Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

This week, we rented a house on a lake in Sturbridge. For months, I was thinking we were going to the Berkshires (ha) so I was a little confused when we put the address in google maps and the eta was 27 minutes! I mean, where we live that’s basically a trip to Target. How perfect is that for a trip away with three kids? Especially when one child in the car lets you know every minute you have one less minute to go — 26 minutes! 25 minutes now! 24 minutes away!

The house we stayed at was perfect for the kids — with a small beach, access to water where they could wade and swim, kayaks and canoes, grass to run, a fire pit, a dock to fish, a floating dock… I mean, seriously. It was great!

Just like last summer, Lola was really interested in fishing! And she’s pretty good at it. We lost count after like 20! She’s patient — just sits on her chair on the dock and waits — until you hear her say “got another one!” 🙂 The second day we were there she and Eva were interested in coming out on the dock before 7AM to fish. Eva caught one, too!

Javi was interested in, mostly, anything but fishing! He’s not as patient (or quiet, or still.) But he still gave it a few tries before moving onto board games, swimming, and running around. He did end up catching his “first fish ever!” and was so excited.

I ended up running to the store before we left and bought (nearly) everything in the dollar spot that had to do with outdoor fun — bubble guns, bubble wands, frisbees, kites — you name it. They ended up being used and loved so, totally worth it! And at the last minute, I grabbed ingredients for s’mores because I was almost certain there was a fire pit at the house! Good thing!

Javi and Lola loved swimming in the water but Eva didn’t enjoy them in the water! And she definitely didn’t want to touch the water herself. She was however obsessed with her new water shoes. She also didn’t enjoy the loud birds or the fast boats or anything “out of the ordinary”. ha! Her new phrase that she tells anything and anybody is “stop!” as she puts out her hand in front of her. 🙂

The last night we were at the house, Sean woke me up at 3AM by handing me Eva and telling me there was a bat flying around in the room where they were sleeping. As you can imagine, that created quite the commotion and made for an earlier than normal departure. Let’s just say we were home, showered, unpacked and finished with laundry by 10AM. — and then we were sent to the ER so that Sean and Eva could get their first of 4 doses of the rabies vaccine. Always a story!

Other than the bat situation, it was a great trip and it’s made me SO excited for this summer with the kids. They are at great ages (even if a little chaotic, at times.) 🙂