The Maine Misadventures: One Epic Winter Adventure

Last month, I wrote about our disappointment (turned amazing experience) when we dealt with the heartbreak of not being able to travel home to Maine for Christmas for the first year ever. With 2 boys coming down with the flu, there was just no way to make the trip and their presents sat up there, unopened.

Well, if you thought I was tenacious before, you haven’t seen anything yet! I turned what should have been a quick 3-day trip to visit family over our Christmas break into a 5-day whirlwind of everything we dreamed of and more… we just happened to do it a few weeks late.

At the very end of January, we decided to trade in sunshine for snowflakes and palm trees for pine trees, as our family of five rambunctious boys embarked on a winter adventure from Florida to the snow-covered wonderland of Maine. It was a much-needed homecoming for me, and a chance to share the magic of childhood with my little adventurers with a whirlwind of snow-filled fun that left us all rosy-cheeked and grinning ear to ear.

 

Grampa’s House and Sledding Shenanigans

Our journey began with a surprisingly smooth plane (even Jack, the sleep-averse one, managed to snooze!). Once we landed in Maine, the boy’s excitement grew exponentially. When we pulled up to Grampa’s house, the boys, like fueled rockets, were out the door in a flash, eager to embrace the winter wonderland.

Sledding was the star of the show. Jack, a sledding newbie, squealed with delight as he zipped down the snow- and ice-covered driveway, his infectious laughter echoing through the crisp air. The older boys, seasoned veterans, navigated the slope with impressive skill, leaving trails of laughter and snow in their wake. As the sun dipped below the horizon, those boys didn’t fade at all! They played in the snow well into the darkness, past our normal bedtime, and reluctantly came in at nearly 10pm.

 

Snow, Family, and Fun

On the second day, the boys were up at the crack of dawn, their energy seemingly fueled by the endless snowdrifts outside. We spent the morning playing in Grampa’s backyard, building snow forts and having epic snowball fights. Laughter filled the air, and the boys stayed cozy warm in the full snow suits we keep at Grampa’s house for just this sort of adventure.

That afternoon was all about family. We visited my grandmother’s house, with my mom, Mimi, right there hugging and kissing all the boys. Anyone who has children and has been to my grandmother’s knows that the highlight of her house is the carpeted staircase that’s in the center of the home. The boys have always been drawn to it, sliding down the stairs or climbing the railing-less edge. While it does give way to panic attack moments for the adults, it is hours of endless fun, and a posing point for one of my all-time favorite pictures of the boys, pre-Jack, back in 2021. They climbed and slid down those stairs, raced around playing ball in the house, and overall, just causing a ruckus that my grandmother actually enjoyed!

Dinner at our favorite Chinese buffet, Lotus, with Mimi was a delicious affair, followed by more snow fun at Grampa’s. The boys built a magnificent snow tunnel, their teamwork and creativity on full display. We had a second dinner, pizza of course, at 9pm, followed by playtime with Papi, then tired but happy faces rounded out another perfect day.

Conquering the Slopes with the MV Squad

Day 3 was when things really heated up (uh, cooled down?)! Mount Abrams beckoned, and our little MV Squad was ready to tackle the slopes while Jack got to stay home and enjoy a day of snuggles with Mimi. The day started with a few tumbles and some frustrated cries, but the boys persevered. Grampa guided them as best he could in the chaos that is inherent in skiing with 4 novice boys, with just a few yells to “listen!” amongst the squeals of delight. But, by late morning, they were done with the magic carpet and were begging to head up the chairlift to ski the actual mountain, though their skills hadn’t yet caught up to their confidence.

I have to say I was completely shocked and thrilled to see the 4 big boys flying down the trails. They got the hang of the chair lift, were skiing in their full on “pizza” posture and couldn’t get enough of going fast. And I even got to re-live a bit of my youth on the slopes; after a 20-year hiatus, being on skis again was really fun! This was definitely a family adventure that we will repeat every single snowy visit to Maine.

 

Day 4: Family, Fun, and Food (Oh, the Food!)

More sledding, more snow play, more laughter – that’s how Day 4 began, of course!

FunZ, an indoor play haven we frequent, sometimes multiple times in a single trip, was next on the agenda. The boys bounced, climbed, and crawled with boundless energy, leaving me breathless but happy.

The evening though, was my favorite part of the trip, and it was all about family. We celebrated Christmas, Jasper’s birthday, and Jack’s birthday all rolled into one at my grandmother’s house. Gifts, food, hugs, and, of course, more sledding under the starlit sky filled the night with warmth and joy. It melted my heart to have all that family, love and bonding. Even though it wasn’t actually Christmas, it sure felt like it!

Farewell, Maine, Until Next Time!

Our last day was bittersweet. We spent the morning enjoying the snow at Grampa’s, then headed to the Colisee, the ice-skating rink that is home to the Maine Nordiques hockey team. Papi, Mom, Grampa, Mimi, and even my grandfather joined the boys for some wobbly but joyous laps on the ice. Jack, the littlest one, took a spin on the ice, his tiny legs supported by my ever-patient, ever sore, poor back! It didn’t last long, but not even two years old yet, and I have say, I bet next time he’ll be out there with the rest of us.

Our Maine adventure was more than just a trip; it was a core memory entwined with laughter, snow-filled adventures, and the warmth of family. The boys, my little explorers, returned home with rosy cheeks, full hearts, and a newfound appreciation for the magic of winter. And me? My heart overflows with gratitude for the memories we made.