Bug Light Park

Bug Light Park, the eastern terminus of the Greenbelt Walkway, offers expansive views of Portland Harbor and the skyline of Maine’s  largest city. The 8.78 acre park was the site of major shipbuilding activity during WWII. An estimated 30,000 people were employed here from 1941-1945 building liberty ships for the New England Shipbuilding Corp. and the South Portland Shipbuilding Corp. Although far less bustling  today, Bug Light Park is a popular destination for picnicking, boating, kite flying and salt water fishing.  Rest rooms are available seasonally. A busy boat launching area (seasonal fees required) and a  liberty ship memorial are at opposite ends of the park. In between is a  paved walkway along the shore and out to Bug Light itself.  Seasonal events include a Kite Festival, Summer Movie Nights, a car show, and a day-long 4th of July celebration culminating with clear views of Portland's fireworks display across the harbor. The park is also available for private functions and events.

Portland Breakwater Lighthouse was built in 1875 and is one of Maine's most elegant lighthouses. Though modeled on an ancient Greek monument, it was built with plates of cast iron. It was dubbed "Bug Light" due to its small size.

The next day, we had another park day. The weather was cooler so that was nice. The kids had fun at Bug Light Park. They climbed all over the rocks and found all kinds of gross stuff! They came out of the water smelling really bad too! The smell followed us around for a while....

Muppy had a lot of fun running around. 

A pretty view of Portland. 

At the end of this day, we left Maine to head back down to Boston. On our drive to Boston, we got a little lost and somehow missed a HUGE thunderstorm. There was even a tornado warning! 

Welcome back to New Hampshire! 

Willard Beach

I didn't know if there were a lot of sandy beaches in Maine, but Uncle Brian and Aunt Karen found us one in Portland! The water was too cold for adults (even Uncle Brian!!) but the kids thought it was warm enough to play in. The day was hot, so being on the water made it cool enough to be comfortable. 

I loved all the pretty sailboats in the background. They always look so peaceful and not loud. 

August Videos

 

Elizabeth's Orthodontic Adventures

On August 20th, Elizabeth started her adventures in orthodontics. She had an expander put in and they put the braces on, but didn't put the wires in this time. 

The expander will widen her top palette to give her teeth more room. The braces will straighten her teeth out. She has a very small mouth so everything was not going to fit. The orthodontist said they do not like to pull teeth anymore like they did in the old days. Now, they use the expander to make room. 

For some reason, she talks just fine. When Nathan had the expander, he made a weird spit sucking sound all the time. His must have been slightly different since he also had headgear he had to use at night for his bite problems. Her bite was fine. She just didn't have enough room in there. 

She had a hard time for a while figuring out how to eat with that thing in her mouth. Every night for 12 nights, we turn the key which slowly helps give her more room. She's sad there are now a lot of foods she can't eat for a long time. Popcorn, sticky candy and even chips! 

They said they will add wires next time since they already put so much new stuff in her mouth this time! 

It's funny to me that both kids started this process at exactly 8 1/2. 

Kennebec River

We did some relaxing in the heat in some pretty chairs on the Kennebuc River. With the humidity the "real feel" was about 100 even though it was only 90. 

Elizabeth especially loved her teal chair because teal is her favorite color. 

We stopped by the Augusta Police Station. Uncle Brian knew some people there. Jeremy came home with a patch! It looks like the police department was founded the same year as Fort Western. 

1st Day of School

Yesterday was the 1st day of school!! Nathan is a 5th grader and Elizabeth is a 3rd grader. 

I like to walk with the kids their first day to see them off and take pictures. 

Elizabeth in a swarm of 3rd graders. 

Nathan in a swarm of 5th graders. 

Nathan was apparently asked to be doorholder. 

Elizabeth heading in on her first day (while Nathan holds the door for her, haha). 

Maine State House

We visited the Maine State House. It was a VERY hot day so we just took some pictures and walked around a bit and left. We did not take a tour inside. 

 Augusta was chosen as the capital when Maine separated from Massachusetts in 1820. Augusta was chosen because it was a central city. I did find out the state house was completed in 1832 and was built using granite from Maine.

The state house was very visible driving into Augusta. 

The governor's house