Megan's got 47

This month of May has been absolutely one of the best months in my lifetime.
I got to meet so many wonderful people and their angels.
This month I organized a downsyn (down syndrome forum) meet at Sesame Place and a BBQ at my house.
My friends (The Coppin's) Helen and Andy from Nottingham England came to stay with us for 9 days and became "family." They have the most wonderful children and are our "Across the pond counterparts." We all had so much in common. We are already talking about us going to England which would be just UNBELIEVABLE! I have not traveled much in my life so that would be awesome.
Right now I am missing having good conversation and playmates for my kids.
We talked everynight after the kids went to bed and enjoyed good wine, beer and company.
My kids loved Andy and everday had a few "cuddles" with him. He is such a good dad.
Helen is a free spirit, have a good time kinda gal and always shows the kids a good time as well. She is a fabulous mom. Our swingset never saw so much use....I think it is about to fall down....LOL
Our 1st night together I made a big Spaghetti dinner that lasted us a couple days. All the kids ate so much they were orange and ended up sharing their 1st bath together. Helen's kids never saw "tub tints" before so were amazed that we could make the bath purple!
The next day we got up and headed to the Jersey Shore for the day where the kids enjoyed the sun and sand and I enjoyed my sunburn :(...Megan got a little too much sun too...
3rd day we traveled into Philadelphia where we went to The Franklin Institute for the day...what a crowded place it was but the kids enjoyed it! We had to drive home in a rain and lighting storm....Did I tell you in England they drive on the wrong side of the road...I mean the left hand side of the road....Andy was such a trooper following me!
4th day was chill...The Coppin's family went to an American Mall and enjoyed shopping all day....I got a little nervous thinking they got lost....they were gone for a whole 8 hours...LOL
Andy would be happy never to see another mall again....
5th day everyone was arriving for our Sesame Meet. Joe (my dh) took off of work to take Andy golfing....they did not do so well! Lisa (danielsmommy) from RI was in early and able to take Helen and family, my dh and Olivia out to lunch so they could meet the Coppin's for the 1st time. I had to take Megan to school so I missed out on the lunch! But that night we all (downsyn members) met up at Bouncing Off The Walls for fun and pizza! We got to see Ecki and Kayla, Rhonda and Dylan, Marge and Becca, Lisa and Daniel!!!!! Lisa and Sarah got stuck in traffic as well as Elisha and Elijah :(
6th day, the crew gathered at the Sesame Place gates to go in for BREAKFAST WITH ELMO! I, however decided not to go to Sesame and opted to set up for our BBQ. Everyone came over after Sesame around 6pm and we cooked out on the grill and made hamburgers and hotdogs (compliments of Coleen and Nolan)...Tom and Michel, Beth and Mikey creators of downsyn were able to come which was a definet highlight! Marlene and Aleena were able to come from Lancaster for the dinner which was nice....they were hosting the Coppins family in a few days and wanted to meet them.
7th day Some of us meet for breakfast at Burger King where the kids played on the playground for hours. We had to say our goodbyes to Lisa and Daniel because they had to head home to RI :(....But Sarah'smom, Helen and myself decided since the guys went golfing...we would get to do something for ourselves, so we went and got a manicure and pedicure and enjoyed some much needed rest and relaxation...although Helen's was a bit rushed by how fast her guy was....LOL
8th day Helen and Andy packed up for DC and Sarah'smom and myself packed our kids up for the Crayloa Factory....we waved goodbye as The Coppins went South on 95 and we headed North. I took Lisa, Don and family an hour and 15 minutes to a CLOSED CRAYOLA FACTORY :( What a bummer huh! So we went through the gift shop and ate at McDonald's before truddging all the way home.
between 9th and 15th day Helen and Andy were in DC and Lancaster PA...we went back to reality for a short while until late Sunday night The Coppins returned. Kids fast asleep and back at home base to finish out there stay.
16th day- I dropped them off at Trenton train Station where they bravely boarded for NYC. They toured the city and then took another train to Long Island where they stayed with Tom and Michel of downsyn. They really enjoyed there stay.
17th day- I picked them up around 5pm in Trenton and they came home to an Indian meal and we got to chat again and enjoy each others company.
18th day- Last day in America! PACKING, more PACKING and SHOVING and buying more suitcases for PACKING....LOL. We went shopping in the morning and then came home and got dressed for the pool. We got to go swimming for about an hour 1/2 before going to the airport...but of course we had to have a little scare when little Hannah slipped off the step and the lifeguard had to jump in and get her....I was shaking half to death and Helen was nice and calm....man what a way to end there vacation....LOL
On our way home from the pool my girls fell asleep and and The Coppins had to say goodbye.
Me and Joey escorted them to the airport for some last minute hugs and pics!
You could now say the Coppins are apart of the family! Joey calls them our cousins....it is better than telling people we let a family stay with us that we meet online....LOL...but as downsyn clearly states...extra chromosome...extra family!
We love our downsyn family.
Enjoy the show!