Weekend Trip

This weekend we took a trip that has been in the works since last year, when I found out about a certain show that I knew Kaitlyn would love (more on that later!).  Kevin and I stealthily packed some suitcases and the car before Kaitlyn came home from school on Friday.  We told her we were going for a longer drive to get some dinner and would be "home" late that night.  She was so surprised when we pulled up to our hotel that night in... Providence, Rhode Island!

Kenzie still loves mirrors!

Saturday morning we walked over to the Providence Place Mall.  The Lego Store was a huge hit with both girls!

A mall with a view!

We had lunch on the patio at P.F. Chang's.  We lucked out with a beautiful day!  They told us we were the first people to eat on the patio, they had only reopened it that day.

After lunch, we walked up to the State House...

And then along the river...

 

And then it was time for the main event...  The Marvel Universe Live show at the Dunkin Donuts Center!  Kaitlyn had noticed all the people wearing Marvel shirts around town, but we told her it was just because Infinity War came out this weekend.  She had no idea until we got inside!  

We knew Kaitlyn would love the show, but Kenzie might have loved it even more!  She did not stop clapping, kicking her feet, and yelling "woooo"!

Kaitlyn showing off the interactive Marvel bracelet that came with her ticket to the show.

Kenzie keeping an eye on the door to the kitchen...  every time it swung back and forth she would start laughing!

Dessert!  A chocolate "bag" filled with whipped cream and berries.

 

Kaitlyn wore her face paint til the last possible minute.  I thought it was hilarious how grumpy she looked (she wasn't- she just takes her reading seriously!)

This morning dawned wet and a bit dreary, but we didn't let that keep us from checking off another National Park (and Jr. Ranger badge) off our list!  For those who need a history refresher (like I often do!), Roger Williams was banished from Massachusetts for advocating religious freedom/ separation of church and state. He then went on and founded Providence.  The National Memorial is a small park on the site where he founded Providence before it spread to city it is today!

At the site of the  natural spring that led Roger Williams to locate his settlement here...

Kaitlyn in front of the old State House.

Afterwards, we realized it was lunch time, but we wanted to get out of Providence and head north before we ate.  I half joking mentioned that Patriots Place was sort of on the way home. I have no idea how we've lived in New England as long as we have without ever having gone, but we did!  

Patriots Place is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment center right next door to Gillette Stadium.  Hence, the name...

Kaitlyn went through her "are you serious?" question after we told her that was where the Pats played.  She couldn't believe how big the stadium was and how high the seats went up.  She wanted to know why the seats went that high.  We told her that unlike the Bucs and Dolphins, lots of people actually go to these games!  (Just kidding, we did NOT tell her that).  She's already a die-hard Pats fan and does not need any further training.