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Story Land
June 21, 2006
We just returned from a fun little weekend jaunt up to New Hampshire. We rented a cottage for the night in North Conway and went to Story Land both days (they have a deal where if you go towards the end of the day you can come again for free the next day). We took a very similar trip last year and had a great time and Ella had been asking to go again so we decided to go for it. I wanted to try to do something special for her before the big arrival, as well as before I was unwilling to go or do anything involving much more then lying around on a couch feeling big and immobile. Not to mention this was probably our last (semi) vacation as a family of three, as well as the last time for quite a while that we will be able to pack and go with a fairly low level of prep work. Soon it will be back to a car loaded down with stroller, portacrib, boosters, diapers and diaper bags and all that good stuff, not to mention two car seats in the back. I don't know where it all will go but I guess we'll find a way when we need to.
(Aside: It's funny, as mentioned we took a similar trip last year, renting a cabin and doing the two days at Story Land on their special. Similarly, earlier this year Jamie and I had taken a nearly identical 'weekend away' trip down to the Florida Keys which was also a nearly identical copy of the same trip we had taken the year before. Despite these glaring examples, it took a third party to point out to us what creatures of habit we are. Do you know it never occurred to me that I was 'making traditions' (as it was put). Funny. But what can I say? If I find something I like it seems easier to go with it then mess around trying something new...)
Anyway, the weather was hot hot HOT. We knew it was going to be hot in Boston but were hoping to escape the heat by heading North. Not so. Fortunately the cabins we stayed at had a pool which Ella and I were in within minutes of arrival. I am determined to have this be the summer that Ella can at least master an independent doggy paddle as well as get her head under the water and I told her as much. She is game to learn to swim but also very cautious and freaks out when I'm not holding her or if her face gets wet. I really hope I can bring her around and know I have to work with her.
But back to our trip. The pool was wonderful, Ella and I were in it before and after Story Land on Saturday as well as Sunday morning by 8AM. In the water I felt lighter and freer then I have felt in months. Swimming plus pregnancy equals very very nice! Story Land was also a lot of fun. Even though the park is not huge I love being able to break it into two days. Much less overwhelming then trying to squeeze it all into one day. I love this place, it is very nice and sweet but manages to cram a lot of fun for young children in without being totally commercialized or cheesy or by ripping you off. As I mentioned it was hot as all heck but I was able to do pretty well scooting from one patch of shade to the next (as much as a 7 ˝ month pregnant woman can scoot, anyway) and there were many many activities that Ella did on her own and we could just watch and relax. There were also a few water rides but pregnant women were excluded from them, so that was a daddy and Ella adventure. Ella got a big kick out of giving me wet hugs however, which cooled me off a bit, even as I squealed in fake protest. I am thinking we will be able to do one more year of going up there before Ella starts to outgrow it...
Father's Day was spent mostly at Story Land. Jamie was the one who originally suggested this weekend for the trip and I thought it was sweet that he was essentially committing 'his' day to a children's park, rather then use it as an excuse to play golf, or at least sleep in. We started the day with cards and Ella made him a tee shirt with a picture of the family on it. I got him boring but practical things—socks, a book, an attachment for his MP3 player. We ended the day with cake and a good time was had by all.
Thanks for reading,
Bonnie
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