Happy Easter

Easter Sunday was perfect. Sunny, warm and full of family fun. We started the day with an Easter egg hunt in our hotel room. We told Arabella that no matter where you are sleeping the Easter Bunny will find you. And he did find Arabella and Daddy. He (a/k/a mom) brought them both over-flowing baskets and there were a ton on eggs hidden all around the room. I was amazed at how quickly she found the first egg. When she saw it, she was not too sure what she should do, but she quickly caught on. She was so happy that the Easter Bunny knew that she liked goldfish since that was what he put in the majority of the Easter eggs. There was also a little bit of candy and some small toys. She had so much fun. I just love to see her so happy and excited, it just melts my heart. I am so thankful that I am able to do all the fun things with her that my parents did for my brother and I.











Jay was also spoiled by the Easter Bunny and in his usual fashion gorged himself on peanut butter eggs and Canadian Easter candy and was very quickly in a sugar coma.

It was interesting to see the difference in the Easter candy that I purchased in Canada vs. the Easter Candy that I am used to from the US. I purchased in Canada, a hollow chocolate sunflower for Arabella, the detailing was beautiful, almost to beautiful to eat.







And some of the Canadian candy had a warning on it that it was "Not For Sale In The United States" - I thought this was interesting and then my legal background kicked in. The candy had small toys in it and I am sure there would be lawsuits if some kid in the US ate the candy and got hurt on the toy inside. Now why wouldn't the parents take some responsibility instead of blaming someone else. And when did they start putting warning labels on Play Doh due to ingredients?? I digress, back to Easter.









We then went to Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill's to spend Easter afternoon with them, Grampy and Aunt Moona, Aunt Rose and Cliff. We had such a good time and it was nice to be able to spend such a special day with everyone. Arabella was spoiled by the Easter Bunny at Aunt Margo's as well. She received baskets from Aunt Margo and Uncle Bill and Grampy and Heather and Auntie Lori. Such a lucky little girl! Aunt Moona, Aunt Rose and Cliff gave her a very special present. She received a set of three ceramic bunnies that were made by my by great Aunt Gert. They are beautiful and will be treasured.














We hope that everyone had a beautiful and blessed Easter!!

Beach Baby

It doesn't surprise me that Arabella is a beach baby. It is in her blood...my father and aunt spent their summers at out family's beach house in Westbrook and my brother and I followed in their footsteps. I was crawling on the sand bars starting at 6 months old and never looked back. I spent every summer from the day school let out till we went back to school, until I was in my mid-20s at the beach house. Those days are some of the best of my life. Now Arabella has the beach bug in her. She loves the beach. As soon as she sees sand and water she squeals with delight and takes off running. Her love of the beach is good for me and bad for Jay. I could be at the beach from sun up to sun down, Jay on the other hand, gets bored just hanging out on the beach.

When we were in Connecticut for Easter, we took a ride to the beach. We met Dad at Lenny and Joe's in Madison. Here is where Jay changed his mind about his favorite lobster roll. The food was so good and we all enjoyed it, including Arabella who couldn't get enough of the clam strips.





Since we were in Madison, we decided to stop at Hammonassett State Park. It was the perfect beach day. I was surprised at how many people were at the beach so early in April, but then again it was almost 80 degrees out. The water was calm as glass, perfect for jet skiing...too bad ours was at Dad's house. I would have loved to been out on the water.





As soon as Arabella saw the beach, she took off running. I can't express how happy her joy made me. It was perfect and I will never forget that moment. She loved playing in Long Island Sound and digging in the sand. She and Grampy dug a huge hole that she climbed in and out of. She was happy as a clam playing in the sand and exploring the beach and the water.

Good Friday Fun

On Good Friday, we had a day full of fun! It started with a trip to Trader Joe's to stock up on some things that we are not able to get in Montreal. I was in Greek Yogurt heaven and was able to get a few containers and eat them before Arabella and I left Connecticut for Florida. (Actually, as I write this post, I am enjoying some fig Greek yogurt, so yummy!!) There were so many choices it was hard for me to decide which flavors to get. I ended up with plain non-fat and non-fat with honey.


Greek Yogurt Nirvana at Trader Joe's

We then met Andi, Gabe and Em at Mikey's Place Park in Old Wethersfield. The weather was perfect, nice and warm and we all had a great time. Andi and I were able to spend time catching up while the kids ran around and wore themselves out!!

Blue Back Square

We tired out The Counter in Blue Back Square for dinner. It was the best burger joint that we have ever been too! The concept is great - build your own burger any way you like it! In addition, they use locally sourced and sustainable ingredients on the menu. The beef is hormone and antibiotic free and raised and handled in a humane fashion.

http://www.thecounterburger.com/

I had the best veggie burger I have ever tasted. And the fries, sweet potato and regular were amazing. Jay enjoyed his burger too! It is definitely a place we will frequent again. If you are ever near a Counter Burger, you have to try it!!





The best veggie burger ever!

After dinner we enjoyed the nice weather and walked around. Arabella enjoyed the fountain and had fun playing in the water. It wore her out and she slept great in the hotel, just what we wanted!!

On The Road Again

Last Thursday, we left for Easter in Connecticut. Arabella was so excited, she insisted to sit in my suitcase so we wouldn't forget her! She even had fun trying on my sun hat.




Jay packed up the car and we were ready to go. The drive was uneventful and the weather was perfect. We stopped at the nicest rest top in upstate New York that I have ever been to. Arabella had fun stretching her legs and running off some energy.










We stopped again in Massachusetts and Jay was very happy that the rest area had a D'Angelos. He loves their lobster roll (or he did until he had a real lobster roll at Lenny & Joe's on Saturday. More on that later.) After getting Jay his lobster roll, we were back on the road.





We made it!