Swan Island, Maine (Not to be confused with Swan‘s Island, Maine) – When our boat left the banks of Richmond, Maine, crossed the Kennebec River, and docked on Swan Island, I had no idea that we’d just traveled back in time to the 18th century. But when we took the island’s only road up the … Continue reading
Portland, Maine – The first sign of spring in Maine is NOT daffodils… it’s sap. Taps and buckets start appearing on maple trees everywhere. And then steam rises from the wood fired sugar houses. And the best part of all… these amazing smelling sugar shacks open their doors to the public to celebrate the sap … Continue reading
Portland, Maine – Nothing like combining reading and writing with a great big adventure! The falling leaves give us a great opportunity to find lots of words in the woods. Here’s what we are using to capture them! A DECOMPOSITION BOOK – I’m so glad we stumbled upon this decomposition book. It’s the perfect field … Continue reading
Portland, Maine – Want to gain five pounds? Want to enjoy every bite of that journey? Done! Eat here EVERY WEEK…One of the joys of living in Portland, Maine – Standard Baking Company. This French bakery is across the street from the ferry terminal on Commercial Street. There is something absolutely intoxicating about walking out of … Continue reading
Washington, D.C. – My little explorers and I have hit the doorsteps of nearly two dozen museums. TWO DOZEN! Each one filled with fantastic experiences, knowledge, curiosities, and little tidbits that morph into invitations to explore even more. It’s the kind of journey that can make inquiring minds hungry… I mean hungry for LUNCH. And … Continue reading
The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks tonight and tomorrow night (August 11-12). Tonight, I am going to repeat one of the most FUN things I’ve ever done as a mom. And you can too. Wake your munchkin up in the middle of the night and take that shocked little pumpkin outside to watch meteors streak across … Continue reading
Mackworth Island, Falmouth, Maine – The children of Maine are working children. The girls and boys don’t work for money or food. They are an altruistic bunch and work for the joyful satisfaction of a putting a roof over the heads of Maine’s tiniest inhabitants… the Fairies. When first light appears, the fairies wake. They take … Continue reading
If there’s a pizza joint in Heaven – it’s going to sit right on the water, serve up pizza made from organic ingredients, and employ a divine wait staff who flash charmed-motherly-smiles when my kids are loud (as if to say “Don’t worry. We know you need to leave the house. Let them roar. We … Continue reading
Washington, D.C. – Every children’s museum needs one of these! It’s an igloo building activity. And the best part about it? Your child CANNOT build it without the help of other children. It’s impossible to do ALONE. And it’s incredible when built TOGETHER! As any mother of a preschooler knows… this concept is HUGE! (and … Continue reading
Washington, D.C. – Our trek to Maine continues with a stop I couldn’t resist: Washington, D.C. I knew my nearly 4-year-old would love the National Air and Space Museum. The best surprise of all was when my 1-year-old’s busy brain morphed into a state of euphoric curiosity. His pointer finger was fully deployed as he … Continue reading
Charleston, South Carolina – The best part of the South Carolina Aquarium is the sea turtle hospital underneath it. For ten bucks extra at the ticket counter, they’ll give you a tour! And if you think your three-year-old is too young to get it, think again! The window cut-outs in the tanks, give small children … Continue reading
Charleston, South Carolina – There are many beaches to choose from in the Charleston area. And the more you visit or the longer you live there, you find that there is something special about each one. Surfing at Folly Beach, bike paths and wide beaches at Kiawah, etc., etc. But there is only one spot … Continue reading
His voice, advice, welcoming way and total acceptance will stop all 30-somethings dead in their tracks. Because, really, there is nothing like running into an old friend who knew you when YOU were a wee one. And loved you because you were you. Such an encounter awaits you at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. That … Continue reading
Attention Train Lovers! My nearly 4-year-old is crazy for trains and he has been from the moment he could first express himself with loads of Curious George like grunts. So when we wondered to the second floor of Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center, we squealed with delight! And you will, too. This miniature model train world … Continue reading
We have a new place to call home: Portland, Maine! If you’ve wondered where on earth I’ve been the last couple of weeks… well, somewhere between Charleston, South Carolina and the rocky coast of Maine! An epic road trip. Just the boys and me… with no DVD player. And some how we survived and enjoyed … Continue reading
Pattern Me Mommy 