Maine: Beaches and our B&B

I have lots of fun pics from Gracie's birthday and VBS last week, but before I get to those I wanted to share a few from Maine, starting with our bed and breakfast and the beach that was just down the road from us! We loved Maine and the peaceful, slow, calm atmosphere, especially after a few days in Boston! In Boston everyone drives with their horns and fast. In Maine everyone drives at least 5 under the speed limit - haha.
We figured with two little ones a B&B would be easier than a hotel and it definitely was. We were in Maine during the off season still so we were the only ones there. The girls loved our suite and the common room/breakfast room.
Evelyn was quite intrigued by the lobster traps all around the property. Here's Nathan explaining them to her on one of their exploratory walks.

Breakfast each morning was a highlight for Evie too. Fresh muffins, fresh fruit, cereal, toast, bagels, etc - what could be better?? ;)

Gracie enjoyed exploring our suite as well. This is where I found her when I got out of the shower one morning! Someone looks guilty... ;)
One afternoon I went to lunch with my friend Amanda and Nathan and Evie had a pizza picnic on the balcony overlooking the ocean. Evie was so excited about the location of the picnic that not much pizza was eaten. ;)

We were about a 5 minute walk from the beach (it was right down the road so we could see it from our rooms). The first day we went down it was low tied and Nathan and Evie had a great time sending boats down the little rivers the outgoing tide had made.
Sandcastle making was fun for both girls, once Gracie got used to it. ;)   
We went to another beach with Amanda and her neighbor girl, Brianna another day. The girls had a blast playing together. That big building in the background is an active convent!
It was so fun exploring beaches different from our VA ones! Lighthouses, lobsters, LL Bean and more to come soon! :)

A bit more Boston...

We loved Boston!!! All I could think of was how much I wished we could live there for a time (a short time, but still a time :)). Of course, I felt the same way about Maine, BUT, we did love Boston. With the exception of the driving (which Nathan did super well - it would stress me out) the city was great. We did parts of the Freedom Trail (depending on moods and nap times :)) and just enjoyed being in the city.
When we first arrived in Boston we forgot how cash based many things in the city still are... including balloon making clowns! Therefore, when all of the other children got balloon creations during the party, poor Evie did not because we had no cash. :p She handled it quite bravely but we could tell a $3 balloon would go a long way in her life. ;) So, the next day we made sure we had cash when we went downtown and we found a very funny clown to make her a lovely flower. She was beyond pleased and this flower was her constant companion the rest of the day and much of the time in Boston. :)
  
Enjoying the lovely streets and fun shops...
Strolling around Harvard until half of us fell asleep... :)
Had delicious dinners with horrible service in little Italy (Nathan got his food 40 minutes before mine came...)

Climbed Bunker Hill...

And had a marvelous time exploring the USS Constitution - both the ship and the museum. The museum was very hand on - perfect for two little girls. I think we spent half our time there in the kitchen. :)
  
We can't wait until our next visit! Maybe once the girls are a little older. :)

Our Boston Friends

We had such a wonderful time with Elliott, Kelly, Adelynn, Margaret, and Thomas! Pretty much whenever we weren't at their house Evie was asking where they were when we were going to go back to play "with my friends". Seeing anything in Boston was way inferior to playing with her friends. :) Adelynn and Margaret are both older than Evie but were so so kind and sweet with her. Evelyn just adores them! Thomas and Gracie are just a few weeks apart and enjoyed playing together as well.

Nathan and Margaret in the middle of an intense puzzle race. ;)
The closet was the perfect place to hide out and have tea parties!
Three silly girls eating bagels after church. :)

Checking out the Curious George store over by Harvard.
Walking to the neighborhood playground!

We tried to get a picture of just the kids, but the toddler/baby moods and emotions weren't right for that. :) Here they all are plus Kelly and me. :)
Thanks, friends, for being such wonderful Boston hosts! We so enjoyed our time with you all!