Getaway to the North Shore

Recently, we spent Labor Day weekend in Newburyport and Plum Island celebrating our 8-year wedding anniversary.  What a treat!  Such a fun place on the North Shore.  We enjoyed a free outdoor music concert (Riverfest), some delicious food, and a day at the beach.  Fun with our family of three.

Emma's favorite activities included:

• Baking "birthday cake" muffins (apple/zucchini/chia and flax seed muffins) for our weekend away;
• Getting rides on Papa's back in the piggyback machine (Ergo carrier);
• Listening to music and people watching at the festival;
• Dancing with Mama;
• Hanging out and relaxing on our blanket;
• Eating yummy foods from local vendors (her favorite was Italian ice);
• Enjoying our first Airbnb rental experience;
• Getting a tan at the beach;
• Collecting sea and lobster shells at the beach;
• Telling the ocean not to crash into the shore ("No water!");
• Building sand castles and seats in the sand;
• Getting her feet buried;
• Claiming the water was her favorite part of the beach despite not entering it and claiming it was too cold for her;
• Hiding under our umbrella during a passing shower;
• Visiting the Plum Island visitor center, playing with the exhibits, and getting another stamp in her National Parks Passport; and
• Having a potty accident-free weekend despite having to go to the bathroom in a port-o-john, a hole dug at the beach, and strange bathrooms.

Here are some fun pictures of us enjoying our time in Newburyport and Plum Island.

 

Dancing to Brett Dennen at the music festival.

Just hanging out the three (four) of us.

Slurping her Italian Ice.

Looking grown up lounging on our blanket.

Another day, another "piggyback machine" ride.

Showing off her beach finds - Mr. Lobster was a favorite.

Getting buried by her Papa.

Sitting in her sand seat.

Surfing on her Papa.

My two favorites.

Collecting some sea shells in preparation of the showers.

Here is a video of Emma chasing (walking) after seagulls (who went to get something to eat).