Pretty 'n Purple

Wow. I haven't posted in a long time! We are still here--still having fun, just too busy to post! Not too long ago we discovered a newly redesigned favorite park near the Boston Ballet. My kids love the playground, but what I love is the gorgeous garden design. See the weeping willow in the background? And the purple flowers (anyone know what they are?) and the wrought iron fence? Perfect. I just sit and daydream that I am in some wonderful European city surrounded by a romantic garden park. I've even fooled myself a few times. Oh, and doesn't this cutie look pretty framed in purple and green? One of the few times lately she hasn't shied away from the camera.

One of My Very Favorite Things

One of my very favorite things about the Boston area is the Lowell Folk Festival, usually held the last weekend in July. It's at the top of my list because it combines several of my loves: history (held in the midst of the historic Lowell Cotton Mills), food (the festival invites ethnic groups from all over the area to sell food) and folk music (we saw Irish, Brazilian and Greek groups). It's all outdoors, it's free, it's kid-friendly and it's totally awesome. Highlights from this year included a commuter train ride to Lowell, a boat ride down the main canal in the city (canals were used to power the cotton mills), a trolley ride from one end of the festival to the other, and the Brazilian Capoeira group (amazing and incredible is an understatement). Oh, and on our way to the festival we discovered Danas Fruit & Confectionery, an early 20th Century establishment complete with tin ceilings, an ancient cash register and an old-fashioned ice cream and candy counter. Have I sold you on it yet? I mean it-- you should really, really come from far and near to attend this fabulous event.

Dear Charles River,

Just to keep you from feeling a bit too big for your britches, the guy in the middle there, (the one with the belly button), thinks you are the best "Pond" he's ever seen.

Sincerely,

An Adoring Fan

Oh No! The British are Coming!

By far one of the most delightful things about living in Boston is Patriot's Day. This morning I peeled the rascals out of their beds at 5 a.m., loaded them in the car and made it to Lexington in time to see and hear "the shot heard
round the world." As you can see, the Little Mr. was in fine form and looooved the event. He's been talking about those "Redcoats" all year since the last re-enactment, so it was hard to coax him off the Green. Breakfast with friends in Lexington, parades, a daytime ride of Paul Revere through our town, the Boston Marathon and the opening day of a favorite ice cream stand complete the day. Now I'm off to take a well-deserved nap!

Head-Over-Heels

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Boston?  It's not just that I "like" Boston-- it's that I am absolutely, unabashedly head-over-heels in love with Boston.  We've lived here over eight years and it really was love at first sight.  Though I do admit that sometimes in February and March my love wanes.  Luckily, the blossoms of April bring me back full force into my love affair with this city.  Every time we drive into the South End for dance classes at the Boston Ballet, I tell my girls, "Do you know how lucky you are?  You live in the coolest city ever!"  They really don't believe me, but I just have to keep reminding them that my childhood in Kansas was great fun, but nothing nearly as awesome as their experiences and opportunities in Boston.  I mean, really, where else do you get to see Antebellum doorways like this while just walking down the street?  Maybe all the newness of the West developed my appreciation for the old.  Who knows.  All I know is that if I could give Boston a kiss on the cheek with the vibrant orange, red, yellow and brown leaves in the background, I totally would.