Day 1 - Story Land

If you live in New England, you know how quickly the weather forecast can change.  After the rain and hurricane of our past two trips to North Conway, I was hoping for nice summer weather.  I checked the forecast a few times during the week before our trip and at lunch the day before we left.  It was supposed to be sunny and warm.  I failed to check the updated forecast for Boston so I was a bit surprised to wake up to cloudy skies and rain Friday morning.







After driving in NH for a bit, the skies cleared and remained bright and sunny for the remainder of our trip.




We arrived at Story Land around 12:30 and remained until closing at 5:00.  My girls LOVE Story Land and I love Story Land because of that.  I sometimes think that adults judge places on whether or not they have fun, regardless of whether or not their kids enjoy it.






Story Land had changed a bit from our visit last August.  Two years ago, single strollers were available for  use at no charge.  Last year, we rented a double because all of the single strollers were taken.  This year, all strollers have to be rented.  No more freebies.  They also now offer character meals, which we did not do, and the costumes (especially Cinderella's) have been upgraded.    







Teacup ride




I told them to look down if they were dizzy.









We had been at SL for about an hour when Allie spotted some kids with their faces painted.  She asked if she and sissies could also have their faces painted and I said yes.  But we needed to be over in that section of the park so we would finish up the rides where we were and then head over.

Every 5 minutes - "Mommy?  Remember when you said that we could get our faces painted?"

As we were coming off of the carousel, she asked.  Again.  I responded with, "I'm going to tell them to paint your face to look like Oscar the Grouch."  She didn't think it was funny but a man waiting for his kids did.









What I found hysterical is that once the girls' faces were painted, they became part of some club.  Other kids walking by with their faces painted would give them a head nod as a sign of respect.




As we were eating our shaved ice, two little girls stopped short in front of Anna.  One of the girls pointed and exclaimed, "WHOA!  Cool."



We didn't have time to ride all of the rides but I feel like we were able to squeeze in more now that the girls are older.  Rich and I both commented on how getting around was noticeably easier than in the past.  The Bamboo Shoots ride was the girls' favorite and we rode it multiple times.  At one point, we were waiting in line and I was holding Anna (with her face painted.)  I forget how the conversation started but a girl who was a few years older was surprised that Anna was going on this ride.  She said, "Wow!  She's brave.  When I was little, I was too scared for this ride."

The girls wanted to swim in the hotel pool that night so we knew that dinner would have to be quick.  I didn't want fast food so we stopped at the Scarecrow Pub & Grill.  There are so many great restaurants in the North Conway area but we didn't want to have to wait for a table and then our food.




There were folks at the bar but no one in the restaurant section so we had no wait.  The food was average and our waitress was attentive and even brought Rich a complimentary Hoodsie cup.  Eating out at a restaurant is definitely easier but it seems like every time my food is placed in front of me someone announces "I have to go poo poo."




Entertaining themselves by performing a dance recital.









Allie and Em are okay to sleep without bed rails but Anna still rolls all over the place.  I was able to push one of our beds against the wall so she and I slept together the first night.  Em slept with Rich and Allie slept on the cot.  She was the last one to fall asleep and when I woke up in the very early morning hours to use the bathroom, she was still sleeping in the same exact spot.  Heavy sleep after a very busy, active day for little ones.