Unfortunately, four hours and one more dose of motrin later, we arrive in Maine and Sam has a whopping 103 degree temp. Shit. After ringing our pediatrician at home and being told to monitor the temp and check the little bugger's throat, I manage to get his fever to come down a bit. M's friend Ryan, whose family is vacationing nearby, is dropped off to join us for the next few days and we decide on a little seafood takeout. Just as I'm about to take my first bite of lobster roll, Evan calls. He was on his way out to meet us after work, only to have his car die on the Mass Pike. Seriously? Yes...unfortunately. Lobster roll and chowder high, put on hold. We spend the next hour orchestrating a tow off the pike and a lift from Ev's dad, back to our house. One minor emotional breakdown on the phone with my mom later and my single mom mode is engaged. Deep breaths...I can totally pull this off alone. We finish dinner, watch a movie and crash out...Sam's fever breaks in the night. Yay! Wait...no...a sore throat Sammy? Are you sure honey? Yes mom...my "froat" hurts. Ugh...ok...it's just a little sore throat...oh wait...you do still have a fever. Ok...a little breakfast and a shower...I can totally do this. Get directions to the local walk in clinic and movie times for a matinee...because it's raining. Rock. This is the clinic...complete with super nice check in lady, snack, coffee and juice station and a place for the kiddos to hang out while we wait on Sammy's strep test.
Sick, but still our smiley Sammy. Strep test comes back negative...woo hoo! Score for the home team! Evan calls to say that his car died because the timing belt, that was just replaced, shredded and because it's under warranty, it has to be towed all the way back to our local mechanic. My good mood, induced by the negative strep test is thwarted by the fact that I will be flying solo for four more days with a sick five year old and two teenagers. But I can do this...shake it off, grab some pizza and we get in line for a matinee...with everyone else in Maine because it's still raining. Half a dozen people in line cut us and then ignore my protests...I nearly lose my shit but we eventually make it to the ticket desk and head to our movies. Sam drops his bear that they gave him at the walk in clinic, in the toilet. Sweet. We watch Nanny McPhee Returns, which was very good by the way, and the boys see Scott Pilgrim vs The World. My mom ends up renting Evan a car and he is on the way out...I love you mom. Ev pulls in just in time for all of us to grab a lovely dinner at one of our favorite spots. Sam's fever spikes again, but he's still smiley.
Day one over. Day two...no sun but no rain, so we head to the beach only to find that the "No Swimming" red flag is flying. We hang out on the beach for an hour or so and very nearly get blown away.
The water was actually not too bad...much warmer than last year. Ok...so scratch the beach. The boys are game for the motel pool, but abandon that idea after a few minutes of freezing their little tails off in it. We forego any sort of water related fun and opt for a little shopping and a trolley ride. 
An early dinner at another favorite restaurant, Sam and I chill out at the motel and Ev takes the boys out for a round of mini golf. Stick a fork in the Skeeter...day two is done. 
This was Wednesday...all day long.
We brave the elements for a trip to Portland's Children's Museum...which as it turns out, is geared toward kiddos who are Sammy's age...but M and Ryan were very cool about the whole trip. Good men...er...teenagers. The car rides there and back were another story...does anyone know at what age, random fart noises become un-funny? And Wednesday ends with Evan leaving us to head back home for work the next day. Another minor emotional meltdown later, I rally and treat myself to the best fried scallops ever. Arcade, ice cream and back to the room to call it a night. And wouldn't you know it...we wake up to gorgeous, sunny blue skies on Thursday morning...our day of departure. Rather than interpreting this as a cruel joke, I go with the "better late than never" philosopy and we finish off our week from hell on a high note. Here comes the sun...
I suppose that every family needs a good nightmarish vacation story or two...although one would be just fine with me. All is well though...we made it through and we were together. Sammy is healthy as a little horse, we ate lots of good food and even managed that one sunny day at the ocean. It feels really really good to be home and Evan just put a glass of red wine in front of me. Onward and upward...bring on the next adventure!
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