Monday – Ducks, Frogs and Trolley’s

Day 4 – Captains Log. Today I woke up extra early because I was so excited to get out and see Boston. Mama and Daddy took a while to get going which was kinda annoying. I had eaten breakfast, had a butt change and put on clothes before they were even dressed. Sigh. Parents…

Once they were finally dressed we headed out to find them some breakfast. Not sure why they didn’t just eat puffs and yogurt like me. We found an Au Bon Pain and they got egg sandwiches and let me have a couple of bites. Next time I’m holding out for a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich too. No wonder they didn’t want the puffs.

After some breakfast nosh we headed to a park. Mama must have studied the map because she knew exactly where it was. We strolled around and saw loads of squirrels and birds. Daddy stopped after a little while and let me get out to see the ducks in the pond. I wanted to go swimming with them! They were having so much fun splashing around. I’d be a good duck because I’m a good splasher too. I have to figure out how

they stay on top of the water though without their Mama or Daddy. I end up under the water and it’s hard to see under there. All the fun is on top of the water. I’ll add that to my list of things to google once Mama stops hogging the ‘puter.

After Daddy was done trying to keep me away from the water, he put me back in my stroller and we continued on our trek. A few feet away there were more ducks! They were shiny and there were lots of kids jumping on them and trying to ride them.

I ran over to them to make sure they weren’t getting hurt. Some of those kids looked too big to be riding on them! There were 8 baby ducks and a Mama duck. I think they were looking for the water to find the other ducks. I tried to show one of them where the water was but they just didn’t move.

Mama and Daddy put me back into the stroller and we started to head towards the hotel. After a few minutes I tried to tell Mama that we were going the wrong way but she was convinced that she was going the right way and wouldn’t listen to anyone… not even the map on her phone! Once we were at the highway, she let Daddy lead the way back to the park. When we got to the park she remembered how to get back home. We got to the hotel just in time to see the nice ladies vacuuming the room. I was a little distressed since I had left some puffs on the ground so I would be able to have a snack when we got back to the room. I inspected the floor and under the bed to see if they had gotten them all. They had. :( I was a little annoyed and started to shoo them away. They thought I was waving and that I was soooo cute. I mean, yes I am freakin’ adorable but I wasn’t waving. Vacuuming up puffs doesn’t warrant a wave.

Mama got the message and gave me some puffs while my bottle warmed up. I then took a nice long nap so I could be good and energized for our afternoon excursions.

After my nap, we got up and headed out. We had a quick bite to eat and then went back to the park to see the ducks again because this time Daddy had his good camera with him. I petted each one of the ducks and Mama even put me on one of their backs to ride. I wanted to get down because that must hurt them to have someone on their back. Daddy was trying to get lots of pictures of the shiny ducks and me but other people kept getting in the way. Daddy should have just told them I was part duck since I’m a good splasher and then they would have moved! Unfortunately, the shiny ducks must be super popular because people just kept showing up to see them and wouldn’t move so I co

uld get a good picture. Daddy gave up and we went back into the stroller. We headed towards the other park to look for the Frog Pond. I was excited to see some frogs. I saw a frog one time at Auntie Wendy’s house. It hopped on Mama’s foot and scared her. It was funny.

We walked and walked and then Daddy finally saw some water shooting up to the sky. We headed over and there it was. It was the bestest place ever. There were millions of kids and water! There was a big showerhead thing in the middle and lots of kids. I wanted out of my stroller but Mama wanted to put on my bathing suit first. Did I mention there were lots of kids? Mama just took h

er sweet time putting on my bathing suit and swimmy diaper. I kept wanted to jump up and GO but she kept holding me down.

Finally, after a few hours she let me go and I RAN for the water. Mama caught up to me pretty quickly and helped me down into the water since it was a pretty big step. And then I was off!

It was so nice to cool down and splash and run and splash some more. There were tons of kids everywhere, babies, big kids and even their adults. Mama was in the water with me to make sure someone didn’t take me away. I ran to the big showerhead in the middle because there were some big kids there who looked like they were having fun. They were lying down in the water and screaming and yelling and laughing. I laughed too because they were just ridiculous. Why lay down in the water when you can splash? I ran and splashed and even sat down in the water a few times.

After a while we went over to another sprinkler park. That one had a bouncy ground! There weren’t as many kids there but there was a boy who was a few months older than me. He was a scaredy cat and kept crying because of the big kids. I was having so much fun running around and jumping in the puddles. They don’t scare me. The big kids can watch out for me and get out of my way! There were big shiny frogs at this park just like the shiny ducks. I wonder if they’re cousins. After a while my lips were turning blue and I was getting chilly. I was having so much

fun that I didn’t want to tell Mama and Daddy because then they’d say it was time to go. I tried to not shiver too much but I think Mama and Daddy were getting cold too because they said it was time to move on to the next stop. I got toweled off and dressed in some nice warm and dry clothes.

We walked for a while and then we found the place to get tickets to go on a bus ride. We hopped on the bus and even though I was so tired I was a wiggle monster. Mama and I sat next to the window and I kept trying to stick my hands out to wave at everyone passing us by. At a stop light Mama and Daddy traded seats. I guess Mama was afraid that she might fall out the window. I told her I’d hold onto her but she stilled moved. Daddy must have wanted to sit next to the window for a while. Our tour lady, Emily, was super funny. She talked funny too.

We made a stop on the bus and more people got on. This must be a popular bus. Some guys got behind our seat and I waved to them. Then more people go

t on. My arm was getting tired from all the waving so I changed my greeting tactics. I started to blow kisses. My lips were getting chapped from my hands touching them so I went back to waving. I even included a few ‘hi’s’. That really got people smiling. We went around and around and around on the bus. It was lots of fun. We got to a stop and this must have been as far as the bus went because we got off. Daddy gave Emily some green paper in a basket she had. When we got to the little square, we turned around and I waved to everyone. Then everyone else on the bus waved back! It was funny.

I ran around the little square and saw a shiny turtle and rabbit. More ducky cousins! They were everywhere. Maybe they were all looking for each other so they could have a shiny reunion. I sat on the turtle for a while and then helped to scratch the bunny’s ear.

Mama and Daddy were tired to I took them back to the hotel. We ordered room service for dinner. I got a grilled cheese and some fries. It was yummy but Daddy didn’t want me to have too many fries because they were really tasty, I think that he wanted them. Mama said that they had a lot of salt on them, but then I saw the two of them eating them. Sheesh.

Then it was lights out!

Wednesday 8/15 - Baby Beluga, Penguins and Seals. Oh my!

Woke up this morning and wasn’t entirely sure where I was. I’ve been waking up in lots of new places lately. I called out for Mama and Daddy and Daddy came and got me. He then put me into bed with Mama and we cuddled for a few minutes. Then I went to look for Kitty. I looked all over the mobile home but apparently we didn’t bring Kitty with us to Boston. I ate a really good breakfast and then we went for a walk. It must have rained last night because the road was filled with puddles. I had on my rubber crock shoes so Mama let me jump in the puddles.

We walked all over the campsite. We saw people in tents, in cabins, in model homes and mobile homes. There are some people who even own them! I know because they are more decorated than the other ones and have their names on it. While this camping trip has been fun, I can’t imagine loving it so much that I’d come up all the time. But maybe that’s because I haven’t camped in a tent yet. We did get ice cream last night so that was a definite perk.

I had a nap and when I woke up we got in the car and headed to Mystic. Mama and Daddy said Mystic has another aquarium. They must really like fish because it’s the second one in 2 days! We must have taken the scenic route or else Mama and Daddy cracked up. They kept saying “moo” and making all sorts of turns.

Finally we got there and found a parking spot pretty close to the entrance. We paid and went straight to the baby beluga whale exhibit. I didn’t know they were white! We sing the song all the time and there is nothing about them being white! It was so cool to see them. There were at least 3 of them in the pool. Two of them were playing. Looked like they were biting each other to me. There were some rocks and fun places to crawl around near the exhibit. That was lots of fun.

We made our way to the penguin section. That was really cool. There was a super big penguin that was kinda shiny like the ones in Boston. Must be distant relatives. There were even some penguins on a bench! Daddy got some super cute photos of me on the bench with them. There was a under the water section so we could see the penguins while they were swimming. When you tap on the glass and move your hand on it, the penguins come and play with you! They loved it when I played with the glass. It was fun. I wish I could have petted them. I’d have petted them super gently.

We then went and looked at some seals. They were pretty neat too. The lady told a story about one of the seals wanting to be with people instead of seals. The seal kept coming onto shore and even did a walk a thon because it didn’t want to be in the water. Makes total sense to me. After 2 aquariums in 2 days, I’m an expert on what’s in the water… all sorts of scary things! Pretty things, but scary too like sharks and jelly fish.

Speaking of sharks, I was really brave because I got to pet a shark. It was just sleeping on the sand in the water and I got to touch it. I didn’t touch the tail though because apparently that is really sensitive. I wouldn’t want strangers touching my butt either. That’s just rude.

When we were done walking around the place we went to the gift store. I found 2 stuffed animals that I just loved loved loved. A white seal and a white polar bear. Mama laughed because her favorite stuffed animal when she was little was a white puppy. I guess liking white animals runs in the family! I love my seal and my polar bear so much. I like to bury my face in their super soft fur. I like to have one on each side of my face. It tickles.

Mama also got a book and some post cards for my scrapbook and to mail off. I’ll be busy tomorrow writing up all my postcards so we can send them.

Before we left, Mama had the aquarium people validate our tickets. This means that we can come back the next 2 days for FREE! I can’t wait. I’d like to see those white whales and penguins again. Maybe I can get another stuffed animal… like a whale or a penguin. I’ll practice my puppy dog eyes tonight.

We got back from the aquarium and I went down for a little nap. Once I woke up we went for a walk down to the food area. I met up with 2 big girls and their 2 dollies. I told them about my dolly and they let me hold one of their dolls. I didn’t want to give it back and I got sad because my dolly was back in my pack n play and I missed her. I didn’t know I could bring her to dinner! I had fun running around with the two big girls and going up and down the stairs. Mama was always close by watching me and helping me down the stairs.

Daddy waved for us to come over so we could eat dinner. I ate ham, eggs, cheese, yogurt, blueberries and carrots. I love blueberries. They’re so fun to squish. Plus you can paint with them if you squeeze them on something white. It’s so fun. Try it.

We walked back to the mobile home and saw some girls playing keep the ball up in the air. Daddy went and got my blue ball while Mama and I ran around in the soccer field. When Daddy came, he and I played catch and throw the ball. I kept falling down because I was getting sleepy. I didn’t want to go inside though because I was having so much fun. We heard thunder and decided it was a good idea for us to head on in. I ran around some more inside while Mama and Daddy packed up. We have to check out early tomorrow morning so they wanted most of the packing done tonight. Mama put me in my pack n play and I cried and cried. Daddy came and got me and I had pooped. I tried telling them but I swear sometimes they are just not listening! Mama changed me, put on my pjs and into my sleep sack I went. I grabbed dolly, my bear, blanket and pillows and laid down to go to sleep.

8/14 - Tuesday – Myrtle the Turtle and camping

Mama woke up this morning and called down to the front desk to find out what time we had to leave. She and Daddy then decided that we should just get all packed up and head on out to the Boston Aquarium.

We arrived at the aquarium about 8 minutes too late to take part in the “early fish’ special where you can park all day for $15. I told Mama to drive faster but she said something about the law saying no. Oh well.

After circling around for hours we finally found a parking spot, we unloaded what we needed and then found the elevator. Mama and Daddy bought their tickets. I didn’t need one because I’m under 3 years old. That was pretty cool. After we got the tickets we went on the hunt for breakfast. I wasn’t hungry since I had already eaten but once again, Mama and Daddy didn’t want any puffs or yogurt. They got their food and we ate. Mama bought me some watermelon and I had fun sucking all the juice out of it.

Finally, they were done and we went back to the aquarium. We got a locker to put all of our stuff in and then we were off. We started with the touch tank. I got to touch a sting ray. I thought that was pretty neat. Except for the fact that you have to be very still. Hello people, I’m 14 months. I’m only still when I sleep… sometimes.

After the sting rays, we washed our hands and sanitized them. Then, we saw them. Mama said that they were Daddy’s favorites – penguins! I can see why. They’re adorable. I wanted to take one home with me but Daddy said that while our house is super cold at night because Mama gets so hot, that we didn’t have enough water for them to swim in. We should get a pool. Then we can have penguins. Problem solved. Daddy took lots of pictures and Mama let me run around. Daddy saw a penguin poop. That was funny.

We went up up up on this ramp thingy and saw lots of fish. It was really crowded and everything was high up so it was kinda hard to see. We saw all sorts of fish, seahorses, a sea dragon, jelly fish and eels. Daddy then pointed her out – Myrtle the Turtle! I donated a $1 and got a sticker to help Myrtle the Turtle move to a new house. Not sure why she would want to move since she already knew her neighbors. What if her new neighbors weren’t nice? Or had flamingos as decoration? At least here she has lots of fish and other turtles. But I digress.

We walked up to the top and got to look inside the tank. Myrtle the Turtle swam over to me and I said hi. She kept following me. She must have wanted to ask me for some decorating ideas. I told her to put up pictures of fish and water.

There was a guy there feeding Myrtle lettuce and a camera man taking a video. It was nice to be a part of Myrtle’s home movies. Now she’ll remember what I told her about decorating.

We were done with the aquarium pretty quickly and then headed outside. Mama and Daddy put on my swim suit and diaper. I was starting to get nervous and I told them that I didn’t want to swim with the fish, but Mama is Italian. Then I saw it. A sprinkler like yesterday! This one was neat too! The water went up and then went away for a while. Then came back. I ran around and had a great time.

The sprinkler got me right up the nose and then I was done. I had fun but was ready to not drown anymore. Mama and Daddy got me dressed and we got into the car. We headed to Connecticut to our next location. It wasn’t that long of a drive and I slept for a little while. We found our camping place and checked in. Mama rented us a mobile home, which means that the place where we are sleeping has wheels. I ha

d fun running around the mobile home and hiding between the wall and the couch. I am also an expert at opening up doors. I can even do it one handed WHILE drinking a bottle.

After we were all settled we went for a little walk.

I saw a playground, some pools and lots of kids. There was even a rock driveway. I had fun picking up the rocks and pretending that I was going to eat them. Got Daddy every time… I know rocks aren’t food – I’m not a baby. Mama and I went to the playground while Daddy went to order some dinner. I was running towards the swing that someone had left swinging and got hit right in the head. I was so stunned I fell completely backwards and hit the back of my head. It hurt so much that when I cried I couldn’t even get any sound out. Mama scooped me up, gave me kisses and we walked around a bit. I had a bit of a headache and would rub my head every once in a while while I played. I did end up having fun climbing up some stairs and then going down a slide. I didn’t want to swing though.

Mama kept referencing some movie about dancing. I didn’t see any dancing though. Maybe Mama meant singing instead of dancing. I definitely heard singing. I ate dinner while some of the kids sang karaoke. I tried to sing along even though I didn’t know the words. After dinner we walked back to our mobile home and I had a bath. Then I gave kisses to Mama and Daddy and went to sleep.

Sunday 8/12 - Boston Bound

Woke up this morning to the sound of torrential downpour. I knew what it was because I have a rain sound machine, so I’m kinda an expert on rain noises. Not to mention I heard Daddy say it was raining really hard. I woke up bright and bushy tailed and ready to start the day. Nana was up really early too. Daddy said that I woke her up, but I think she was too excited to see me to sleep any longer. Nana and Mama got some coffee and I went off to check for Kitty. Daddy found me before I was up the stairs… drats.

It was a pretty uneventful morning. Coffee, breakfast, naptime. After my nap though, things got interesting. We went to an old country store right next to Auntie Wendy’s house. It was so cool! There was a wooden bear outside and I waved hello. Mama and Daddy showed me all sorts of cool things but then didn’t let me have any. Apparently you have to have teeth in order to eat candy. I’ve never heard of this before. Come to think of it, I should have checked the fine print.

We walked all around the store and found a super old piano. You put in a coin and it plays! What’s funny is that a person doesn’t even have to touch it. It plays all by itself! Not sure why everyone doesn’t have a piano like that. It was really loud and definitely needs a tune up, but it was still cool to see. I was getting hot and sleepy so it was time to say ‘see ya later’ to everyone. I gave kisses to everyone and Mama and Daddy gave hugs and we were on our way to ‘pawk the caw in the Hawvawd yawd’. Apparently the people in Boston can’t pronounce their ‘Rs’. I don’t blame them it’s not an easy one. I slept for a little while and then was just too excited to sleep anymore. I sang and played “guess why I’m crying”. Mama and Daddy didn’t guess it right cause we didn’t stop the car again until we got to Boston.

We got to our hotel, checked in and then went back downstairs for lunch. Mama gave me some of her yummy pizza and Daddy gave me some turkey from his sandwich. I also had my fave, puffs, as well as some yogurt. I did “cheers” with Daddy and Mama took a picture.

After lunch it was time for a nap. When we woke up (Mama and Daddy took a nap

too), we went out on the town. We walked to some fancy shopping street and saw all the store windows. All the shops were closed though. We then came across an ice cream place and we all got ice cream!

Well, I got Vanilla ice cream in a cup and Daddy got a milkshake or something. Mama got a fruit smoothie. My ice cream was delish. We then walked back to the hotel and I had some dinner. Then it was time for a quick shower and off to dreamland. But not before i got into a nice comfy hotel robe to watch some tv with the remote i found.

Saturday – Luau time!

Today was Nana’s birthday party. Daddy said it wasn’t her real birthday though. I was so confused. That’s ok though. Daddy said that there would be cake anyway. Phew! I got up extra early because I was excited to see the Kitty. I wanted to make sure that Kitty wasn’t just a dream. While Mama was getting her very LOUD cup of coffee, I snuck off very quietly and ninja like to find Kitty. I forgot that Daddy was ninja-like too because just as I reached the stairs AND saw Kitty, he grabbed me. I tried to explain to him that I wasn’t going to steal kitty. I just wanted to say hi. Daddy said that everyone was still sleeping. Whose fault is that? That’s their problem if they are still sleeping instead of following Kitty or playing on the stairs. Don’t they know that stairs and Kitty are far more interesting than sleep?

Eventually, all the sleepyheads woke up and came downstairs. I had breakfast and in general entertained everyone with my super cuteness. Mama, Daddy, Auntie Wendy and Uncle Ken were busy running around and bringing stuff outside and then stuff inside and then back outside again. The cousins took me outside eventually to play. I had fun running around and kicking a ball. Nana showed up while I was taking a nap. She should have gotten there earlier so I could have showed her Kitty. After my nap and lunch, Mama put on my sunflower dress that Mumsie got for me. I was super cute and I had fun twirling around in my dress. Lots of people showed up for Nana’s party. I recognized everyone because most of them came to my birthday party, which wasn’t that long ago. Plus they went to Nana’s America party.

Dianne brought a puppy!!! She was soooo cute! I patted her gently too. I ran around a lot and waved a lot to everyone. I even got Mama to take me swimming! I made sure she went to the bathroom first though. I heard a rumor that she pees in pools. Ga-ross! The pool was a little chilly at first but with everyone running around and playing it warmed up quickly. Although now that I think about it, I was near Mama. Uh oh

There was a little sprinkler hose thing in the pool and that was fun. It got the top of my head all wet. Once we were done swimming, I got on some dry clothes and then it was time for another nap. I was exhausted. Plus I was still trying to figure out if there was a way for me to climb out of my pack n play to go find Kitty. Mama and Daddy put me down for a nap and told the cousins to keep an ear out for me. I didn’t know ears came off. How gross is that? I thought only noses came off when you did that petrifying game of “I got your nose”. Now I have to worry about my ears falling off too.

When I woke up, my cousins came and grabbed me and brought me to Mama who was outside. She checked my diaper to see if I had a bad butt. I did. Ha ha. 5 minutes and a new butt later I was ready to re-join the party. Daddy was busy taking photos of hummingbirds so I ran around near Mama and the chairs. Mr and Mrs. Collins bought me a pink chair and I had a great time sitting in it. I even got fancy and sat on my knees in it! Mama told me to turn around, but I had already done that… how did she think I got on my knees and on the chair backwards?

Once everyone left it was time to take a bath. Gavin and Ryan came to help Mama. I turned on the showerhead as the water was on and gave Mama a little shower too. My cousins thought that was soooo funny.

What can I say… I’m a hoot!

Friday 8/10 - First Family Vaca

Today Mama, Daddy and I are heading off to MA for our first family vacation! I was so excited yesterday I didn't want to nap. Mama said that we will be spending the night at Auntie Wendy's house tonight and tomorrow. I’m excited for a cousin sleepover even if I don’t get to sleep in a bunk bed.

Mama got out of work a little early which was a good thing because she put off packing until right before we were leaving!!! How crazy is that? Mama went to load up the pack and play and it was covered in yucky slimey bugs. I told her that there was NO WAY I was sleeping with bugs. I’m not a prissy girl but I sure as heck don’t want to be sharing a bed with bugs! Mama and Daddy went to Toys R Us and got me a new pack and play.

Finally we were all packed up, new pack and play and all and we hit the road. Mama got on I 95 South instead of North. So once we turned around, we were really on the road. The radio was on so I was singing for a while. Daddy said that there was some traffic but I couldn’t really tell. I was busy singing and looking at my toes. I wonder when I’ll be old enough to get blue toenails like Mama. Hers sparkle. Maybe next week. I’ll have to remember to ask.

We drove for days and days and days. Finally, we stopped the car and I smelled food. Mama and Daddy stopped at Wendy’s while I was sleeping and didn’t even order me a frosty! I was so mad and I let them know it. They quickly started the car back up again and we went to Auntie Wendy’s house. They must have heard me yelling because we parked the car in the driveway and Uncle Ken was there to help with the bags!

Once we were inside and I got a new butt put on, I was ready to explore! My cousins were around to help make sure I got into trouble. Wait. I mean, stayed out of trouble.. yes that’s right. I found the stairs pretty quickly and then I saw it. It was amazing. White, fluffy and 4 legs. A KITTY!!! Best.day.ever.

The kitty’s name is something hard to pronounce and remember. I just call it Kitty. I was so excited to have found the kitty that all I wanted to do was find it. AND climb the stairs. It’s a tie as to which one I liked fun with the most… the stairs or the kitty. We should get stairs at home… Mama said we can’t have a kitty because of my puppies. That’s ok. I’ll settle for stairs.