The Duck House Days

Between Hike A (my three day adventure around Caratunk) and Hike B (Katahdin), we spent a few days at Noni and Papi's house in Rockport, aka "The Duck House".  It's easy to tell when Ethan is excited to go somewhere - he plans and packs and talks about the upcoming travels for days.  But I have to say that this was a first:  

When Ethan woke me up the morning we were due to head up to Rockport, he brought me in to his room to show me what he wanted me to pack.  The crazy thing is, our little Type A-ster did a pretty darn good job laying out everything he would need.  Four outfits (with matching socks and undies of course), two sets of PJs, his bunny and blankie...he even remembered his special clock!  Sure made Mom's life easier...

We had a lovely time at The Duck House, with lots of fun adventures, some relaxation, great food, time with Noni and Papi, and time with just us four.  Ben and I even got out for dinner to celebrate our seventh (!) anniversary.  The weather was perfectly cooperative for three of the four days of our mini-vacation, and even Irene couldn't damper our fun, as the Duck House, with its roaring fire and cozy nooks, is a particularly pleasant spot to wait out a hurricane.  Time away always goes far too fast and reminds us that we need to get away more often, to put our feet up for a minute, to experience new things, and to flee the distractions of everyday life.  Time away in a familiar place is even better.  

Our biggest little man walking the breakwater solo

Our littlest little man getting carried home (shocking)

Giving froggy a shot at the children's museum...

and noting it in his records.

This children's museum didn't mess around.  Check out the very real saw...good thing Adam was napping during this adventure.

Filling watering cans at the Boothbay Botanical Gardens' Children's Garden.

Pretending to be lobstermen - the biggest hit at the Gardens (and totally unrelated to gardens, I might add).

One child builds fairy houses...

the other tortures frogs.