and wondrous and I wouldn't trade even those sleepless nights for anything.
32, I had Rachel. I never thought I could love 2 little people so much. Having kids blows me away. It takes everything out of you but is worth every second of it.
Mid 30's. Kind of flew by with 2 little ones running around. But they were good years. I think I became more settled in my mid-30's. Maybe I was finally maturing. Yeah right.
Late 30's. Kind of the same as mid-30's now that I think about it. Still working on that maturity thing.
40, the year is not over, I am sure I am learning and growing from all of the experiences that I've had so far. Losing my Dad has easily been the hardest thing I've ever been through. It's hard to put into words what the first half of this year has been like. I'm hoping the second half improves.
As you can see I didn't really pick an age. It was hard, I don't actually think that I can. There are highlights and low lights through each period, but with each year I change. grow, learn, appreciate, and live a little more. I guess we'll see what 41 brings and go from there.
Initially I picked 8. I had a great childhood, I was fortunate being the youngest to parents who by the time I had arrived were established and a father who provided well for his family. I wasn't spoiled at 8, but I didn't want. Not that I ever did, let's make that very clear, my parents were very generous to me. But at 8 things were still fun, I had great friends, a phenomenal imagination, and great experiences every day. We spent weekends up north and most of the summer, winters consisted of snowmobiling and summers were spent by the river, swimming and fishing. We made forts and hiked through the woods. Got chased by cows, skipped rocks, chased fireflies it was great. But would I want to be 8 forever? Not in today's world. It's different, the 70's and early 80's were more innocent, at least in my world.
We will skip through middle school and high school because frankly those years sucked.
Early 20's! Those were fun. I worked full time from the age of 19, still living under my parents roof I had money to burn. I had a sports car, went on tropical vacations every few months, partied with my friends but was still responsible. Early 20's were a blast. But would I want to be 22 forever? Probably not. I might have been responsible but I made plenty of mistakes and not ones I would want to relive.
Late 20's. There was a mixture of fun and sadness, I actually moved out of my parents house finally, bought a house and got married. It was exciting but nerve racking and a bit scary. I lost my Mom, which was brutal. But we were able to spend those last few weeks together and I am grateful. I grew up alot that year. I was able to prioritize things more, money wasn't the only important thing.
30, I had Alex. Again exciting but nerve racking and scary in a whole new way. But it was exciting and wondrous and I wouldn't trade even those sleepless nights for anything.
32, I had Rachel. I never thought I could love 2 little people so much. Having kids blows me away. It takes everything out of you but is worth every second of it.
Mid 30's. Kind of flew by with 2 little ones running around. But they were good years. I think I became more settled in my mid-30's. Maybe I was finally maturing. Yeah right.
Late 30's. Kind of the same as mid-30's now that I think about it. Still working on that maturity thing.
40, the year is not over, I am sure I am learning and growing from all of the experiences that I've had so far. Losing my Dad has easily been the hardest thing I've ever been through. It's hard to put into words what the first half of this year has been like. I'm hoping the second half improves.
As you can see I didn't really pick an age. It was hard, I don't actually think that I can. There are highlights and low lights through each period, but with each year I change. grow, learn, appreciate, and live a little more. I guess we'll see what 41 brings and go from there.
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