2 new ways to vacation

If you asked me what the most memorable thing about this summer was I would have to say all the trips that we went on. Not only did we travel to new places, but we also traveled in new ways.

The first trip was our seventh wedding anniversary trip to Ottawa, Ontario. I suppose the way we traveled wasn't really new. It was just my husband and I for three days and two nights of kid-less time. It was the first time that my husband and I have taken a night away from the kids together. Big Bro is 4 1/2 years old now so it was kind of a big deal!

We stayed at an independently run hotel near the Byward District. We walked all over the city without pushing the stroller, we ate at fancy restaurants and didn't have to ask for an order of buttered noodles, we took a tour of Parliament without whines about "I'm not having fun," we went on a sunset boat cruise without worrying about bedtimes and tired, cranky kids, we went to see a movie without a second thought about babysitters or G ratings.

We didn't get to sleep in like we hoped we would. It seems like we have forgotten how to do that! We did Skype home every day to check in with the kids and grandma and grandpa. We did shop for cute souvenirs to bring home to the kids. We did remember what it was like to be a couple and not just mommy and daddy. We did pledge that we should do this every year somehow.

And away we go!

The second was a trip to Story Land in New Hampshire. We went with two other families. Between us there were six adults and five children. Big Bro had another four-year-old boy to play and go on rides with, which he loved. We also had two 2-year-olds and a seven-year-old. Three members of another family rode in our van to New Hampshire. The kids entertained each other which made the three hour ride easier.

When we were at Story Land we had plenty of adults to help cover the rides and the kids. When I felt like going on another spinning ride with Big Bro would make me throw up, one of the other dads took both 4 year old boys on it for the second time. Meanwhile my husband was able to bring two-year-old Lil Sis to something that she wanted to see. Later that afternoon when Lil Sis fell asleep in the Ergo carrier, the other mom with a 2 year old chatted with me while the others went on another ride (it was not a ride for 2yos). How nice not to be alone with a sleeping baby strapped to my aching back while everyone else was off having fun.

I took the seven-year-old on a water ride that her parents had no interest in going on. Two other parents joined me with their son and mine so we were able to have a 1:1 adult:child ratio. The three remaining adults and two children could do whatever they wanted. Just think of all the disappointment-induced crankiness we were able to avoid! Plus there was always someone available to take family pictures for the others...even on rides. 

When we went out to eat at restaurants the kids once again helped entertain each other. We got to speak with other adults which was great. The shared experience made it feel more like vacation instead of work. We got to choose when to be together as three families and went to be alone as a nuclear family. It was a good balance.

We have done some great single family vacations with the kids, but this group family vacation was a nice change of pace. We will definitely have to do it again.

Desecration of a Classic

I am a Vermonter and take pride in all things Vermont. Ben and Jerry's ice cream is a quintessential and delicious Vermont invention. 

Despite being bought out by Unilever in 2000, I try to still think of Ben and Jerry's as a Vermont company. I try to remember its roots as a homemade ice cream shop that started in a gas station on the corner of College and St. Paul Street in downtown Burlington in 1978.

Though the company has tried to stay authentic despite its parent company, I think it has done so with mixed results. So when eating Ben and Jerry's flavors I tend to stick to a few classic favorites. Typically you will see enjoying Cherry Garcia, Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch, or Phish Food--a conglomeration of VT ice cream with a Vermont-hippie-jam-band.

Sadly, Heath Bar Crunch has recently fallen off my list. 

Turns out, in order to take a stand and be GMO-free, Ben and Jerry's has dropped Hershey's as its Heath Bar supplier. Heath Bar has been replaced by a toffee supplier that is GMO-free, and fair trade, so now the ice cream is called Toffee Bar Crunch.

I had some for the first time, and the new toffee is mushy and gritty. I miss the smooth candy crunch! At first I wanted to blame Ben and Jerry's thinking the change was due to corporate stinginess. But thanks to a quick google search I can place blame appropriately. So come on Hershey's Chocolate! Fix your supply chain and make your Heath Bars GMO-free so I can go back to enjoying Ben and Jerry's Heath Bar Crunch!

If not, please Ben and Jerry's, tell your toffee maker their recipe needs work. I want to support your desire to be fair trade and GMO-free but not like this. It's not worth the calories, so until something changes, no Heath Bar OR Toffee Bar Crunch for me.