Vacation...

We leave for Maine today for a week and 2 days...in our new (not really new) 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, aka...Tank! Adam wants to find a bumper sticker for it that says "The Griswolds". How clever of him! The Ford that we had for sale for about 6 months sold last weekend...perfect timing right? We spent this week scrambling to find something to replace it so that we could tow the camper up to Maine. Low and behold...The Suburban! I personally LOVE IT! And as most of you know, we are famous for not keeping a vehicle around very long, Adam insists that we might sell it in a couple of months. We'll have to see about that! We are all very excited to be towing our little pop-up home on wheels to Beaver Dam Campground in Berwick, ME. This will be the Sheidy's first time (with kids) staying at a campground. The weather up there is looking fantastic as far as I could see on The Weather Channel. We have lots planned for this trip, such as York's Wild Kingdom, Funtown/Splashtown USA in Saco, beach days and a family outing at Uncle Mike & Aunt Doreens for Labor Day Weekend. I will have some alone time with Aunt Doreen (finally!) and Adam will be off fishing with Uncle Mike.

Sam has been on vacation from school now for 2 weeks...might I add 2 long weeks! You don't ever realize just how much a child with Autism really needs their special school until they have vacation. He's been a difficult little man lately, especially when he hasn't had a nap. He's now extremely fresh...constantly telling us "no" when we tell him to do something, he yells at us and is just into everything. I'm exhausted! This week had been a little more difficult than most considering he came down with a bad cold and I had to stay home from work with him on Wednesday and Thursday. His big sister Kristie had the same thing, so it went around the house with Gabby catching a bit of it as well. Last week Sam enjoyed time with his cousin Brittany who cared for him while I worked 3 days. He's been asking for her all week this week, but we didn't want her getting sick.

I will end this post for now and will update with pictures and stories upon our return.

The Sheidy's Visit Coney Island, NY...

The Sheidy's visit Coney Island

Sam & Gabby on the swings

On the swings...I love this picture!

Yeah, I'm cool

The priceless look

Riding on the boat

Sam & Gabby on the Choo Choo train

Riding the Carousel

Sam's Favorite Ride

Many of you know that Adam and I LOVE New York City. Yes, the Sheidy Rednecks love the city too. We've been going there since we began dating back in 1997. Before Sam & Gabby came along, we would stay overnight in the city and visit Times Square, go to Yankees games, hang out at our favorite bar McSorley's and shop along Canal Street. We would go to New York City at least 5 times a year. Those days are long gone. But, a spur of the moment decision yesterday brought us back to New York with Sam & Gabby. One place in New York that Adam and I have always wanted to go to, but never had, was Coney Island, home of the Famous Nathan Hotdogs. I have to admit, that it was probably the most dirty, disgusting place that I have ever been to. Interesting...yes. We can now say, we've been to Coney Island. Tons of people...different people...all types of different people. The kids had a BLAST! Sam and Gabby have never been to an amusement park before and we were always concerned that it would be too overwhelming for Sam, but he did remarkably well even without a nap. They enjoyed the kiddie rides so much and we couldn't keep Sam off the motorcycle ride. It was hard for Adam and I too put him on by himself since adults weren't allowed on this particular ride. The look on his face was so priceless when the ride started...scared at first...permanent smile after. It was awesome! The pictures will speak for themselves. Since this trip worked out so well, we will use our tickets to Lake Compounce very soon...Can't wait!