We spend two nights with my aunt which was so fun. We needed to leave early cause leaving from the cape on a sunday morning can take up to two hours. Fortunately for us there was no traffic. I drove through Boston which was quite cool. Did you know they have tunnels with exits?! I thought it was pretty cool, you can only go 35 but it was neat nonetheless. There was practically no traffic and Matthew was sleeping which made it nice. I wanted to take him to Funtown in Saco but he was sleeping so I didn't want to wake him up. We can always go another time. He finally woke up around Freeport so we stopped to eat. I wanted to show him LL Beans and the fish as well. I used to live near Freeport and on many weekends my friends and I would shop and get ice cream. LL Beans has changed a lot, I was so not impressed with the set up there now. The fish exhibit was not as interesting as I have known it. I was very disappointed!

     We then drove to my mom's which was another 2 hours. It takes so long to get there because they live in the middle of nowhere! Matthew saw the basketball hoop my mom was talking about so he was very excited to have something to play with. She has toys for him but he is more athletic and always needs something to do in the way of physical sports. I was happy to finally get there but that didn't last too long as there was nothing to do! I was going to be there for two weeks and it would be the longest two weeks I have ever lived!

 to be continued...

This might be long as I'm currently at the computer lab at school waiting for my class to start. I have t minus one hour oy! I've had these classes since June you would think they would be over by now. I then have to take two possibly three courses this fall. God help me now!

    July 9th Matthew and I set out for our first road trip to Maine. I was anxious considering the traffic since our first stop was NYC. I didn't do too badly and my car was good on gas which was nice since the further north you go the higher gas was. I got a little lost but I followed the directions I had so next time I'll look them over better. I finally entered Queens but it was at 3pm when traffic started. I almost got into three car accidents but someone must have been looking over me cause nothing happened! I was so grateful! I actually thought I might and went over the scenario in my head. There is a solution to everything but I didn't really want to deal with it if I didn't have to. The tolls between NY and NJ were outrageous! We practically have no tolls in SE VA so I wasn't used to it.

   We finally met my friend after driving around in circles and asking her to come and find us cause I was so lost. She was telling me the streets were a grid which I realized but when you are unfamiliar with such things it makes it a little harder. I actually had a gps system but I didn't charge it before I left so it was useless.

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We finally saw Deb and she brought us to FAO Schwarz! I haven't been there in forever and boy has that place changed! We had to take two subways to get there and Matthew loved it! He obviously loved the toy store too. Initially he walked out with nothing but went back in and found a lego set which was surprisingly pretty cheap. He was very proud of himself then . We then went out for dinner cause it was around 6 at this time. I was up since 4am! Deb ordered a margarita before she had to get to work! I don't drink so I don't get what the big deal is. Even if she didn't have to work her place is so tiny we wouldn't be able to stay the night if we wanted to! She pays more than I do just because it's in NYC but geeze...craziness!

  She gave me directions to find the interstate but of course I was on the wrong lane which led us to so many circles around. Eventually a thunderstorm started and I couldn't see anything so I pulled over and waited it out. Lucky for me it wasn't that long cause I saw a police officer giving tickets to vehicles that were parked in the same area. I didn't find a hotel until 10pm that night. We were so thankful I finally did we would have slept on the floor! The motel was pretty cheap and there was too beds and a tv so we were good. Matthew wanted the queen bed so I ended up with the single which was fine cause it was his trip too. Matthew just loves hotels I think he gets his sense of adventure from me!

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From the hotel our next stop was to visit a friend in CT. This friend I have known since I was four. She was my next door neighbor for 14 years. I asked to stay over but I didn't really need to and it was a little uncomfortable being there that long. We got there around 1pm. She has a nine month old son who was still at daycare so Matthew was a little bored but he got toys to play and he played with the dog which was nice. Her house is so nice and it sits up on a hill so the view was really nice too.

  Her husband and son finally arrived around 6 or so which was time to eat. I felt uncomfortable so I didn't know what to do. It sounds weird but it wasn't my place so I didn't want to go through her cupboards or anything. I did help with the dishes and watched the baby while she did whatever but next I just might stay a few hours cause it was just weird. The next morning she knew of a children's museum so we visited. I wasn't too impressed as we are used to the VA children's museum which has so much more. Anyway, Matthew loved the pulley system of fish they had and would have stayed forever if I let him. From there we visited my aunt in Cape Cod Mass.

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I haven't seen my aunt in ten years a few days before my cousin got into a terrible accident resulting in quadripelegia. He was riding his dirt bike and hit a tree stump that he didn't know was there and the bike fell on his stomach injuring his back. So this was the first time I saw him post injury. He needs a wheelchair to get around and he needs some other help but otherwise he is the same Eric I have known for years

  My aunt's house is so beautiful! Both my aunt and uncle are retired so they use their time around the house and such. It is just so pretty. Eric bought a scooter for Matthew which he just loved! Matthew was using Eric's wheelchair ramps for the scooter it was quite funny! My aunt had the guest room all ready for us with a small fridge and tv. It was so nice to be pampered. I did help myself when Matthew wanted snacks as she was busy with my cousin so I was a little more comfortable in doing so. She got Matthew so many toys so he was very busy.

  The next day she took us to a pirate cruise for kids. Matthew absolutely loved it especially after he was able to use a water cannon to shoot a guy! It was quite funny! She then took us to a mini-golf course which looked like the exact replica of the one we have around here! The guy said it was family owned, they must have them in resort areas or something. Of course Matthew loved that too. He is such the golfer now I tell you. I do have pictures and will post them once I figure it out

to be continued....