Author: Nichole S.

Bowl For Free All Summer Long!

Posted on by Nichole S.

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You may already know about this unbelievable deal, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t mention it just in case!

KIDS CAN BOWL FREE ALL SUMMER LONG…

if you simply log on and follow the simple steps to sign them up at www.KidsBowlFree.com

The link will give you all the necessary information (obviously), but here’s the quick skinny…

You register your kids, pick a bowling alley (Cape Ann Lanes in Gloucester is a participating center!), and then every Sunday evening…all summer long…coupons will be emailed to you for the entire week.  The coupons are good for 2 free strings per child.  You do need to pay for shoe rentals, but the bowling is totally free…no gimmicks!   AND..if you want to bowl with the kiddos..you can pay a one time fee on-line of $28.95….and sign up 4 adults.  If you choose to do so, coupons will also be mailed to those 4 grown-ups each Sunday.  So, whether your kids are with mom, dad, a steady babysitter, a grandparent, etc. the adults can bowl free too!  And, TODAY ONLY, enter the code cinco5 and they’ll take $5 off that price too!  So, the kids always bowl free, and for a one time payment of $23.95 four adults can bowl free with them…all.summer.long.  Just pay for shoe rentals.

We’ve done this for the past couple of years and, in addition to the free bowling all summer, we usually get coupons and offers emailed to us during school vacations and holidays also!

Truly a NO BRAINER!!!

Don’t Pop Pedey!

Posted on by Nichole S.

In case you were ever wondering what Dustin Pedroia would look like as a balloon creation…here you go.

Never being one, when given the opportunity, to miss out on presenting someone with a challenge, good old Finn asked the balloon artist on Yawkey Way to make him “a Pedroia.”

Not bad.

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Possibilities

Posted on by Nichole S.

While I’ve lived in Rockport since the year 2000 and, having been born and raised elsewhere on the North Shore, had visited countless times before actually moving here…I don’t know much about the Blacksmith Shop Restaurant.  Surely someone can educate me on the restaurant’s history and on why it is has been empty for so many years.  I pass by it countless times per week and always think, “Such a great location.”

I know I ate there YEARS ago…and, more recently, I remember one quick meal when Thatcher (now almost 8) was an infant, but that’s it.  If memory serves me, I can recall walking by several times during the past 6 years or so and seeing construction being done or repairs being made.  I think it may have reopened briefly, but maybe not.

Regardless of my lack of knowledge, I can’t help but think it’d make a sweet place to eat!

Any bidders?

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Nichole’s Picks May 2nd and 3rd

Posted on by Nichole S.

Unbelievably, it is May!

Pick #1

ARTS FIRST at Harvard University!

Thursday, April 30, 2015 (All day) to Sunday, May 3, 2015 (All day)

One of the nation’s largest university arts festivals showcases over 225 presentations.
Harvard invites the public to four days of non-stop art. The annual ARTS FIRST festival celebrates student and faculty creativity at the University. Around half of Harvard’s 6,600 students participate in the festival each spring. Over 225 music, theater, dance, film, and visual arts events, most free of charge and open to the public, are on tap. Whether you are a fan of a cappella or bhangra, tap or Tchaikovsky, installation art or painting, improv comedy or pipe organ performance, ARTS FIRST has an arts experience for you.

Read all about this great event HERE or HERE!

The official calendar of events within that link was working a couple of days ago, but was not working last night.  Hopefully it will be up and running so you can check out all of the great events that are being offered.  Some are “kid friendly”….some are not.  I suggest checking out the list of events before heading in.

Pick #2

The deCordova Museum in Lincoln is currently installing their summer galleries and exhibits so the museum is closed, HOWEVER, the awesome Sculpture Park is open and admission is 1/2 price. Totally worth the trip!

Check out the Sculpture Park HERE!

DeCordova is internationally recognized as a major venue for the exhibition and interpretation of modern and contemporary outdoor sculpture. The Sculpture Park occupies the entire campus: 30 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns, forests, fields, gardens, and terraces on a rolling site along the shore of Flint’s Pond in Lincoln, Massachusetts. At any given time, approximately 60 sculptures are on display in the Sculpture Park, which is open every day during the summer and Wednesdays through Sundays during the winter.

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Pick #3

The PawSox!

You all know how much I love the Red Sox and Fenway Park, but heading to Pawtucket is a fantastic way to take the kids “out to the ball game” without breaking the bank. Tickets are only $13 each…which leaves money left over for ball park snacks!

Check out their schedule HERE!  It consists of two home games this weekend…both at 1:05!

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Please, as always, check out our friends at North Shore Kid for a much more comprehensive list of family activities!

Assumptions

Posted on by Nichole S.

Dear Super Observant Man at the Pool,

Please allow me to begin by saying that I completely appreciate the fact that you took the time to let me know how much you enjoyed watching my husband frolic and play with our boys in the pool.  He certainly does have fun with them and they adore his attention.  He is indeed, as you so quickly noticed, a fantastic dad and I too get the warm fuzzies watching the boys climb all over him while giggling incessantly. Coincidently, I had just entertained some of those very same thoughts myself while watching them all play! It was very kind of you to stop me as I was walking by (with wet towels, 2 pair of flip flops, 1/2 of a sticky smoothie…made to order…dripping down my arm and off my elbow, a boogie board, a bag of pool toys, and the wad of gum that Child #1 accidentally left on his beach chair), to let me know that you found it incredibly refreshing to see a parent so completely engaged in unabashed fun with his children.  He sure is special and I’m so glad that you noticed.  It was so kind of you in fact, that I almost didn’t notice when you took a dig at me by adding, “You must feel very lucky that he entertained the boys for so long while you sat in your chair and relaxed.” I almost missed your raised eyebrow and the slight change in the tone of your voice.  I also almost missed your wife’s horrified, albeit subtle, cringe when you went just a little bit too far.

For the record,  I wouldn’t dare take a single word of your praise away from my husband because in that moment, and in many other moments, he is even more wonderful with our boys than even you described.  However, what you may not know, is that earlier that morning…and every other day of vacation…I took the boys for a long run/rollerblade as he enjoyed some peace and quiet.  You also may not know that, since my husband is out of the house and hard at work very early each morning, I have the pleasure of getting the boys ready for school, taking them there, seeing them throughout the day as I work my full-time (and then some) job as a teacher in the same school, picking them up, taking them to after-school activities, and then bringing them home late in the afternoon…every.single.day.  You also may not have deducted from your 30 minute observation of how we parent as a team, that until recently my husband was also hard at work on Saturdays so, that being the case, I have had the pleasure, for over 7 years, of taking them on countless excursions without him.  While he would have loved to have joined us, he simply wasn’t able. Likewise, as a teacher, I am incredibly fortunate to have the entire summer off with the boys.  It would be impossible to count all of the fun days that we’ve had…or even the quick overnight trips that we’ve taken…without him..during those long summer breaks.

I cannot emphasize enough how absolutely correct you were!  He was (and is…whenever given the opportunity) a fantastic, fun, and hands-on father to our two young sons.  I am beyond glad that you got to see him in his glory and that his awesomeness was not lost on you.  I do however wish, kind sir, that you had thought a wee bit deeper before evidently determining that I do not do the exact same 90% of the time.  While so quick to rightfully compliment him…you simultaneously insulted me with very little regard. Sadly, for his sake, my number of incredibly hands-on days with our children have had to outweigh his by a tremendously large number.  So, yes sir, when given the opportunity to allow him to relish in some of the simple quality time that is always so readily available to me, I sure did.  Selfishly, while relaxing as you put it, I was also admiring how adorable the three of them are together.

You caught me.  Sitting there in the sun…relaxing for 30 minutes.  Guess what?  I did it the day before that for a nice little chunk of time…and maybe even the day that before too.  The horror.  You might, but probably not, be interested in knowing that when I later expressed how bothered I was by your obvious criticism of me, my husband immediately laughed and said, “If only he knew how often you are off entertaining them on your own!”  Proving once again, how great he is.  I’ll also have you know that another very kind man echoed many of your same words the very next day….and, believe it or not, was able to do so without a hint of sarcasm or ridicule in regards to my parenting in his voice.  Imagine that.

Sincerely,

A very relaxed mom…thanks to a great dad…who is now ready to tackle a slew of solo activities until the day that I get the opportunity to sit and relax again.  (and when that day comes…you can bet I will)

Sunday Funday at The Studio

Posted on by Nichole S.

It you follow Good Morning Gloucester even just a little bit, you know by now that The Studio is officially open.  You probably also know that their menu (with the exception of all sushi) is 1/2 off for the rest of April! So, back from Virginia and with no food in the fridge, how could we not head over to Rocky Neck for an early dinner last night!?

The best laid plans… (don’t get the wrong idea…it was phenomenal so please read on).

What you may not know about me is that my children clearly think they are Rockefellers.  They typically snub their noses at the kids’ menus found at the restaurants where we like to dine and, of course, they were only interested in eating sushi last night.  Don’t get me wrong, normally I am thrilled with their willingness to try new foods and their fondness for a wide variety of cuisine. Last night, however, it would have been just ducky if they would have been happier with chicken fingers or something equivalent.

So, with a tuna maki roll in front of Finn and some yellow tail nagiri in front of Thatcher, my husband and I happily ordered off the half-priced menu.  We got the Asian Style Calamari, St. Louis Ribs, Fried Pickles, and the Rudder Style Mussels…because also, when dining with Finn, you’d better order mussels.

Everything was absolutely delicious.  A fantastic first meal of the season….and, even with the kids’ menu fish and chips that we ordered for good measure (secretly hoping for left overs for today’s lunch boxes) and two beers…the entire bill came to just over $50.

Unbelievable.  I strongly recommend getting yourself over there soon.

A small update!  I am so happy that a reader mentioned that you should always tip the servers on the actual bill.  That goes without saying.  Just because the management has decided to reduce prices…it does not mean that the staff is working any less.  You should absolutely tip on what the bill should have been.  I know you all know that, but I feel better having added it to the post.

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Go Sox

Posted on by Nichole S.

So, in case you were wondering… Mookie on 2nd, Pedroia on 1st, and David Ortiz at bat = a three run homer. Hanley Ramirez up next = another home run. Good times at Camden Yards so far!! Oh, and those are Mookie’s friends celebrating behind us.

Spring Colors Creeping North

Posted on by Nichole S.

Driving from Virginia to Baltimore for the Orioles/Red Sox game and these spring colors are everywhere. Hopefully they’ll hit Cape Ann in full force soon!

Alfred Hitchcockesque

Posted on by Nichole S.

Six relaxing and sunny days down in Virginia and we clocked some serious time swimming, walking the boardwalk, rollerblading, shooting slingshots on the beach, dolphin watching….and feeding the birds.

Safe to say that every meal the boys ordered came with french fries this week…and, while they ate their fair share…they were more concerned about taking their leftovers directly down to the beach for feeding frenzies.  For the record, hailing from Cape Ann, I am well aware of how annoying it can be when tourists feed seagulls while you’re trying to eat a meal on a deck.  That being the case, I promise you that we fed the birds far away from others…and that the beach was all but empty when doing so.

The birds loved my boys (or at least their french fries).  And…because everything is a learning opportunity…we learned something.  The seagulls liked to land on the ground to snatch their fries…while the laughing gulls like to hover above and try to grab the fries in flight.

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Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 4/25 and 4/26

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1   Open House at Fenway Park

We have done this a couple of times and it is always a great day for the kids!

DATE:   Saturday, April 25
TIME:   10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
COST:   Free!
ENTRANCE:   All gates
WHAT IS IT?:

An opportunity for fans of all ages to explore Fenway Park at their own pace. The free, open to the public event gives fans a chance to discover behind-the-scenes locations and learn more about “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” through a variety of family-friendly activities:

  • Appearances and autographs by Red Sox Alumni
  • Visits to exclusive areas of the ballpark, including the home & away clubhouses
  • From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., fans will have an opportunity to walk on the warning track, sit in the dugouts, peer into the bullpens, and peek inside the Green Monster scoreboard (weather permitting)
  • The Open House will feature a special college showcase game between two Historically Black Colleges, Florida A&M University and North Carolina Central University starting at 2:00 p.m.
  • A college fair with participation from historically black colleges will be taking place in the State Street Pavilion Club from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Explore 100 locations in Fenway Park: A Living Museum
  • Tour the Royal Rooters Club: Home of the “Nation’s Archives”

CONCESSIONS will also be available for purchase throughout the ballpark.

Information from official site:  see it all here!

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Pick #2

Sheepshearing Festival at Gore Place in Waltham

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$15 adults, Free to children 12 and under and Gore Place Members. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased at all entrance gates on the day.

Now in its 28th year, this outdoor farm festival has become a family favorite and a tradition throughout the region! Enjoy demonstrations of sheep-shearing, herding dogs, spinning, weaving and gardening on a beautiful 50 acre estate. Large crafts fair, live entertainment, historic demonstrators, games and farm animals. Wagon rides and museum tours (additional charge). Food vendors on site. Free parking. No dogs or other pets allowed.

Visit Official Website and get more information, including directions, HERE.

Pick #3

Ravenswood Tree Hunt and ID

recommended for children 10 years old and older

Date & Time
Sunday, April 26
1-3PM

Member: $5. Nonmember: $10

Contact Information
978.281.8400
capeann@ttor.org

See full information HERE

Gone within five years, Ravenswood’s delightful hemlock groves. What is happening to them and what will take their place? Did you know we have Moosewood trees and naturally occurring Magnolias? What other trees will surprise you on a guided Tree Hunt? In honor of Arbor Day, join us with a local arborist, naturalist to learn to identify local woody plants by their growth habitats, bark, twigs, buds, and even smell. If you have a mystery woody plant on your own property, bring a 12 inch long sample with buds and we can help you identify it at the end of the walk. Recommended for 10 year olds and up.

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

Resort Etiquette

Posted on by Nichole S.

Those early morning “seat savers.”  You know them, you’ve seen them, maybe you’ve even been one of them.  I’m not going to lie…we’ve done it before.  But, is it ok?

So, here’s the deal.  After months of horrific weather, the Schrafft family, like so many others, had finally had it.  With a time share week soon to expire, but 4 plane tickets during April vacation week too pricey for our pockets, I started to look at warm weather destinations within reasonable driving distance.

While searching, I discovered a nice little resort in Virginia Beach. The resort looked super cute and their website described it as, “a Key West-inspired resort.”  On a whim…with much less research than is typical for me…and a bit of trepidation, I booked it.

With prescheduled obligations Saturday morning, we couldn’t leave until 1:00.  We hit tons of traffic in the New York area, stopped more times than is ideal, and finally arrived at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.  We were pleasantly surprised with our spacious suite.  Having booked really late, we weren’t able to get a two-bedroom suite, but the boys have never had a problem sleeping on the pull-out sofa in the living room when need be.  Having two bathrooms and a full kitchen is always a bonus when traveling with the kids…and ours were updated and lovely.

The resort is fairly small….only three floors with maybe 90 suites total.  In the center are two lovely pools, two hot tubs, some nice landscaping and waterfalls, a gazebo, a pergola, and maybe 50ish teak lawn chairs and some umbrella tables.

We spent the first day getting our bearings straight, lounging by the pool, finding a grocery store, and having an early dinner.  We quickly learned which pool the boys preferred and where the best seats were located so as to watch them safely when not in the pool with them.  The pool area was lively, but not necessarily crowded.  We easily scored perfect chaise lounge chairs by the pool’s edge and had a great day.

The morning of our second day we all slept late and then I took a run on the board walk while the boys rollerbladed.  We returned to our suite for breakfast and lazily made our way down to the pool at 11:00 to spend hours relaxing and swimming.  The next day was much the same. However, upon stepping out onto our balcony at 7:30, I noticed a line of pool chairs already “spoken for” without a swimmer or pool-goer in sight. Awfully early for claiming territory.  The chairs that were taken happened to be the entire front row along the main edge of the better of the two pools.  With stone work being done along the other side….several other chairs were out of commission.

We went out for a run/roller blade and made it down to the pool around 10:30.  The chairs in question were still adorned with bags, towels, goggles, water shoes, etc. but yet….still no people. 30 minutes later…still no one.  Finally, around 11:45 a father and three young children appeared. The stuff and evidently the chairs were theirs, but after digging through the bags and rearranging a bit…they were off again.  We saw them intermittently…near the chairs…cruising by the chairs…taking things off the chairs…putting different things on the chairs…buy yet, never actually sitting down upon the chairs.  It wasn’t a huge deal, I suppose, but with seating kind of limited and their belongings taking up a large slice of the pie, we had to maneuver around their stuff and their chairs to get to the water’s edge.  By 3:00, the father hadn’t sat once nor had any of the children.  The mother sat with her newborn for a few minutes and was then gone.  I couldn’t help but think, if they really just needed a place to put their things…they could have easily just taken two chairs, rather than five!  Throughout the day several other pool goers walked back and forth while searching for a place to sit.

So, I ask you…  What is proper resort etiquette?  Do you sneak out early and reserve your seats? Do you loathe those who do?  Is it sometimes ok?  Thoughts?

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Pool area view from our balcony
Our pool view. Empty seats…claimed all day long.
The seats in question. Prime real estate…wasted

Fenway Farms

Posted on by Nichole S.

Another great addition to the already fabulous Fenway Park…

High above Gate A, on the famous Yawkey Way, is the new Fenway Farms.  No, this is not some new Farm League team…it is instead the “largest organic rooftop garden in the majors.”  How cool is that?!

And, just like the beginning of the Red Sox baseball season, Fenway Farms is full of wins! Improved air quality. Win. Energy reduction. Win. A teaching opportunity for local youth. Win. Fresh, organic produce to be used within the ballpark concessions and the EMC Club. Win.

Those Red Sox are always thinking.

Read more by checking out these two articles.

http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/117245668/red-sox-create-rooftop-garden-at-fenway-park

http://modernfarmer.com/2015/04/fenway-gets-greener/

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Rewarding

Posted on by Nichole S.

I have been teaching forever.  Seriously, like FOREVER.  This is my 22nd year.

However, even after all of these years, I am continuously amazed, impressed, and humbled by my students and their love of learning.

Take last week, for example.  After three weeks of learning about the Mayan Civilization my students presented their work, research, art, etc. to their parents and members of the school community.  I couldn’t have been prouder.

Things got off to a slow start and for a few days I was worried that it may not all come together, but, as always, my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students worked, created, imagined, collaborated, and rallied.  Not only did it come together, but it surpassed any expectations that I may have had.

I am so proud of them for sharing their knowledge confidently, for working so diligently, and for expressing themselves so individually through the projects that they created.

Proud enough in fact that I had to take this opportunity to sing their praises a bit.  Forgive me.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens inside a Montessori classroom, this is a great example.

Nichole’s Family Picks of the Weekend 4/18 and 4/19

Posted on by Nichole S.

Dare I say it is finally here, my friends?  Bring on the fantastic weather!

Pick #1

The Swan Boats are back in action this weekend!

Check them out HERE

2015 Season
Saturday, April 18 to Sunday, September 20, 2015  10am to 4 pm

Adults $3.50

Children $2.00 (age 2 to 15 years)

Under 2 yrs. Free
Seniors $3.00

While there, take a spin on the Frog Pond Carousel and let the kiddos play on the playground.  My boys love walking throughout the Public Garden and searching for statues too.

Read more about the Frog Pond here!

Pick #2

The USS Constitution Museum

This is a great way to spend a day!  If you’re up for even more of an adventure you can tour the Constitution, spend some time in the museum, and then take the water taxi over to the New England Aquarium area and continue the fun at Faneuil Hall, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway (one of my favorite areas of the city…and you can bet I’ll be writing about it again soon), or the North End!

Pick #3

Fairy Shrimp, Salamanders, & Frogs, Oh My!

Head out to Ravenswood Park from 1-3 on Saturday to learn all about Vernal Pools and the critters who call them home!

Read all about the program HERE

Vernal pools are crucial to the survival of fairy shrimp, salamanders, and wood frogs. We’ll have fun exploring the pools at Ravenswood Park. Participants will learn how to certify and protect vernal pools. When vernal pools become certified, we can prevent development on and around them. This program is instructive for participants, so you, too, can take home the techniques, forms, and methods to certify pools.

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Pick #4

We are GIANT fans of Maritime Gloucester, but sadly they are not open for the season quite yet. They are, however, offering some great April Vacation programs later in the week!

Check them all out by clicking here.  Their educators always do a phenomenal job!

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Please always remember to check out our friends at North Shore Kid for a more comprehensive list of excellent family activities!

Never Gets Old

Posted on by Nichole S.

This view on my nightly walk/run simply never gets old.  Good days become great and not-so-great days become better, once I round the corner on Atlantic Avenue and see this sight.

Thanks, Rockport.

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Red Sox Opening Day is in the Books

Posted on by Nichole S.

Wow.  I’m not the only one to speak these words in the past 12 hours, but I’ll say it anyway….you couldn’t have wished for a better Opening Day….on so many different levels.  Well…unless there was a ring ceremony to boot. Book, alas, there wasn’t.  Maybe next April?

A glorious mid 70 degree day.  A team returning home after a more than decent season opening road trip.  Bob Kraft, Bill Belichick, and Tom Brady. Pete Frates and a Red Sox contract.  Martin Richard’s family. Mookie Betts, Mookie Betts, more Mookie Betts, and David Ortiz.  Some other pretty phenomenal players.  A 9-4 victory over the Nationals. Lots of laughs, cheering, and warm fuzzies.

Dare I say it is going to be a great season.