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...

A Birthday Week Full of Activity!!!

Last week our Angel turned four.  FOUR!  I approached this day with mixed emotions.  Yes, it is joyous watching your baby consumed with elation as they enjoy their day, BUT it is also a little sad wondering where this time could be going? 

Your life, Langston, is flying by in an exciting whirlwind.  I love every moment of it, but I also long for it to slow down a bit.  Your precious life is racing past us.

First, the actual birthday - The Year of the Cup Cake

rock star

 Bike Training with Daddy at the Monument

All is well until the fall at the bottom of the hill.  

Never again will we ride down that hill!  (so says Langston)

Edward - 'along for the ride'

Afternoon at the Children's Museum - Langston's favorite locale

another jeffrey in the making

And, the presents!

This is the first birthday where the presence of 'girly' presents is plentifully apparent

bebe and bobo miss their langston

first week of life

and, four

Next - the Halloween Parade & Party at school

Heading out

I love a pararde

Langston and her precious friend, Chloe

Story with Ella and her mom, Paula

 And, the Birthday Party!!!!

Fairy Princesses and Cupcakes

Happy Birthday Angel!  It was really fun watching you enjoy this past week filled full of events!

A Witch and her Monkey

Earlier this year the production  Wicked  came to Boston, and here sparked the idea, "I think I'll be a witch for Halloween."
My role in this - How to make a witch cute?  With the
help of Etsy, I pulled it off, and (to me) witch and monkey were an adorable pair.  Much cuter than the original
Wicked Witch/Monkey pairing in Wizard of Oz,
the inspiration for our two.

Halloween in Charlestown:  Townies Do Not Play

All sporting costume of some sort - children, the carriages, dogs, adults, everyone (all excluding Jeff, Lauren, and a handful of other self respecting adults).

We listened to the band, strolled in the parade, trick or treated, and returned home to pass out candy.  It was a great evening and certainly an experience to be remembered in Boston.