Hit the Road: Boston Aquarium and Concord.

THE BOSTON AQUARIUM

The Boston Aquarium during Winter Break here in New England was crazy. - Crazy!  We gathered our family of six and headed into Boston, with snacks, movies, and drinks for the road.  We used our NAV to get us down to the Aquarium and parked three blocks away near Faneiul Hall and Quincy Market. 

The Food:  We took our family into Quincy Market, an inside food concession stand and walked the long hallway of food stand after stand.  I had my eye on the Indian food, but we decided on sandwiches and hot dogs, figuring it would be easier with for everyone.  We stopped here before the Aquarium and after for lunch and then dessert and a snack for the road.  It's a fun way to start or stop a little road trip into Boston.  Most of them take debit and credit cards too.

The Sights and Sounds:  The Boston Aquarium had a painfully long ticket line, that was tented for the harsh NE weather.  Fortunately, Mr. C purchased our tickets online. Unfortunately, we still had to wait in a line called the "express line", as you still had to have a printed ticket upon entering the aquarium.  It was packed with people, not much room to move around, and very noisy.  Despite the people, we still managed to get into each of the viewing areas.  The only section we had a difficult time viewing with this many people was the area where you could touch the sting rays.  When we finally did get-in, the boys were determined to "splash" the water, making the others around us frustrated - all well :(  

The Final Word:  I thought that despite the high volumes of people, we still had a good time.  There was a small play area called "curious george" for the boy's age that helped control them when they didn't want to move.  There were moments of chaos (ie Mr. T throwing himself on the floor and refusing to move), but mainly it was fun adventure.  

My Favorite:  The seal exhibit right outside the entrance to the aquarium - so enjoyable!

CONCORD, MINUTE MAN NATIONAL PARK

The Minute Man National Park was an unexpected stop on our way back from the Boston Aquarium.  It is easy to get to, right off of Highway 2.  We chose to stop here specifically to let the everyone run around without the constraints of that the aquarium gave us.  This way they could get their energy out for the last leg of our trip to home.  

Sights and Sounds:  Unlike Boston, it was quiet!  Heavenly quiet, peaceful, with lots of space to let children run.  There was no snow on the ground and the visitors center was closed.  We didn't mind this!  Next time we can take more time to soak in the significance of the park.  The Minute Man statue and bridge were a neat source of fun and history for our kids ( really for Mr. C so he could give us a little history lesson on the way).

The Final Word:  Love it for it's openness, history, and will be back to visit the Visitor's Center.  A great thing to see on your next road trip or New England Vacation!

Have you been?

What did you think of these sights?

What do you do when your destination is more crowded than you'd like?

Penny Candy and the Vermont Country Store.

Just past the Kissing Bridge you'll find this old Mill.

Last Weekend, we were excited to find that our Saturday wasn't filled with sports, or much to do around our farm.  It had been awhile since we piled in our mini-van and took any excursion - so that's just what we did!  We headed up into Rockingham,Vermont to the Vermont Country Store.  This isn't the original, but it was just as fun.  The drive was beautiful, with gorgeous blue skies and colorful leaves still on the trees.  Most of the snow was melted too!

 

Remember these?  Fisher Price TV - the boys loved it!



Never heard of this cute toy - "BillDing"  cute!

The store is filled with fun, hard-to-find items; as well as, many replicated old toys like the ones above.  We all had a good 30 minutes of fun looking at all the toys and reminiscing too.  We then moved on to the grocery and cheese section where we were certain we didn't need to of eaten any lunch before we came.  Locally made and grown products were available for sampling and there wasn't just a few items - it seemed like almost everything they sold in this section was available for testing - yes, including fudge!



penny candy section!



We knew that we only had a few minutes left before my little twins were going to call it a day.  If Mr. C is with me, I we can go places without a stroller.  If I were to of tried this on my own, it would have been a disaster....but, Mr. C was there and we were able to enjoy almost an hour in the store!  Last we headed to the candy section picking out what we wanted to take with us.  One of the best parts was this section above dedicated to candy at only 1 cent each - can you believe that?  I haven't purchased anything for a penny since .....I can't remember!  What a fun idea and fun area for kids!



The Vermont Country Store

We headed outside to enjoy our spoils and let the kids run around before headed over the Kissing Bridge and Mill.  The boys enjoyed running, eating candy, and the girls followed close behind them - just in case they made a be-line for the parking lot! 

Enjoying a few morsels of candy!



get that energy out!




Just being kids.



Next up was a fun little walk under the Kissing Bridge (couldn't get this photo to print).  You can walk from the Vermont store to the Kissing Bridge and to the old mill in a couple minutes.  It's a nice little walk, but will definitely not burn off the calories from all the tasting and candy you might eat while inside! 

I am so grateful for last Saturday.  It was so fun to "get away" from the norm and see the area we live in.  I am so thankful for my children and my husband and the joy the bring into my life.  Hope everyone is well!  Stop in and say HI!  Would love to hear from you.

A stroll in Portsmouth NH.

On the streets of Portsmouth:  the Hawk, Cici, Mr. T, and Nini.

We took a stroll through Portsmouth NH with four kids,

three adults,

two toy cars,

and a binkie. 

 

Cool clock!

We looked around at all the sights, took in the sunny day,

and enjoyed a few peaks to window shop.



Love the Turqoise and growing ivy.

We admired the colors and beautiful buildings,

including this painted turquoise bakery.



Portsmouth side alley.



We walked through alleys and brick streets

looking in windows

and wishing for ice cream.

Mr. T grooving to a Hurdy Gurdy

And then, Mr. T and all the kidlets

wanted to sit and enjoy

something I had never heard

or seen before...



Enjoying the sounds of a Hurdy Gurdy.

...A man, as cozy as could be, took up a nice little section

of a Portsmouth Street and played sweet little tunes on the Hurdy Gurdy. 

If you don't know what a Hurdy Gurdy is or want to know

all the facts check out this sweet little page that explains it all here.

This was our fun little stroll through

the streets of Portsmouth NH! 

Thanks for coming along :)

Have you been to Portsmouth?

Favorite thing?

Have you heard the sounds of a Hurdy Gurdy?

Or, never heard of it like me?!

Window Shopping.





Window Shopping



 The summer hasn't officially ended for me yet, although the girls have now officially started fourth grade.  As I type, I am sitting miles seaside at a hotel in Maine.  We decided this summer that our vacation would be split up into several smaller ones; and nearer to home.  The boys make it hard to really travel anywhere, so we've kept easier.  We hit the beach earlier in June and now again in September.  Despite my inability to do much with twin boys who do not take direction well -yet!  We made our way to a few fun day adventures, like hitting this NH small town. 



Outdoor Music



It wasn't glamorous, as we couldn't really get into any store because of the double stroller.  The town is on a very steep incline (steep, at least, when you're pushing a stroller up it).  If we were stroller-free and toddler free, it would have been a fun to hit the cute boutiques and have some lunch.  In the end, it- it was fun to get out and about, but I will wait a few years to go back.  We looked around, we came- we saw - we window shopped...



Time to go home!



Adventure was over and we were home for naptime.  This was back in July~!  Late blogging ;)

Beach Babes and Baby Bums: Summer Beach Vacation 2011

With our cute beach babes and baby bums, we headed to the New England Beaches for a much anticipated summer vacation.  I don't know about the rest of you - but we love to plan our big vacation right after school's end.  It helps us jump into summer more quickly and lets everyone relax from the hard work of school, sports, and work. 

 There were many sights and sounds that I had missed being couped up all winter.  I love the coziness of winter, but I, personally, can only handle so much.  How about you?  The sound of the ocean, kids splashing in the water, the brightness of the sun - just heaven.  At the Zoo and Amusement Park at York Beach, Maine - this bird had it made.  I love the folkie painting and thinking hard about where I can incorporate this style into my home. 

The girls are slowly getting the idea that they can be friends, not just sisters.  It is a joy for this twin mom to see them be so independent of each other, but so completely excited to be with each other.  The start of our trip yielded this kind of togetherness as the above photo...the end of the trip - let's just say, they needed some space!

 Transporting four kids and two adults in and out oft he beaches was a challenged.  Craig found this grocery cart in our barn when he was cleaning it out and almost threw it away.  I was certain that we could find some reason to keep it.  As you can see we did use it, not only for transporting our blankets, umbrellas, and beach stuff - but for Mr. T too!  Oh, and Hawkie was certain he was being helpful by pushing the cart for Mr. C!

Both boys found it great excitement to help us push the stroller.  This was a common sight!  When at other trips they would scream while in the stroller, they now, our relaxing when we push them.  They look around and are getting the great idea that it is fun to not have to walk all the time.  Thankfully!

Cici and Nini loved the water.  While Cici was busy boogie boarding, Nini was attempting to boogie surf?  She was certain that she could take a normal boogie board and surf on it.  It didn't quite work out as what was in her creative mind.  She also started perfecting skim surfing.  It's where you throw a skim board in the water and jump on it and surf...there is much more to how to do it, but this is as far as she got! 

The boys were amazing.  They loved every minute of their beach experience; digging, running on the wet sand, chasing the seagulls, and forgetting that the ocean does have water and it's cold.  Hawkie had this sweet look on his face every time the surf came in and his feet got wet.  It wasn't quite sure about it, but loved to run, and run, and run - on the beach. 

When we weren't on the beach we hit Old Orchard Park's rides.  This is the boy's first, but themselves, amusement ride.  Mr. T loved it and Hawkie wasn't up for it the second time around.  I put him on the ride, he stood up and said "off".  OK!  I got him off and we just waved to Mr. T as he went around in circles on the cute little trucks.

Except for the absence of mom, this photo captures everything that we enjoyed about our summer vacation.  It was such a great time, fantastic weather, being together, and all that summer sand.  Now, on to enjoy the rest of our summer!

How are you finding your summer!?

Behind the Scenes: DC 2011 Trip

A look at our family on the DC Mall.

 Traveling with four kids isn't any easier then traveling with one.  It's just a lot more packing and kid spotting.  It was crazy chasing the boys everywhere - but it was either that or keep them screaming in their stroller.  The key was to get them from the car to the stroller and keep them in the stroller for as long as we could.  We would then let them out - and the girls and me and Craig would run them down if they escaped.  I considered the leashes for kids - but I couldn't wrap my mind around having my kids on a leash!

A moment in the car.

 I will admit that our mini-van is old - but it's all ours - no carpayments!  However, the space inside the van is narrow and the back of the van can get very crowded.  I took this photo on the 2nd day of our trip.  Everyone seems nice and quiet, which they were, until the boys realized that this wasn't a short drive to the grocery store - and quickly made their disapproval known.  Bubbles, cars, snacks, singing, clapping, and DVD movies helped get the boy's mind off sitting in their car seats for so long.  They were in all honesty very good boys.  Since we've been back home, they are not so keen on getting into our van though!



Nini and Cici on the ride at Chocolate World Factory in Hershey, PA



The girls were amazing, honestly.  They fought frequently, but they were helpful, complained only a little, and never got upset at the boys for screaming during the car ride.  This photo was taken at the Hershey World of Chocolate ride, in Hershey PA.  The ride is very similar to a Disneyland ride - as you can see - they loved it!

Camera Women Extraordinaire

 Cici was right alongside with me in taking photos.  This is her camera and she was everywhere with this.  She took her own purse and kept it inside with her wallet and notepad.  She is my mini-me and just like me, we had to wait many times while she got that perfect photo.
 

Udvar Air and Space Museum - Family Shot.

 Taking photos with the boys is pretty much a joke.  Unless I catch them when they are not looking, they refuse to take a photo.  They squirm and scream - and repeat. I hoping that we can get a fun photo in for Easter - only the day will tell.

We loved going back to DC.  Here is the wonderful and and the very ugly of our DC trip:

The Wonderful

It was fantastic spending time together with my family.  It was a wonderful time to be together with just the six of us!  We loved visiting the museums.  The weather was fantastic.  The boys are fantastic night sleepers, so we never had a problem with getting a good night's sleep.  My favorite part was visiting the National Gallery of Art with Cici.  She was so excited about all the paintings and sculptures - is was really neat to experience.  I loved seeing some old friends and eating some really great DC food. 

It was also neat to reminisce about our time living in the area.  We saw our old home and realized that although it was fun living their - we were happy with all our moves and our new home in New England.

The Very Ugly

The Spy Museum was the ugliest part of our trip.  The boys needed a nap and were not falling asleep in their stroller - it was very crowded - who could blame them.  We thought we could take them in with us and hold them and perhaps they would fall asleep in our arms.  Dreaming, I know!  We made it through the long line, and up into the movie.  By now, they were screaming and all heads were glaring at us.  We quickly decided that I would try to get them downstairs, back in their stroller, and see if I could get them to sleep.  As I was taking them out, they just exploded into tantrums.  I couldn't get them up in my arms.  I finally pulled them in by both arms into the bathroom to change them. 

Here I was able to get them changed without sticking their hands in the toilet, seriously not an easy task in these public bathrooms and back out the door.  We made it down the elevator and into the coat room where I proceeded to put them in their high chair.  This set them off again.  I got them outside after much wrestling and gave them a bottle hoping they would calm down.  It was an adventure in patience to say the least.

***************************

I've downloaded our photos to facebook, I hope everyone who wants to see them has been able to.  Thanks for sticking with me through all of these years and keeping close to our family. 

Michelle

Mom's Photo Phriday

Jean Talon Flower Market, Montreal, QC

Building in Prague 2003



The "A" Tree 2010

 

I love to take photos.  I love it when I capture that moment and can look back and let the memories come flooding in.  Would you like to join me on Fridays and share your photos best photographs - the ones You took!  Take a photo, any photo that you feel is inspiring, beautiful, or captures the joy of motherhood and/ or the beauty of the area you live.  You may have taken the photo last year, or on a trip to France.  If you love it and you took it - share it with me - or not!  Either way, I hope to be sharing my favorite photos on Phriday!. 

Montreal in the Spring and Summer are amazing.  The Markets come alive with fresh flowers, like the Jean Talon market above.  Buildings throughout Europe are inspiring.  The three violins adorned the top of a door in Prague (if my Mr. C were here, he could help me remember which street!)  Walking back from the mailbox one day, I looked up and there it was - the branches forming a big letter A.  A-mazing.  These are some photos I love - how about you?!  What photos do you love?  Remember, I am changing my Mom's Photo Phriday.  It's too complicated right now to assign photos; plus, it's been more fun to post those photos I love the most. 

Do you like to take photos?

Do you like to be in photos?

Would you rather just be in nature not photographing it!? 

New York - Time Stamped.



December 30, 1999 @ 1:42 in Time Square



Memory Lane can be such a cool walk!  I have been going through my photo files on my computer, sorting them, and putting them into into a more structured methodology; when I happened upon a file filled with random scanned photographs I took many years ago.  The above photo of New York's Time Square is fantastic!  The clock on the right makes it an actual timed moment- so neat!  Here is the rest of the file and a little bit of my own memory lane:





Sunset over Alexandre III Bridge, Paris 1999













Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris 1998





Visiting Mozart's Common Pauper Grave in St. Mark's Cemetery, Vienna 1998





Strasbourg Cathedral, France 1998



Craig @ Schonnbrun Palace, Vienna 1997

Visiting Horton and the Grinch.

The Grinch looked around, but since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found. Did that stop the Grinch? Ha! He simply said: If I can't *find* a reindeer, I'll *make* one instead. So he took his dog Max, and he took some black thread, and he tied a big horn on the top of his head...We tried to be sneaky and get Max to come home with us - but, alas, he was a good dog and stayed with his soon-to-be lovable master, Mr. Grinch!

We have been overjoyed to have our young family friend, Loan, join us in our new home for a week. We have been trying to show her around the best we can and have managed to enjoy a couple fun outings. My favorite, so far, is the Dr. Seuss Memorial Park in Springfield, Massachussetts. After visiting the park this week, I found out that it is part of several Museums and Springfield Library called the Quadrangle. There wasn't much else around the area, but once inside this little courtyard park it was clean, safe, and an enjoyable place for a picnic.

Horton, of course, played a big part in the sculpture park where both girls quickly found a few playmates to run and jump with around the park and statues.

I couldn't help but notice these awesome orange sneakers walking past me. Almost perfect for one of Dr. Seuss's books.


On our way to Springfield, we stopped in Deerfield, Ma. at the Yankee Candle store. Loan scored this yummy candied apple she was kind enough to share with the girls and myself. It was more than good!


Here are Cici and Nini holding hands with my 2nd favorite statue of a Lorax.

The boys were putting up with our traveling today. This was the 3rd roadtrip since our guest arrived and they were anxious for crawl time. I keep a large blanket in the car and spread it out whenever we can find a suitable place to sit. They enjoyed a good hour on the blanket before they had had enough of the day and the hot weather. It was time to pack - up!

Here Cici found the air conditioning in the Dr. Seuss gift shop, to help cool her off from the 95 degree tempuratures outside - pretty smart girl! We found the gift shop on the face of the Quandrangle right before entering the memorail statue park. It housed two gift shops and the Springfiled Science Museum. I would say that this outing was fun, but not an all day event - unless you take in the Museums and a picnic!

Have you been on a picnic recently?