September 2022

September was busy and included brunch at Gulu Gulu.

A trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

A birthday!  This year's theme was "nature."

Complete with a pinata.

First day of 5th grade.

We also went to Boston Lights at Franklin Park Zoo.

And there were lots of pandas.

More blue trees in Salem.

- S.

August 2022

In August we took a family trip down to beautiful Fall River, MA 

and visited Battleship Cove.

We perused the battleship at our leisure, inside and out.

We also got to go into a submarine.  Tight squeeze.

Jack also attended some nature/outdoor camps in August and 

usually came home with sneakers looking like this.  A successful day.

And ice cream sundaes on the porch.

- S.

 

Maine

 Over the July 4 holiday, we took our annual trip to Maine.

Requisite trip to the diner (blueberry pancake teeth).

Our cottage (directly behind Jack) was conveniently located near the swings.

Unlike last year which was cool and rainy, we got a lot of beach time in this time.

Daytime beach time.

Sunset beach time.

Evening/fireworks beach time.

We also attended an outdoor Elvis concert!

And had some fun bowling.

- S.

July 2022

In July we did go to Maine for a few days (post to follow) and otherwise kept busy with some local stuff.

Nahant fireworks from the causeway.

Testing out the pool.

Picnic with a friend.

Fun with lunch.

We went to see the Amazing Acrocats in Somerville which was silly, and 

highlighted that cats ultimately do what they want despite training.

https://rockcatsrescue.org/

- S.

Washington D.C.

The day after school ended, we flew down to Washington D.C. for a city vacation.  The main objective was to see the pandas at the zoo, but we had plenty of time for other touristy things as well.  This was Jack's first real city vacation where the main modes of transport were by foot and subway, and he held up pretty well considering there were some long days.

 

Getting comfy on the Metro.

Deep underground.  "Why does it smell like manure?"

At the zoo.

Panda, live and in person!

It was a long, hot day, but worth it to see some pandas in person.

We also did some other touristy things:

We visited some monuments.

Hung out with Abe.

Went to the Spy Museum.

And took in the National Museum of American History.

Jack tried Ethiopian food for the first time (liked it).

And had his first Slurpee (also liked).

- S.

June 2022

Back again...going to skip May 2022 because nothing much happened.   Will be posting summaries for the rest of 2022 over the next week and then perhaps pick up with more frequency for 2023.  Not sure what alerts if any people are getting when there's a new post, but at least there will be some updates if people randomly check.

Jack and his buddy at Porchfest.

Driveway bubbles

Exploring the nearby pond.

Blue trees art installation in Salem.

A very reluctant last day of school photo.

School is out, time to travel.

- S.

April 2022 (Florida)

In April we went to Florida which was a trip that was initially planned for April 2020, but we know what happened there.  It seems not much else happened in April as I don't have many other photos other than from Florida, so here are a few photos from the trip, mostly of Jack standing in front of things.

 We spent a day at Legoland.  

It was interesting and there were some neat things to see and do, 

but Jack seemed to be at the high end of the age range for many things,

so likely we wouldn't go back again.

We also went to Hollywood Studios, mainly for the Star Wars stuff.

Make-your-own lightsaber.

A Star Wars character who I don't know, but Derrick and Jack do.

Dad about to get sliced on the "Main Street" of Hollywood Studios.

We also went to Kennedy Space Center which was enjoyed by all.

Inside the front gate.

With the shuttle Atlantis.

Spaceman Jack

- S.