New York City

It had been a really long time since we last visited NYC, despite it being only a few hours away.  Not sure when the last time was, but we certainly haven't been since Stella was born.  Could it be 2008?

Waiting for the 9:58 from Fairfield (or "Fairyfield", as Julia called it).

The ticket guy was super-friendly, and let Julia "steer" the train.  She also honked the loud horn several times, which must really annoy the folks who live along the tracks...

Stella loved everything about the train...

On 42nd, walking from Grand Central to the UN.

One of Stella's potty breaks.  Don't ask where we were...

The view from the Top of the Rock.  I wanted to go up the Empire State bldg, but the wait times are ridiculous.   This was almost as tall, much cheaper, and no wait times.

By the way, don't let your kids sit where Stella was sitting.  You'll have a cranky security guard reading you the riot act (and making Julia cry) in no time....

Also, don't let your kid stand on the part of the fence that Stella stood on....

 

After a warm afternoon, some splashing was very refreshing!

Ready for the 1.5 hour ride back, followed by the drive home.  Made it home at 9:30pm with one sleeping kid (Julia), and another not too far behind.

Back to Boston

Now that the Bruins are eliminated, we could go back to Boston, for a little visit.

We started near MIT.

Across the Longfellow bridge.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and lots of boats were on the river.

Walked into an open-air show, of a ... new-age jazz band...?  They were actually quite good.

This is what the Montreal Jazz Fest used to be like, before it got ridiculously crowded and commercialized.

The playground had cool things like a zipline.

Boston Common:

Julia found a tree with a label on it.  This is a "paper bark maple".

Stella quickly fell asleep on Roxi.

Charles St.

Weekend in NH

We spent a couple of nights at a "resort" in New Hampshire.  The weather was perfect: a little cool, but sunny.  The place had a nice pool with some slides, where we spent a ton of time.  We took little niece Aiyana, which is always fun.

Here are the girls, ready for the 3 hour trip.

Julia:

Julia and Aiyana, having breakfast.

The three girls, on the deck at the back of the place.

Stella on the dance floor (no music!).

The older girls in the jacuzzi in our room:

Stella, apres-tub.

Stella, chillin':

It was great for Julia to have a friend her own age.

Stella was ready for the pool (life jacket), but fell asleep on a little drive.

Missed out on the pool and woke up a little cranky.

Pretty niece, Ayiana:

All the girls, reading.

Julia and Ayiana were pretty excited about these Canada geese chicks.

Stella fooling around on the boardwalk: