Sarasota, Florida – Last week, we took an impromptu getaway to the Holiday Inn in Somerville, Massachusetts. It was fun, but I was being ironic when I called it a vacation. This week, we took a proper getaway–like, on an airplane–to…
Holiday in Somerville
Somerville, Mass – We woke up to a cold house on Sunday. (Of course it was Sunday.) And it was snowing. (Of course it was snowing.) The thermostat said 58 degrees. The pilot light was out and we couldn’t get…
The Nutcracker
Boston, Mass – Apparently, this is the year we turn our children into culture vultures. We have had some success with the symphony and musical theater, and so we decided to see what they think of the ballet. Not just…
Illuminations Tour
Somerville, Mass – The twins are crazy about Christmas lights. What 4-year-old isn’t? And really, what better time to embrace your inner 4-year-old, suspend your judgment, and just soak up some sparkly, high-wattage holiday spirit? It’s one of the things…
Free Play
Somerville, Mass – A few weeks ago, I came across this fascinating article from The Atlantic, The Overprotected Kid, about a new, old kind of playground in Wales, known as The Land. (Thanks also to The Atlantic for the cover…
Scooters
Poughkeepsie, New York – We are attending a wedding in Poughkeepsie, where the bride and groom have planned a few extra-curricular activities to keep the guests entertained. Yesterday–a cold, windy, November morning–we were invited to traverse the Walkway over the…
Drumlin Farm
Lincoln, Mass – It’s Veterans’ Day, so all across America parents are looking for something to do with their kids, who have no school (again). I figured the museums would be packed, so we headed out to our favorite Mass…
Topeak BabySeat II
Somerville, Mass – An amazing thing happens when your children go to school. Suddenly, crisp fall mornings stretch out in front of you–empty hours that entice you out onto your bicycle, to pedal around the Charles River loop or crunch the…
Ferry Beach
Saco, Maine – There’s nothing better than a fall trip to the beach: that last taste of summer that is all the sweeter, knowing that the next one is probably nine months away. In fact, it could be argued that a…
Franklin Park Zoo – Playground
Boston, Mass – Last year, in a post about the Franklin Park Zoo, I wondered: is it really necessary to drive all the way across town to the zoo, just to go to the playground? Now I can answer definitively.…