Air-Born

Recently, Owen has been fascinated with toys that fly! He got a "rip-cord" helicopter that ran on boy power. Unfortunately, that one is not working at the moment. (We hope to be able to fix it soon.) The other day he picked out a balloon helicopter. It only runs on "hot air". So it should be able to fly for a while. However it does have an interesting sound!

Friends of Fresh Pond

For those of you who know me, you know I LOVE to people watch. If you've seen "Date Night", I could give Tina Fey a run for her money. I see people, watch lives and sometimes I can even figure out what is going on it that exact moment in their lives. If not, I just make something up.

I use this wonderful skill to entertain myself while running my 4 mile around Fresh Pond. This evening was pleasantly colorful. Allow me to take you on my run.

It starts off on a smooth part of shaded trail. Then "he" comes along... Mr. ULTRA Runner. Your perfect form, lean body, and what's with the terminator shades? I don't really care how fast you run, but I like to imagine in my mind that you are actually jealous of ME! Then Lassie and Toto come along. We share this part of the path perfectly. Your owners are slowly walking and catching up, not even noticing my presence. But you two are happy to see me, and glad I made it out tonight. I progress further on my loop and pass the "doggy shore". It's humid and muggy, so it's 4-legged visitors are lounging in the shallow water's edge. Next I see the mother and daughter duo. She slowly pushes the wheelchair discussing the day's events and the plants along the path's edge. I'm almost positive this is their weekly date. I smile as I pass them, knowing I got to be a small part of this special time. Scattered along my run is a variety of couples, walking hand in hand. Young and old, foreign and local. From the first meeting (Senior Don Juan, I saw you got her digits!) to the married-for-50 years couple that doesn't even talk, but just quietly walk in each other's company. And just before I leave the circuit, I see you. I call you "Horshack". If anyone has ever seen "Welcome Back Kotter", you know what this guy looks like. I love your Jewish-nose and black fro. You don't care what other's think about your vintage Ghostbuster Tees or your long cotton shorts with white socks up to your calf, you just RUN! I've seen you twice, and it almost doesn't feel like a complete run until I see you.

Then I finish and head home. I love this little community of "friends" I've got at Fresh Pond.

MFA (Museum of Fine Arts)

Today, the family took a trip to the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts). I had heard of a monthly play date for preschool kids. I thought I might take Allie next month, but we thought we would check it out first. We only got through part of it, but it was very COOL! The kids had a blast. They have several kid activities that we didn't get a chance to check out, so we got a membership so we can come back... OFTEN!

These heads were in front of the museum on the Fenway side.

The kids thought the "baby heads" were really cool!

This is my crew, can't wait to get inside.

These chairs are part of an exhibit that is spread throughout the museum.

The signs say, "Please Be Seated". But you have to still be careful.

I think I'll try to take pictures of ALL the various chairs during our several trips here. It will be neat to say we saw them all and to see the kids in them at different times of the year!

Ninja Mommy

I am not feeling the best today, so besides buying Allie some new ballet shoes and some groceries, we've pretty much stayed at home. But in my moments of sub-A game, I have found the answer to most mom's question... How can I possible do everything in one day? Besides becoming a Ninja!

MINIMIZE!!!! Everything!!! The size of your house, clothes in your closet, clothes in kid's closet, toys in kid's room, dishes, books... you get the idea.

I have a DREAM life in Wichita, Kansas! My home is 3600+ square feet, I have a huge walk-in-closet, my kids both had their own room, they had a separate room just for toys, dishes in my kitchen I NEVER used (I know some of you aren't surprised with that one), tons of built in shelves... you get the idea. But with all of this...STUFF, I needed time to take care of it. Clean the house, do the laundry, pick up the toys, put things away. BUT NOW... I am living in a different environment.

My apartment is 755 square feet. I have a single load washer/dryer that is located in a closet 6 steps between both bedrooms. I don't even own a hamper here. The kids only got to pack 1 box each of toys. So when it comes time to clean up, it feels like a snap. My kitchen/dining/living room are all in one. I can make dinner, watch the kids watching a movie and complete this blog. Even if I am feeling a little less than 100%. I can get it all done. Now I feel like a NINJA!!!

Our shoes were made for walking

Today, the weather was PERFECT! So we packed our lunch boxes and headed to the park. Of course we played for about 30 minutes at the playground too.

Then we walked to the Cambridge Public Library. It's is so cool! Part of it is the old and first library (which is still open to the public) and this new area that was just finished this spring. They have a whole floor for children. We got a card, checked out 1 book and 3 movies.

Old Library

New Library

Merry-go-round at the library play park

We continued our walking adventure down the street to Jose Mateo's Ballet Theater. It's in part of this old church. I stopped and signed Allie up for a year of Creative Dance I. She's so excited!

It was so crowded in Harvard Square (freshmen move-in day), so we didn't check out any of the shops. But we did see a cool street performer, singing "Let It Be".

We took the T to Porter's Square and walked home. PERFECT BIG DAY!!!

Accidents happen...

Here is a little background. Yesterday on our adventure, we decided to search for the perfect stick. And we found 2 perfect ones. We had big plans for these gifts of nature. We were going to buy marshmallows and pretend to toast them (followed by eating them!). Our plan kept getting bigger and bigger. We would build a tent in the living room and lay out our sleeping bags and watch cartoons.

Then this morning happened... or I should say "Accidents happen". Owen was playing a little video game while I was making breakfast. Allie was standing right in front of the TV, again, and Owen decided to push her out of the way. Little did he or I know, that she was chewing on the end of one of the wonderful sticks. The next 15 minutes were very loud and crazy. She started screaming and crying, I looked at her and she looked just fine. I ran to her and asked her what hurt. She pointed at her mouth. I told her to open up. OH, THE BLOOD!!! I turned to Owen and sent him to his room for a time out and so I could get control of the situation and assess it without him intervening. I took Allie into the bathroom and I grabbed a cold bottle of water with a straw. I had her take a few drinks. This was to stop the bleeding, numb it a little, reduce any swelling and get her to stop crying. JACKPOT! Turns out the wound wasn't as bad, apparently our mouths bleed easy. I gave her some Tylenol for any pain and popped in a movie for her to watch. I then turned my attention to Owen. His first words, "Do we have to take her to the Doctor? (Through tears and a pouting lip.)" I calmed him down and explained that he can't push Allie because he is stronger than he knows. He needs use his words and not get so frustrated. I gave him a hug and we agreed to be extra nice to his sister today.

I looked on-line and made sure I was doing all that I can do for her. And I think we've got it covered. She's one "tough cookie"!

You can see the "owie" just above her tongue at the back of her mouth.

This is her less than 2 hours later, going to the store to buy popsicles in her NEW raincoat.

Boston Children's Museum-Take 2

We braved the train, and the rain and made it to the Children's Museum again. I was so impressed with how well the kids handled themselves. No one fussed or complained. It was a wonderful, "rainy day".

We got our picture taken with our favorite characters.

"Blue Man" drumming!

We found a play barber shop (tribute to Jake's grandpa).

As you can see, we wore ourselves out!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhool

Actually, it's raining today. And forecast is to rain all day. The kids may never get out of their jammies. However, now is a great time to post a blog I've been working on. During this last week, when we would walk down the street, I would take pictures of the amazing houses I'd see. My sister couldn't get enough of them. So this one is for you.

Perfect Sunday!

Before I blog, I'd like to apologize for the size of my photos. I am still working on the glitch in my system and this is the only way I seem to be able to post pictures. Enjoy them anyway!

Today we went here. The Boston Children's Museum. IT ROCKS!!!!!

Yeah, that's Arthur welcoming us.

Giant milk jug in front of it.

It was slightly raining and there was a line to get in. The kids entertained themselves with umbrellas.

This is the 3 story climbing exhibit. It was the first thing Owen wanted to do. Can you see him? Daddy is in the green hat keeping an eye on him.

There he is!

The tennis ball launch was next and very popular.

Owen went first, Daddy helped a little.

Allie had to do it too. Daddy had to help a little more. :)

There was this section called "Kid Powered". It was exactly that! Machines that ran on the electricity that the kids generated. GENIUS!!!

Owen's turn to generate some "power".

Talk about pulling your own weight!

This lit up floor was a game. You had to stomp out the balls.

This was one of the last activities we got to. You sat down real fast and a ping pong ball went up the tube. Allie loved it! We there for about 2 hours and may have covered about 1/3 of it. But you all know me, we bought a family membership. We just might have to go back again, and again, and again... maybe tomorrow?

Providence, Rhode Island

EUREKA!!

I got the pictures up! The first one's are of the Roger Williams zoo and the rest are from the Providence Children's Museum.

Owen is leading the way!

Allie is enjoying the day!

The crew taking a snack break.

Allie checking out the water room at the Museum.

Owen playing with the "Fun Mirrors".

Allie digging for fossils.

Allie had a blast in the underground bunny house. I posted a video on youtube. It's at this site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ-safTACiE

Big stuffed lady chair.

Owen seeing how his skeleton moves while he rides a bike.

Owen assembled a skeleton puzzle.

Marriage...

Means... the state, condition, or relationship of being married; wedlock: a happy marriage

If you were to ask me it means being there for someone else, making them a priority, wanting to be the best you for someone else. In other words, NOT... I need you here for ME, make ME a priority, what can you do for ME!

But in a marriage you make a partnership where two people have the same focus, the other person. I've recently moved 1600+ miles from a place where I've only known as home. I packed the bare necessities and my two kids and we've come to Boston to make it our "home" for the next 10 months. I did this because my husband got offered a fellowship with Children's Hospital of Boston. It's amazing all the things he is learning.

I get the feeling he thinks this is a major undertaking for his benefit. And in some aspects, it is. But in so many other ways, it is the adventure of a life time. And we GET to be a part of it.

Today he came home from working and informed me that I needed a "Carrie Date". Some time for myself. He fed the kids, bathed the kids and got them ready for bed. I got to go on a 4+ mile run around a neat area, shower back at the apartment and then off to this HUGE shopping area called Cambridge Galleria. I got to eat anything I wanted for dinner. I got to leisurely walk through all 3 floors looking at the different stores. It was heaven. I came home just in time to kiss the kids goodnight.

For those of you who know me, I try my hardest to always be "on top of it". Kids, friends, house work, bills, birthdays, phone numbers, appointments... you get the idea. Well, here I've been a little out of my element. OK... A LOT! But I'm trying my best to keep it together. Luckily, my husband acknowledges this and knows when I need to recharge. He's there for me. He wants me to be happy. And I am!

Not Toys R' Us!

One really cool thing about Boston, is we have yet to find that over-priced Toys R' Us. Instead we have found many "mom and pop" toy stores. They are AWESOME!!! This one, Stellabella Toys is the one we visited today in Porter's Square. Allie found a broom/dust pan set (she's been begging for one) and Owen found a helicopter that runs on "boy power"... no batteries!!! Both toys were less than $9 each! They even had an awesome variety of Legos, Playmobil, Hello Kitty, Polly Pocket and the usual suspects of a toy store. But then there was the incredible selection of Eco-toys, Smart Toys and Imagination Creations. My mind was going wild. If I win the lottery... I would spend a good chunk of it there. Good news is we have some friends in Wichita whose birthdays are coming up. Be on the lookout for packages in the mail Boys!

This was the other neat feature of this toy store. This is a picture taken outside of it. You've seen biker bars that have lined up cycles... well, this is next generation! There was a "Mommy and Me" music group in the store that was meeting. Unfortunately for me, my two are too big to join them. One mommy/nanny told me it might be hard to find groups for our ages, but wished me luck! Gee, THANKS!!!