Kiddie Rides in Santa Cruz

After we checked out of the lovely hotel in Monterey we got into the car and headed up to Santa Cruz - not a long haul at all. It was even more gorgeous out - Monterey had been foggy in the morning but by Santa Cruz it was nothing but sun and the temps had to be reaching the low 70's (sorry Boston folks). Sadly though since it is still the middle of winter 9/10ths of the boardwalk rides were shut down for the season. But Em and the monkey did find a couple adventures to have. Above you can see them on the race cars which look pretty tame but do really whip you around as you head into the curve. He also rode the carousal and some spinny ride with Em that nearly made her puke.

I took a walk along the beach with Em's folks and we all had some decent lunch before heading on up the coast toward Half Moon Bay and SFO.

Not a bad visit at all

Doing the Uncle Dan Dance

a bit of the tushie dance for Unka Dan!

Skype date with the Grandparents while the cousins visit

Ariel is in town with her kids and we got to spend most of the afternoon with them. After meeting up at the playground down at the Berkeley Marina (Adventure Park was closed) we had them up to the house where we broke out the magnatiles and dino's and then made a Skype call to Grandma Grandma Anne who is at Phancy's house in NY. Much much fun. Later in the day Kavan and Seyi arrived for a sleepover. The boy is almost overwhelmed with all this big cousin lovin' taking place in California.

Duck Boat Tour with Grandma and Grandpa

after Em's big graduation dinner we made plans to go with her folks and brother on a Duck Boat Tour of Boston - this was one of my "bucket list Boston" items - the tours start at the Science Museum - tour around town pointing out many historical sites and then convert to a boat and go right into the Charles River for the last part of the tour.

Our driver was pretty funny - and the tour was actually really informative

but then boating part was TOTALLY the best!!!

Graduation Dinner

Tonight BMC hosted a graduation dinner for the Chief Resident Ob/Gyn class of 2010.

our crew started the evening with some coloring & sticker fun in the foyer as cocktails and appy's were served. It was nice for the boy to have his cousins there to help keep him distracted during the more adult goings-on.

As you can see Dr. Em was bombarded with gifts, cards and congratulations...

Farah & Dan are very excited about the Salmon...

and the dance floor was the cousins own personal playground.

(note the size of the boy in the photo being projected above them)

Grandma Anne's 90th

Family Day for Farah at School

Farah invited R. to be her guest at "family week" this wed at her school. It was torrential out so we splurged and took a cab ride to the school where Farah and a classmate came skipping down the hallways to pick us up and escort us to her classroom. R. sat infront of the pre-Kindergarten class and took questions about what it is like to be a cousin. I bolstered him up. Then we got to join in for choice time....



We chose coloring. R. and Farah were so cute working together on their projects. He made a rocket ship with fire (surprise) and she made a book of drawings about princesses (surprise). Then we went with the class to the school library for storytime. R sat still through two stories on the family theme (both about dads, sort of ironical I thought)

Then we said our goodbyes and headed to Inman Sq for a 1369 Brownie treat (and coffee) and a board game.

Turtles!!!!

Farah's Turning FIVE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Farah returned to the YMCA to celebrate her 5th & what a great time!!!!

There was CAKE



There was cousins!!!

There was Air Hockey with the cousins.

There was Grandma & Grandpa (and a little bit of booty dancing)

and even a candy filled pinata.

Grandparent Visit for Dori's Birthday Weekend

Dori turned one this weekend & the grandparents & cousins came to town!!! Which means a couple of the Boys' favorite things - Hotel Rooms & swimming pools.

sadly it also means flu shots....

Here he is giving a shot to Grandma Nancy - she took it very well!!!

School Holiday - Fall

We met Dan, Gina, Farah and Dori at Cambridge Common to enjoy the Veterans Day Holiday. After playing in Cambridge Common for ages (with all the families of the greater Boston Metro area) the kids had a good time throwing leaves on Uncle Dan.




then we walked by an odd one-man-band in Harvard Sq. - who was doing Old McDonald.

It was F's 4 3/4 Birthday so we all got to have some Ice Cream to Celebrate!!!!

Next up -

Dori's One Year Celebration!!!

Nanuet New Year

Yep its that time of year again. Time to pile into the car with a sleepy post call mommy, a bag full of snacks and a dvd player set to save my life pleeze, and head down to NY. I have discovered that every drive no matter how short or long is just about one half hour too long - and the drive to Nanuet is no exception - its just as you get to that Tappenzee bridge that I hit the GET ME OUT OF THIS CAR NOW - feeling & that's usually about where the boy gets it too.

This year we got pretty lucky - I drove the whole way and we only had a couple spots of traffic - none in CT where we expected it and none on the bridge really -- but then right after the bridge BOOM full stop, sit & wait traffic. But it was well worth it to get to Grandpa & Grandma's house of wonders (& wonderful peeps)!!!!!