Charles River Museum of Industry

We finally got one more check on our "Boston Bucket List." 

We spent our first two Boston area years living in Waltham and we never did made it to the Charles River Museum of Industry. It wasn't at all what I expected--just a small section of an historic factory--nothing fancy, no lavish displays, expensive frills, or other visitors; yet to a history addict like me it was still interesting.

We spent about an hour exploring. An hour is about the limit of two boys at a museum and an hour was how much change we had for the parking meter.

The shop manager had a fun and quirky personality. The kids were allowed to touch and play with most of the machines. Bonus! That helped them survive the ten minutes of time where I tried to read a few signs and explore the Waltham Watch displays upstairs.

I was especially impressed by some framed letters that Chester Nimitz (think WWII) had written about the repair of his watch. After his watch got fixed he the company and explained that he needed a bill for the services and had done nothing to deserve a free repair. I would beg to differ.

David and Will sit on a fire truck that was pulled by horses. Fascinating!

I was also a little blown away that I was standing in the part of the factory where Francis Cabot Lowell had installed the first steam powered loom. The UK was ultra protective of their industrial revolution technology. Lowell memorized how the looms in England worked and brought (or smuggled?!) that here. For some reason I remembered that detail from a history course long ago!

We got caught in an June downpour on the walk to the car but we didn't mind. It was a good afternoon and I'm really glad we went.

A nice walk from the parking lot!

"Love that muddy water"

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl

Would you ever let your kids eat 30 bowls of ice cream? Well, we did. Sort of. We tried about that many kinds of ice cream ourselves. There was a fantastic assortment with many different vendors offering about five  flavors each.

David and Will were content with about two or three scoops and {shock, horror} were done after that. Brad and I, however, were more ambitious and had at least one spoonful of each kind and if we liked it ate more...up to an entire scoop!

Happily eating their ice cream.

Enjoying testing out a zip car.

 Why yes, I think we'll support cancer research and come again next year!

Brad was very sick the next day, I can't help but wonder if it was related to insane ice cream consumption.

We had a nice little family walk around the public garden afterward. The boys really enjoyed riding the T home with their Dad. Brad reported that they squealed, screamed, and looked out the windows with excitement and delight. Oh to be a three or four year old boy! I took the car back with friends. Surprisingly, even with the notoriously slow bus ride I was not the first one home! 

Enchanted Village

We visited the Enchanted Village at Jordan's furniture for the second year in a row. It was fun to be able to go with Brad. He had some time off during Christmas but used much of it to study for the boards.

Here are the boys looking at one of the Christmas scenes.

Looking at the camera!

Brad gives William a ride.

This was my favorite little life like scene, it is by no means the most elaborate of what we saw but for some reason I liked it best. Just look at all the detail!

People waiting to send or pick up packages at the post office...

A "real" bulletin board.

And finally when we were done a(nother) visit with Santa. Of course William didn't want to be involved!

We headed to Ikea for lunch afterward. Who doesn't love a trip to Ikea?!

Christmas Program

All dressed up for the Christmas program at church!

Both Brad and I sang in the choir; Brad because he has some singing talent and me because I had to be at the practices anyway. I played a simple flute duet with a friend and then a really lovely obbligato (pretty flutie part) with a small singing group. It was nice to play again. I love celebrating the Savior through music.