Adventure Day - Porter Square

Our most recent adventure day came about because NStar turned our power off to fix a damaged electric pole on our street this Friday. So I decided without further ado we would off and discover another corner of Cambridge. The boy was more than happy to don his piglet/bunny knit cap and head up to the "train" for a trip with Momma.


We caught the red-line heading Harvard bound & stayed on to Porter Square - as I figured we could do a little stop at the StellaBella toy store there and maybe if I got lucky a hop into Porter Sq Books. So first we started off walking the wrong direction but we discovered a block or two of Mass. Ave the other way then doubled back toward our toy haven destination. It was really too cold outside to do much walking and it was not a day to scope a playground so we made do with the train table for half an hour or so then I succumbed to "special treat" ...
at the neighboring donut shop.
After a chocolate frosted with sprinkles & a big sweet coffee for me we took the bus back to Central Sq. enjoying the sights of Somerville along the way. Monito was literally falling asleep on the last couple blocks of the bus ride - I had to shake him to keep him awake. Then I threw him in the ergo or "Pack-pack" and we headed home for a much deserved nap.

Year In Pics - Jan 2008

(Click on the Photo Collage to Enlarge)

January 2008 - we started the year off nicely spending time having fun with friends - visiting the Aquarium, science museum and Natural History Museum at Harvard with our cohort of turning 2 year-old buddies (Lila, Gabe, Jack). Then we were off for a week in San Francisco where we got to see lots of family & friends. We saw the Elephant Seals at Ano Nuevo with Grandpa Eldon & Joey, Andrew, Robbie & Jack. We checked out many parks and playgrounds - Dolores Park, Duboce St Playground, 24th & Diamond Playground, Eureka Valley Rec Center. Then back to Cambridge just long enough to change clothes & get on the train to NY & Connecticut for Cousin Olivia's Birthday & a trip to the Nat'l History Museum with Grandma & Grandpa. Home just in time to eat cake at Lila's Birthday party.

Feb 2008

Feb 2008 - It was still snowy on the East Coast despite any wishes I may have had to the contrary. Lil Monkey got sick, but that didn't stop us moms from getting to our one movie of the year (Juno - loved it!!). Farah turned 3, Monito hit 21 months, It became the Year of the Rat and many Newfields descended on Boston for a fabulous Farah weekend. Playgroups were on, Lost started up again & we spent a lot of time playing in a dusting of snow.

March 2008

March 2008 - Still snowy on the East Coast - what is up with this people!! We had our biggest snowstorms of the year - time to turn the heat up, stay inside, bake some cookies and order the Cable TV. Em worked a lot of call, I made a lot of Mac N Cheese and we discovered the joy of renting DVD's from the library every week.

April 2008

April 2008 - The snow finally went away - and just in time for us to skip town for our Bermuda Vacation '08. It was the boys first venture out of the US and it rocked! We stopped in Nanuet to celebrate Passover first. Em made a quick run to Georgia to see Holly & Doanie get wed (and also to see Aunt Mel!!). We saw the first flowers blooming on the trees in our playground at the end of the month and we also got to see Grandpa Eldon when he came to his Harvard Law reunion.

May 2008 - Happy Birthday

May 2008 - Happy Birthday Month.

The Lil' Monkey & Jack shared their second birthday this month - the weather cooperated for a party in the park followed by a family weekend in the Shire. We also got up to Vermont to see Adam, Ila, Violet and Sammy. Finally, we said goodbye to Emily, Bill and Xan who are off to Davis CA.

June 2008

June 2008 - Lots of sunshine & swimming. We played in the Berkeshires with the cousins & played in Cambridge with our cohort of 2 year old buddies. We spent time with Lila, Gabe & Jack at the beach, the farm, the pond and the fells - as well as the waterparks in our neighborhoods or in our own back yards. We also got two flat tires on one trip and a new bicycle after mine disappeared from the yard.

July 2008 (not SF photos)

July 2008 -

Spent the 4th at the Shire and enjoyed the 80 degree weather of early July by spending as much time in the water as possible - got back from SF at the end of the month just in time for Em's vacation week that we spent back up at the shire. More sun, more pool and a great visit with Uncle Ritchie.

July 2008 A trip to SF

In mid-July the monkey and I snuck out of town for a 10 day jaunt to the left-coast. It was amazing. We saw mucho familia and had the added benefit of a Seattle-Mills College Reunion weekend with Deb (& Allie) and Marissa. It is hard to travel without Emily, and I feel mean taking the boy away for such a long time... but - We had an amazing visit where we got to see Jean & Carol, Kathy B., Amy (9 months pregnant), Abby & His mom Maya, Laura Rachel & Jasper, Mel & Veejay, Aimee & Tam, the Prochovnicks, Anne & Stella, Lisa & Baby Sarah, Andrea Kenton & their twins, Rina Steph and their twins, Joey-Andrew-Robbie-Jack, Kavan, Aunt Woof, Aunt Marianna, Grandpa Eldon, we even got out to the Richmond to see Philipa and Philip (and Aunt Ruth).

We had a great road trip with the Seattle crew - up to Stinson Beach, Point Reyes for lunch on to Sebastopol and back down the next day via tiberoun for a lunch on the waterfront. And we had a day at Mills to show Allie & the lil' monkey where they will be getting there degrees (undergrad for her, post-bac for him!)

He loved all the rides on planes, and trains and buses --- next time we have to fit a boat ride in too!

August 2008

August 08 - The month began with some vacation time in the shire, followed by a visit from Sydney and her family from SF. Em worked Ambi which meant she had hours that were a bit better than usual including some time swimming at the Arlington Resevoir. Lots of time was spent in Dana Park and at Drumlin Farm where we get our farmshare as well as in the water play sprinkler at Hoyt. At the end of the month we see Grandma Nancy in Boston & get another weekend in the shire - where the boy has to choose between being a bad little bunny or a good fairy ... hard choices.

September 2008

Sept 2008 - The days were still warm and we got another Berkeshire Weekend. This time we lucked into seeing James Taylor rehearsing for Good Morning America when we went to the playground in Stockbridge. The next morning R & I watched on TV and saw JT & YoYo Ma and then read as our friend Gina blogged about the morning. The monkey & I took our first solo trip to NYC where we got to stay with Jaime and had a great burrito and a good dinner with "uncle" Richie. We also got to meet Hudson & his mommies and went to the Natural History Museum and Central Park with them. We saw Melisa K, Lisa W. and Val D. and did a run around of the lower east side & a trip to chinatown. And we went to the Opening of Cathy Opie's exhibit at the Guggenheim, - I walked the boy around and showed him pictures of young Joey & Bernice & Mike & Sky as well as other SF friends.

Then we were off for another train ride up to Nanuet for Rosh Hashanah with the Grandparents - Em met us there for the weekend. I continue to be amazed at how easy a traveller this boy is. He handled 3 train rides, tons of subways, lots of walking & some getting lost all with a great amount of grace & ease.

October 2008 - Not SF Photos

October 2008 - In like a lamb out like a lion. This is becoming my favorite East Coast month - the weather cools down enough to warrant long sleeves & it feels to me like the bay area but with a season. Leaves turn color in a week then tumble to the ground overnight - something wonderful for young boys to play in & also pretty fun for old mommy-daddies too. The summer season winds down and it seems like there are events along the Charles River every sunday. And perhaps best of all - there is hot apple cider EVERYWHERE.

We spent half the month in SF, but we still managed to start sharing a babysitter with Jack & Lila, to get to lots of parks & playgroups, to go apple picking with the kids and to celebrate Halloween 3 ways - with a party at Dana Park, a party at Alex's & finally trick or treating with the cast of the Wizard of Oz - aka Dan (scarecrow) Monito (the Lion) Farah (Dorothy) Gina (Glinda or Galinda) and me as the very pregnant Glinda's OB for the evening (Gina's due date was 10-31).

October 2008 - SF & Mendocino Trip

San Francisco & Mendocino - October 2008

Thank you Mel & Veejay for giving us a reason to come out to the Bay Area again this year!!!

I flew out early with the Lil Monkey so we could do Yom Kippur at CSZ - I flew my mom down from Spokane to do services with me. She really loved it - I spent more time in the childcare room than at the services, but that's okay. I feel like he got the chance to meet his hebrew school class. We also saw the Prochovnick clan, Andrea & the twins and many many CSZ friends & acquaintances. The days were sunny and gorgeous so when we weren't at services we got in some sight seeing & lots of park time. Another visit to the Discovery Museum, Dolores Park, Eurka Valley, Duboce St etc etc. I got a haircut and then Em got a haircut & the lil guy was looking pretty ragged so he got a trip to Louies Barbershop for his FIRST Haircut (he cried).

We also got a great and somewhat surprise visit with Adam & Ila & Andre - wonderful Dim Sum at a hidden gem in chinatown then a good walk through North Beach and Downtown and for an added bonus we got to ride downtown in one of the old old streetcars.

We saw Amy B & met Cypress (what a cutie) and then were off to ORR Hot Springs for two nights followed by the wedding festivities in Mendocino. Orr continues to be about my favorite place on earth - especially when I am there with Em. We stayed in Cabin 16 where we spent my 40th Birthday a few years ago & we enjoyed all the new/old tubs (although I was sad to see the small floaty pool be changed).

There aren't words to describe our love for M&V and also how awesome it was to have the JMP Crew in the same place at the same time. Maya was in the room next to us & Abby & R became wild playmates. Leaving was heartbreaking.... but hey only 1 1/2 years to go.

November 2008

November 2008 - I'm almost done with the photo journey of this past year. November hit with the beginnings of the wintery weather, but also with its own fair share of blessings. November brought Dev into our house for a much needed visit as well as a new favorite playmate ("where is my beaver !?! Where is my Beaver ?) We also got back into some competitive Challah baking with Dan, but have since been humbled by Emily who had dough that rose so easily it shamed me. November elections were good news (Obama) and bad (California's passage of proposition h8te.) - the lil' monkey went to the polls and told us that he was voting for Grandpa.

Newfield holidays beginning with this Thanksgiving will all be a bit more crowded now that Dori Pearl has joined the party - she made her appearance on November 11 and brought Grandma & Grandpa to Boston a gazillion times this month.

Em finished with Lahey Forever & began a month called "elective" - which meant she was mainly working on a research project that she was able to do while at home. She & the monkey spent more time together than they had since he was one month old.

December 2008

December 2008 - Happy Birthday to Me!!!

The snow came, and came, and came. We didn't get as much as Spokane did (60" this month) but we got enough to pull out the shovels, snow boots and hot cocoa supplies. My Birthday (Dec 01) was positivly balmy (maybe 60) - we were out with light jackets, no hats, no gloves. Three days later it was too cold to go outside and a week later it was snowing and settling into the 20's.

We visited preschools, skipped Chanukah in Ct., had Xmas dinner with Alex, Ted, Jack & his Grandma/Nonna and sent Em back to work at BMC - starting with Xmas call on labor & delivery - lonely for me.

New Years Eve was spent at home with shrimp & steak - Em stayed up till 9:30 at least and the boy and I watched fireworks on TV at Midnight.

Joyous and Happy 2009 Y'All ---- can't wait to celebrate with you in person.

Throwing Icicles

At the park today we discovered a new game with Jeff & Lila - the great Icicle toss - First you find a good place for icicles - like the bottom of a park bench -



or perhaps the handles of a park bench


Then you get your mommy to break off the biggest & longest icicles & hand the cold & pointy weapons - I mean toys - to you so that you can....





Fling them with all your might to the pavement making great crashing sounds & scattering ice bits everywhere.....



Much fun was had by all.

All Grown Up

The drumlin farm Pigletts - Aug 08 and Jan 09

Blasto got a camera for Hanukkah

and I now have about 315 different photos of my butt.

Things I've Done

Make BOLD the things YOU have done.
(Stolen from Metis)


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain (or hiked up a mountain)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang/played a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Made a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Adventure Day - Numero Uno

TRAINS

Today for our first official "Adventure Day" the boy and I walked up to Central Sq. and took the "T" (which he considers a train) to South Station to look at the holiday model train (see photo) as well as to wander the train station and watch the Acela pull out. He knows South Station pretty well by now as we've taken the train to NY & CT a couple of times and we always hang out here for close to an hour first before our trips - but he hadn't seen the model train before so that was a treat. I think he was dissapointed when we didn't get on a train. Maybe next time we will take the commuter line out somewhere.

From South Station we wandered over toward Chinatown - stopping at Boston's Gay Bookstore on the way - I looked quickly at the kids books - not much of a selection & nothing I hadn't heard of already ... sissy duckling, heather has 2 mommies, tango etc. The boy did head straight for the 18 and over DVD's in the back & I had to lovingly corral him back into the non-adult section of the store - he takes after his momma I guess. From there we headed into the first restaurant that we came upon (it was cold). But I think we made a good choice - it was bustling with activity - including lots of families. It served dim sum on the trolleys & even though I wouldn't suggest going out for Dim Sum with only a 2 year old to eat with you we did manage to try 3 items - a couple of shrimp dumplings & some very yummy pork dumplings which the lil guy pretty much ate all on his own (3 big dumplings - very little sharing with momma).

After our tasty little lunch we headed back to the "T" and rode on home - he loves the part where you go over the Charles River - he likes to stand up on his seat & look out the window for boats. After a very long walk home down River St. we returned to find the power restored.

I think we'll try "Adventure Day" again - soon.

Why the Power was Out

Apparently someone drove into the power pole.

R. didn't mind so much 'cause he is always up for watching all the big trucks working on our street. I figured it gave us a good reason to begin ... "Adventure Day" - todays adventure --

TRAINS....

A bounty of Grapefruit

My dad has begun sending us an annual gift of Texas Grapefruit at the Winter Holiday time. This is great because I really like grapefruit - however Em's Grandma in Florida also sends out a holiday gift of Grapefruit. This year two big boxes arrived at our door only days apart. We are doing our best but its a lot of fruit to work our way through... I am making a valiant effort grapefruit spoon in hand and Em & the Lil Monkey have been making Juice.

First Big Snow

We were supposed to go to Ct. to have a holiday fiesta with all of Em's family, but then the travel advisory said that travel was at best not advisable and at worst impossible so we decided to stay home, buy groceries and hunker down... This first shot is us heading out to the market on Friday afternoon as the snow is just starting to come down. The lil guy is quite excited as you can see. I felt celebratory, but passed on the oysters & opted for Maine shrimp, artichokes, a turkey breast & all the trimmings and staples like eggs and milk and baking supplies.



By Saturday morning there was a good coating of snow on everything.... the ground, the cars the trees, the playground toys... - everything.


Mabel still has to go out though so we couldn't completly hide from the snow drifts - You can see that the snow is about up to her shoulders & those of you who know us know that she is a TALL dog ---



Em went out every few hours and did a little more shoveling and sweeping of our stairs and front walk and around her car so that it wouldn't be totally socked in when the storm was done.

She actually looks happy doesn't she?

Happy Birthday Auntie Rebah

(and Seyi, Jennifer Brown, Shari & Melisa, Kathy B, Kris, Metis, Kathy Hart, Val D. and all the other December Birthdays)

Birthday Tea

Yesterday we had my "Birthday Tea" at Upstairs - I love the location they are right in Harvard Square -next to the Peets Coffee looking out on "Newtowne Square". They do a tea service through the month of December & welcome kids to it. Kids are encouraged to bring a stuffy to drop off under the tree to be donated for X-mas. We didn't bring anything but the lil' guy wanted to spend some time checking out the many animals that were gathered there. He loved the zebra hand puppets and also really liked the large stuffed giraffe.

I enjoyed having a last hurrah afternoon with Em before she goes back to that residency thing in earnest. It has been a nice break and I'm glad it came when we had so much to celebrate (like a new baby Newfie & Me). Hopefully the lil monkey & I will make a habit of this afternoon tea thingy!!!! I know Auntie woof can't wait till she gets to join in with us as well. Thanks to DGina for this wonderful gift!!

Taking a walk around Fresh Pond

Monday was a particularly beautiful day - perhaps made more so by the knowledge that we were on the verge of getting the first big storm of the season so we should really enjoy a day that was "unseasonably warm".* (* folks in SF can wonder at the fact that I now consider temps in the mid to high fifties to be warm and even summer-like when those same temps in SF are what we consider a Very Cold Day - so much that one should probably call in sick to work & just stay in all day).

Our friends all get up much earlier than we do (being that they aren't trying to live in a different time zone the way I do) and they all headed out for a hike to the Fells (as seen in some earlier posts on this blog). Not to be outdone Em insisted we get outside too... so we headed for a mid-day hike/walk around Fresh Pond.


The lil monkey wore his special black and red water-puddle stomping boots and put them to good use in both water and MUD puddles that we found along the way. He also got to say hi to about 10,000 dogs since this is a quite popular off-leash park for Cambridge pooches.

and Finally were smiling because this has been the month of Em's elective - which means that she's been working on a research project which she's been able to do primarily from home & she & the little guy have gotten to spend the most time together since the month that he was born.

Ice Storm

This was the view from the car as we drove up the Mass. Turnpike toward the Shire (The Berkeshire "Mountains") - over the past weekend. On Thur Mass. and much of New England was hit with an Ice Storm - something that sucks if you are living in it, but awesome and amazingly beautiful if you are just driving through it. Emily and I thought it looked like the winter land of Narnia - as the ice covered trees were all sparkling in the mid-day sunshine.
It went on & on like this for miles in Western MA - then returned to normal when we were about half an hour from our destination. Odd that one area could be virtually devestated while just a few miles away there was only a heavy rainfall.

We had a great weekend with Em's folks - lots of fun for the lil' Monkey & an easy time for us.

The art annex...

We took things that had been on our back porch over the summer & pulled them into the basement - rugs, a chair, his tricycle and most importantly his easel. Then we strung some twinkle lights and now we've got a mini play area set up in the basement. He LOVES painting - so much that we have already made multiple trips to the neighborhood art supply store for paints and he CRIES when we tell him its time to pack up and come back upstairs. Everybody's chanukah presents are wrapped in monito originals too - we're all about the recycling.

In the Annex ...

A shot of Emily as she supervises the goings on in the basement.

His President

When we see posters, pictures, buttons etc of Obama you can ask him who that is & he excitedly exclaims Obama! Obama! - and if you ask who that is he will tell you that Obama is "My President" - not our president mind you - but his very own personal president.

I don't know if 2 year olds are generally politically minded, but here in Cambridge they apparently are. Our whole playgroup will yell out Obama Obama as they see bumper stickers and house signs. I am taking this all as a good omen. I will let this man be my sons' personal president & I will expect him to take that charge seriously. Hope, Change, Education, Peace, Our Enviornment, Our Economy, Our Rights.... I hope they are in good hands - for my son's sake & for all our sakes.

First Snow

Today we had our first snow of the season. It was pretty minimal but it sure was exciting for this lil guy.
After running around in it for awhile we went & met Mama at the Crafts Bizare Bazar then had lunch with her & a bunch of her worker bees. All in all a very nice day - But Cold

 

My Birthday

This year for Dec 01 (the best day to be born - ever) Boston/Cambridge hosted a one day warm streak. The week before was near freezing but on my birthday it his high 50's low 60's and the next day the temp dropped 20 degrees again.

So we had to get out. Em, R. and I took Mabel for a walk over to Dana Park - a few blocks from our house -

It was so warm we couldn't keep the kid in his jacket



Then again - I don't think I had mine on either. Em asked what I wanted to do with my day & I told her that all I really wanted was my surprise party - to which she said (as she had all week) - "Surprise -No Party!!" But I knew not to be daunted. The boy is not much of a napper so we stayed out to enjoy as much of the day as we could. Around sunset (4:30 in these parts) I tried calling & texting our 2-year old crew to see what everyone was up to and to find someone to come to the park & play - no one was up for it & even Dan didn't want to meet us for hot chocolate at the cafe across from Farah's school - so Em, the boy & I tromped around Central Square on our own.

I really enjoyed the sparkly lights that our out now...



and we also had an amazing sunset and sliver of a moon (as depicted over the 7-11 sorry)
From Central we walked "2-year-old-toddler-stop every five seconds-slowly over to Alex's house - where Surprise, Surprise there was a party waiting for me. Yeah!!! The kids were all in good moods, DGina brought the new baby, We had Carrot Cake and Chinese Take Out - thanks everyone!!! Things don't really get much better than that.

On my Birthday

I don't look too bad for 45 - no?