steam train

On the way home from Mystic, we stopped by Essex for a  ride on the old steam train. The train is about 100 years old and cruises along the Connecticut River

 We checked out the old circus train

we may have broken the rules by letting Gage sit up here

 

Savannah was our picture taker along the ride - in fact - there are probably 100s of pictures still on my phone that she took along the ride. Gage, well, he was riding for about 15 minutes before he fell victim to the rocking and creaking of the old train -- he fell asleep. 

 

into the mystic

We spent the day yesterday in Mystic and Essex, along the coast of CT.  First, we stopped at Mystic Seaport, and explored the old whaling history of CT.  First we stopped at the ship preservation yard, where they are restoring the Charles Morgan, a 142 year old whaling ship. This was them boarding

 and exploring below deck, where they used to store the whale blubber

 This is looking across the harbor, which is home to some gorgeous boats

 

 

 Mystic Seaport is also home to an old New England village, with an oyster company

 

 a lobster fishery

 

 

and lots of other replica businesses, like fishing tackle stores, sail makers, etc.

We were also excited that as we approached the Joseph Conrad, a full rigged ship, we head singing.

  It turns out they were hoisting the sails...

...and Gage got to join in with some other kids to stand in a line and pull the rope to hoist the sail as they sang.  Savannah could have also, but she was VERY cranky -- the Dramamine got the best of her that day.

  

Cranky Savannah did find it amusing that the life saver that Grandma Rooney gave her looked like, well...a life saver :-)

 

quassy

Unable to break tradition, we spent one night at Quassy, but this year, it was with Matthew & Ryan in addition to Elizabeth! 

 These kids are growing up...Savannah rode the Wooden Warrior roller coaster (several times) and Gage rode a bunch of "not baby" rides

 Of course, we rode our old favorite, the train, a bunch of times. This is most of the group getting ready for our ride. Notice that they all look happy and normal. But then comes the tunnel

 As we get to the tunnel, everyone puts their hands up and starts screaming like banshees

 and keeps screaming through the whole tunnel! 

Back to more tame ride...the merry go round...I actually sat this ride out because I feeling a little yucky from riding the umbrellas, which spun around much too fast for me.

 

 Old enough to ride the helicopters by themselves - where does the time go?!

 I see this happening in about 10 years, but  in a different car ;-).  I love that the amusement parks is set on the lake

 The boys were getting a little silly

 Wow...they were all looking at me again!

 I think they had too much fun;...they landed in jail :-)

birthday party!

It's hard to believe that Gage is turning 4!  Today we had a party to celebrate.  Of course, we went out to feed the cows with cousins Matthew, Elizabeth, and Ryan.

 Gage was so excited to blow out his candles that he didn't even wait until we started singing happy birthday!

 Although he really wanted a Captain America shield cake, he decided the ice cream cake was yummier. Look at that face!

 Present time -- the fart gun was hands down the life of the party. There was a lot of farting going on

 

 And then...it was pinata time.  The kids took turn after turn after turn, but that was one tough pinata

 Gage started getting mad!

 We finally stabbed it with scissors and let him rip it open

 actually, we let all the kids join in to rip it open. Seriously...Target must not get their pinatas from some cheapy mexican factory -- no siree...solid multilayer cardboard construction

 But...finally...they got to the good stuff!

 

 And Gram found a 4 leaf clover -- pretty good luck for a boy's 4th birthday, I'd say

 

build-a-bear

We had plans for Quassy that were rained out, but we decided to go to Build A Bear workshop with Elizabeth instead!  Savannah chose a leopard, and got to watch it be stuffed, and to put a special heart inside. Gage chose a dino, and Elizabeth picked a kitty.

 

 After all three were stuffed, they gave them a bath with the air sprayer thing. Elizabeth scrubbed the heck out of her kitty!

 And then...it was off to have ice cream and ride the carousel. These two took off holding hands the whole way :-)

 

 

 And finally...downstairs to throw coins in the globe fountain

 Lots of snuggling going on...

 and...a lot of messing with the water. I'm surprised neither of them fell into the water!