These are a few of my favorite things-Boston #2

The Museum of Fine Art has been one of those places we find ourselves visiting at least once a week. (I'm still not sure I've seen the entire thing.) I've posted several entries about the museum and our experiences there. The following are a random collection of photos that were taken at different visits.

"New to the neighborhood" by Norman Rockwell.

Another "Seat Art".

Japanese Art

Moon Bowl

My "sophisticated" crew

This is a wall of photos taken of 4 sisters each year since 1975. I love this one.

Allie checking out this abstract video art.

Mosaic tile floor. It even talks about how they moved it to the museum.

David's head

Looking at the Rotunda ceiling through mirrors on the first floor.

"Window View", I think it's of Brooklyn.

This was a metal door.

Interactive computer table. Kids could alter works of art. Allie liked checking it out.

These are just a few photos that capture moments of our visits to the mfa. I'm sure we'll be going again REAL soon!

Newbury Street Date

Tonight, Jake and I went on a date! We know a family here in town that has a son, AJ, in Owen's class and a daughter, Jayln, about Allie's age. The kids get along great. Their mom offered to take the kids for the evening so we could go out. It was WONDERFUL! We took the bus to Newbury Street. It's several miles long and has some of the most amazing stores and places to eat. I took pictures of the items we purchased from the various stores.

I bought some mittens that were made in Massachusetts from recycled sweaters.

I bought some Swiss chocolates.

I bought some other chocolates. :)

This is the menu from where we had dinner. Bostone Pizza

After dinner, we got drinks at the Wired Puppy. Jake got a coffee and I got a blueberry iced tea.

It was so enjoyable to walk/talk with Jake and not have the kids to constantly need our attention. We will be making more time for each other when we move back to Kansas. Thanks to the Bean family for watching the kids. Owen has been wanting to have someone to play with. It was a wonderful evening for EVERYONE!

SONY... Answer my prayers!

"Sit DOWN!", "You are TOO CLOSE to the TV.", "I CAN'T SEE!". Do any of these phrases sound familiar? I think I've said/heard them in my living room, at least 20 times, in the last hour. So I'm praying that someone smart person out there in SONY world sees my blog and answers my request.

I want a TV that will automatically shut off when someone comes within a certain distance of the screen. Now this distance can be programed for different lengths depending on the size of the room. We have games that no longer need controls because of technology that lets your body make the movements that you wish the game to make. WHY can't we have a sensor of some kind that shuts the TV off? It will come right back on, once the object of interference moves to the correct location for TV viewing. I think this will, in time, program viewers to subconsciously stay in the viewing zone for every ones pleasure. Does this sound to unrealistic? Is there someone out there already working on it? Please, SONY... Answer my prayers!

Winter Blues? NOT HERE!

I'm not a huge fan of being cold. Lucky me, I move to Boston for the worst winter in at least a decade! The Boston Sunday Globe (Almanac Section) listed the January snowfall total as 27.6" (the normal was listed as 13.5"). And it's snowing again today! Last winter I told the kids that when we moved here we would get to see some REAL snow. I should have added A LOT in that statement. But we've handled it really well. My wonderfully dedicated husband is still running to and from work (5 miles each way). Yesterday the temp was -4 in the morning. He is very committed to his training (or maybe SHOULD be committed). We try to go sledding at least once a week. And we've found an amazing hill for it! (I love Fresh Pond!)

However, the "winter blues" can sneak up on you. But I've found a mental trick I play on myself. I think about warm weather, warm places and warm trips we will be taking later this year. I bought the book "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" (good bedtime reading), bought 2 new sundresses (both are yellow) and 4 new swimsuits. That last one sounds odd, but it makes perfect sense. They are SO cheap right now. Plus, it's wonderful motivation to keep in shape during the "hibernation months". Winter Blues... NOT HERE!

White Rabbit Syndrome-Breakthrough

"I'm LATE!" These 2 little words have me on pins and needles. I can't stand to be late, for anything, even 5 minutes kills me. I know... I have a problem. In fact, I train myself to always be early. Those of you who know me, KNOW what I'm talking about. But this morning, I had a breakthrough. Let me set the scene.

Owen's school starts at 8:25, the doors open for students at 8:10, we leave the apartment around 7:45 to drive the approximate 3 miles to get to his school. CRAZY!!! (I know this, just humor me and read on.) Today we left at 7:50. No big deal, 5 minutes. The kids get buckled up quickly and are eating bananas in the backseat as we get on our way. About 1 mile into our drive we come upon a car accident. All the important people are there doing there best to clean it up and direct traffic. Unfortunately, they won't let me turn the way I NEED to go and the next thing I know I'm heading in the wrong direction on a road that doesn't seem to have ANY roads to get me not only back on track but avoid the congestion that is now building around the accident site. I make a few turns and find myself heading sort-of the right way, but we are now 10 minutes behind our normal schedule. No big deal, I can't control the accident. I'm thankful it wasn't us in the accident and it appeared that no one was hurt. I continue driving through the most congested traffic I've ever encountered (apparently everyone else needed to turn left too!). Lights seemed to take FOREVER! I even had to get my iPhone map out to see where I was at one point. Long story (somewhat) short, I got Owen to school at 8:45! We had to stop at the office and give his name to a secretary (who clearly was annoyed with me not aware of the tardy policy) and got a pass to take him to his class. Allie and I got back in the car and drove through more traffic to get home. I parked my car at 9:15 in the garage. Then it hit me, I wasn't freaking out that whole time. I was aware that I couldn't control the traffic. It was almost comical how many obstacles we had on our morning adventure. I was a little worried the chaos might make Owen a little distracted in school. At pick-up, his teacher informed me that he had one of his BEST days today. I was so relieved! Now as I type this post, I'm wondering if my laid-back, go-with-the-flow (of traffic) attitude helped influence how his day went. BREAKTHROUGH!

These are a few of my favorite things-Wichita #1

With our countdown to returning to Wichita at less than 6 months, we are always talking about the things we miss the most. The one we talk about daily, our FRIENDS! The kids have some really good friends that they've grown up with. My husband talks of even missing some of his co-workers that weren't his favorite. And then there are mine. I have a group of women, that make days seem fun. They are always there for a chat or a cheer up. To vent and get feed back from. Even being 1600+ miles away, I still text and talk to them at least once a week.

I've made some friends here in Boston, but it's not the same. There is something to be said for friends you've had for a few or many years. That history, makes your friendship story. And these friendships are what helped shape me into who I am today. We miss you all and can't wait to see you again... SOON!

A different perspective

This is how Owen will watch TV. Not the whole time, but he likes to get up and move around while watching shows. Several times during a show, we will catch him looking just this. Maybe this helps blood flow to the brain?

Children's Museum and The Cummins

Owen didn't have school today, Martin Luther King Day, so we went to the Children's Museum. The only difference from any other time we've gone, we met some friends there. It's ironic, we move over 1600 miles from home and meet up with a family that was from our church! The Cummins moved here, actually south of Boston, in November. It was so much fun! They have these 3 amazing kids that mine had a blast with.

Owen and Allie in the bubble room.

Jenny, Anna and Ellie

Owen in the Climbing Tower.

Micah using "Kid Power".

Ellie and Owen

Owen and Ellie at the water zone.

Allie and Anna in the sand zone.

Micah driving the bus.

Arthur, Owen, Binky and Ellie

A new exhibit on doll houses.

This sound exhibit was very cool! Hanging hula-hoops with bells on yarn. It was music to my ears.

Owen checking out some tools.

Safety Goggles... SAFETY DANCE!

Micah and Owen in front of the "green screen" so they could be on TV.

Jack-Hammer Allie

Owen, with his best "city worker" look!

Jack-Hammer Anna

Owen constructing something with pipes.

Allie, Owen and Ellie hanging in the tunnels.

Micah, Allie, Ellie and Owen by a "inner city" snowman.

We had a lot of fun with these guys. I'm sure we'll be doing more with them in the next few months... stay tuned!

These are a few of my favorite things-Boston #1

Several people have asked me to post what my favorite things about Boston are. SO, I am going to do a series called "These are a few of my favorite things", both of Boston and Wichita (since we are returning in less than 6 months!!!).

My first post is about one of our favorite places in Cambridge. It's the Main Public Library of Cambridge. Apparently it was under renovation for over a year and re-opened a few months before we moved here. This place is AMAZING! They have a huge dvd section and no limit on how many you check out. The entire 3rd floor is the children's section. There is even 2 family bathrooms on that floor. An underground parking garage makes it extremely easy to get there and park close. We visit this jewel of entertainment at least once a week, sometimes twice! The library back home doesn't even come close to this one. This is one, of the many things, we will miss when we move back.

This is the new addition. All 3 floors with an underground garage.

This is the old library, it is still in use and functional with several study rooms and a resource area.

Today was no different. We went to the library and left with a Wii game, 9 dvds and 12 books. Allie got very excited when she saw the cover of this chapter book that had 4 girls on it. She insisted on getting it, so it looks like we will be reading a few chapters to her each day. "This book ROCKS!" was what she yelled in the backseat on the way home. I'm glad she's so enthusiastic about reading... I hope it lasts!

This is a picture of her on the way home. :)

AJ's Party

This afternoon we had a birthday party to attend for our friend AJ. The kids had fun and I think we are actually building a small crew that gets along really well. The boys are all in the same class and 2 of them have little sisters near Allie's age. The parents are very friendly and have both offered to babysit for us and invited us out for "girls night" and "boys night". I foresee lots of get together events in our future.

Jonas, AJ, Grant and Elias

Jayln and Owen

Ava and Allie

Allie and Jayln

Birthday Boy making his big wish.

The crew after playing, opening presents, cake and ice cream.