Family Vacation

We took a family vacation in July. It started out by leaving RI and arriving in NYC for the night. The kids were in awe of the bright lights and all the different people. They loved the toys stores and the candy stores... of course. Then in the next day we did a stroll through Central Park where they were able to play at a playground/sprinkler park. They just loved that. After a morning of running around we decided it was off to PA to check into our hotel. They kids went in the pool and just relaxed to get ready for the next days adventure.
On Wednesday morning we got up bright and early and headed to Sesame Place. It was a world that Eric loved. He got to see all the characters that he knew. And meet the real Big Bird... much bigger than the stinky one that he sleeps with now. It was such a joy to see the kids faces as they got to ride rollercoasters and go down water slides and be KIDS.
I had been to Sesame Place when I was Emily's age and I remember it was so much fun. It was a bit sureal to see my child doing the same things that I did at the same age.
For Eric it was not only about the characters, but it was a place where he too could ride all the rides. A parent had to go with him, but he didnt know the difference, he liked having us there to share in the fun with. Emily got to be the big kid and do some water slides that Eric didnt want to go on. She is just a fun loving kid that is up for anything.
On the way home from PA we stopped in NJ for a side trip to Advendure Aquarium. There were a lot of touch pools and HUGE tanks to look in. Eric was a big surprised at the size of the waterlife. It was a great time and a bit educational... even if the kids didnt know that they were learning. They saw sharks, hippos, stingrays, and millions of fish.
I think that the best part of the trip was not the rides, the fish, the bright lights, or the parks. The best part was making family memories. These are memories that the kids will remember. If they dont remember them in their heads memory, I know they will remember them in their hearts memory. I want them to grow up and remember the feeling they had of a "Family Vacation" and know that it was a great time. Even if they dont remember riding the rollercoaster 500 times. It was a memory that they can carry in their hearts and know that we had fun times together wtih love.