Another life step... the Spoon

Aside from walking and talking, Edward is determined to succeed at all life tasks before his big sister did at his age.  Plunging head first down the slide, climbing 'anything,' playing with dolls, and now - eating with utensils, he must do exactly what his big sister does!  Very cute, but also very messy.

My Love of the City - Reason Four

Fall

The Arboretum
November 15

Hingham, MA

November 

We Love our Visitors

One glorious treat offered living in a new city is hosting family and friends and inviting them to share in our Boston life.  This year we have been blessed with trips from Bebe, Bobo, the Bourlands, and most recently Uncle Edward, Aunt Liz, and sweet Will Will.  Langston was eagerly anticipating this visit one month prior to their arrival and ruminating over the sheer joy of it one month post departure.  I love it because she expresses the same emotions Jeff and myself have in their most raw and honest form!

One negative in the Boston experience is the heavy influx of "Night Float" weeks.  This year Jeff is working harder than ever, and the weeks where hours are long can get pretty lonely.  It's all about planning, and this planned Langston trip at the tail of an afore mentioned "Night Float" week could not have come at a better time!  The presence of family and friends was exactly what we needed.

• Cambridge & Harvard Square

Family Shot on the Harvard Campus

The "Ya Hoo" one man band at Harvard Square.
Uncle Edward wasn't a fan
Looking at him now - I'm no fan either! 

Delicious lunch at Mr. Bartley's Burgers.  Thank you Liz, Great choice!

You have no idea how much Langston loves this little guy.  It is really sweet!

cute, cute, cute

big, big day.  ready for bed

• Beacon Hill, The Public Gardens, and a walk through the Back Bay

Hey There

My Love of the City - Reason Three

Cherishing "Family Time" 

As our children get older, time with them lessens.  One day a week of Parent's Day Out evolves into two, PDO days evolve into three "Preschool" days a week, then four days, and eventually you are dropping your baby off five days a week at the so chosen Kindergarden.  I am not yet there, but I can only imagine how tough a step this is going to be.  

I would not label myself as the 'picture perfect' wife upon our move to Boston.  Honestly, I did not even accept the move as reality until our house was sold, the movers had arrived to relocate our furniture, and the plane had arrived to relocate us.  BUT, I did set one positive goal for our year.  I would soak up every precious minute spent with our children.  So far, my goal has been a success and Boston has been the perfect place to see it play out.  Certainly there are times when lonliness creeps in, I long for adult conversation, and I yearn for the moment to have nothing to do but tend to myself, but the special moments with my children ultimately have been my joy since our move in June.

Jeff takes the car 98% of the time, and so far (weather has been agreeable) this arrangement has been optimal.  Stroller (or 'carriage') time with the kids allows for the most intimate views of the city.  We have explored many a playground, familiarized ourselves with the various Boston neighborhoods, visited zoos/museums/aquariums, and most importantly enjoyed time together chatting, laughing, and constantly mulling over Young Edward's curious expressions and sounds coming from his side of the carriage.   Bottom line - we are getting to know each other very well in the absence of a car. 

Next year Langston will probably shift from three mornings away at school to four or possibly five.  Yikes!  As I keep repeating, these years are flying by so, so quickly.  This year is our time - a year where every moment will be absorbed and cherished, and a year where our family will enjoy Boston together. What a beautiful blessing!

Most of our days prior to Langston starting school were filled with idle moments where the day's activity was at our choosing.  This particular day the kids and I took the train to the Back Bay, looked around the Prudential Center/Copley Plaza, dined at the Cheesecake Factory, and found a playground in the South End before calling it an afternoon. 

A couple more idle moments - these were filled with museum trips, lazy afternoons relaxing in the neighborhood, playground excursions, etc...