Photographs + stories by Maine magazine staff

Friday
6:30 p.m. @ Pond Cove IGA
On the way over to the hotel we stop at Pond Cove IGA to pick up a bottle of champagne.

7:00 p.m. @ Inn by the Sea
We check in at the Inn by the Sea. Our room is stunning. The terrycloth robes and king- size plush bed are calling our names. We can’t wait for a full night’s sleep and the possibility of sleeping in. After a very busy week, we give in to the temptation to stay in our cozy room by the fireplace and order room service.

8:00 p.m. @ Inn by the Sea
Our room service is exceptional and delivers the perfect blend of tapas, warm soup, and salad. We finish our meal with slices of decadent chocolate cake. Then we decide to pop the cork of the champagne and toast to an amazing weekend.

Saturday
8:00 a.m. @ Inn by the Sea
We wake up and remember that we ordered breakfast to be delivered. Scott checks the door to find a pot of coffee and the Portland Press Herald. What precious time for us to quietly drink our coffee and have bagels and a fruit plate.

9:00 a.m. @ Inn by the Sea
I’ve been looking forward to this next item on our agenda: a couple’s massage in the hotel spa. We arrive at the spa and change into our robes and sandals. On the way over to the massage room, I notice the steam room and a five-jet shower. Angie and Virginia are awaiting our arrival. Scott has requested a deep tissue massage while I’ve requested the hot stone. We both choose essential oils that are just perfect and we sink in to relaxation. We leave the room feeling ten pounds lighter and ten years younger.

11:30a.m.@C Salt Gourmet Market
We head over to the new brunch spot in Cape Elizabeth, C Salt. Warm panini and soup and a couple of coffees are just what we need to fill the soul. I’m glad to see it’s very family-friendly. It will be a perfect place for us to bring our girls in the future.

12:00 p.m. @ Mimosas Hair Salon
If you ever want the skinny on what to see and do, always stop at the local hair salon. I’m lucky enough to know the gang at Mimosas in the Oak Hill Plaza in Scarborough. My sister, Karla McMahon, is a stylist there and coincidentally my brother Larry had just stopped in for a haircut. The whole salon gets in on the excitement and gives us a healthy list of stops to make.

12:30 p.m. @ The Cheese Iron
It’s a must to stop by the Cheese Iron. The atmosphere is immediately warm and cozy. There’s an assortment of wines, cheeses, and gifts to choose from. I can see why people love it. We pick up a few select gifts for our family and friends.

1:00 p.m. @ Higgins Beach Since
the weather is nice we take a ride to Higgins Beach. Scott tells me about friends from high school who still frequent this beach to surf. We’re bundled up and decide to take a stroll along the beach. We’re so lucky here in Maine to be able to take a deep breath of such clean, crisp air while enjoying views that are to die for.

2:00 p.m. @ Scarborough Grounds
Time for a coffee break. We stop in and warm up at Scarborough Grounds, a family-owned coffee shop where we order two freshly brewed cups for renewed energy.

3:00 p.m. @ Len Libby
I’m a chocolate fanatic and there’s no way I’m going to pass up a trip to Len Libby. All the chocolate is handmade. I order one of everything. I know our girls would have loved to see the life-sized chocolate moose named Lenny, made of 1,700 pounds of the finest milk chocolate.

4:00 p.m. @ Moby Rx
We check in with our sitter and find out that one of our girls has a belly ache. There’s nothing to be alarmed about, and we know the best pharmacy around: Moby Rx in South Portland. Momen, the owner, is working behind the counter and advises us on how to treat our sick little one. There’s nothing like a family pharmacy that you know and trust.

5:00p.m. @ Elsmere BBQ and
Wood Grill A quick check-in with the kids tells us that all is well. My sister Karla, who has taken on the overnight babysitting shift, suggests we check out the scene at Elsmere BBQ in South Portland. The bar is hopping for happy hour—you can just feel the excitement. Scott orders the prickly pear margarita and I decide on the cucumber mint mojito.

6:30 p.m. @ Saltwater Grille
I haven’t been here in years and I had forgotten how spectacular the view is, overlooking the lights of Portland Harbor. Scott and I decide to order the seafood bouillabaisse, a delicious blend of fresh Maine fish in a broth that’s incredible.

8:00 p.m. @ Inn by the Sea
After dinner, thinking about another good night’s sleep, we decide to call it a day and retreat to the inn to curl up by the fire.

Sunday
7:00 a.m. @ Inn by the Sea
I wake and am ready to take on the day. Scott decides he wants to take advantage of the luxurious comfort of our room and sleeps in. I’m missing my girls, so I call my sister and have them join me.

7:30 a.m. @ home
I stop home to pick up the gang, which includes my sister Karla and my twins, Kendra and Eva. It’s like we haven’t seen each other in ages, with the tight grip and big kisses I get—what a great feeling to be loved so much.

8:00 a.m. @ Scratch Baking Co.
We notice there’s a long line of people who had the same idea. The line moves very quickly when a fresh batch of bagels is brought out from the back. The aroma takes over and we order one of every kind to find our favorite.

10:00a.m. @ Willard Beach
With our jogging stroller, we head over to Willard Beach. It is a busy place on a Sunday morning. There are families, couples, and lots of people walking their dogs. My girls are obsessed with “woo- woos,” or dogs, and are thrilled to see so many on the beach.

11:00 a.m. @ Lois’ Natural Marketplace
We stop in to Lois’ Natural Marketplace in Scarborough. Karla works close by, so this is a regular stop for her. She shows me all the farm-fresh foods and supplements. She buys a couple of really cool multicolored woven baskets, and I find a fun 2015 calendar that the kids beg me to buy.

12:30p.m. @ The Good Table
We are all starting to get hungry after our beach walk. We head back to Cape Elizabeth to the Good Table. The girls split a grilled turkey sandwich and Karla and I order the classic Maine lobster roll. What a great, family-friendly place.

2:00 p.m. @ Ann Veronica
I just have to pop in to see all the latest fashions. I have my eye on a couple of outfits, but, since Karla and I are with toddlers, it’s not a good time to start trying things on. We decide to come back later in the week.

3:30 p.m. @ Easy Day
This is an awesome place for families to play, especially on colder days. There are kids of all ages bowling with the help of their parents. I think Scott and I will have to come back with the girls to give this a try. We order a pizza to go for dinner, with about every topping available to man.

4:00 p.m. on the road
We hug my sister goodbye and head home to fill Scott in on our adventures.