raindrops on roses

A visit to Salem, Massachusetts

Quick weekend trip with the family brought us to Salem, Massachusetts. A beautiful ride despite some traffic around a couple major cities and not too many meltdowns in the car (by me). Checked into our hotel and headed out into Salem for dinner and a stroll through town to see what we could see.

As we're leaving our restaurant, we encountered a haunting tour (that no one wanted to go on with me) and we hear the tour guide telling her group that the restaurant behind her, the one where we just had a fabulous dinner, is one of the most haunted restaurants in Salem. Thankfully the kids did not know this prior to us sitting down for dinner. Very cool though!

Salem by night was cool, very fun mural art throughout the main section of town, twinkling lights to add a little mood lighting and Samantha from Bewitched. I have got to get the kids to sit down to an episode, they'd probably like it.

Oh and, of course, ice cream. We always seem to manage to find the ice cream shops.

Salem by day was even more beautiful. We visited the Salem Witch Museum and then walked around town until lunch. Beautiful homes, colorful flower displays and plenty of cemeteries.

Anthony picked the lunch spot. Bit Bar Restaurant which I had no idea from the name what we would be getting into. Imagine a large room where the center of the room consisted of long rectangle tables for family style seating and the perimeter were side by side vintage arcade machines. The kids, including Anthony, loved it!

Two whole hands!

Where did this sweet, snuggly little baby girl go? She turned into a sweet, snuggly little girl that turns 10 today and my heart can't love her more.

Olivia has always been "joy" personified. Always has a way to make you smile, ready for a hug - to get one or give one, and always with her rose colored glasses on.

She's funny, sensitive, thoughtful and a kind girl from the moment she wakes until she's fast asleep.

She is Sofia's biggest fan and always has been. I tell her often that if I were lucky enough to have had a sister, I would want her to be my sister.

My adventure loving little girl. Well, most adventures anyway, she's ready and with a smile on her face.

She's so funny. I love her jokes and her happy outlook on life. I've made a collection of her little one-liners, thoughts by Olivia and I love looking back and reading her observations.

She loves to smile and to make others smile. She is sensitive to when others are down and is quick to come in for a hug.

She loves exploring, learning and asking questions. Lots of questions. And all the time still.

I am so blessed to be Olivia's mommy just like Sofia and Mario are so blessed to have such an amazing sister. Her aim is to be happy and have those she loves be happy too. My girl is such a beautiful soul inside and out. I can't believe how fortunate I am to call her mine.

Happy Birthday Olivia bella!

Whatcha lookin' at?

A day in the Nation's capital

We've tried to keep tradition to spending Good Friday in Washington DC with the kids. So much to see and take in, I really love making this effort each year and showing the kids something new. And bonus to learning history in the process too!

This year we visited the Vietnam Memorial for their first time and talked a little about what it stands for and why it's there. Seeing the Vietnam Memorial wall of names always makes a point for me and such a feeling to be standing before so many involved.

The Lincoln Memorial is always a favorite of mine and while the kids visited it last year, always nice to walk by it again and pay your respects and take in this beauty of a memorial.

Off to their first visit to the Air and Space Museum and that did not disappoint. So much to see and exhibits to take in, but my favorite photo - the kids and I standing out front and our reflections.