This summer has been a tricky one. With work schedules, theater camp and an upcoming show for Brendan and Aidan’s internship- there really wasn’t time for an extended family vacation. We knew this going into the summer (our family vacation will be this Christmas). But we did find time to go to our favorite place o the Cape- the Cape Codder.

Our original plan was to leave Saturday morning and head to the inflatable park. It was a favorite last summer! Then spend Sunday in Provincetown- a first for all of us. What Brendan didn’t know was that he and I were going to Sutton Foster.

But sometimes the weather changes plans. On Friday morning the weather was looking like 100% chance of rain. So we made the decision to leave Friday night and spend the whole rainy day in the indoor water park. It was relaxing to not have to worry about going anywhere (minus the fact that on the water slide I believe I broke my toe). We took naps, had a nice dinner, had ice cream and had some much needed family time. And Aidan got to have his favorite M&M pancakes too.  It was a great way to make the most of a rainy day.

Sunday was a beautiful August (hot) day. We made our way to PTown and spent time walking around and taking in all the sights. We visited the library, which was really cool. We took a sightseeing trolly tour. We had a lot of fun being silly. Then Brendan and I went to Sutton Foster. He was jumping out of his seat with excitement. While we were there Aidan and Chris took a nice bike ride along the coast.

There’s never enough time but the time we had was fun, relaxing and much needed!

It’s been almost two years since our last big adventure- and we’ve finally decided on our next one- Italy.

We’re going to travel Christmas night and spend time in a few different cities- with a trip to the village my grandmother was born.

Looking forward to exploring and enjoying time together- what better way to begin a new year!

Instead of a 9th birthday party (back in June!) Brendan asked if we could go to New York and go to a Broadway show- a first for all four of us. It was a great idea except for the coordinating four schedules part of it! But we finally found a weekend that would work.

Brendan had been to New York a couple of times for auditions. He was offered an audition spot for a Saturday and it seemed like the start were finally aligning that we could make a weekend of it. He thought we were just going for the day. When the kids got home from school Friday- we told them to park their bags we were heading out. And we had a surprise for each of them- tickets to Kinky Boots for all of us, and a planned trip to the Nintendo store/museum for Aidan.

Traveling with kids and technology is glorious. It was a mostly quiet ride in the snow. We stopped at Sonic- a fun favorite- and arrived just in time for bedtime.

On Saturday it was freezing. We walked around Time Square. We visited the M&M store, the Disney Store and saw where Brendan’s friend would be performing in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Then it was time for Bren to get ready for his audition. While he was at the audition, Aidan and Chris went to the Nintendo store/museum and the Lego store. Bren did great and was invited to a call back later in the afternoon. While we waited we had lunch at the Had Rock Cafe.

Bren wasn’t chosen as one of the final two kids, but he still had a lot of fun meeting other kids and rehearsing lines with a British accent. We rested up a bit and then got ready to head out to Kinky Boots.

We had great seats and Bren got a T shirt. At intermission he asked if we could go to the stage door to possibly meet actors. It was the first weekend one of the leads was performing and he recognized another of the actresses from Peter Pan Live. Chris and I agreed and went outside after the show- only to surprise him by getting in the line to go back stage! After seeing my post about going, Wendy (Show Boat’s choreographer), contacted an old friend in the cast to show us around! Again I say, never underestimate how kind people are.

What a time we had! We met several actors (including the one Bren was hoping to see). Bren learned how to do a “proper stage bow” from one of the leading actors, and he compared notes with one of the Angels about his drag performance and Brendan’s Audra costume. Plus we looked around backstage and saw sets and props.  How lucky for this to be our first time at a Broadway show! And what a show it was! It was so good, had a great message and we’ve been listening to the soundtrack since!

We took a family picture in Time Square to remember our quick trip. All of us couldn’t believe how much fun and how exciting the weekend was. We left early Sunday morning to head back home and decided we would make this kind of trip again!