Somerville, Mass – We don’t get to go to Finland this summer, so we decided we better host our own summer solstice celebration. I wrote to my Finnish family get advice on exactly what this should entail. The Finns wrote back: “Midsummer…
Heritage Night
Somerville, Mass – Question: When is going to school like a trip around the world? Answer: When it’s Heritage Night This event was organized by the PTA and the arts council at the twins’ school. The tag line was…
Pirate Party
Somerville, Mass – Among the first European settlers of Belize were the British Baymen. These guys were essentially pirates and buccaneers, who hid out on the many islands and atolls off the coast of Belize, waiting for their next best…
First Night Family Festival
Boston, Mass – Boston held the country’s first First Night way back in 1975. For those not familiar with the New Year’s Eve event, it’s a jam-packed schedule of performances, art exhibits, interactive activities, ice sculptures and fireworks, held at venues all…
Christmas – Here vs There
Somerville, Mass – The twins brought home a worksheet from school that we were supposed to fill out and return. Some of the questions included: My family members come from these countries ____________________________________ During the holidays, we celebrate _______________________________________________ A special…
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…
Day of the Dead
Somerville, Mass – When it rains for 48 hours, we go to the movies. When it’s the weekend of Day of the Dead, we go to see The Book of Life. This is a spectacular new film by Mexican producer Guillermo del…
Monster MashedUp
Somerville, Mass – One of the many claims to fame of this fair city is that it is the birthplace of Bobby “Boris” Pickett, the voice behind the Monster Mash (it was a graveyard smash). According to his obituary in the…
Global Shopping Guide
Cambridge, Mass – It’s been nearly a decade since I have set foot in a mall between Thanksgiving and Christmas. And no, I don’t do all my Christmas shopping over the internet. Most of my shopping gets done when I am…