Author: Nichole S.

Nichole’s Picks 1/30 + 1/31

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1:  CAPE ANN READS: Eric Carle Museum of Picture Books will help kick-off the Cape Ann Reads initiative 

Seagull Logo

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art will be offering workshops for children and adults to kick-off the new Cape Ann Reads initiative. This program will take place at the Cape Ann Museum and is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Reservations are required; spaces can be reserved by emailing info@capeannmuseum.org, calling (978)283-0455 x10, or online at Eventbrite. Reservations for the 9:30-12:00 Interactive Storytime events should be made for children only, not the accompanying adults.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

 

PICK #2:   The Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library

If you read my “Picks posts” often you probably know that I am both a huge fan of staying local….but also completely appreciate a good trip into the city every once in a while.  Winter weekends are a great time to head into Boston, grab a nice meal with the kids, and get your full of some Culture.  The Mary Baker Eddy Library is a great place for that and their Mapparium is a wonderful learning opportunity….in addition to being beyond cool.

PLEASE READ MORE HERE

mapparium1

The Mapparium’s three-dimensional perspective of the world of 1935 is enhanced by A World of Ideas, an original presentation that features a rich orchestration of words, music, and LED lights to illustrate how ideas have traversed time and geography and changed the world.
The Library is also showing a complementary exhibit, “The Mapparium: An Inside View,” featuring letters, documents, and artifacts never before made public. These showcase the construction, history, and significance of this magnificent architectural and artistic achievement.

PICK #3: KING’S BOWLING, MarketStreet Lynnfield

I may possibly mention MarketStreet a bit too often, but honestly, this time of year you can skate on the outdoor rink, grab a coffee or a hot cocoa, do some super fun bowling with the family, and get a GREAT meal at one of MANY different dining choices.  That isn’t even considering the phenomenal shopping (which I rarely get to do.)

logo

READ ALL ABOUT KING’S HERE

Here is a lit of restaurants and stores….or following THIS LINK to read more.

RESTAURANTS:

Boloco
California Pizza Kitchen – Opening 2016
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse
FuGaKyu
Gaslight – NOW OPEN!
The Grove Boutique & Cafe*
IT’SUGAR
J.P. Licks*
Kings*
Legal C Bar*
Muse Paintbar – OPENING SOON!
OTTO Pizza
Panera Bread
Starbucks
Sweetgreen – NOW OPEN!
Temazcal Tequila Cantina
Tuck’s Candy Factory – NOW OPEN!
wagamama
Wahlburgers – NOW OPEN!
Whole Foods Market
Williams-Sonoma*
Yard House

STORES:

American Eagle Outfitters
Athleta*
Banana Republic*
Bluemercury*
Carhartt*
Charles Schwab
Charming Charlie*
Chico’s
Claire’s
Eastern Mountain Sports*
Eddie Bauer – NOW OPEN!*
Everything But Water*
Express*
Francesca’s*
GAP*
The Grove Boutique & Cafe*
Gymboree*
Hanna Andersson*
IT’SUGAR
J. Jill
J.Crew*
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Justice*
Kings*
Learning Express Toys
Lively Kids
LOFT
Lucky Brand Jeans – NOW OPEN!*
lululemon athletica*
Lunette Optic
Mane+Mani (Be Styled)
MarketStreet Management
MiniLuxe
Muse Paintbar – OPENING SOON!
NIKE Running – NOW OPEN!
Paper Source*
The Paper Store
Pia – NOW OPEN!
Pink Parkway – NOW OPEN!
Polka Dog Bakery
Pottery Barn*
Pottery Barn Kids*
Pure Barre
Roosters Men’s Grooming Center
Roster
Sachetta & Callahan
Sephora
Shoe Market
Soft Surroundings
Solstice Power Yoga
Starbucks
Tobey Grey – NOW OPEN!
Tommy Bahama
Tuck’s Candy Factory – NOW OPEN!
Tumi – NOW OPEN!*
Verizon Wireless – NOW OPEN!
Victoria’s Secret*
Vineyard Vines*
White House | Black Market
Whole Foods Market
Williams-Sonoma*
Yankee Candle*

As always, for a more comprehensive list of family activities, please see our friends at North Shore Kid.

One Year Ago Today

Posted on by Nichole S.

This is how we woke up exactly a year ago today.  It makes what you may be seeing outside your window this morning look like an August afternoon.

While it was certainly beautiful…I’m not missing it.

I wonder what the rest of this winter will bring.

Arctic Adirondacks

Posted on by Nichole S.

Yesterday’s high tide in the Annisquam would have made for some cold feet from these seats.  Thanks to Paul and Betsey Horovitz for this photo.

Image

Nichole’s Picks 1/23 + 1/24

Posted on by Nichole S.

This post should really be about how my comcast/xfinity cable + Internet hasn’t been working consistently for the past couple of weeks….but, rather, I’ll just throw that out there as an explanation for the fact that I missed a post yesterday and am only giving you one option for a weekend activity.  On that note, however, please refer to Joey’s post from yesterday highlighting North Shore Kid’s awesome list of sledding destinations!

My pick for the weekend is something that I wrote about several times last winter….the pool at Cape Ann’s Marina Resort!   I always take advantage of the school vacation week packages and purchase a 3 month membership during the longest part of the winter!

The kids love the pool…and, I’m not going to lie, I love that I can sit there with friends and have a drink while the kids have a blast.  Another win is that the food is great too…and reasonably priced.   Monday is “1/2 Price Appetizer” Night.  So, throw in a hummus platter and some chicken tenders and “dinner” came to just over $11!  If you don’t want to purchase a pass,  there is simply a $10 fee per child to enjoy the pool.

Cape Ann Marina Resort

image

 

 

Who Drove Whom?

Posted on by Nichole S.

We spent a few hours at the New England Auto Show over the weekend.  The boys are kind of car freaks…although, I have to admit, they practiced much more restraint this year than last year.  There was far less running, jumping, and skipping through the expo….and MUCH LESS button pushing (my buttons and the vehicle buttons).  They found their favorites, found my favorites, and made a mental list of what they’d like to buy later in life to write down at home in new “car show notebooks” that they asked to purchase on the way to Boston.

We were happy to bump into Wally who told us (without words) that his younger sister, Tessie, was at home sleeping, when asked.  It wasn’t much later that we bumped into (almost literally…oops) John Henry and his wife, Linda Pizzuti Henry.  While I was busy contemplating if they were on the hunt for a new family car, a new race car for Roush Fenway Racing, or some new delivery vehicles for The Boston Globe…Finn was more concerned with whether Wally drove the Henry family to the car show…or whether the Henry family drove Wally?  Because, naturally they came together.

IMG_2454

I didn’t take a single photo….but the boys took many.  Here are a few of theirs.

Tendercrop. Stands Repeating

Posted on by Nichole S.

I know that it was just about 3 months ago that I wrote about how in love I am with the new Tendercrop Farm location in Wenham, but it totally stands repeating.  Each week since, including just yesterday, I hear someone say, “Did you know that Tendercrop Farm opened a new location?”  Which tells me that all of Cape Ann is not aware yet…and they should be.

I’m lucky enough to only be about 5 minutes away when at work so I’ve been running over at lunchtime.  The other day I got a totally delicious chicken salad with walnuts and cranberries.

If you haven’t been you should really make a point to swing by!

There’s A New Rotary in My Life

Posted on by Nichole S.

Not sure if it is temporary or permanent but there’s officially another rotary in my life.  This one near the school where I teach in Beverly.

Happily (I think) it is there due to the clearing and construction of the new Whole Foods due to open later this year.

In case you were not aware that Beverly is indeed getting a Whole Foods you can read more about it by following the link below.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET PLANS BEVERLY, MASS., LOCATION

Whole Foods Market will open a location at 140 Brimbal Avenue in Beverly, Mass.

The store, which will be part of the North Shore Commons Shopping Center, will be approximately 35,000 square feet and will employ approximately 150 team members.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to open another Whole Foods Market location in the metro North area,” said Laura Derba, president of Whole Foods Market’s North Atlantic Region. “Beverly is a great community, and we are eager to open and to become partners with our new neighbors.”

The store is projected to open in 2016.

– See more at: http://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/news/whole-foods-market-plans-beverly-mass.-location#sthash.sQk50OIZ.dpuf

http://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/news/whole-foods-market-plans-beverly-mass.-location

Image

Nichole’s Picks 1/16 + 1/17

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1:  The New England International Auto Show

JANUARY 14-18, 2016

BOSTON CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER

Head HERE to see all important information!

 

 

Pick #2:  Rock n Romp, Boston with Freezepop

Saturday, January 16th at 11:30 a.m.  The Sinclair, Cambridge.

The Sinclair

Got kids? Love music?   Then Rock-n-Romp is for you. Started in the Washington D.C. Rock-n-Romp is a family friendly concert series showcasing fantastic local-area musicians and bands. Shows are held during the day in a relaxed, kid-safe environment. The volume might be low, but the music is designed for parents and kids both in mind. Kids enjoy the music, dance, or just enjoy the other activities available to them, and parents get the ever-so-rare opportunity to listen to great live music and enjoy a beer with other parents. Romps give parents who miss that aspect of their social life a chance to get out, enjoy some music that might be new to them, and expose their kids to great bands in a safe, friendly environment.

This show is all ages, but all children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults must also accompany a child to enter. Please ensure that no adult is responsible for accompanying more than three children. The child ticket is for ages 12 and younger. Opening acts subject to change without notice.

1916891_10153763912260535_6401003370552956772_n

Follow this link to read more!

Follow this link to order tickets!

 

 

For a more comprehensive list of family activities visit our friends at North Shore Kid

If You Say So

Posted on by Nichole S.

I spend a lot of time in many different hockey rinks.  Many are really nice…some are pretty nasty.  The yuckiest by far is made much worse by the deplorable condition of the bathroom.  Inevitably, however, one needs to use it.  I cringe while walking on the floor when I think of those same boots later walking into my home and, heaven forbid, on my carpet.

What that bathroom doesn’t have, however, is this sign.  This sign can actually be found in one of the nicer rinks.  While a seemingly obvious request, maybe they’re on to something.

Do people really need a reminder?

IMG_0797

Nichole’s Picks 1/9 + 1/10

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1:  

Snowy Owl Prowl at the Crane Estate

snowy-owl_268
Photo courtesy of http://www.the trustees.org

Wide-open coastal sites are the location of choice for wintering Snowy Owls; common perches are dunes and salt hay staddles. In winters past, the owls have been frequent visitors to the Crane Wildlife Refuge. Join us as we hike the dunes in search of these magnificent birds. Unlike most owls, snowy owls are diurnal – they hunt and are active both day and night – so we have a good chance of sighting one even in the daylight hours! We’ll warm up with hot cider at the end of our hike.

Please note: We will be hiking up and down dunes, through soft sand, for approximately 2.5 miles. Dress for the weather to maximize comfort and minimize misery! Water is always good to have along. A spotting scope and/or binoculars are helpful when searching for snowy owls. Suggested ages 13 and older. Pre-registration required.

Click HERE to preregister and to read more!

Pick #2:  

2nd Saturday Free at the Cape Ann Museum

FAMILY FUN FREE DAY

The second Saturday of every month is free for families with school-aged children. Families are invited to the Activity Center to participate in art, history, and cultural activities, and explore the museum using a Seek and Find. Each month has a different theme, from exhibitions, to special celebrations, to treasures from the Archives. It’s all about FUN!

http://www.capeannmuseum.org/programs/youth-family-programs/

morning_at_the_museum_2008_009
Photo courtesy of the Cape Ann Museum

Pick #3: Open Skate at Talbot Rink

Most Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00-4:00 anyone can take to the ice for a very small fee!  Skate rentals are available as well.

Find the rink schedule HERE

images

For a more comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid.

 

Well, Hello Tessie

Posted on by Nichole S.

As it turns out, Wally the Green Monster, our beloved Red Sox Mascot, and son of Wanda and Walter, also has a younger sister….Tessie.

It seems that Tessie has been too young to live away from her parents up north in Boston for the past several years, but she is now older and has decided to make the move to join big brother, Wally.

Meet Tessie HERE!

And Watch Her Welcome Video HERE!

tessie-isolated

 

Winter Classic

Posted on by Nichole S.

If you’ve read any of what I’ve written since joining GMG, you probably know that my boys play a lot of hockey and it is a big part of their childhoods as well as our lives.

School vacation week was certainly no different.  Thatcher’s team was entered into a four-day tournament sponsored by the Boston Bruins.  While they ultimately did not win the tournament, they were one of the finalists, and for that they were handsomely rewarded.  Medals, hats, backpacks, team photos, etc….and then, the awesome icing on the cake, tickets for the entire team, coaches, and one parent per child to the coveted Winter Classic.

Not only did they score tickets, but they were given front row seats. Granted, being only 8-years old and a bit vertically challenged, they had a difficult time seeing the action take place way out in the center of the Pat’s playing field….but awesome seats nonetheless.

Kudos to the Boston Bruins for once again rewarding these young, budding athletes and helping to create memories to last a lifetime.

The Dredging of Mill Pond, Rockport

Posted on by Nichole S.

If you are like many residents of Rockport and have such fond memories of growing up on… or watching your own children skate on…Mill Pond, please pay attention!

The Mill Pond is in dire need of being dredged before it all but disappears.  Please attend a very important meeting to hear more on Wednesday, January 13th at 7:00 pm in the Brenner Friends’ Room at the Rockport Public Library.

Follow this link to read more!

www.millbrookmeadow.org

Image

2016.

Posted on by Nichole S.

I watched the final sunset of 2015 from way up high last night. I took a moment to reflect on the year newly behind us and about what this year may bring.  Some things are certain….many things are still unknown.  That is both incredibly exciting and scary.

I hope that this very 1st day of 2016 starts your year off right.

IMG_2081

Nichole’s Picks 1/2 + 1/3

Posted on by Nichole S.

So, I’ve got nothing.  I apologize.  I’ve been away all week (and still am) and while I looked for special events for the actual weekend, I didn’t find anything new.  As you all know, my go to outdoor weekend activity (when you can’t go sledding, showshoeing, or skiing, is to go ice skating.  Go find a great rink!

Pick #1:  Rockport’s New Year Eve!

New Year’s Eve is obviously tonight, however, and if you’re looking for a FANTASTIC way to spend the evening with children (or without) head to Rockport.

Rockport’s New Year’s Eve celebration has more music packed into a nice walking proximity than one can even imagine.

Check out the full schedule HERE!

813959_4049d147bdf34bf598db8a92840a21f9

Pick #2:  

The Harvard Museum of Natural History

This place remains one of my all time favorite for a quick education trip into Cambridge along with a great lunch.

The Harvard Museum of Natural History

blaschkaoctopusinglass_inmollusks_01391_cameo_0

For a much more comprehensive list of family activities, head to our friends at North Shore Kid!