Tumbling Class

It is no secret that David loves being physical. I dislike the idea of scheduling too much or being too competitive at this age, but I just knew the gymnastics class at the YMCA would be perfect.

We've been going every Friday for the last few months and David LOVES it. The teachers are energetic and silly, quite at ease with toddlers, and seem to love teaching gymnastics. I also enjoyed spending a little one on one time with Dave.

Jumping

Running from one activity to the next

Ms. Dotty

Ms. Jennifer

Perhaps there are parents more humble than myself but I found it very validating to be told that David was one of the best in his class. Glad we are channeling that energy somewhere! (Ask his primary teachers how he is doing and you'll get different story. We need to work on sitting in a chair.)

We are looking forward to the kids only class after Christmas!

Multi Use Christmas Gift

Brad and I were shopping with the kids and I tried to buy a tiered plate rack/food server but he kept commenting on how he didn't like the ones we were looking at. I really wanted something nice to use for a Relief Society event tomorrow and in the future. I didn't know he'd found a great one for me for Christmas! He was nice enough to give it to me early so I could use it to display my cups of rice pudding.

Dave and Will found other uses for it!

A hat rack!

The Nutcracker

My Grandma Lyon took me and my cousins to see The Nutcracker when I was very young. I've always wanted to go back. The holidays are busy and by the time I get around to thinking about it the tickets are too expensive or there isn't time or there isn't a babysitter. But this year the stars aligned.

The Boston Opera House

My friend Daija told me about student rush tickets. Students can get half price tickets two hours before a show if there are still available seats. After Brad took the self proclaimed worst- final/test of his life then grabbed a willing friend and acquired two half price tickets. I thought $40 total for both us was more than worth it, plus we were in the sixth row!

The dancing was exquisite and the live music was phenomenal. I can't describe how unbelievable a professional orchestra sounds. It helped that Tchaikovsky's music is very famous; it is always fun to hear something you know. I was surprised at how many of the different movements I'd heard before.

After the show!

I enjoyed dressing up but I'm pretty sure when Brad left for the wost-test-of-his-life he wasn't thinking about our evening (who can blame him?) so he went casual.

I thought I could convince Brad to wear a crown too...

So grateful to leave the boys with the Kang family. Babysitting is perhaps my biggest worry when trying to coordinate a date night and being worry free made it that much more enjoyable.

BU Dental Holiday Party

I always look forward to the school holiday party. I don't know why, it isn't fancy...many students show up in scrubs. I think part of the draw is that I don't have to cook. We took the boys this year and we all had a nice time.

Here we are as we were getting ready to leave.

Dave, Will, and another sweet little boy in the dental "family."

Cuddle Puddle

Ever since William decided to climb out of his crib Brad was convinced we'd find him sleeping in David's bed. I didn't think this would work out too well...I figured they would either play or fight in lieu of sleep. I was wrong! I popped my head in for a quick peek at my boys before I went to be and found this adorable scene.

William in the red monkey jammies and David in the blue with orange dinosaurs.

So glad to know they love each other!

Newbury Street Tree Lighting

I've never been to a holiday tree lighting before. I searched some out here and found that there were four or five taking place in Boston, not to mention one for almost every town nearby. I dreamed that we'd make it out to see all of the trees being lit and we started out on our first adventure.

I think the ride on the express bus would have been more than enough to satisfy both David and William. We met Brad and had some Panda Express for dinner at the Prudential Center. Then it was off to a restaurant on Newbury Street (how have I never been to Newbury street before?! Quite posh and fun with neat shops all around...)

Waiting...

More waiting...

Excitedly watching a cat on someone's front porch.

And finally the tree was lit. Yes, this was the tree. I had envisioned something more like the huge tree they light at Rockefeller center in New York City. I was surprised to find that most people were there for the after part at the bar/restaurant. We were the only family with kids around. We ended up getting interviewed by a few people from student and local nieghborhood newspapers. One question that made us both chuckle had something to do with what we thought about lights and wasting energy...hmm...yeah, last time I checked I'm still ok with "wasting" energy for Christmas lights...

It didn't stop us from having fun though!

Just look at that tree! I think we have a bigger one in our living room...

We had another fun ride home on the express bus and I finally feel like I could be comfortable taking that into town instead of the train.

Castle Island

Castle Island. It isn't really an island but you can take the ferry there from Boston. We had a little time between projects at home and took the boys for an outing. Veteran's Day always surprises me and turns out to be warmer than I expect. But I forget about the breezes on the water--those are cold.

There was an old fort we didn't even have time to explore. You can watch planes fly overhead right into Logan airport, it was amazing how close they were. You can watch coast guard (and other kinds of?) boats cruising and racing. You can fish off the dock. There is a playground. And the beach!! Enough said. I could see myself spending a whole day there when it is warmer.

Airplanes.

David running along a ledge.

William doing his most favorite thing--swinging and look at the pretty ocean in the background.

Eating lunch.

A little walk on the beach...

And finally testing those rain boots to see just how far they will go!

Will got wet but wouldn't stop with the water.

David pushed the limits just as much but managed to stay drier. More experience I guess?

I didn't even photograph the ocean as we walked around the "back" of the fort and island. I was a little worried the kids might decide to jump in because the fence was more decorative and historic than functional. Dave and Will loved running along the sidewalk and the view was spectacular.