Museums, museums, museums...

We figured out before we left for Boston that our Austin Children's Museum membership granted us free entry to multiple museums across the country. A quick check the list revealed that two of the museums on the list were in Boston: The Boston Children's Museum and The Science Museum in Boston. With free rights to entry we visited both several times in our month there. Check out our museum fun: 

Sand pendulum with Grandpa:

Little Bee in the toddler dress up area: 

Learning about shadows:  

Fun mirror reflection wall: 

Arthur exhibit at the children's museum (a favorite for both girls!): 

Learning about construction:  

Glow dance floor (mom *might have jumped in like a child to rock the dance floor): 

School bus driver: 

Cupcake raised her hand to volunteer to be part of a show we were watching at the Children's museum. They picked her and she was THRILLED: 

Fun climbing structure: 

Bubble room:  

Another show, another raised hand, and this time she got to be a season:  

And then a frog:

Hugging Arthur's friend: 

I couldn't believe this little hand raised at our 3rd show when asking for volunteers. THEN...they picked her and I couldn't imagine how it would go. And yet.....she rocked it. She was soooooo proud and excited to be on stage:  

We really loved BOTH museums and were so thankful we could visit as members for free multiple times!

Books alive

Last year while visiting the Northeast we bought the book "Make Way for Duckling." It's an award winning children's book that has stood the test of time. We've read it throughout the year and this year upon returning to Boston we knew we had to visit Boston Commons where the heart of the book comes alive in the same park the ducklings made their home. Cupcake was elated for our visit to the park. We even were able to sit in the front row of the famous swan boats for a ride around the pond. Bringing books alive for my children makes me feel like a magician.....

Cousin visit

We were sooooooo excited to host our sweet baby niece/cousin in the city! My sister-in-law and her family drove down from NH to spend a weekend with us. I felt so super privileged that this sweet baby's first trip away from home was to be with us. Look at how precious she is!!! 

We had such a fun weekend and were so thankful for our time with them. We went to the park, the Commons, the mall, around town, on the subway, and the science museum. She is so observant and loves to be on the go. My girls were so in love with her and I'm sure they will be inseparable in years to come on family trips. 

She's growing up so fast!

Hugs and kisses! Cupcake just LOVES babies!

And Cutie pie liked being a big girl in the equation. 

Of course we can't forget to mention how much the girls loved their time with Aunt Robyn and Uncle Carl. As Cupcake reminded me "it was good we kept Aunt Robyn safe this time" (ie: no falling off the porch in a chair! she will NEVER forget!!) and a ride from tall Uncle Carl was so super special: 

Thanks for coming to visit us in the city!!! We can't wait to see you again!

I have amazing parents. I've said it before. I'll say it again. I realize it more. Everyday. 

One of the things they did for me that I truly believe has helped shape me was to have people in my life that were not family but who loved me, encouraged me, and inspired me. I have an impressive list of really wonderful people that were close to me throughout my formative years. Some were from church. Some were neighbors. Some were old, longtime, friends. Why was this important? 

As I went to college and was beginning to really dream and pursue what I would want for the rest of my life I knew that there were family...and friends back home that believed in me and cared for me. The "and friends" part of that equation was important. Of COURSE your parents are going to think you are wonderful, smart, and able to do whatever you want. But with a back pocket full of other respectable adults who also had been a part of my life I had added confidence. I'm not sure how I was so blessed with such incredible people around me but I certainly don't take it for granted. 

One such family is the Darling family. My Mom was college roomates with Cheri at UK and they kept in touch and still do. I still remember Cheri and Gary's wedding. I had probably been to other weddings but this is the first one I actually remember. AND...the first wedding you remember is the most magical. Cheri was a beautiful princess in my mind. Her prince was handsome. The dancing was a blast (I even got to dance with the groom!). The pretty dresses, the cake, running around with other kids....it was a dreamy event for this girly girl. They went on to have two amazing children and we've all kept in touch over the years. Gary is an umpire with an intense travel schedule for the majority of a year and yet they came to Austin for my wedding regardless of the arranging it must have taken to be here. They did the same for my brother's wedding. Cheri and Courtney came to see Cupcake not long after she was born and I should note they have the greatest taste in cute baby girl clothes.  I could go on but suffice it to say I have been blessed by their friendship time and again. I hope that I am able to surround my girls with people who they will be encouraged by when they need a little more than the family's vote of confidence. 

Long intro aside...the Darlings continue to be dear to our family extending to the next generation. By exciting happenstance Gary was scheduled to be in Boston for a Red Sox series during part of our stay. The hubs and I were able to go a game but it would be too late for the girls. So one of his days in the city, Gary grabbed a cab to JP and spent a morning with us. At the play ground across the street the girls fell in love with his playful and happy demeanor. There would be no convincing my girls that he can also be a hard as nails umpire who occasionally throws a manager out of a game!! They only saw a fun, cuddly, teddy bear!

If the park wasn't enough he treated us to a yummy burger and fries lunch at the local burger joint. Of course Cutie Pie was so in love at this point she was determined to sit on his lap the whole lunch!

One day this guy will make a fabulous Grandpa! My girls loved our fun morning of giggles, hugs, and fun. 

Later that night with a babysitter home, this happened....you can read more about the game here. But basically in the 9th inning the Red Sox came back from what looked like it was going to be a discouraging loss to scoring 6 runs in the bottom of the 9th and winning. I should even mention that Gary had an interesting potentially game changing call when he reminded the Mariner's coach that his call for one pitcher (though he meant to call a different one) had to stand. 

It was fun to be pseudo fans for such an exciting game: 

Thanks Darlings! Really. You guys are so dear and we are so thankful for your friendship! Thanks Gary for the JP visit, lunch, and of course amazing Red Sox tickets! This was one of the highlights of my whole time there!

Spectacle Island

As we made the transition from New Hampshire to Boston Grandma and Grandpa came with us and stayed in the city. Of course with some extra hands around I jumped right into checking off some of the bigger sight seeing adventures. We took a ferry to one of Boston's Harbor Islands: Spectacle Island for a nature class. Since we were still new to the city the ferry ride that had free popcorn was an adventure in itself. Here's a view of the Island from our Ferry:

The nature class took place under a tent on the Island's shore. We learned about the wildlife that live in the trees on the Island. The Island was once used to quarantine people who had small pox. Then it was used as a dump! Now it is a habitat and beautiful refuge for some of the Harbor's birds and animals. We then were able to make bird feeders with pine cones, soy butter, and seed. Grandma and Grandpa were a HUGE help!

Ta-da! Ms. Elaine, our landlady was a great sport in allowing the girls to hang these on a tree in her yard. They were devoured before I could even catch a picture!

After the class we were able to explore the Island a bit. See the Boston skyline in the distance? Of course if we had swimsuits both girls would have gone right in the chilly water. BUT, I was saved this time because I didn't come prepared for a swim!

New Hampshire

When first arrived in New England we spent sometime in New Hampshire. We have a new (8 month new) niece that we had not yet met and were soooooo anxious to meet. So it had to be our first stop! 

Of course being up the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire in the middle of the summer is relaxing, beautiful, and quite a shift from what we are used to in Texas. We got to meet sweet June and have some outings including a visit to the farm, a swim in the lake, and a hike in the basin with her. She is a trooper with older cousins!Here are some pictures from our long weekend in the mountains:

Why HELLLOOOO New Hampshire. 66 degrees at 3:51 in the afternoon is at least 30 degrees cooler than where we are from!!!

While Big Sissy was helping Grandma make blueberry pancakes Cutie Pie decided she should pick a bouquet for the table from Grandma's beautiful flowers. She pointed to the ones she wanted, Daddy clipped. So pretty, right?!

Helping Grandma to pick some green beans from her garden. 

Action shot in the garden! Cupcake has great aim!

Hiking the basin one day. I loved this little snuggle bug in my back pack...and yes we have matching shoes!

More hiking at the Basin. At what age do you become sensitive to really cold water? Not 2.... 

Certainly not 4...

Cupcake was asking for a morning at Uncle Dave's farm long before we arrived. Of course he and Aunt Andrea were welcoming of our little farm lovers who have a particular interest with chickens:

Uncle Dave shows Cupcake how to harvest carrots:

 Uncle Dave is known for his garlic. This picture may be beautiful but smelling it was a DREAM! I could have laid in the grass next to this wheel barrel inhaling the rich garlic smell for hours!

Cutie Pie harvested a carrot too!

 Hiking around Grandpa's property is such a fun adventure. Here Cupcake finds the base of an old tree:

We went to Forest Lake for a swim. The water was REALLY cold....Texans you don't drink water in the summer as cold as this was. And yet these sweet girls didn't seem to mind. 

 But in the end I decided to go for it! That's me, way out there! It was still cold but I decided that it was a chance to feel really alive. It was cold, refreshing, and fun!

Sunning with my sweet girl to warm up a bit!

The mountains of New Hampshire are really beautiful in the summer. I am so very thankful we have family that draws us North from time to time. We really enjoyed our time there. As we packed up to head to the city it seemed like we could head home and still feel like we had a nice summer experience....and yet so much more was yet to come. Love and thanks to all the family that welcomed us and hosted us in New Hampshire.