New England Mamas

The Maine (Shopping) Attraction

This past weekend, my husband and I headed away from our Trenches full of kids for a getaway weekend.  Our destination?  Freeport, Maine and the land of Subarus and LLBean.  (Freeport is about a 2-1/2 hour drive from Boston.)

Oh, the Places You'll Go...

(This review is written by my sister, Mrs Q, who will slowly be sucked into the blogging world, mark my words.  Until then, please enjoy this review she so graciously agreed to provide for your reading enjoyment):

On a recent trek to Western Massachusetts, my family made a pit stop at the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. Located in the gardens in and about the Springfield Museums (the "quadrangle" as us locals used to call it), this larger-than-life collection of sculptures bears tribute to the late Theodor Seuss Geisel, who was born and raised in Springfield.

Seuss' step-daughter, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, created the bronze sculptures of Dr. Seuss' favorite characters -- the Cat in the Hat, Yertle the Turtle, the Grinch and the Lorax -- even the author himself.  My two "things" especially enjoyed the massive sculpture of story time characters springing from an open book, including Thing One and Thing Two, Horton the Elephant and Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose.

The surrounding gardens are lush and invite visitors to walk around or linger and enjoy a brown-bagged lunch on one of the many park benches (in fact, much to the delight of my son, one bench includes a bronzed forgotten lunch bag and parcel of groceries). Unfortunately, most sculptures include "do not climb" signs around them (for obvious reasons), but there's a wonderful photo op on a large chair among the open pages of a ten-foot-tall copy of "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" (Beware of "oh, the places you'll burn" when sitting on a bronze chair in the summer sun.)

The sculpture garden is free to the public, and free parking is located in an adjacent lot. The garden is ringed with the Springfield Library and a number of art, history and science museums; a nominal admission fee includes all four museums. Some picnic tables are located under a large tent near the parking lot.

The garden is relatively small, so I'm not sure I could recommend it as its own field trip. However, if you are driving through the Springfield area anyway (say, for a trip to Six Flags or, um, gulp, a 20th high school reunion), this makes a nice place for young kids to run off some energy.  It's a lovely way to bring beloved books to life and remember the gifted mind behind some of the most imaginative stories ever told. As you make your way out, make sure to look up and enjoy the tumbling tower of top hats that reach up to the sky.

Dr. Seuss would be proud.

My Ultimate: Food, Glorious Food

("My Ultimate" will run most Tuesdays and will feature any topic that hops into my head.  The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the other New England Mamas. . . although they should).

I've been making lists lately.  This one is all about food that is made right here in New England.  Anything I've marked with an asterisk (*), I can buy in my local supermarket.  Have any to add?

Echo Farms Pudding* (NH):  Never would I have thought that Tapioca Pudding could make me speechless, but this one does it.

Apsara's Nim Chow (RI):  Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls that I've enjoyed for more than 15 years.   Love going on a Saturday night and seeing the dressed-up adults rubbing elbows with the punk kids.

Wicked Whoopies (ME):  Just had these for my sister's birthday party and, oh my, the Raspberry  & Creme pies are the best.

Red Rose Pizza (MA):  I've already written of this pizza's superpowers.   But, the best part?  I get to have it later this week!  Woo Hoo!

Del's Frozen Lemonade (RI):   Icy lemon with hunks of chewy, frozen rind in it.  Ooo la la!

Ben & Jerry's Lemon Meringue ice cream (VT):  Tried this at the Scoop Shop in Stowe, but (sob) have not been able to find it down here.

Bliss Dairy Raspberry Chunky Fudge (MA):  My latest and greatest crush. 

Stonyfield Farm's Whole Milk Vanilla Yogurt* (NH):  The tippity top of this is heaven in creme form.

Wasiks Nor'easter Pepper Jelly (MA):  Give me a wedge of cheese, some crackers and their Pepper Jelly and leave me alone.

Coffee Exchange (RI):  Before Dunkin Donut's Coolatta, before Starbucks' Frapuccino, I fell in love with the Granitas at this little coffee shop.  Still order my beans from them now.

And, last but not least, we get most of my vegetables through this CSA, we pick fruit in season here and even hope to get our meat locally.  I should just start driving in to meet the fishermen off the docks since the best piece of fish I've ever had was from my husband who caught a haddock on a guys-only fishing trip.

My Ultimate: About a Girl

("My Ultimate" will run most Tuesdays (0k, it is almost Wednesday) and will feature any topic that hops into my head.  The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the other New England Mamas. . . although they should).

Every time we go, we talk about a little girl who died.

"How old was she, Mommy?"

"Why did she die?"

"What was her name?"

"Was this all hers?"

I tell them what I can: 

She was 9. 

She had a lot of things go wrong with her body, but, in many ways, she lived a life a lot like your own. 

Her name was Julia. 

She used to visit this park with her parents.  After she died, they wanted to do something to celebrate her life that other children could enjoy too.

It is such a sad story.

And yet, Julia's Garden, found in WWI Memorial Park in North Attleboro, Massachusetts is anything but sad as the sound of children laughing and shrieking fills the air. 

It is a place that has parents gazing around in awe at the artistic benches, life-size unicorn (well,  what I imagine 'life-size' would be), and the hundreds of flowering bushes.

It has us choking back tears as we read about the little girl for whom this garden is named. 

But, it is also a place where kids excitedly climb a rope ladder to slide down the longest slide I've ever seen.

Where they get squirted in the face with water.

Where they can run up a wooded hill and find a large playground with more slides, swings, cars and picnic tables.

It is a place any child would love.  And, while I am glad I am able to make such happy memories with my children there, I will always think of that little girl.   May she be able to see all that she has left behind.

Try To Set The Night On Fire

Last night, the kids got to stay up late enough to see a river lit on fire.  It was the first WaterFire of the '08 season, and we decided to ignore usual bedtimes in order to be there.

We started our evening at the Providence Place Mall, eating dinner at Dave & Buster's, where no one seemed to mind that Jilly spilled her lemonade, not once, but twice.  After a few video games in their arcade, we were ready to go outside and get positioned for the lighting of the fires. 

Having never been at the start of the event, I had no idea how the whole thing would begin.  The Mall is at one end of the fire's route, so we just started following the path of the river.  It was about 7p.m., about an hour before sunset when the fires would be lit.

In the river were floating buoys filled with wood, waiting for the start.  A beautiful gondola pushed a couple through the still waters.   Vendors sold glow-in-the dark light sabers and necklaces although we convinced the kids to wait until we found WaterFire volunteers selling their "Ribbons of Light" necklaces which double as a fund raiser.  Unfortunately, WaterFire is also feeling the economic pinch; with fewer corporate sponsors this year, they've had to cut back the number of fires that will be lit through October. 

With my kids' tired legs and my husband's broken toe, we did not venture far down the river's route.  We heard that at the other end, closer to the colleges, were more festivities, but we were content to find a spot to sit at  WaterPlace Basin, where the fires are set up in a large circle.  Outside one restaurant, there was beer and wine for sale.  We chose instead to fuel up on Del's Lemonade.

The area around us became crowded with people, and it was a true melting pot of ages, ethnicities and styles (my kids really liked the guy with rainbow-colored hair).  We saw several people walking dogs and pushing babies in strollers.  People ate and drank at the restaurants with outdoor seating along the river.  My kids rolled down a grassy hill as we waited for sunset.

Shortly after 8:00, music started to play through the loudspeakers---a slow, drumming beat.  A few songs played as we sat in the dark.  Finally, we saw a boat appear, followed by several others piled with wood and black-clad volunteers.  A torch was lit and the fire was passed from boat to boat.  Most of the boats then headed back upstream but two stayed in our circle.  After positioning the boats at opposite ends of the circle, they began to light the fires in front of us. 

The crowd cheered.   The atmosphere, though, was calm and soothing.  Many stood to walk up river, although we chose to sit a while and watch the flames grow higher.  The river seemed to glow as it reflected the light.   The ambient music continued to play as we slowly got up and began our walk back to the car with sleepy children in tow. 

The next WaterFire is Friday, May 30th (see a complete schedule here---scroll down page for dates).  Beginning in August, the lightings will occur before 8pm, so those with early bedtimes can attend without too much disruption to their schedule.  Don't miss it.

The Magic of Magic Wings

If you're from the Midwest, you'll probably have a better understanding of this post.  This is particularly true if you've ever been to Wisconsin Dells.  Wisconsin Dells is a giant water slide park.  There are several random exhibits in the area, like the one where my friends and I fed over 100 tame, white tail deer or the house that appears to defy gravity (really it's built on an angle). 

I posted a few weeks ago about museum passes, and someone made a comment about the butterfly museum.  My older son is very intrigued by butterflies so I thought it would be a lot of fun.  A friend of mine and I therefore decided to carpool to Magic Wings near Springfield, MA. 

As we were approaching, I racked my brain for the name of this butterfly place.  I thought it might be Magic Wings.  As I tried to confirm that name in my mind, one image immediately popped into my head:  Wisconsin Dells. 

We went inside and after some confusion about where to get tickets, having to park our strollers which are not allowed in the gift shop or the actual butterfly conservatory, we walked into the exhibit.  At first I was very disappointed and a little miffed that I had just spent $20.  The first room had a bunch of display cases with different butterflies, small reptiles, and quails that had just hatched.  I repeatably saw the slogan "more than butterflies" throughout the museum.  Before I wanted to see more, I wanted to actually see butterflies.  Once I realized this wasn't the actual butterfly conservatory, I felt better about the exhibit, and I did chuckle at the slogan and the displays.   

The actual butterfly conservatory was really cool.  Well, it depends on who you ask.  My boys and I really enjoyed it.  Butterflies swooped down from all over the place.  Despite the pictures on the wesbsite though, we didn't have many butterflies land on us.  In fact, I don't remember a single butterfly landing on us, a point which my 4 year old was quick to point out in disapointment.  Neither my friend nor her son were as impressed.  She said she felt like she was in Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds except with butterflies.  A bunch of the kids there looked uncomfortable, but then again a lot of others really seemed to be enjoying it.  They also had some small cages of birds, more reptiles, and a small pond with giant goldfish in it.  These random combinations only further reminded me of the Wisconsin Dells.  My boys loved it. 

Based on my friend's first experience, it was just the boys and me for our visit after our lunch break.  We all had a good time.  My only complaint was that it was warm (understandable because of the butterflies.)  Also, I found several of the other customers to be a little rude and pushy.  I wouldn't recommend going there on the weekend; even on Tuesday it was pretty crowded and hard to move around in the conservatory.  Apparently there is more space available for butterflies than I realized.  When he got home from work, my husband asked which butterfly museum we had visited.   We'll have to check out the other one too.

It's a Wonder-Full, Chipmunk-Filled Life

(Stay tuned at the bottom of this post for information on my wonderfully fun contest details!)

We just took Sweetie to The Boston Museum of Science this past weekend. For such a smart, curious, silly little girl, there was no greater place we could have taken her!

(While at the museum, Sweetie introduced herself to another mom and little girl, saying - My name is {Sweetie}. I'm really smart and a little curious. And extremely humble too, I might add. What's with this a little curious business? She's been saying that about herself for weeks! I mean, she is curious, but we've not made a habit of telling her she is at all.)

Anyway -

At the museum, Sweetie got electric...

And she boogie oogie oogied....

In fact, she had a fiercely good time with all the mirrors...

Then we viewed some wickedly deceptive artwork...

Before ending the day with a lighter activity - butterfly-making in the Discovery Center!

Yes, we all had a wonderful/wonder-filled day of learning, playing and laughing at the museum. Sweetie's already talking about our next trip there!

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And now for my All-Official-Actually-For-Real-Exciting-DVD-Give-Away Contest!!!

I have been given 3 copies of the brand new DVD Alvin and the Chipmunks. Sweetie actually got her own early copy from the Easter Bunny and has enjoyed both the wide screen and the full screen versions multiple times in the last week. But that's okay because this is one movie that's truly funny - entertaining parents and kids alike.

And now, I'm sharing with you! That's right - I have those 3 copies and I will give them away to 3 of my readers. Here's what you have to do:

If you'd like to be entered into my Alvin and the Chipmunks DVD Contest, please just leave a comment on this post. And if you'd like to tell me A) your most wonder-filled childhood memory, B) A wonder-full moment you experienced with your own child(ren), or C) your favorite Alvin and the Chipmunks related memory - well, that would be pretty dang awesome too.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to leave said comment on said post before the stroke of midnight (EST - or there abouts. I'm not that picky) on Friday, April 4th 2008. From those timely entrants, I will randomly choose 3 winners using a highly scientific names-from-a-hat method. I'll announce the winners in my next Sweetie Saturday post on April 5th.

That's it! May the best reader win!

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Cross-posted at Sweetie & Me - Spina Bifida Moms.

My Ultimate: Turning Japanese

("My Ultimate" will run most Tuesdays and will feature any topic that hops into my head.  The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the other New England Mamas. . . although they should).

A couple of weeks ago, I was in a dark place.  I tried to put together a post of things that make me happy, but it made me gag in its forced cheeriness, so I never published it. 

Don't worry, I'm not publishing it now either. 

But, one thing I noticed was that several of the things I like are Made In Japan.  And then, yesterday, I got a link from Fred Flare that told me that I'm not alone.  Hold me down---cute Japanese stuff!

Here are my own contributions to things I love from that little sliver of a country:

*  Sushi:  Yes, a given, I know.  And I'm pretty certain that the Japanese are not eating roll after roll of Idaho Maki or Philadelphia Maki (but, damn, they are good!). 

Like many of my generation, my first exposure to sushi was when I saw the Breakfast Club and saw Claire open her odd little lunch box.  I was in full agreement with Bender when he ask, incredulously, "You won't accept a guy's tongue in your mouth, and you're going to eat that?"

Flash forward a bazillion years, and now my girls will screech like Price is Right winners when we say we are getting sushi for dinner.  I love that they will clamor for Vegetable Maki even though a piece of avocado would normally send them running for the hills. 

I also love the Fairly Odd Father paid for me to take a sushi-making class through RISD's Continuing Education.  One Saturday afternoon, my sister and I had a hands-on, eat-what-you-make class at Haruki Restaurant.  I don't make it at home often, but the last time, I had my then-six-year-old help me in the kitchen and it really is not that difficult to do. 

*  Bizarre television show:  While scrolling through Cute Overload last week, we kept seeing photos of an odd trend in animal antics.  People are covering their pets in treats to see how many they can stack before the critter gives in and starts to eat.  It sounds pretty mean, but it can't be any worse than making cupcakes in front of a toddler and telling him that he needs to wait until after dinner to have one (I suppose for an accurate analogy, I'd have to stack cupcakes all around the toddler, but we all know how that would end). 

Anyway, we had to wipe tears from our eyes watching clips from a Japanese show  where they place treats in front of dogs or a chimp.  So wrong, but so funny.

*  Amigurumi:   This is a type of crocheting that made me pick up the crochet hook (no lie).  Unfortunately, I can still only make a r-e-a-l-l-y long and skinny worm.  But, the good people of etsy keep me hoping that someday, oh someday, I, too, will be able to make a banana with eyes.  Or check out this little fella.  I can't wait until summer when I can make a few of his brethren to eat:

*  Egg Molds:  I should've mentioned these well in advance of Easter, because by now, you are likely sick to death of hard-boiled eggs.   If not, these little plastic molds will take your boring white hard-boiled egg (the insides, of course) and turn it into a bunny, a bear, a car or a fish.

You'd be surprised how many hard boiled eggs a kid will eat when they are shaped like this:

or this:

 

*  Finally, a nod to that ubiquitous Hello Kitty character who is on just about everything.  I also dig her Sanrio counterparts such as Keroppi, Badtz0Maru and Chococat.  But, mostly, I'm listing this because it gives me an excuse to repost this picture:

Sayonara!

Before Cabin Fever Takes Over. . .(Part 3)

(Part 1 here; Part 2 here)

A few days ago, the kids and I went to one of their favorite places for food and play:  IKEA.  Yes, IKEA. 

Now, I'm going to assume most of you know of the Stoughton location and may have even been there for a shopping binge trip.  But, you may not have thought of it as a place to spend a few quality hours with the kids on a lazy afternoon.  I will attempt to show you how you can do this without spending a fortune.   

First a couple of "don't say I didn't warn you's":

1. Under no circumstances should you attempt to do this excursion on a weekend or other major shopping day.  I've had to run into IKEA on a Saturday (alone) and nearly suffered a panic attack.  If I had to watch my children AND maneuver through the crowds, I don't think I'd make it.

2.  This is not a good idea if you've never been to IKEA and really, really want to look at everything and SHOP.  The kids will think the shopping is fun for about ten minutes, and it is a R-E-A-L-L-Y big place.   There is always a mom trying to ignore her weeping child as she looks at "just one more thing".  Forget it.  If you want to really shop, go without the kids.

3.  Don't attempt this if you can't control yourself among all the inexpensive racks of stuff.  Set a limit to how much you are willing to spend, bring cash and leave the credit cards at home. 

Now, here is my plan: when I take the kids, there are three, sometimes four, areas we need to hit.  The first three can be done in any order, depending on your moods (with some scheduling which will be noted). 

(First, a tip:  when you pull into the parking lot, one of the first aisles of parking--I believe it is "C"-- has "Family Parking" at the very end.  There are about 5-6 spots specifically reserved for families, and it allows you to get the kids into the store without having to walk behind any cars in the parking lot.)

Stop 1

Look for the drop-off play area called "Smalland".  It is a brightly colored, fully staffed play area that is available to kids who are both potty trained and within the required height markers.   It is a good idea to check this place first since it can fill up quickly and wait times for a spot can get long.  On our last visit, we didn't check Smalland until we had done everything else.  When Belly heard that the wait was going to be more than 30 minutes---longer then we could wait---she almost wept. 

If your child goes into Smalland, you will be given a beeper and told what time you need to return to pick up your little love muffin   (usually between 45 minutes and one hour).   There is glass on the side of Smalland so that you can watch your child for a bit before you tear off into the store. (My recommendation?  If you want to buy things, stick to the first floor, the Marketplace; if you want to browse and look at things, go upstairs to the Showroom). 

When I take the kids, usually the girls go into Smalland, but I'm still left with my tall-enough but-still-in-diapers son.  We will usually head to the Showroom to walk around.  He sits on couches and runs through each room display.  There are strategically placed mini puppet theaters around the Showroom for him to play in as well.

Stop 2

A visit to IKEA without food would be a real downer, so our second stop is always the cafeteria which is on the second floor.  To get there, take the elevator (next to Smalland) to the second floor, and it will pretty much open into the cafeteria.  Restrooms are also nearby  (and please forgive this bizarre display of affection, but the bathrooms even have cute, teeny tiny sinks just for the kids! Hold me!)

If you have a load of kids, grab one of the metal carts that allow you to slide your trays onto little shelves---so much easier to carry everything.  There are several options for the kids, from Mac & Cheese to Swedish Meatballs and Fries.   They even sell those little PB&J frisbee-sandwich things.  My three adore the meatballs & fries, which comes with a drink (I wish they offered lids for their cute little plastic cups.  Without fail, one of my kids knocks their drink all over the place).

For us grown ups, there are plenty of options.  I was saddened to see my favorite vegetarian dish was replaced by an Alfredo-sauce/Vegetable/Pasta combo, but it tasted good and was a bargain at $3.99 for the pasta, garlic bread and salad.  Our four meals cost just over $11.

If your kids don't need you to feed them, head to the brightly colored plastic eating area.   They can sit with their meals at little IKEA tables and chairs and watch a movie while they eat (Monster's Inc was on Thursday).   I sat at the counter around the play area and wished I had brought a book or a friend.

Stop 3

Just outside the cafeteria, on the other side of the elevators, is the children's merchandise.  Here you can buy toys, art supplies, night lights, swings and stuffed animals.  What makes this a "stop" on our playdate is that IKEA has placed a bunch of these items in the middle of the floor for the kids to 'try out'.  There are pop-up tents, a see-saw, tables and chairs, a big air mattress and a few other toys.  While you need to keep your eye on your kids in this section, lest they wander away (yup, happened to me, so heed my warning), it is possible to browse the aisles nearby for drawing paper, storage bins or fun lamps.  When your kids ask you to buy them a cute, squishy stuffed animal, do what I do and tell them the animal lives at the store and needs to stay with his friends.     You could just say no, but I prefer my lies.

Optional Stop 4

By now, the kids should be full and tired.  Make your way back downstairs---if you have any merchandise, you will need to walk through the Marketplace and the Warehouse to find the registers.  My advice is to ignore the signs, find an employee and ask them for the fastest route to the registers.  IKEA has directional signs everywhere, but these signs are designed to insure that you miss no section of the store.  If you follow them, be ready to walk for quite a ways.  There are carriages on this floor, so tired kids can ride. 

Just past the registers, you will find my "Optional Stop 4".  I say this is optional because, chances are, no one is still hungry for food.  But, IF the kids still need a small smackeral (as Pooh would say), there is an "Exit Bistro" which sells hot dogs, ice cream cones, cinnamon rolls and other low-fat, healthy food items (ha!).   Prices are cheap, cheap, cheap (my suggestion:  grab a bag of frozen meatballs too;  they come in handy when you have no time to make dinner).

And, rejoice!  Spring is here, so it is only a matter of time until cabin fever is just a distant memory.

O'Baby! That's Good Food!

I have a cousin who lives in Beverly, MA. She was my matron of honor at my wedding. She one of my very good friends. But, we don't get to see each other too often.

A month ago, though, I was on vacation from work, so we arranged to meet up at our grandmother's house in Acton, MA. That is just about the half way point for both of us, plus it gives us the opportunity to visit with our loving family matriarch. Sounds great!

Hubby happened to be off from work that day as well, so he, Sweetie and I made the trip to MA. My cousin brought along her toddler daughter and newborn son. We had a wonderful visit!

Around noon, we said goodbye to our grandmother and headed to a new cafe to catch a bite to eat. We went to O'Naturals. And, oh baby, was it awesome!

My cousin is a strict vegetarian. Hubby, Sweetie and I do not eat red meat. Even with those restriction, O'Natural's was a great hit all around with plenty of options for everyone. In fact, they pride themselves on all natural, organic food offerings and are very community friendly.

Heck! Sweetie ate her entire grilled cheese sandwich which, if you know anything about Sweetie, that in itself is saying a lot!

Hubby seriously could not stop talking - All Day Long - about the fabulous bread. OMG! Seriously awesome, tasting, crisp-yet-moist sandwich bread. Perfect!

O'Naturals offers soups, sandwiches, a good childrens' menu, and lots of tasty beverages. They even have a play area, complete with a train set and play kitchen, for the kids to amuse themselves at while the adults finish up. The prices are great as well. Really, there's not a bad thing I can say about O'Naturals.

So if you find yourself near Acton and get a hankering for something yummy and wholesome to eat, head on in to O'Naturals. You won't regret it.