Vacation in Beantown (Part 2)

Day #3

We were all very excited about visiting the Boston Children's Museum on our last day! Erik and I were even more excited to learn that the museum was FREE to educators... so we paid a grand total of $2 (for Leah) to visit. At that rate, we'll be there every time we're in the city!

The museum is amazing and completely overwhellming. In the lobby there is a huge climbing structure. Leah was too young... mostly because she would have been trampled by older kids.. but we loved watching all the kids climb from each of the three stories.

We focused our visit on the following exhibits: Toddler Play Space, Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China, and Boats Afloat.

Despite not loving her first T experience, the "nains" in the toddler room were a big hit!

A postcard from China... just before the Olympics started!

Drum ditty, drum ditty, drum, drum, drum!

Why start with the American alphabet?

Leah, in her glory, wearing a "BIG big" playing with boats in the water.

Big duck down!

Puzzling with tangrams on a cool light table.

After exhausting ourselves at the museum, we (adults) re-energized with a latte and were off to do some wandering and shopping. Since Erik practically works for Apple, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit one of the newest and the biggest Apple stores in the world. It was very impressive! And, Erik was very pleased that he was almost able to stump the Genius Bar crew with some iPhone glitch he encountered.

Here's one for Dad to post in his office!

Leah was much more intrigued with the T on our final ride to Auburndale.

Vacation in Beantown! (Part 1)

Erik took a few days off from work, and our original plan was not to head to Boston, but instead to go camping, biking, and hiking in Acadia National Park. We kept an eye on the weather forecasts, and at the last minute decided that camping in the rain with a toddler was not how we wanted to spend our family vacation time! We made the right decision - it poured in Bar Harbor and was gorgeous (except for one short downpour) in Boston. Many thanks to Kristin, Emily, and Josh for letting us stay at their place - it was the perfect "home base" for all of our adventures!

Day #1

We rode the T into town. We thought this would be a highlight for Leah (as she loves "big rucks" and "nains"), but in reality she was irritated because we had to fold up her stroller to board. She really wanted to push it around!

Walking through the Government Center plaza on our way to the New England Aquarium. Leah insisted on holding her book as she took in all the activity.

Erik and Leah watching Myrtle, the green sea turtle in the giant ocean tank at the aquarium.

Leah (and all of us) could have stood at a window to the giant ocean tank all day - it's a couple of stories tall, so there is a lot to see in front of you, above you, and below you. Very cool!

A penguin enjoying the spray. Leah loved watching them dart all around!

Reaching to touch a shark in a special touch tank

After visiting the aquarium we walked around a bit. We didn't go far before running into this fountain - a green space addition made possible by the Big Dig. We watched for a while, and were impressed that there doesn't seem to be a clear pattern! The locals were all in bathing suits - we were not that prepared, but nonetheless, Leah and I couldn't resist taking the plunge!

We ventured into the North End... primarily to go to Mike's Pastry shop for a latte and canoli! We enjoyed our snack in a park with Paul Revere on his "horsie."

By the time we made it back to the Commons, a thunderstorm was approaching. We waited it out in a parking garage shelter (with many other people tying to escape the downpour!), and then headed to the Public Gardens to visit the ducklings. They had to make way for Leah, as she smiled, patted, and quacked at each one!

After catching the train back to Newton, Leah was thrilled to push her stroller most of the way home. The walk is about a mile, and she probably pushed it half to three-quarters of the way! After such a busy day (and only a short stroller nap for Leah), we all slept very well that night!

Day #2

We reserved our second day for biking! We started off in Auburndale and headed to Newtonville to eat breakfast at the Bread and Chocolate Bakery Cafe. I can't imagine why this particular cafe caught our attention! We enjoyed delicious mini quiches, a ginger chocolate chip scone (great combination!), and some caffeine - a great way to fuel our morning!

In Watertown we met up with the Charles River Bike Path, and followed it all the way to its end in Boston. It was a lovely ride.

Once downtown, we stopped at a great playground for lunch and lots of play. We were all having so much fun that we ended up staying for a couple of hours! The playground was designed for young toddlers (another one for older kids was next door), and Leah was able to do almost everything on her own. She had a blast!

Sliding with Mom - the spandex biking shorts were zippy!

Where to, girls? (Shouldn't everyone wear their helmets in this kind of car?!)

Leah and her pockets.

Getting back into the bike trailer took some convincing for Leah, but she settled in and chattered away about all the people, bikes, and boats in view from her vantage point.


There is more to come, but I figured I'd post this as it is for now. If you'd like to see even more pictures from our Boston adventures, click here.

19 Months - No, No, No!

Leah reached 19 months old on July 28th, and almost to the day she discovered the power of the word "no." She certainly had ways of expressing the sentiment before (shaking her head, putting up her palms, whining, etc.), but now she clearly has the word for it! It's cute for a short while - a petite yet definitive "no" or sometimes (when she really wants to get her point across) a high pitched "no, no, no." We love that she's expressing her opinions more and more, and with it our parenting is evolving. I feel like much of my energy goes towards preparing her for what is to come (by talking about what will be happening so she's more likely to accep it) and strategizing about ways to convince her that she wants to do something. Often it's the funniest things that catch us off guard, like wanting a fork instead of a spoon or wanting to stay in her beloved PJ's all day long. This age is SO much fun - she has us laughing all the time! And, at the same time, there are plenty of challenges that try our patience (yes, even Erik's patience, too).

A Morning at Tassel Top Beach

On Monday we enjoyed spending the morning with Sarah and Payson at Tassel Top Beach on Sebago Lake. It started off a bit overcast and chilly, but in the end the sun came out and we all swam, played in the sand, and spent a lot of time inspecting a bug on Leah's shoe!

Payson serious about drinking from an open cup!

The girls at the picnic table and on the beach enjoying blueberries picked by the Plummers (before Leah shook the container and showered us all with them... oops)

Payson and Leah inspecting the cool black and orange bug on Leah's shoe.

A great "Mommy and Me" moment captured on camera!

Leah is all smiles in her swing after a fun morning at the beach and a nice nap. Life IS good!

Babes on the Beach

Last weekend we hosted a pot-luck gathering at camp. Leah was so excited to have so many of her buddies come up to the beach to play! The weather was perfect! Everyone enjoyed splashing in the water, playing in the sand, and eating some yummy food!

Everett (above) and Owen (below) LOVED jumping in the water!

Bruno grinning in his Speedo type suit (so cute) on the dock!

Leah enjoying some lunch (above) and Leah and Zoe hanging out in their chairs (below).

Pam and Zabel by the shore

Stephanie, Justo, and Diego lounging!

Camp Days

Leah and I have enjoyed some extended weekends at camp. Since the commute for Erik is only slightly longer from Wayne, we sometimes stay until Tuesday morning. Here are some shots of Leah enjoying her time at camp.

Eating a banana like a big girl in a big chair!

Buckets and shovels and trucks, oh my!

Pat-A-Cake in Action

This video cracks me up every time I watch it!

Birthing Class BBQ

Kelly, Aaron, and Elliot were gracious enough to host the Plummers and us at their house for a BBQ. We were all in a birthing class together, but we had never actually met Elliot! It was wonderful to reconnect. The kiddos enjoyed hanging out together, swinging, and chasing chickens.

It was hard to get a good shot of Elliot, Leah, and Payson together. Here they are... ready to get out of the hammock!