We Love the Museum!

Yesterday, my mother, Calleigh, Kathy, Bruno, and I went to the Boston Children's Museum. I have to say that it was fantastic! Kathy got (almost) free tickets through the library so the basic expense was the parking ($13). We got there at about 10:30 and the adventure began. We went from room to room with themes that ranged from construction, grocery store, beauty salon, airplane, kitchen, and more. There was always something for Calleigh to do in each one so it was great. I was wondering if a lot of things would just be for older kids. A little after noon, we left the premises to eat at a nearby restaurant and then we went back for more. And that's where Calleigh found her true delight - - water! She loves playing in water and this was a dream come true. There was a little pool that small children could lean into and play in. Calleigh put on a smock so she wouldn't get wet and then she splished and splashed to her heart's delight and played with the big rubber ducky, boats, etc. At one point she really started splashing a lot and some of the other kids wandered off to avoid getting wet. Needless to say, despite the smock, Calleigh was quite soaked and we had to do a change of clothes. Believe me, getting her to leave the water was a challenge. After the water activity, we called it a day and left Kathy and Bruno there to catch a ride home on the train (this was pre-meditated - - we weren't leaving them high and dry!). Of course, as soon as she hit the car seat, she was sound asleep. I knew she wouldn't sleep again once we got home but there wasn't much we could do. Anyway, we really did love the museum and I definitely want to go again at Christmas so Duncan can go with us.

After we got home, Calleigh spent some time outside in more puddles and running around the yard. I took her for a walk down to the farm and we saw some bunnies and horses. Papa came home for dinner and she loved playing with him. It's funny because if one or both of my parents isn't home, Calleigh will say their name and go around looking for them. And no disrespect to my dad but Calleigh refers to this place as "Gigi's house" even though I've told her it belongs to both Papa and Gigi.

Last evening after Calleigh was in bed, some visitors arrived. The visitors are a couple from Texas and Florida who are going to stay at my folks house until they find places to live. One of them got a job here in Braintree as a nurse practitioner and the other is looking for a job. They don't know anyone in the area but contacted the Braintree SDA Church to see if anyone would let them stay with them while they found somewhere to live. They seem very nice and were very appreciate of my parents going out of their way to let them stay here. I told them not to worry - they're only like the 932nd and 933rd people to stay here. I'm hardly exaggerating!

Today my mom had to go to work so we were on our own. My dad was here working so we were able to use his car to go over to Patriot Place which is the new shopping/restaurant/hotel complex at Gilette Stadium (where Patriots play). We didn't stay too long but I did let Calleigh run around in a couple of shops. She found a cute little rocking chair at the Christmas Tree Shoppe that she loved and didn't want to leave behind but of course, we did. I was almost tempted to buy it and leave it at my folks but you had to actually put it together. Ah, no thanks.

After an afternoon nap (for Calleigh, not Mommy unfortunately), my dad took us to the Walpole Mall to meet up with my mom who was fresh off getting her hair cut. We let Calleigh do some exploring and I even let her go on a couple of those little kiddie rides that now go for $.50 instead of $.25 like when I was a kid. I was afraid that she would have a tantrum when it ended but amazingly she said "All done" and proceeded to try to get down. From there we went to have supper at a buffet restaurant in the mall and Calleigh had jello for the first time. She loved it!

Now, Calleigh has been in bed for a few hours and we're waiting for the Sox game to come on. It will be a late night unless there is a blow out. But, it will be fun to watch a playoff game with these guys.

Tomorrow it is time to go home. We have had a fantastic time despite junky weather pretty much the whole time. But I can't wait to see Duncan! He's going to pick us up at the airport.

Before I close, I just wanted to share one other little cute thing that Calleigh has started to do. Whenever she comes across a stair or a couple of stairs (like coming up my parents walk), she says "Hand" and takes my hand.