Smith Family Weblog

Happy Mothers’ Day to the wonderful moms in my life!

Thank you to..

My own mom, for saying exactly the right thing at exactly the right time for the last 30 years, even if it is occasionally preceded by “I told you…” Her energy, support and encouragement—especially since I became a mother myself—are invaluable. If my daughters grow to value my opinion and respect half as much as Katie and I value hers, I’ll be very fortunate.

My mother-in-law, the best I could have asked for, for her love, humor and advice

My grandma, who—tireless in her efforts to care for us—constantly reminds me, either by words or by actions, there’s nothing more important than family.

My sister-in-law Debbie, for providing two of the most adorable nephews in the world.

My step-mother Rose, not only for keeping Dad in check, but also for welcoming us into her family.

My friends Melissa, Lori and Alisa, who have endured—and even answered—countless questions over the past four years, for helping shape me into the mom I am today.

My friends Lanis and Dawn, for laughing at stories about my kids, and for letting me share them in the first place.

Enjoy your day!

Thanks, Katie…

We had a great time!

Saturday was our last night in Boston, and we went out with a bang. Katie took us to the Barking Crab, an open-air seafood restaurant on the harbor. The atmosphere was great–marine-varnished picnic tables, old fishnet lanterns, great local beer and a (very loud) live band.

The seafood was fantastic, too, thought we all agreed that we should never divulge the cost of this meal. After all, we had to crack the crab legs with a rock. That’s right–no tools, just a stone.

I really wish I had a photo of Katie covered with lobster insides–she forgot to cover the lobster with a paper plate before cracking the tail from the body…with the rock, of course. As I was not the one covered in what I can only imagine to be crustacean poop, I thought it was hilarious. Thank goodness for those wet-wipes they leave at your table.

This is the “crab bowl”–three different kinds of crab, some local, some Alaskan. All delicious.

The nice thing about a loud live band is that the kids don’t even try to compete. Olivia was content the entire time; Ava loved the “wobster.”

It was the perfect end to a wonderful trip.

On Saturday, we hit Boston’s North End, a very Italian part of town.

We followed the Freedom Trail from our starting point, Mike’s Pastry, famous for (at least in my mind) gelato and cannoli…

To the even more famous Old North Church, where the “one if by land, two if by sea” lanterns hung on the night of Paul Revere’s ride.

The church sits below Copp’s Hill, which is the site of one of the oldest cemeteries in America.

Ava tossed a penny (actually about 14) in the church’s courtyard fountain. I wonder what she wished for?

Katie and Ava heading home:

And, as promised, more of that sweet, sleeping baby:

We started Friday morning with brunch at Sound Bites, a local cafe near Katie’s apartment. The staff knew her by name, so I get the feeling Katie spends a fair amount of time there. (Given the caramelized French toast with goat cheese and pears, I’m not surprised.) The owner spied Ava and brought her this colorful fruit plate. In his thick (and incredibly charming accent), he exclaimed, “This is because I love you!” She was appropriately coy in response.

Ava and Olivia with Gramma (“Dramma”) at the restaurant:

After brunch, we headed into downtown Boston to check out the Common and the Public Garden.

When Ava was tired of riding in the umbrella stroller (five minutes after we put her in it), my mom said, “If only we had a bungee cord, we could tie it to the side of Olivia’s stroller rather than carrying it.” When I managed to produce one immediately, I saw a look of pride unlike any I’d seen from her before. I may not be able to balance my checkbook, but I always have a bungee cord on hand. I really am her flesh and blood.

Despite a line a mile long, Ava talked Katie into taking her for a ride on the swan boats.

It’s not a place you take kids (or so I’m told), but we did walk by the famous Cheers bar:

Here’s a rather bad photograph of the most photographed street in America, Acorn Street. I lamented the poor shot as Katie drove by, narrowly avoiding pedestrians and cars on the incredibly small side street. She informed me that if it was indeed the most photographed street in America, I’d be able to find a much better photograph online anyway. She was right.

On Friday afternoon, we retreated to Katie’s apartment. Olivia wasn’t quite herself, and after a short period of fussiness, I decided to take her into urgent care. She had an ear infection–I think we caught it pretty early. She was feeling much better by the time we flew home on Sunday. (By the way, we’ve now taken the children to doctors in four states, just in case you’re keeping track. We’re heading to Maryland this summer–what are the odds we can make it five?)

Doctor’s visit aside, it was a quiet end to a nice day.

On Thursday afternoon, Katie drove us up to Gloucester, Massachusetts, a charming seaside city about 45 minutes north of Boston. We hit the local shops first.

Thanks to the early wake-up call that morning, Ava took the longest, soundest nap of her life, remaining asleep as we moved her from the car to the stroller and back again.

Katie had said that there was a famous statue in Gloucester–the one featured in the logo for Gorton’s. I misunderstood and thought that the statue was erected to honor the frozen fish company. I wondered aloud why anyone would want to see the “fish sticks statue.” I quickly realized my mistake and felt a little silly.

The statue stands guard over a stark memorial honoring the local men and women who have died while working in the fishing industry. (Kind of gives you a new apprecation for those fish sticks, eh?)

The lighthouse just off the shore was featured in the movie “The Perfect Storm.”

We ended the night at Woodman’s, a seafood shack on the outskirts of town, home to what must be the best clams on the eastern seaboard.

More tomorrow!

After Katie picked us up from the airport Thursday afternon, we grabbed lunch and headed to a park in East Boston. We had great weather the entire trip–temperature in the 60s and 70s, and the forecast rain held off until Sunday morning.

There was a great view of the Boston Harbor and the city’s skyline.

There were also a couple of reoccuring themes during the trip–one was outstanding food (here, the “Gobbler,” the special sandwich from Katie’s favorite shop Dough. It was a turkey concoction with dressing and cranberry sauce)…

And, a sweet, sleeping baby.

More to come!