I like to book these over night trips months in advance imagining how lovely they will be.  Picturing the adventure with rose-colored lenses, I seem to ignore the inevitable packing and unpacking which I loathe, or the actual driving in which I have no GPS, or the logistics of meal planning on the road.  But they must be good enough because I just keep planning them!  The truth is, it is always a welcome break from our typical days.  This past week we headed to Sturbridge Village for a home school day.  On the way down we stopped in Brattleboro and picked out CD’s and went to an awesome indoor playground.  Then we stayed in a hotel, which is usually the best part for these crazy kids.  The trip was topped off with a visit to see my parents and my brother and family!  And you know all that packing was worth it.  Especially when we came home to a spotless house, a very delicious pork supper, and freshly made beds.  Yes indeed it a perfect homecoming.  And then home to snow, snow and more snow.  Then some ice, and slush and hail and freezing rain.  April can be so mean.  We took our bucket down and can at least enjoy springs sweet reward.  2.5 gallons of syrup and a quart of maple sugar! You will notice in the picture we were eating it at a rapid rate… the sugar is already long gone.  Not too bad!