Boss of all countries

When we told the kids we were headed to Boston, with no rhyme or reason the boys started referring to Boston as "the Boss of All Countries!" This time we hoped to really show Boston to the kids. A few highlights...

While the boys went to a Red Sox game with Uncle Jonathan, I hung out with our newest nephew 

Buston Public Garden - the ducks of Make Way for Ducklings fame 

Max loves the book

Obligatory swan boat ride 

Hi Jon!

Across from the Boston Children's Museum is the Boston tea party site

Freedom Trail (we did the shorter 90 minute version)

Before our trip I had checked out a few children's books from the library on Benjamin Franklin, the Boston tea party, Paul Revere, Red Sox and the Pilgrims. Not sure how much they actually retained, but I tried.

Yes, they are eating bags of chips in front of Ben Franklin. We used bribery liberally on this trip.

Sam was really into it












Cape Cod



A rubber ducky store!

I should really label the second half of our week as How Many Times Can We Vomit Throughout Boston. All three kids and poor Aaron (our brother-in-law) caught a stomach bug that took days to recover from. It was a lot of vomiting. 

But one night we took an evening stroll after dinner from our Cape Cod vacation home and stumbled upon this peaceful pond tucked away in our neighborhood. Can you believe this spot??

Live crab

Final clam chowder meal. This happy moment was right before I forced Noah to eat and then he vomited everywhere. Not a proud parenting moment. 

On the final evening Oliver and Joice took us on this great stroll through Beacon Hill and the North End. We had amazing early summer weather all week and the city was truly showing off that night. Of course the evening would not be complete without one of our children (who shall remain nameless) vomiting on the streets of Boston. 

Goodbye Boston, we'll be back again. You truly are the Boss of All Countries! 

SF neighborhoods

The day before Easter, we found ourselves with no real scheduled commitments. On a whim, we decided to forego the usual egg hunts and Easter bunnies and headed into the city. Terah took us to explore Bernal Heights Park, and we had so much fun walking up this windy lush green hillside overlooking the city.

 

A painted rock inscribed with "life is beautiful" 

 

This is 8 years old

 

Noah is eight

Wow Noah is eight today!

At eight, we see all the signs of Noah trying to navigate the world around him. He is teaching us how to be better parents and we frankly, are making all our mistakes on him. Yet, I can see his resilience and determination. We found an old gingerbread house kit the other day that he begged to open. After letting him try his hand in unsuccessfully icing the pieces, I told him I didn't think he could build it. He said to me, "No, I never give up." And then went on to somehow get the house to standing.

Noah, we love you. You are the life and activity of our family, and your brothers could not look up to you more. Happy birthday Noah bear!

Easter