June 28, 2014 (New York, New Jersey)

I haven't mentioned the stump stool that we acquired at the lumberjack show, have I? Well, we are the proud new owners of a solid wood stool cut from a bunny's head (you had to be there). It is a delightful addition to our travel collections, but a challenge to get from here to there. While it does fit into a standard carry-on, it weighs a ton and is all sappy.

Here little stump stool provides adequate carriage for our frosted flakes

Mile 2395
We decided that we would start this particular morning renting bicycles and exploring the beauty of Central Park. This idea is awesome. But, only if everyone can ride a bike.  Charlotte is an excellent bike rider and also very adept at detecting hardship and telling you about it, and then telling you about it again, and then 3 more times.  Mae and Thomas are both dismal bike riders, but happy-go-lucky. I can ride bike when a knife is being held to my person, and Mr. Bullington is Lance Armstrong. Okay, GO!

Central Park Carousel since 1871!

Rock climbing while stranded

We are off to a strong start! Two regular adult bikes with kid quasi-bikes on back, and Charlotte on her own bike. We pedal through the beautiful landscape in sweltering 11:00 am heat for .08 miles. I notice that Mr. B's cargo is listing badly to one side. Oh well, keep peddling for another .5 miles. It was downhill, so not too challenging. Mr. B's cargo is suddenly deposited into the brush, much to her chagrin.  We discover that we've "dropped a pin". That is biker talk for the little ride-a-long thingy no longer functions. It was hot, we were stuck, we heard a voice. "Isn't that the Bullingtons?" I kid you not, at the exact moment of bicycle despair, a sweet southern accent cut through the chaos. "Oh My Goodness, I can't believe it, Hello, Bullingtons!" It was just like we were back in Marietta! My neighbor, Melissa, and her daughter, Kiely, rode up on our cluster.  But, you know what? Melissa is an awesome neighbor and she would be happily getting my mail had she been in Marietta, but she is no good when your bike is in a heap. She was all fresh-faced and beautiful as usual and had totally forgotten her Monkey wrench and Allen wrench and other wrench. But, Kiely was an excellent babysitter while we got our heads together. And, we made plans to meet up tomorrow sans bikes. Because bikes are terrible.

Don't I know you?

Daddy pushing lame-duck bike and one child through the streets of NYC

Hanging out in the floor of the bike shop

Mile 2397
The Bullington Brigade proceeded over a mile pushing their bikes against traffic, back to the bike shop. Not our finest moment. There were beads of sweat, and tears and language of the colorful sort.
The bike people were so sweet and very apologetic. It was no one's fault. Just cruel fate and maybe Karma (I yell at my kids and it's coming back to bite me)
We decided to drown our sorrows in some street food and the Gyros, Empanadas, and sausages did the trick. I'm the king of the world!

We'd purchased the 72 hour hop-on, hop-off touristy-tour so we hopped on hoping Thomas would doze a bit and not be the evil incarnate at dinner. He, of course, was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the whole time so our plan backfired. Our tour of choice was the uptown/Harlem tour. I liken our tour guide to a Chinese Fran Drescher. She treated us to all of her best, read worst, celebrity imitations and then laughed at herself as we all stared at her blankly. I took out my earphones and enjoyed the beautiful views and nice breeze minus the commentary. She spoke mostly about herself and what New York once was (We just want to know where Sarah Jessica Parker lives, 'kay?) As we proceeded into Harlem, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a malfunctioning fire hydrant. When what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a face full of water. These sweet little babies must have known we were hot up on top of that open bus and used an old PVC pipe to squirt water up onto the top deck. It actually was quite refreshing, but not everyone agreed.  The painful, soggy tour continued with such informative quotes as, "This historic building is made of bricks".
We hopped off the bus and went to top of Rockefeller Center to see the view.

Thomas brushing up on his pick-pocketing. When in Rome....

Mile 3001
We rushed back to the room to wipe all the visible grime from the kids and hop on the ferry to Hoboken. The particular ferry that we were on was one of the Ferries that assisted with the plane that landed on the Hudson a few years ago. Pretty cool! 

My cousins, Win and Jill, recently welcomed their first, precious baby boy (and probably last, after Jill had to endure my crew at dinner). Jill and Win both work for CBS and have settled in Hoboken, NJ with baby Henry. It has the best views of the city without a question and such a family-friendly neighborhood. Unless your family is whack, and my kids were off the chain. This should be interesting.... The naps that should've been never came to fruition. We are 9-days deep in wonky schedules, caffeine, and over-stimuli. Fortunately,  "Auntie" Lillian ,who is the mother of six, took my brood in stride and diverted their attention to elk statues and silverware sculpture. We got to snuggle baby Henry and enjoy a delicious German meal with family. And, we've now been to New Jersey! Check!

Headed to Hoboken

Cray.

The Atlanta/Hoboken/Marietta Family

Exactly what they need, more sugar

These cousins are disturbing my sense of order!

Win took me to a decent wine market thus earning him the title of Sarah's favorite cousin.

June 27, 2014 (Connecticut, New York)

Well, Mr Bullington and I have a little surprise up our sleeves. Unbeknownst to the kids, we are ending this party train in New York City.  Our plan was to get on the early train to Grand Central Station. Isn't making plans just hilarious? Mr. B. headed out for one final spin in the sweet Maxima en route to return  it and wouldn't you just know it, his return taxi was in a wreck!  Fortunately, no one was hurt! It just knocked us off schedule a bit.

A good game of "COW" helps pass the time in the train station

2/3 of Bullington offspring thinks New York sounds like a great idea!

We hopped the late morning train and headed into the big apple.

Full-Head-Throw-Back Grand Central Station Amazement

Daddy Sherpa with one large suitcase, one pillow pet, one feather, one backpack

Daddy Sherpa walking 13 blocks from Grand Central Station with one backpack, one pillow pet, one feather,  one medium sized suitcase, one large suitcase.

Not a bad view.  Hello, Empire State Building!

Mile 2395
While my goal has always been that this trip be educational, the kids weren't the only ones who got an education today! I was schooled in the fact that I have somewhat successfully shielded them from life. Walking down the streets of Marietta,  I rarely have to explain why that guitar-playing cowboy is only wearing boots and undies. "You mean I can earn a living wearing underwear and boots? That's my best outfit. I'd do that for free!", exclaimed Master Thomas. Or, why body paint can double as clothes in some circles, or why you should avoid costumed characters at all costs unless you are at Disney world.  And why, oh why did we bring the kids here AFTER they learned to read? The running commentary from our early readers is quite entertaining when they read every written word they see.  And even if you can't read, Thomas proclaimed at top volume that the Victoria's Secret billboard was "INAPPROPRIATE!"

We quickly ushered them out of the mayhem and into Toys r us which introduced a new level of mayhem. Legos, Hot Wheels, Barbies, Candy, Squirrel! 

Ferris Wheel in a Toy Store because you can.

Lego Hulk demands that you don't act like a fool!

Finally, we ended our evening as we caught a modern dance performance in Bryant Park (Mr. Bullington do love him some modern dance). At dinner, Charlotte dumped a full glass of lemonade in her lap and performed her own version of modern dance. I think I will call it, I hate my life and everyone in New York thinks I wet my pants.

Dance in Bryant Park

We topped off the night at the Duane Reade (NYC Walgreens). Here is the crucial difference, at MRTA Walgreens, you can purchase a reasonably priced bottle of mediocre wine with your milk and cereal. At Duane Reade, you can purchase one bottle of "wine product" that tastes like liquid awful but is labeled Cabernet.  After dragging three kids through the streets of New York, mama needed a glass of wine! You would think that I wouldn't be picky. I wasn't until now. It was that awful.

Empire State Building in Rainbow Lights! Beautiful!

June 26, 2014. The road to Yale is paved with good intent. (Vermont, Connecticut)

June 26^th


Mile 2018

After waking to our view of the breathtaking Lake Champlain, we rallied the troops and headed out to breakfast at the New Moon Cafe'.   

View of Lake Champlain from our room

It was probably the best meal i've had yet that didn't involve lobster in some capacity. Burlington, Vermont, is worth a trip if you are in the area. (Thanks, Kelly Bachman, for the strong insistence that we go!)

If there's a boulder, Yo,  I'll climb it

I think Marietta needs to look into an awesome mural!

Okay y’all, I am not the only landmark crazed person in this family. After breakfast, Mr. Bullington hauled us to see the place where Phish played their first gig.  I asked him to do the Fraggle dance in front of Nectar’s Lounge, but he wouldn’t. Party pooper. Mr. Bullington is a hippie in accountant’s clothes, don’t let him fool you. 

Phantastic, Phamily, Phun!

You are no match for my informational video!

Mile 2137
Then it was back into the car headed for Saratoga Springs, NY for more forced learning about the Battle of Saratoga!  I replaced the kid technology with a movie of my choosing about the battle of Saratoga. They were strapped down so they couldn’t escape the education. Brings new meaning to “captive audience”.  As an added bonus, they were asleep in 10 minutes. Boo-yah! We got our national park books stamped, watched a little video, and touched a canon.  The park ranger was so knowledgeable and John and I thought it was really interesting. The kids thought it was interesting that we made them wait until 3:00 to eat lunch. We got our junior ranger packets a la carte and the ranger entrusted me with the badges. I will safeguard these badges until 3 Jr. rangers have completed their word find, multiple-choice questions, and word scramble and not a moment sooner!

That is a bold statement, but Mr. Park Ranger made a believer out of me!

One lone Bullington is about to be sent to the British for safe keeping.

We ambled through the Berkshires and there were little cottages and covered bridges.  I kept waiting to see Martha Stewart but it didn’t happen.

little covered bridge

Fort building in a the back of a Maxima 101

Mile 2312
Finally, we arrived in New Haven, CT. Lordy Y’all, Yale is stunning. It was such a treat to amble through the gorgeous architecture. I was taken aback that my children were SOOOO TIRED after sitting upon their fannies in the car all day, but Que Sera. I soaked it in and blocked out the whining.  

Why yes, mother. We'd love to pose for another random-ass picture.

Mile 2315
Our last stop of the day was at THE HOME OF THE FIRST HAMBURGER!!! Louis’ Lunch has been serving hamburger sandwiches since that faithful day in 1895 when somebody was in a rush and the establishment’s founder hurriedly sandwiched a broiled beef patty between two slices of bread and sent the customer on his way, so the story goes, with the America’s first hamburger. Our burgers were cooked by Jeff, the great-grandson of Louis, and they were broiled vertically in the original cast iron grill and served between two slices of toast. The only acceptable garnishes are onion, tomato and cheese. Do not ask for ketchup. It’s not cool.

120 year-old vertical grills

If I ignore him maybe he will go away.