November and December Books

44. In the Likely Event, Rebecca Yarros

45. Just the Nicest Couple, Mary Kubica

46. The Last to Vanish, Megan Miranda

47. Nine Lives, Peter Swanson

48. Speak, Laura Halse Anderson

49. Christmas Presents, Lisa Unger

50. You Make It Feel Like Christmas, Toni Shiloh

51. How She Died, How I lived, Mary Crockett

52. Betrayal, Phillip Margolin

I read 52 books this year! That's basically a book a week. I love consuming books and plan on more next year. Feel free to check out my GoodReads to follow along and see what I read in 2024!

xo, Heather

Dreamworks Water Park, New Jersey

 Our goal last summer was to go to as many theme parks as we could and were super excited to check out DreamWorks Water Park in American Dream in New Jersey. 

The coolest part of this park is that it is INSIDE a mall, so you can play in the water all the time - no need to worry about the weather. Plus it's right next to Nickelodeon Universe so you can make a whole trip out of it!

There are tall thrill slides, a Penguins of Madagascar area for the littles, and a huge wave pool. They have a FlowRider to practice wave riding and a snack shack!

The theming is amazing and was such a great trip!

September + October Books

 

32. Lying Beside You, Michael Robotham

33. The Housemaid, Frieda McFadden

34. None of This is True, Lisa Jewell

35. All the Dangerous Things, Stacy Willingham

36. Good Bad Girl, Alice Feeney

37. Little Sister, Gytha Lodge

38. Zero Days, Ruth Ware

39. Sea Castle, Andrew Mayne

40. Too Late, Colleen Hoover

41. Just Another Missing Person, Gillian McAllister

42. The House Across the Lake, Riley Sager

43. The Brothers Hawthorne, Jennifer Lynn Barnes

So many books these two months! I loved putting in all my requests at the library and forcing myself to take time to sit and read. Two more months to read 7 more books - I'm so close to done! 

As always, you can see what I read all year on my GoodReads Page!

xo, Heather

The Grand Jack-o-lantern Journey at Southwick Zoo

 For years, the kids and I would travel to Rhode Island to go to a Jack-o-lantern Spectacular and walk through thousands of pumpkins. We looked forward to it every year and it even was an area of contention post-divorce, who would get to bring them since we both wanted to.

I was thrilled when I saw Southwick Zoo was going to be doing their own Jack-o-lantern Journey this year! Sourthwick Zoo is less than 20 minutes from our new house and we've loved visiting the zoo, so I knew we would love the trail as well.

It's only the first year that this jack-o-lantern trail has happened, and it was so great already. Large inflatables, pumpkins hung up everywhere, different themed displays of characters, and the Sanderson Sisters putting on a show! Additionally, the snack stands were open with hot cocoa, apple cider, chicken tenders, pretzels... so much stuff!

Admission is regularly $25 but discounted if you purchase your tickets online, and even more discounted if you go on Thursday or Sunday night instead of Friday or Saturday.

It's absolutely worth the visit!

xo, Heather

Fall Festival at West End Creamery

 It's not secret that the 'ber months are some of my favorites -- September, October, November, December.

As much as I love summer at home with my kids, I live for fall activities. Give it all to me: pumpkin patches, leaf peeping, apple cider donuts, drinking apple cider... and as someone who loves apple but despises pumpkin, I find the window of apple rather than pumpkin is getting shorter and shorter, I try and capitalize on all the apple things I can. We have always spent at least a Fall weekend finding fall things to do and I was so excited when a student recommended West End Creamery inWhitinsville, Ma. It has all the things we're looking for , and more!

The Fall Festival runs during the week in September and October and has so much-- basketball toss, a corn maze, wagon rides, a corn pit, a jump bubble, a tractor tire mountain, skeeball, and chickens! You can also pay extra for pony rides or battle zone (think paintball with tennis balls instead of paintballs).

There are two food stands set up, but the lines were bananas so don't wait to get into line until you are already thirsty or hungry- plan ahead! There were some picnic tables to sit at but they filled up quickly. 

The kids love love love the corn maze and it's a good size! I was happy we had grabbed drinks before going in because it's a large maze and got warm in the sunshine. 

Outside of the Fall Festival, for an additional fee, you can go minigolfing, pick flowers, or get cider donuts and ice cream. The ice cream line was super long during the festival so we plan on heading back another night for ice cream and mini golf since it's such a great location and so close to the new house!

You can grab tickets for the Fall Festival here. At less than $18 per person, it was a great value for the literal hours we spent playing games and exploring the corn maze! Have so much fun!

xo, Heather

Nickelodeon Universe, New Jersey

We had the most amazing trip down to New Jersey to American Dream and visited the Nickelodeon Universe Theme park!

We were looking for something semi close but new and exciting and since Dreamworks Water Park was steps away, it was easy to do both in one trip.

Nickelodeon Universe offers an all day rides band, a per ride cost, and a Twilight band. We booked the all day band and the kids had a blast repeatedly riding all the rides. We tried some new rides that were a bit scarier for us, and Nick loved the more thrilling rides. 

We loved the theming of the park - a combination of new and old Nickelodeon - ranging from Ren and Stimpy to Blaze, and that reflected the variety of rides as well. There were simple kids' rides like riding on a truck, or the small ferris wheel balloons, but also offered more thrilling rides like rollercoasters and rides that flip you upside down. There are close to 30 rides!

In addition to the rides, they have shows on the stage and character meet and greets. With the park being very compact (about 8 acres!), it was easy for us to do a ride, hop off, go watch a show, and get back on more rides. 

You can purchase a whole day ticket will get the kids hours of playtime. With this and the Waterpark right next door, it's my new highly recommended plans for all my friends - and since it's in the mall there's access to the food court and lots of shopping as well! This is especially wonderful in the colder winter months when theme parks are normally closed!

Be sure to check it out!

New Home To-Do

Everyone knows that all houses have projects, even new construction can use some new paint colors etc and I have so many I want to complete! I'm making a list here for some accountability and will share as I update!

Outside Front:
1. Take down the shrubs
2. Increase driveway space
3. Plant new bulbs

4. New front deck and railing

Outside Back:

1. Take down the trees hanging on the roof

2. Patio lights 

3. Level part of the yard for a second patio off the Master (maybe make room for a hot tub!)

Living Room:

1. Take down shingles decorating the wall and repaint

2. Remove old rug and replace flooring

3. Remove old wood stove

Kitchen:

1. Update appliances.

2. Remove and update backsplash

3. New floors

4. Add some electric outlets.

Bathroom:

1. Paint cabinets

Green Carpet Room:

1. Replace green carpets

2. Un-texturize the walls

3. Remove chandelier

Front Mudroom:

1. Replace flooring

2. Replace front door

3. Replace chandelier

Emma's Room:

1. Paint

2. Build new closet

Tyler's Room:

1. Paint

2. Build a more functional closet

3. Extend space into living room (?)

Bonus Room:

1. Replace flooring

2. Build new laundry room

3. Storage shelving

4. Re-stain trim work

Side Mudroom:

1. New floors

2. Paint

Master:

1. Paint

2. Re-stain wood work

3. Install floor to ceiling library

4. Remove cubby in closet

5, Install a full closet system

Basement:

1. Organize and Clean!

2. Paint with cement paint

3. Install divider wall

4. Build a gym

5. Update/Fix tool bench area

6. Fix plumbing

There's a lot to get done but I'm hoping to keep working on slowly and making it my own as the years go on. I can't wait to share about what I accomplish!

xo, Heather

European Vacation - Summer 2023

 You know those once in a lifetime trips?

This... this is it for me, but honestly, based on how much Nick talks about traveling and encourages my travel ideas, this may be the norm for us...

Originally we were looking at Portugal for a week. Nick's family is there and we'd be able to relax and enjoy family and sights but when we were looking for flights, the least expensive European flights were to London. I've always wanted to go so we decided we would head to London and after more exploring, we found that it would be cheaper to fly to Ireland then back to the US, rather than straight from London to home. Sold. I've wanted to go to Ireland since I was in high school. My grandma and I always talked about going together so being able to finally go was unbelievable. 

We left for London, doing an overnight flight that brought us to the city nice and early in the day. We found our hotel a few blocks from Kings Cross and went exploring. Nick has been before but it was all new to me. Big Ben, The Tower Bridge, The Eye, we even found an Inn that Dickens had been in and grabbed dinner. 

The next day we made our way to Bovington to visit the tank museum and brush up on our War history- which was Nick's favorite part.

My favorite spot was next - Shakespeare's Globe Theater. You guys. Literal chills standing in it.

We spent the next day exploring and found Buckingham Palace, SOHO, Chinatown, and finally made our way to the Warner Bros Studio Tour London, full of Harry Potter artifacts. 

Before we left London we made our way to Abbey Road, because obviously and as we strolled through Notting Hill, we even saw where George Orwell lived. It was an amazing few days and we took the night train... to Paris!

This was a last minute addition to our trip. We were SO close to Disneyland Paris so Nick rearranged some things and we went to Paris! Some night time views of the tower and we were up bright and early the next day to go to Disneyland Paris!

I can't even tell you the joy I had. The castle has a dragon under it and there was an Alice in Wonderland maze! Skull Rock, so many characters, and Phantom Manor.

There were some great rides not in Florida - Pinnochio, Snow White... but I especially loved the stained glass story telling of Sleeping Beauty.

We hopped over to Walt Disney Studios similar to Hollywood Studios back when it was MGM) and we took advantage of the rides only they offer - Toy Story parachutes, Crush's roller coaster, and riding Ratatouille in Paris!? Amazing!

The coolest thing about Disneyland Paris is that they don't do fireworks - they have a drone show! No loud pops and they made a mickey head in the sky!

The next day we explored Paris for a bit - the Notre Dame cathedral, looked at art for sale on the side of the road, visited the Louvre, and had macarons. Lunch was on the rooftop with a view of the Eiffel tower.

Ater lunch we found the prettiest Starbucks in the world - it is - and then climbed the Arc de Triomphe to see the views. 

Another night flight and we were in Dublin for bedtime!

The day after we got to Dublin I realized a large red spot on my leg was getting redder and larger and checked myself into urgent care in Dublin. Some antibiotics and gauze and was told to "rest it for a few days". We only had a few days and I was not missing it...

We logged 35k steps that day - my poor leg!- but saw so much of downtown Dublin. I got to see Trinity College, Temple Bar, the Ha'Penny Bridge, and so many gorgeous old churches. 

We booked excursions in Ireland to help with my leg. Instead of taking trains and walking, we were able to take coach buses to the other three coasts of Ireland. The first day we took a bus to Cork and was the Blarney Castle. We stopped at some gorgeous church ruins before getting there and then climbed to the top of the castle. My leg was so sore at that point and the idea of someone holding it so I could kiss the blarney stone was too much, but I watched as Nick did it. A long walk through the gardens and we went out for dinner at my favorite meal of the whole trip. This gorgeous little place call CASK had the most amazing lemon blueberry pavlova and I still dream about it.

The next day we were back on the bus and went to the Giant's Causeway and the Dark Hedges. Both were just absolutely stunning. The final stop was at the Titanic Museum in Belfast. Seeing the artifacts, knowing how many people had died was just overwhelming, but so amazing. 

Our third trip was to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. The funniest/best stop though was Barack Obama rest stop. An entire rest stop devoted to the Obamas - I wouldn't believe it unless I had seen it myself.

Again, walking was difficult. Although I was on meds, I was not resting so my leg continued to swell each day. Each night consisted of pushing the puss out in the tub, which caused even more soreness. It was tough but we managed to walk the Cliffs of Moher, but so thankful for the trolley for part of it! After the Cliffs, we were brought to a few more church ruins and finished the day with drinks, oysters, and exploring Galway. I saw the statute of Oscar Wilde and saw where the original Claddagh rings were made. 

An early morning flight brought us back to the US and I am so in love with seeing the world... I can't wait for the next trip!