Before Spring Break, I excitedly made a list of adventures I wanted to undertake with my children.  I had grand visions of exciting trips to NYC, educational outings to local museums, and spine thrilling natural adventures.  I carefully planned itineraries, scouted deals, and made reservations.  And then I called my friend Sarah and invited her and her twin girls to join us.  Sarah graciously listened to my grand plans before suggesting an alternative right here in Fairfield County.  “Have you thought about a trip to the Springdale Diner?”

Spring is coming!  Spring is coming!  SPRING IS COMING!!!! 

It's that time of year...time to get out and about!  Because both of my parents were teachers, my childhood years were full of road trips.  Many were the times that we packed up – two parents, 3 children, and an incessantly panting dog – and headed west to Colorado, and a few times, even all the way to CA.  These trips were both horrible and wonderful at the same time.  Horrible in that they involved hours of fighting with my two brothers, the inevitable boredom of the Kansas highway, and occasionally a very gaseous dog.  Wonderful in that we saw every nook and cranny of this country, felt insignificant in the shadow of the Rockies, and marveled at the sheer awesomeness of Crater Lake.

What I did learn in my many family road voyages were the essential ingredients of every road trip. Because, really, whats the point of heading to a great destination if getting there makes everyone cranky and irritbable? As spring approaches (I promise…it’s coming!), we will be getting ready for some of our favorite local day trips (Connecticut College lacrosse game, Old Saybrook, Mystic Seaport, Kent Falls), keeping these essentials in mind:

A few short weeks ago my husband and I motivated to take our kids into New York City to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Many hours later (as well as many toll roads, parking fees, and bathroom stops later), my 4 year old informed me that she preferred the artwork in her Olivia the Pig book to the John Singer Sargent exhibit we just viewed.  Why, oh why did I spend so much money on taking them to a fabulous NY museum when there are so many phenomenal museums in our own backyard here in Fairfield County?  Our next museum adventures will be within a 20 mile radius of home – and just look how many great exhibits there are in the local area! And don't forget to check out our Kid-Friendly CT Museum Guide too!

So, because Connecticut hasn’t been cold enough for our liking this winter (?!?@?!?@?!?), my husband and I thought we’d head to the balmy Canadian border for our kids’ February school break. Despite the chilly temperatures, we had a great time skiing in northern Vermont. The highlight of our trip?  Undoubtedly the full family snowboarding lesson we took with our ever-patient instructor Ian. In addition to being a snowboard instructor in the winter, Ian helps run a summer adventure park in the summertime. His stories of zip lining above the trees for more than 500 yards at a time got us thinking…why not plan a day trip to a nearby aerial adventure park to try this Spring?

What…pack up and head to Florida for February break? Never!  Nope, this clan is staying put for the upcoming school vacation.  And while the idea of spending some time in Florida is tempting, I love the chance to enjoy local adventures with my kids.  These are the some of the things we’ll be doing over February break here in Fairfield County.

Normally, I have a firm “no-Christmas-decorations-before-Thanksgiving-has-come-and-gone” policy in our house.  To my mind, November is no time for Santas and snowmen to be dotting lawns and rooftops.  But this year, with the late Thanksgiving and early Hanukkah, I have to admit…I’ve been in the holiday mood since before Thanksgiving (I’ll deny it if asked). 

If you too are in the holiday mood, hop in the car and head to Greenwich, for Greenwich is a town that knows how to do Christmas right.  Christmas lights down their idyllic Avenue?  Check.  Beautiful churches with crèches?  Check.  Fun way to spend time with the kids in Fairfield County? Check. Fantastic shopping?  Check and doublecheck. For more fun things to do in December in CT check out our December Go List.

8 years ago, when my husband and I cruised down to CT from Boston for a weekend of house hunting, we submitted to our (very patient) realtor a list of our “dream town” characteristics.  Small, but not too small, rural, but not too rural, plenty of activities, great schools, a picturesque downtown, lots of sidewalks, and great restaurants.  AND, a great local community, a farmer’s market with local vendors, a thriving business section, and historical charm.  We thought our exhaustive list would stump our realtor, but no…such a town DOES exist!  It is Ridgefield,  in Fairfield County, CT – to my mind, one of the loveliest towns here in CT, or even in greater New England.

The first movie I saw in a movie theater? Pete’s Dragon.  Still one of my favorites, and why, yes, I can sing every note of it.  My first rated R movie?  Chevy Chase in Vacation.  My uncle took my brothers and me while he was babysitting us over a long weekend.  Needless to say, he was not asked to babysit again.  Ever.  My first date movie?  Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.  Can’t remember the boy, but the movie was fantastic!

My point – convoluted though it may be – is that movies hold an important place in our lives and memories.  I remember all of these movie outings – they were important milestones in my life, and I imagine that my kids will also have “movie memories” as they grow older.

Kids with conditions such as Aspergers or Autism, who can be very sensitive to sensory stimuli, are often denied the typical childhood movie experience.  But now, there are movies theaters in CT and across the nation that are offering sensory friendly viewings of specific children’s movies. 

Sensory friendly screenings are viewings in which the volume is greatly lowered, and the lights are dimmed but not turned out.  Patrons are allowed to bring their own snacks so that dietary restrictions can be easily maintained, there are no previews, and viewers are welcome to get up and move about and talk throughout the film.