A Trip to the Cape

Chatham, MA
April 2011

One unfortunate reality about our Boston experience is Jeff's ridiculously strenuous workload.  One week it's short float (noon - 9pm), the next miraculously he's 7am-5pm, and the following - again - night float (9pm - 9am).  This has been the trend since stepping foot at Children's Hospital.  This is a phenomenal experience for him, and he is receiving wonderful training, but their train of thought seems to be - 'You're the lucky one, you have a fellowship at Harvard, you are training at one of the best Children's hospitals in the country, and now - You're ours!'  Yes, maybe I'm being a tad dramatic, but I'm not so sure Jeff would see 'drama' here.  

The positive spin unfortunately only affects the children and myself.  Poor Jeffrey...  

We are afforded moments to slip away to some of New England's greatest attractions.  Recently we took off to the Cape, and it was a special time though Daddy's absence was undoubtedly felt from each of us.  

We arrived to terrible weather - all day!  I wondered if this 1 1/2 hour venture was a colossal mistake. 

Great attitude Langston.  Keep it up!

not so sure about this

And, let the hotel fun begin!  

Dont worry,

Langston came prepared with suits

Oh dear, should we head back?

Fortunately after a nice dinner and a change in the forecast things were looking up for the mini-vacation.

The next day - Cool, but perfect!

 working on our shell collection

gorgeous sky

well hey there

 Fun Times 

dancing in the sand

Mean Face

Happy Face

  

Reason Six - Spring

At least I think I'm on six?  It's been a long time since I rattled on about Boston favorites.

You do not realize how much you miss the site of grass, a river flowing after escaping the freeze, or 'not' bundling your children up in down parkas, long underwear, hats, gloves, & boots upon heading out for a .2 mile walk down the hill UNTIL that first glimpse of Spring in Boston.
I, especially to Jeff, have boasted endlessly about my remarkable attitude this winter.  Honestly, I survived with flying colors!  I didn't mind the cold, I did the 'suit up the kids' thing daily without fuss, and I actually enjoyed Boston's seventh snowiest winter.  The snow was really pretty - seriously!
However, my attitude turned sour when friends from Memphis began posting pictures on Facebook of their kids in sandals & sundresses in March.  I too was ready for a little dose of this Spring.  So ready that I am not afraid to don the flip flops in 48 degree Boston Spring, rainy weather.  The kids I suit up in their winter gear, but I shiver in sandals while demanding warmer temps.  Just yesterday a dad at school drop-off commented that possibly I could summon Spring temps simply from my outfit, and surely enough I sat quite comfortably at the monument in the sun yesterday afternoon.  Well look at that 'Dad at drop-off'!

I think, fingers crossed, that true Spring has arrived!  Today I just saw temps will be between 65 - 78 degrees.  Glorious!

What does Spring mean in our world?...

• an open playground




"Cheese!"

• an impending Ballet recital

"The Fitting"
the outfit - a little frilly for my taste, but Langston loves it

And a number of other Springtime Thrills

• 
  

"Look Edward, the water's not frozen"

• The Cape (in the rain) 

and in the sun

(with coats)

• boats, boats, and more boats

Chatham, MA

Marblehead, MA

• Paul Revere's Ride Through Charlestown on Patriot's Day 

and a bike parade through charlestown 

• The Boston Marathon

• the return of Jimmy, the ice cream man, to the monument

• and, flowers that "pop" only as they can in New England