Ever have that feeling where you just need to get out of town for awhile, slow things down and enjoy a change of scenery? That’s how I’d been feeling all during the month of February, which has been incredibly busy for all of us.

Thankfully, we decided months ago to rent my cousin’s condo in North Conway, New Hampshire for a long weekend getaway. Dr. G. decided this was the year for Buddy to learn to snowboard (I think he wants someone to go on the slopes with, since I don’t ski), but my goal was to unplug for three days and focus on my kids, my family and myself. So in some ways, for me, it was more of a mental health retreat than anything.

We had a blast.

Buddy called the sleigh ride his “favorite part of the weekend”. Score one for Mommy!

Enjoying our sleigh ride

Posing with “Bob” the horse

Buddy learning how to use the rope lift.

Go, Buddy, go!

While the boys hit the slopes, we hit the town – starting with the Mt. Washington Valley Children’s Museum, and this tractor that Mimi was obsessed with.

Checking out the “choo choo,” according to Mimi.

Picking up dessert at the White Mountain Cupcakery

Love these two!

 Some of our recommendations:

• Moat Mountain for dinner: As a vegetarian, it’s kind of difficult eating in North Conway (although there is also a delicious Indian restaurant, Shalimar, that we went to over the summer), but Moat Mountain had several options (the tofu curry wrap was excellent) AND an interesting beer list. Plus the place has that whole “ski resort” feel while also being very family-friendly.
• Mt. Washington Valley Children’s Museum : I admit, I was a little worried how Mimi and I were going to fill an entire day while the boys went snowboarding, but it turns out I was silly to worry. We started with a few errands at the outlet mall (including some outfits for Mimi for our Disney trip) then hit the Children’s Museum. It was only a $5 donation to get in, and there was definitely enough there to keep Mimi entertained until lunch time (although I wouldn’t recommend it for older kids; I’d say its probably geared toward kids under age 6. I think Buddy would have been bored). Even though there was a pretty cool area with dress-up clothes and a tree house, her favorite thing to do was sit in a big yellow tractor wearing a hard hat. That girl always keeps me guessing.
• White Mountain Cupcakery : Wow. As you know, we love cupcakes around here , so trust me when I say these are So. Freaking. Yummy. We got a four-pack of mint chocolate (me), their special chocolate chipotle (Dr. G.) and vanilla spinkles and uber chocolate cupcakes for the kids to split. I think all four were gone in minutes.

Not to sound like a total cliche, but I do feel like this weekend was exactly what I needed. It felt amazing to slow down and really be there – in mind, body and spirit – with my family, and not be making a mental to-do list or checking my email or brainstorming my next blog post. We lounged around most mornings, we played games of Go Fish, I read an entire book (!), I drank beer and ate cupcakes and pizza and didn’t think twice about the gym. And it was heavenly.

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