I'M MOVING TO BOSTON

Well, I would if all the details didn't get in the way. We just spent the most jam-packed delightful week with Mike's parents in Massachusetts, and I have to record it before it slips from my all too slippery memory. I forgot the camera. I know, I know, but I remembered all the kids, so shut up. Fortunately, Mike's mom and dad gave us all the pictures they took, so it's not a total loss. Some of the pics are off of Mike's phone, too. I know I don't have the words to describe the awesomeness of this trip, but I also know I can't bear to forget any of it. So if you're not interested, quit here. I'm nothing if not verbose.

First let me say that I am quite fortunate to have in-laws that I actually like. I told my physical therapist guy that I was going to my in-laws for the week and he gave me the old sarcastic uuugh--I bet you're happy about that. And I was genuinely confused for a moment, because Mike's parents are so easy to get along with. They really love their kids, and if you marry one of their kids, you're in that group. They have a way of supporting you and loving you while still letting you be.

So I was going to write about everything we did, but that turns out to be pretty long. I'll just break it up into two very long parts. Frankly, I don't want to forget a minute of it.

Here's the first installment.

Day one (or really night one, since we got there around 11 pm):

We drove through the city to their house, which is only maybe ten minutes from the airport. It was dark, but we went under a tunnel and over a bridge, so I could tell we were surrounded by water. Of course we were--it is Boston, after all. But the physical fact of it felt different from just knowing it in the abstract. Their house is situated at the bottom of a hill less than a block from Bunker Monument. It's all brick and old and charming, with four levels that are connected by one tight winding staircase. The whole place smacks of a different time, (built in the 1850's) and it felt authentic in some way that all these new tract homes in California don't. It was beautiful. This is the street they live on viewed from the top of the monument.

Day one, actual:

We woke up the next morning late to an empty house since Mike's mom was working in the temple. We got dressed and headed up the street to Bunker Hill. The kids were understandably impressed by the giant monument, which to Paige looked just like Rapunzel's tower. I felt a little queasy looking at the one tiny window peeking out from the top of the tower, and Raelynn voiced the thought--we aren't going up there, are we? Oh, but yes we were. So 294 steps and one history lesson later, we looked out at the city of Boston. We were all duly impressed, and after a little break we headed down again. I felt pretty good about making it so well on my foot, but couldn't congratulate myself too heartily since Mike had to do it with Paige on his shoulders.

Then we headed a few blocks away to the Navy Yard where we toured the oldest remaining warship, the USS Constitution. The kids loved the cannons, and Miles enjoyed asking the officer on board all about the gunpowder and the process of loading and firing the cannons. I'm sure he'd be willing to explain it to you.

Mike's mom met us there, and we walked through the north end where we stopped at a little place called Umberto's for the cheapest and best pizza ever. I mean really. And then we went to the best pastry shop ever across the street and split some decadent treats. I mention the food because it was one of our favorite things of the trip. I'm not sure if Mike's mom knows the good places, or if the food there is just better. But I didn't see a single McDonald's the entire trip, and every single thing we ate was excellent. Here are some random photos of what we saw.

Once we were all full and happy, we walked across the bridge to the aquarium.

The kids loved it (both the bridge and the aquarium) and then we took the ferry back across the harbor. That was thrilling for all of us, I think, and that was when I realized how really beautiful the city is. We made it home in time to make dinner--and what would eat but lobster? The kids liked them both before and after cooking.

During the evening, the kids disappeared into the basement to play with Grandma's old Fisher Price Little People and with Super Mario Galaxy. The house is so great that way, because then we were free to talk and play games in peace. It was a beautiful day.

Day two:

After a leisurely morning, we set out on the Freedom Trail which is pretty much right out the front door. We saw the North Church and Paul Revere's house, and everything in between. The kids enjoyed the walk in the city, and I enjoyed the history. We went down to Fanueil Hall and saw some fun street performers which the kids loved. How often to you get to see a guy hoist a woman up to his shoulders and walk around on a giant ball while she stands on his head? Fun stuff.

Then we went to the Hay St. Market. That was an experience. The vendors were aggressive, loud, and armed with a thick Boston accent (which we all enjoyed imitating). The new family phrase is GIVE ME A DOLLAH! after we saw a vendor really unleash his full vocal volume on a poor Asian lady who clearly did not understand better, despite the decibel. Eventually she did give him the "dollah", and violence was avoided. But it was touch and go for a minute, I tell you. Paige, especially, caught the Boston Fevah, and I think it may take a while to fully retrain her to say those R's.

So after we bought some very cheap and delicious raspberries, we made our way to the Science Museum, where the kids naturally had a blast. Here's Paige, who was at first highly disturbed, but then highly amused by this mirror.

After the beautiful walk home (I quickly realized that just about any walk is a beautiful one there), we got in the cars and headed to--where else--a fish place for dinner. The kids pounded more fish and chips...and clams and shrimp and oysters...than I thought possible. After this, we went for a drive through the parts of Boston where Debbie grew up, and it had to be one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Something about seeing the actual houses where she lived and the schools, and haunts she went to--it just fills me with a satisfying sense of continuity to see Raelynn soaking all of it up. I love to hear the stories about what life was like for her in those places and those times; it's akin to reading a good novel for me, that feeling of getting a peek into a world I'd otherwise not know. Debbie's great for telling stories and painting a picture for you, and I was really happy to have Raelynn in the car with us. I'm sad Mike and Miles missed it in the other car.

This was all on the way to get ice cream, and this was the weirdest part of the trip. I expected an ice cream store. You know, Cold Stone, Baskin Robbins--that kind of thing. So we pull into this giant parking lot at a store that looks more like a mall. In fact, I think it is the mall. So, OK, we go in, and the first thing I notice is that there are giant (and I mean as big as I am) flowers made out of Jelly Bellies that run along a path. It feels like I've just stepped into Wonka World. And that's not all. There's a couple of stores within this big space that actually appear to be made out of Jelly Bellies. Giant Jelly Belly dump trucks on the roof moving giant piles of Jelly Belly dirt. A giant state capitol-looking dome made form jelly beans. Understand, we live about an hour away from the Jelly Belly factory. I'm not easily impressed by jelly beans. But it was downright disorienting. I begin to adjust to this, when I turn and see a flying trapeze set up with acrobats flying around. WHAT? Acrobats? And why not? It's a school, of sorts. Lessons, you see? We watch for a while the fascinating display of talent (or rather lack thereof, which is equally entertaining as the students fail to grasp the hands of the man on the far trapeze and fall into the nets.) We finally buy the ice cream and sit down to eat and soak in the .... ambiance? And suddenly the lights go out and on the wall next to us is a liquid fireworks display set to music mostly from kids' movies and Disneyland rides that is more spectacular than most real fireworks. And as the kids literally scream with delight at the colored and synchronized streams of water shooting and spiraling, Mike's mom leans over and informs me that the whole place is a furniture store. And I still can't understand it, but it was definitely memorable. Also, the ice cream was delicious. This is a giant monster eating a life-size Yankee mannequin (Go Red Sox, and it's risky to say different) on the wall by the escalator.

Day three:

Kane's Donuts. I thought, really, we're going to drive so far for donuts? How good can they be? Answer. That good.

Then to a flea market, where the kids fell in love with flea markets. Raelynn made her first comment about how lame Sacramento is. And it's true, we don't have flea markets like that one.

And here's another sample of that Boston edge.

Mike to vendor: Do you know what that DS game is? It doesn't have the label on it.

Venor to Mike: I'd rathah give it to you than ansah that question thuhty times.

So we scored a free Super Mario Brothers.

Once we got home, Mike, his dad and I headed out on the most beautiful bike ride along the river over to Harvard. This picture is from Carrie and Jeromy's ride the week before.We walked around the campus there and then Debbie drove down with kids switched places with David.

Yeah, I rock a bike helmet. What.

We rode back along the river past BU, through Back Bay and Boston Gardens, and back to hay market where we were disappointed with the lack of raspberries, but made up for it with peaches, cantaloupe, pineapple and blueberries. Here's Boston Garden.From there, we rode home and gathered up the kids and a couple of Mike's parents friends who stayed with them that night to walk back down to the USS Constitution to hear the canon go off, which it does every morning and evening. The sound caused a car alarm to go off, and the kids loved it.

We then went back home and ate an, of course, delectable dinner of barbecue ribs, Italian sausage and peppers, strawberry spinach salad, corn on the cob, and a peach berry cobbler.

So that was the first half. I think the second half can be told largely with pictures. So don't be afraid of my next post. It's New Hampshire in the Fall--and that's worth seeing.