McCue's Flower Outlet

For Christmas trees and decorations that are well-priced and last, visit McCue's Flower Outlet in Billerica, Ma.  Their Christmas trees tend to be slightly below prices of greenhouses and garden centers that are in the city or suburbs and they have a wide variety of Christmas plants, decorations, wreathes, Kissing Balls, and garlands.

They are open throughout all the garden seasons.  We tend to go a few times a year, in the spring for planting season and before Christmas.  They also have great sales at the end of the season(s) (particularly late spring).  

To keep up-to-date, I check out their Facebook page.  http://www.facebook.com/mccuesfloweroutlet

Choosing Schools

With all the great public and private schools in the Greater Boston area, choosing a preschool or school can be a difficult choice.  One resource we found for looking at schools was attending open houses.  This is a good basis for determining what you want and what is out there.  Fall is a Open House "season" for private schools, with the application process beginning not long after.
The Independent Schools in New England website is one resource for tracking dates and locations:

Open House Link, Fall 2012

Some schools require advance registration for Open Houses, and if you miss the date, they will fulfill requests for scheduling (usually group) tours at later dates.

Brooksby Farm

A little farm and pick-your-on spot in Peabody, close to Route 1, Brooksby Farm offers seasonal fruit picking and has a few animals for kids to view also.  The animals include llamas, a variety of birds, and some pigs.  It's a manageable spot for a day trip with little ones and not too far to walk into the Orchard and picking areas.  They also have a great little farmstand with fresh produce and baked items, as well as homemade jellies and jams.  Weekday summer picking is not crowded and the fruit is plentiful.

Brooksby Farm Link

Creative Travel

No idea how to make or install this, but I thought it was a pretty cool and creative way to travel with two little ones.  I spotted it in Davis Square in Somerville one morning.

Cape Cod Children's Museum

This children's museum is located in Mashpee, Cape Cod, near Falmouth.  It is housed in what seems to be a warehouse type space.  The museum is open for summer hours starting at 10 am.  It is host to exhibits that cater to the toddler set through mid elementary school, with areas like an interactive post office, kitchen/restaurant space, a submarine to explore, and a pirate ship to climb.  The museum is affordable at $7.00 per person (they start charging at 1 year old), but a visit probably won't last longer than a few hours.  The summer can get crowded, particularly on rainy days, when Cape visitors don't have a lot of other indoor choices for kids.  However, during the school year and winter months, Cape residents and visitors will find an open, fairly quiet facility.   Another drawback is the lack of an outdoor area, including not having a sitting area for outdoor snacks.  The museum staff are friendly and helpful and the exhibits range enough to provide experiences for varying ages.  They also host field trips and birthday parties.

Cape Cod Children's Museum

Edaville: A Day with Out With Thomas

For anyone with Thomas the Train obsessed toddlers and preschoolers, Edaville, in Carver, Ma, holds a Day Out with Thomas twice a year.  Thomas and Sir Topham visit in June and October.  The park is open to the usual public, but you can also buy train tickets to ride "Thomas" separately.  The tickets can be bought ahead of time online and mailed to you, for particular departure times.  If you arrive when the park opens, at 9:00 on Thomas days, the crowd is minimal.  The park is also fairly extensive for the little guys, various rides other than the train, a shady playground area, a small pond to walk around, and tents that host musicians and storytellers.  There are food vendors, but the park allows picnics to be brought in also.

                  Park play area that tends to be less crowded and quiet.

Edaville: A Day Out with Thomas

Drumlin Farm

Drumlin Farm is a local working farm, that is a great way to introduce little ones to animals and farms, in a low key environment.  The farm offers a short tractor pulled hay ride that loops the farms, and is home to sheep, birds, pigs, horses, and cows, among other animals.
They are run by the Mass Audubon Society, which means that with a membership ($65 a year for a family), you can go an unlimited amount of times, and also gain entrance to other Audubon wildlife sanctuaries, while supporting local wildlife.
The farm also offers picnic spots, public restrooms, educational lectures and events, and some seasonal produce for sale.  Drumlin Farm hosts field trips and a summer camp.
Drumlin Farm is located in Lincoln, Mass, just at the end of Route 2.



Drumlin Farm

North Point Park

A beautiful spot for a family outing, picnic, or just relaxing, North Point Park in East Cambridge is a hidden spot.  The location offers views of the Charles River, Museum of Science, and Zakim Bridge.  It is tucked back from the river, but trails and walks take the pedestrian or cyclist along the river in either direction.  There are a number of benches and some picnic tables in the playground area.  The Duckboats enter and exit the water just next to the park, which offers additional entertainment for the little ones, as well as friendly exchange if you're in the mood for quacking or interacting with tourists.  The playground area offers structures that are age appropriate for toddlers through younger elementary school age children, as well as a little spray park area.  Landscaping around the park is lush and well maintained, in addition to the views in most directions, makes for a very pleasant spot.  The only drawback to this area is that 93 runs directly to one side of you, which can be noisy and detracts from the rest of the environment. However, if your little ones enjoy the sight of trucks and cars, and the sound of sirens, it can add to the experience.  The park is typically quiet earlier in the morning and has parking available.  The pictures below don't really do it justice.

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl Boston

The annual ice-cream festival will hit City Hall Plaza this year from Tuesday June 5- Thursday June 7.  This event is held daily for the three day stretch from 12- 8pm and features ice-cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet from nationwide vendors.  Beginning 30 years ago as a National Dairy Association event, it has now become the largest all you can eat ice-cream festival in the nation.  Ticket prices vary- children under 3 are free, kids from 3-9 are $5, and from there on up tickets are $10 each, for an all you can eat event. (Group rates and 3 day passes are also an option).  Part of the proceeds go to the Jimmy Fund for cancer research at Dana-Farber.  Easily accessible on the Red Line or Green Line to the Government Station stop, public transportation is probably the easiest way in.  There is a calendar of entertainment, with the Red Sox wives serving ice-cream and various musical acts, as well as the mayor kicking off the event.

Scooper Bowl 2012

Museum of Science

One of Boston's best resources and venues is the Museum of Science in Cambridge.  The museum offers a wealth of information and exhibits, most of which are interactive.  It provides information and entertainment for primarily school age children through teenagers and adults, but also has a small area for the younger preschool/toddler age kids.  There are presentations that run everyday that are free after the admission fee is paid, as well as an Omni Show, which is an additional cost.  The presentations vary from animals to weather and the ever popular electricity show, but are all engaging and given by knowledgeable presenters.  Much of the museum staff are volunteers, many of whom have been there for years and know the museum inside and out.
Exhibits cover topics from optics, to health, force and motion, rocks and minerals, to local issues like the Big Dig.  There is a Butterfly Garden and Planetarium in addition to the other exhibits.  The museum has a cafeteria and a gift shop.  During the school year the museum is often overrun with field trips, so moving through it with younger kids can be tricky.  The is enough space and if it you time it correctly you can work around the large groups.

The museum is also located on the Charles River and is convenient by public transportation or the highway.  It can be rented out as a venue for private events also, and if you are an educator, offers a discount and has an educator's library. 

Museum of Science

En Ka Fair

Every year, during the third weekend in May, the Winchester En Ka Society holds it's annual fair.  Complete with rides, booths, and food, it is a good size local carnival.  Part of the proceeds go to the En Ka Society, who in turn provide grants for students, work with the mentally challenged, and provide services within the town.  The En Ka fair runs on the Friday from 11-midnight and kicks off with a parade on Saturday morning at 9 am.  The parade leaves from Winchester High School on Skillings Road.  The fair opens on Saturday at ten and runs again until midnight.  Parking is available on the streets that intersect at Skilings Road and Mt. Vernon Street.  Tickets are available on Thursday evening for slightly cheaper than on Friday and Saturday.

En Ka Fair

Full Moon Cafe

A great little restaurant in Cambridge, that is well known locally, but advertised primarily by word-of-mouth, is Full Moon Cafe.  This cafe was originally recommended to us by friends with young kids and is one of our favorite spots when we are meeting other families out.  The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though closed between the seatings, so it's helpful to check the hours before going (we did learn this the hard way).  It is located in Huron Village in Cambridge and street parking is almost always available and convenient.  It is also on the bus line.
Full Moon was opened over a decade ago by two moms and features beautiful artwork.  There is a small dining room, and tucked back is a little play area for younger children.  They have a train table set up with numerous miscellaneous trains, a few trucks to push around, a kitchen set up, and a few other random toys.  They also have some books and will bring a bucket of toys to the table for kids to play with.  Full Moon is also well equipped with high chairs, kiddie cups, and white paper "tablecloths" to draw on.  Changing tables are available in the bathrooms.
The portions are huge, especially the meals brought for toddlers.  The menu prices have increased slightly lately, but the food is worth the price, particularly when the kiddies are entertained.  The menu is somewhat limited, but vegetarian options are available and there is choice enough (maybe ten selections) for everyone to be satisfied.  They also offer a decent selection of beer and wine, are friendly and accommodating.  At peak times (think early for dinner hour, like 5:00), on the weekends, the noise level and chaos becomes apparent and some adult facilitation may be needed at the play area.  At a quieter time, it can be relaxing and if you are seated near the play area, you can almost pretend that you are at home.


Full Moon Restaurant

Quick Kiddie Takeout Meal

I have lost the guilt over not being able to cook every meal and resort to takeout on occasion.  My husband actually found this kiddie meal that we are a big fan of at Chipotle, a burrito chain.  It costs $3.99 and includes a taco kit- rice, beans, and a meat if desired, a taco or burrito shell, organic milk or juice, and a little baggie of chips.  Since there are so many Chipotle locations, it is an easy pick up.  The ingredients they use are part of "Food with Integrity," meaning the animals are supposed to be humanely raised and ingredients fresh with a low impact on the environment.  I haven't researched this thoroughly, but would love to believe that it's true.  Meanwhile, the convenience of the locations and the fresh burritos are great!

Chipotle Kids Menu

The Discovery Museum

  Love this Acton museum and this experience!  We go periodically and it's a great little place for toddlers.  There are two buildings here, one for younger kids (think 0-5ish) and one for older kids- Kindergartenish and up.  The younger children's building is in an old Victorian house, with each room being theme based.   From the train room, to water tables, an interactive "restaurant," kids are fully engaged in the hands on exhibits.  The outdoor space is great too, a sandbox, tricycle riding area, and a few picnic tables throughout.
The staff are very laid back about eating on the grounds and another great facet is they don't try to sell you anything- food, drinks, gifts... once you pay admission you're home free.
They're open 6 days a week, closed on Mondays, with a variety of events offered in the evenings and on weekends.

The museum is located at 177 Main St, Acton, MA, convenient to Route 2.

The Discovery Museum

Cloth Diapering

When our son was about 3 months old, we decided we were ready to integrate cloth diapers into our lives.  I grew up with cloth diapers (though they were very different then!) and thought environmentally it was a choice we wanted to make.  We didn't completely switch, but decided to do it about 75-80% of the time.  For nighttime and longer naps, we used disposable, since we never found a cloth that stayed dry enough at night.

We were very fortunate to have a great resource a few miles from our house.  I refer people here all the time.  The Diaper Lab has a plethora of cloth diapers and they help you customize your purchase.  Although initially it is a big investment, it works out that money is saved on diapers over time, as disposables are bought so frequently, especially in the early months.
The ladies at Diaper Lab talk you through exactly what you are looking for, your lifestyle, the size and age of your baby (if the baby has been born), and help you select some diapers.  There is a two week trial period, which we really needed, since we had only purchased G-diapers at our local Whole Foods and then found they leaked on our son.  We tried six different diapers before settling on two different kinds, and ended up purchasing about 4 of one kind and 12 of another.  All of our diapers could be used until our son was about 30 lbs, as they were adjustable.

The Diaper Lab holds cloth diapering classes, has an online site, and now has expanded to host baby food making classes as well as baby wearing classes (offering a variety of slings and carriers).

In the early, sleep deprived days, they were supportive and helpful, and practical in the matters of applying this change to our lifestyle.

They are now located in Davis Square in North Cambridge, at 200 Elm Street, as well as having a number of online resources.

The Diaper Lab

                                                           The diapers in action.

Make Way for Ducklings Boston Event

We attended this a few years ago, a great family event that takes place in the Public Garden in Boston.  This year it falls on Mother's Day, May 13, 2012.  The event celebrates Robert McCloskey's book Make Way for Ducklings.  There is parade that traces the ducklings route through the city and ends in the Public Garden, where there is entertainment and food.  This years parade takes place at 10:30 am.  There is a donation of $35 per family if you attend the parade (and prepay, it's $40 the day of).  Since our little one was only months old, we just went down and watched some of the music and walked around.  Kids dress up & some adults also.  A nice way to celebrate the beginning of spring and some local literature!

Make Way for Ducklings 2012