#thingstodoct

[tanhend]

Watercolor from portrait sketch group. Next one is this Friday, look for Danbury sketch group on meetup.com for more info. #lifepainting #portraitsketch #portrait #watercolorpainting #watercolorsketch #quicksketch #visualarts #fairfieldcountyct #ctartists #thingstodoct #opensketch #portraitgroup #drawfromlife (at Danbury, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzMMjp3n2A8/?igshid=fifve46zt1bc

[havekiddoswilltravel]

Which one is your favorite #StoningtonLobsterTrapTree anchor color? We arrived to see the tree at about 4 pm and there were two families ahead of us to take pics inside and outside the tree. We enjoyed the sunset, took a short walk and came back to see the tree while it was darker. By 5:30 pm the crowds descended, so we took a few more pictures and headed out. See the Lobster Trap Tree at Stonington Town Dock: 1 High St, Stonington, CT 06378 It is lit every night from 4:30pm – 10pm until the end of January. @stonington_lobster_trap_tree #ExploreCt #LocalCt #thingstodoCT (at Stonington Fishermens Dock) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYDDLZtshlN/?utm_medium=tumblr

[individualelements]

Ready to eat all these strawberries I picked!🍓🍴 . . . #strawberry #thingstodo #pickyourown #foodie #travelingfoodie #goodeats #summertime #sunshine #liveauthentic #adayinthelife #gypsysoul #positivevibes #feedyoursoul #happiness #peace #bossbabe #vibes #instagood #beaunicorn #thingstodoct (at Rose's Berry Farm)

[tanhend]

From portrait sketch group, 10 min poses. #portraitpainting #portrait #portraitdrawing #watercolor #watercolorsketch #portraitsketch #sketchbookdrawing #danburyct #danburyctartist #thingstodoct #fairfieldcountyct #meetup #meetupgroup (at Danbury, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1CzqExAILr/?igshid=nxb13dycu6g9

[tanhend]

From the portrait sketch meetup. 10 min pose. If you’re local to the Danbury CT area and are interested in joining, there’s a link in my bio #lifepainting #portrait #portraitpainting #portraitsketch #watercolor #watercolorsketch #quicksketch #visualarts #meetup #danburyct #danburyctartist #thingstodoct #fairfieldcountyct #connecticutartist #drawing #sketch #art (at Danbury, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz_dTs_jq43/?igshid=1fijy78k9japr

[tanhend]

Portrait sketch group meets this Friday! If you’re in the Danbury area, look us up on meetup.com or follow the link in my bio for more details. #portraitsketch #lifedrawing #portraitdrawing #portrait #watercolorportrait #watercolorsketch #meetup #sketchmeetup #thingstodoct #danburyct https://www.instagram.com/p/B2AHDYgAfv-/?igshid=1q5apijtngdej

[tanhend]

Watercolor from portrait sketch group. Next one is this Friday, visit https://www.meetup.com/Danbury-Sketch-Group/events/262341382/ for details. #lifepainting #portrait #portraitsketch #watercolorpainting #watercolorsketch #quicksketch #visualarts #fairfieldcountyct #ctartist #thingstodoct #opensketch #drawfromlife (at Danbury, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzJTPREHNzV/?igshid=15ryobnazjs47

[tanhend]

Danbury portrait sketch group meeting tonight 7-9pm look for us on meetup.com for more info. #watercolorpainting #watercolorportrait #portraitsketch #lifepainting #watercolorsketch #color #meetup #sketchmeetup #fairfieldcountyct #danburyct #ctartists #thingstodoct #opensketch #portraitgroup #drawfromlife (at Danbury, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzQr02snAOR/?igshid=1140rby16mvkg

[tanhend]

Danbury Sketch Group Costume Figure Drawing Session - Sunday June 30th with @artmodelmercedes The theme for June is "Port Royal Privateer" and draws inspiration from the historic gender-bending privateers from the Golden Age of Piracy as well as swashbuckling Hollywood classics. Visit https://www.meetup.com/Danbury-Sketch-Group/events/262319132/ for more info and to rsvp Our group is small, friendly, and supportive with a range of skills. Students and total beginners welcome! #danbury #danburyct #privateer #privateers #buccaneer #piratecostume #piratesofthecaribbean #livemodel #lifedrawing #figuremodel #clothedmodel #costumemodel #historicalcostume #thingstodoct #charts #ctartist #fairfieldcountyct #drapery #opensketch #drawfromlife #drawingfromlife (at Danbury, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzG31sTADTC/?igshid=1fviufewyn7vw

[tanhend]

I’m hosting a costume open sketch session in Danbury this coming Saturday May 25th, 1-3pm with @artmodelmercedes Costume and poses inspired by the iconic dancers of Belle Époque Paris. Suggested donation $25. Message me or visit https://www.meetup.com/Danbury-Sketch-Group/events/261305188/ to rsvp. #belleepoque #degas #degasdancer #impressionism #lifedrawing #lifemodelling #artmodel #opensketch #figuredrawing #danburyct #thingstodoct #costumemodel #historicalcostume #historicaldance #arthistory #sketch (at Danbury, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxs6WSLHIeK/?igshid=a17aapqgauhs

[havekiddoswilltravel]

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum is one of the most well done Native American History and Culture Museums that we’ve ever visited. #teachingkids #ct #explorect #nativeamerican #homeschoolresources #thingstodoct #newengland (at Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoOzcBYnlBc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ddiia1t5l6rz

[havekiddoswilltravel]

When Family Outings Don’t Turn Out The Way You Imagined.

This post should be called. Things not to do in Connecticut with Kids. 

My kids are big Marvel fans and thus love all things Guardians of the Galaxy. When I read the WSFB article (see link above) about a Groot statue made out of a tree located in CT I was inspired to share the information with my Marvel fan children and discuss the option of a road trip visit. My brilliant Mami idea was to take a field trip there as a reward for successfully completing the first week back to school. This Groot statue is located 40 minutes from our home, but the kids love Groot and thus, I jumped at the opportunity to mix art with their interest and in the name of art, geography and all things Marvel, we headed out. 

Let me save you the aggravation and waste of time. What this article omitted is that the statue is located on a yellow double line main road in Cheshire and the home owners are less than friendly to Marvel or art fans interest is their unique form of lawn decor. Can visualize the side eye and eye roll that I’m doing right now?

As we slowed down near the statue, we noticed a sign that said:

No trespassing. Busy Road. No Pictures!

While the WSFB article did a great job at enticing interest in the Groot statue, it was irresponsible of the author to not include the limitations of actually taking in the art involved in the creation of said statue.

Thus, I’m writing this blog post to share that not all family travel adventures end in a positive and educational experience. Sometimes, they’re a complete waste of your time and resources, yet an opportunity to teach children how to deal with disappointment. My kids were watching for my reaction. While I wanted to have an full blown adult tantrum, I paused, took a deep breath and said to the kids: that sucked. Now what are we going to do in Cheshire?

If you’re traveling to the nutmeg state and you come across information about this one of a kind Groot statue located in the small town of Cheshire. Just ignore it and come up with a plan b. 

[havekiddoswilltravel]

Traffic: no problem, we’ll just stop and explore. @ontrackkarting #havekiddoswilltravel #adultsgetaway #adventure #explore #noplans #justbecause #fun #racing #ontrackkarting #ct #thingstodoct (at On Track Karting Brookfield)

[havekiddoswilltravel]

Spring Break Treasures in CT - Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison

We weren’t on break last week (usually we avoid taking time off during school vacation weeks), but took time out of our regular schedule to join friends on a road trip to Madison, CT. It’s been a really long winter and I texted my friend and told her to have her kids bring their scooters so that we can explore the trails in case it was too cold to even enjoy the beach.  Hammonasset Beach State Park is one of our favorite Connecticut beaches and we prefer to visit in the off season when parking is free and the beach is not crowded. However, this beach and surrounding trails is a family destination during all four seasons.

Heart shaped sea glass that I found on the beach.

Park location and contact information:

Hammonasset Beach  State Park 1288 Boston Post Road P.O. Box 271 Madison, CT 06443 (203) 245-2785 Campground (Seasonal) (203) 245-1817

Most do activities during a visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park.

- Bring binoculars and check out the osprey nest. When you get home, you can follow the osprey via the osprey camera. 

- Explore Meigs Point Nature Center and use that as a starting point for your trail hike. Click here for the Hammonasset Trail Map. At the roundabout, stay to the left and follow the road to the Nature Center as well as access to trails and beach. 

- Provide your kids with a history of the area. “Hammonasset” means “where we dig holes in the ground” referring to the location where eastern woodland Native Americans farmed along the Hammonasset River. 

- Pack a picnic and drinks. You can enjoy a picnic lunch on a blanket on the 2 miles of shoreline or on a picnic table nearby. Concessions are also available in the in-season. 

- Pack bikes or scooters and enjoy the bike paths throughout the park. This is a great way to take in the views and also create amazing family memories. 

- Fishing is permitted at Hammonasset State Park at Meigs Point and West Point Jetty in the in-season only. 

- If you’re looking to enjoy the amazing park day and night, camping is available via 550 campsites and camping cabins - open from May through mid-October. Reservations are highly recommended via Reserve America. 

Additional things to do while you’re in the area:

- Clinton Crossing Outlets

- Thimble Island Cruise

- The Clam Castle

- Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tales

Some of our food from our late lunch at Lenny & Joe’s. #hotlobsterroll

About Ruth: I’m a wife, mami of 4 active and globe-trotting kiddos. I’ve always loved a good adventure and truly believe that it’s possible to travel with kids. Join me, as I share our adventures and inspire you to get out of the house with your kiddos. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a road trip or a trip of a lifetime to an exotic destination, I’ll share insights, trip reports and information that will inspire you. Check back often to stay up to date on things to do with kids at your next travel destination.