Country Play

On our first day in New York, our little 'City Mouse' got to experience some good, fun, country play.  Alekzander thought he was as big as his cousin, Jeremy, and his second cousins, Ben and Thomas.  While Daddy rough-housed with the big boys, Alekzander stood on the periphery waiting to throw the football and Frisbee, and even dared to dart through the craziness.  He explored his Great Uncle Dan's & Aunt Melissa's property, including lush, flowering gardens, stalked moths {a much more masculine version of chasing butterflies!}, learned to hang from trees, and rang the big bell {many times} with Daddy to announce that it was time to eat delicious food.  Some point during the day, Alekzander played so hard that he even split his new shorts from Grandma Swistak.  City Mouse loved his visit to the "country"!

Love in a Life Saver

USS Constitution

 

On our second day in Boston, we checked out the  

USS Constitution docked in Charlestown.

Alekzander loved exploring on deck and below.

He may have even though he was in charge - 

scaling the ropes, checking out the construction of the 200-year old boat,

and strutting across the deck!

College Visit

 

"You mean, I won't live with you forever?  I could come here?!"

 The Memorial Church Chapel

Sitting with John Harvard for good luck

Alekzander rubbing John Harvard's foot :: Dada rubbing Alekzander's foot

We later learned that this is called "The Statue of Three Lies."

The inscription says "John Harvard, Founder, 1638."  

All three "facts" are, indeed, lies.

1.  It is not actually John Harvard as no pictures exist of Harvard; it is a student - chosen by the sculptor.

2.  John Harvard was not the founder; merely a financial contributor 

{one of our Bostonian tour guides suggested that Harvard donated his personal library collection

after the school experienced a fire that consumed its original library}.

3.  The school was founded in 1636, not 1638.

 Memorial Hall

While we would be so proud to send Alekzander to Harvard, 

it will be a sad, sad day when this Mama drops her baby off at college!

Bunker Hill Monument on Breed's Hill

 Andrew's up-close views of the Bunker Hill 

& Col. William Prescott monuments

on Breed's Hill

{Did you know that the famous Bunker Hill battle and 

"Don't shoot until you see the white's of the enemies' eyes" tactic

actually took place on Breed's Hill NOT Bunker Hill?}

Andrew's view of Boston from the top of the monument 

opened to the public specifically and exclusively for/during Harbor Fest

{Did you know you can reach the top in just over 2 minutes?
Andrew climbed/ran all 294 steps}

My view of Breed's Hill

{Alekzander fell asleep during the 3 minute drive up 

and over two blocks from our secret parking spot on a Charlestown street}

Red, White, Blue, and Bubbles

 Cute little dimpled arms will one day be strong and muscular

 An amateur swing will turn into a well-tuned skill

 But backyard fun will always remain simple ... and fun!

And bubbles will always remain magical!

{Hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa's house on July 4th}

Parade

I may have fallen in love with small town parades.  Alekzander, however, was slightly underwhelmed.  We found ourselves in Cazenovia, NY on Independence Day and got the perfect parade vantage point.  We saw new firetrucks, old firetrucks, shiny firetrucks, and old rusty fire engines.  We also saw important town board members and royal look-a-likes in classic convertibles, kids in cow carts, and grown-ups pulled by little ponies.  I loved the Cazenovian charm dressed up in red, white, and blue, and plenty of pride.