Author: Nichole S.

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 3/14 and 3/15

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1   Think Spring!

The Boston Flower and Garden Show

The Boston Flower & Garden Show will return to the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston on Wednesday, March 11 through Sunday, March 15, 2015 with the theme “Season of Enchantment”. Our gardens are places of magical metamorphosis. They’re the stage on which Mother Nature reveals her most wow-worthy wonders; where a talented designer can cast a spell over a dull patch transforming it into a colorful and lively oasis. And it’s where a little toil mixed with a few tiny seeds can conjure a breathtaking bounty for our vases and plates.

Click Here for more information and to buy tickets!

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To make your visit even better, especially with little ones, download the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Family Discovery Guide!

You can do that by following the link here:  Mass Hort @ the Flower Show

Pick #2

Suessical The Musical!

The Neverland Theatre always does a great job with their performances.

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Purchase Tickets Here

 

Pick #3

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

While thinking of indoor venues that I have not mentioned yet and that may not be as well known as typical local weekend excursions, I remembered how much fun we had the two times that we ventured to The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, Dover.

Read all about the museum here!  

While checking out their website be certain to find the calendar that shows what special events are being offered each weekend.

 

 

 

Know Your Dinosaurs

Posted on by Nichole S.

The youngest Schrafft, 5 year old Finn, finished up his 3rd hockey season the other day.  Thatcher’s team is in the play-offs and will finish up, one way or the other, this weekend.

While there will surely end up being some summer sessions or hockey camps in their near future, for now, the early morning wake-up calls are almost over.

I used to wake up at 5:45 to rally the troops and get myself to work and the boys to their respective classrooms, but lately I’ve been pushing it to a bit after 6:00.  Try as I may to convince myself to go to bed just once before 11:00 pm, I can’t seem to do so.  I love my boys…but, I also cherish my quiet late night hours alone.

So, while school days are always a bit of a whirlwind with a dash of crazy thrown in, when we miraculously get through to Saturday unscathed, the weekend early morning hockey practices usually do me in.

Until recently my husband worked early Saturday morning…which left me to get both boys into their hockey gear bright and early to get to the rink for 8:00 and 9:00 practices.  Actually, now on a travel team, Thatcher’s early Saturday practices have turned into earlier Sunday morning games.

While both boys are now experts on getting into their gear…they still need a fire lit under their butts to do so.  It wasn’t nearly as pretty for the first few seasons, however. It was always a mad rush…they both needed help with everything….they needed snacks to eat while the other one was on the ice…and even books, matchbox cars, and a bag of tricks to use as hush money to get through back-to-back practices.  It was downright ugly for quite a while. Might I mention that I am not…never have been…and never will be…a morning person.

I was laughing the other day when Thatcher reminded me about the “Hockey Dinosaur.”

There must have been many, many consecutive Saturdays, that I teetered on the edge of sanity while trying to get them out the door.

I believe my mantra became something like, “If you think I want to be up at the crack of dawn, you’re wrong, so please just get dressed” or “If you don’t want to get into your gear, and you don’t want to skate, I certainly won’t mind not getting up at the crack of dawn, boys!” or “If you think I got up at the crack of dawn yet again to beg you both to get off the couch and into your gear, you are crazy.”  You get the gist.  All very proud parenting moments.

So, one day, while I was no doubt stomping around like a mad woman, I heard Thatcher quietly say to Finn, “Mom sure is mad about the crackadon.  I don’t even know that type of dinosaur.”

So, for a while, stomping around like a Crackadon became my way of getting them ready for everything…school, hockey, soccer, etc.  Somewhere along the way, the Crackadon left us and the boys started to become a bit more self-motivated.  I won’t be surprised if however, years from now, a couple of giant crackadons visit my grown-up sons and their future families.  And we can all laugh about it again.

 

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Warning. Don’t Share.

Posted on by Nichole S.

Silly us.  A friend and I thought that we could share one serving of the Franklin’s unbelievable Seafood Mac & Cheese!

And, while we probably could have, because it is a good size and super rich…it is simply too yummy to share.  So, we ordered a second.

For the record, the Sangria wasn’t too bad either.

Check out the Franklin’s menu here.

 

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We Went Where?!

Posted on by Nichole S.

I stumbled upon this photo the other day from my freshman year of college.

I’m still laughing.  Before you ask, that’s me in the orange.  Laughing harder.

Keeping in mind that the photo was taken in the early fall of 1989 in Virginia…and that the staggering 9 pair of matching Keds were not mandatory, nor should they be considered a clue…anyone have a guess as to where this group of girls was headed?

I will give you one little hint.  It would soon after become impossible to attend the event that we attended ever again.  Another hint….while the first hint may sound tragic…it certainly is not.  In fact, most of us are a tad bit embarrassed that we went in the first place.

And…still laughing.   If you have a guess, please comment.  I’ll comment with the answer this evening.  I’m sure you’ll all be on the edge of your seats.

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Can We Spring Forward Just a Little Bit More?

Posted on by Nichole S.

Ok, this will be short and sweet, I promise.

But….winter has to officially end now because I.AM.DONE.

Would you like to know what just sent me over the edge?

SOCKS.

We live in flip flops for the majority of the spring…certainly the summer…and even a good part of the fall.  Which, I am sure you are all onboard enough to realize, equals little to no socks in the laundry!

I hit my threshold this morning.  An average week, thanks to normal days, six “hockeys”, a couple of runs, some changes of wardrobe due to stepping in boot puddles by the front or back door, cold feet at night, etc. can easily add up to 40 paris of socks each week.  Shoot me.

I actually look forward to the occasional lost sock…because that means I can throw the widowed match away.

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Spoken Too Soon

Posted on by Nichole S.

I was so proud of myself…what seems like forever ago…just before this ridiculous onslaught of snow began to assault us all.  You see, I had just started running again and was on a bit of a roll. I was in a groove, sticking with it, and looking forward to it most afternoons.

And then….the roads became unrunnable.  

Or so I thought.

As the snow drifts and mountains began to grow out of control, and the sidewalks became all but nonexistent, I actually started to see other people out running.  Yikes.  I began to think evidently I am weaker and less disciplined than I thought. Shame on me.

….but then, just when the self-doubt started to grow the size of the insurmountable snow banks, I saw this news clip.

I’ll ride it out just a little bit longer, thank you very much.

 

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 3/7 and 3/8

Posted on by Nichole S.

What I wouldn’t give to be writing about warm weather activities…

Alas, not yet.

BONUS FRIDAY PICK!!!

FREE FILM FRIDAYS AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE.

PLAY HOOKIE…JUST DON’T TELL THEM I SAID SO…AND HEAD TO THE MOS FOR A FREE IMAX MOVIE!

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Thanks again to generous support from MathWorks, all IMAX® films in the Mugar Omni Theater each Friday in March (6, 13, 20, and 27) are free! Simply pick up tickets at the Museum box office on the day of the show only (first come, first served).

Pick #1

Maple Sugaring!  The sap is only flowing a few weekends a year so get out there and get yourself some.

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Maple Sugaring Tours

Saturday and Sunday: 10:30, 12:30, 2:30

Spring celebrations begin early at the sanctuary with the age-old tradition of maple sugaring. The warm days of late winter awaken the flow of sap in the maples, causing buds to swell and resulting in sweet-smelling, billowing clouds of steam rising from the sugarhouse.

On our naturalist-guided tours, learn how to identify a sugar maple, observe tapping and sap collection methods, watch the sap being boiled down in the sugarhouse, and get a sweet taste of the final product. Afterwards, warm up in the Barn by the woodstove, indulge in a hot dog cooked in maple sap, or sample delicious soups and desserts made by our volunteers.

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Pick #2

THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY

Boston Children’s Theatre:  Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA

March 7 at 2 pm
March 8 at 2 pm and 4 pm
March 14 at 2 pm and 4 pm
March 15 at 2 pm

theatresceneWhere will Flat Stanley travel next?

From Hollywood to Paris to Hawaii and back, THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY will take audiences on a whirlwind journey filled with infectious songs, laughter and fun!

With a book by Timothy Allen McDonald, writer of Willy Wonka and James and the Giant Peach, FLAT STANLEY is one adventure you won’t want to miss! Bring your own Flat Stanley to the theater and join our BCT cast for this rollicking musical journey!

Approximate Running Time:  60 minutes with no intermission.

Click this link to purchase tickets and read more!

Pick #3

Chinese New Year in Harvard Square

READ ALL ABOUT IT BY CLICKING HERE!

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Come celebrate Chinese New Year in Harvard Square!  2015 is the year of the Goat and the 60th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Restaurant.  As usual, Massachusetts Avenue from the Hong Kong to Yenching will be festooned with red and gold lanterns hanging from our wrought iron lampposts as we prepare for a grand Chinese New Year procession through Harvard Square and our cultural “Open House” at the Hong Kong!

Schedule of Activities

 

1:00 pm Lion Dance Parade assembles on Brattle Plaza followed by parade to the Hong Kong along Brattle Street to Massachusetts Avenue

 

12:00 pm – 3:00pm Arts and crafts on the 2nd floor of the Hong Kong

 

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Performances. Lantern Riddles and prizes on the 3rd floor of the Hong Kong

 

In addition, at 11am, children 6 and under are invited to join Harvard Museum of Natural History staff for Nature Story Time – Chinese New Year. Nature Storytime Sundays occur each Sunday at 11am.  Enjoy stories and poems designed to engage the next generation of explorers with themes related to the museum’s galleries.  The museum is free to Massachusetts residents, with ID, every Sunday from 9am until noon.

With Friends Like These

Posted on by Nichole S.

Well, with a friend like this….

I had a really good friend once…actually not very long ago at all…but then, one freezing cold, grey winter day (yesterday), he decided it would be fun to start sending texts…all day long…from beachfront establishments in Key West, Florida.

So, obviously, we are friends no more.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for posting vacation photos on your Facebook page or Instagram or whatnot…where people have the choice to look long and hard..or ignore all together…but TEXTS…come on, seriously.

Why you got to be so cruel?

What makes it worse…if possible…is that this friend has a somewhat unlimited supply of something that I covet a great deal…TIME.

Don’t get me wrong, when he works, he works really hard….but, when he’s off…his days stretch out before him like a long story waiting to be written. Actually, if I’m being honest, maybe more like a movie  (If you’re thinking The Hangover, you’re probably on the mark).

The photos alone were malicious enough, but the comments that accompanied them were plain old spiteful.

Things like:

“I was going to come home tomorrow, but I don’t think so”

 

“Tough day…can’t you see my drink is empty”

 

“Morning Coffee. On the beach.”

 

“Made a move, my new view”

 

“Holding down the fort.”

 

“Taking one for the team.”

 

“4 pounds of stone crab claws…sorry I forgot to send a pic”

“Text later.  Going for a swim.”

“Think I’m going to hang in for another week or so. I’m up for the challenge.”

Did I mention that Key West, Florida is one of my all-time favorite places?

I’m going to miss my friend.  But not his texts.  😉

Be well.  Or, as he would say, “See you out there.  Good game.”

Why Did I Wait So Long?

Posted on by Nichole S.

Sadly, Christmas morning came and went and Santa had not left me a Suzy Kuzy. So, I became resolute to order one for myself.

But, I forgot.

An exceptionally cold day at the hockey rink was all it took for me to come home one day last week and order one up!

It is even better than I imagined it would be.

So, now, the only question is…  Why in the world did I wait so long?

Hockey moms, I suggest you order yours NOW for next season!

Pick your color here…..  pick your refreshment later.  #SuzyKuzy

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Worlds Collide

Posted on by Nichole S.

Do you know what’s awesome?  Going out in this great little community to celebrate the happiness of two friends and, in doing so, spending a fantastic night out with such a wide variety of acquaintances…that your head kind of spins with giddiness.

I taught a 9-hour class to my grown-up students yesterday, went home to have a quick dinner with my husband and boys, and then went back out to celebrate a great rite of passage with some friends.

While incredibly happy for them…by the end of the evening I also felt quite happy for me.  In that little establishment…within a few hours time…I was lucky enough to have laughs (and some tears…because sometimes that happens) with some old friends, new friends, blog friends, hockey friends, bar friends, father’s friends, husband’s friends…and even several members of my husband’s family. Worlds collide…and I’m a lucky girl to have so many people whom I consider wonderful and special…and randomly happened to see in one evening. Ok…enough sappy.

But…in all seriousness….   Do you know what else is awesome?

People who don’t want to exclusively talk about themselves, but are eagerly and honestly looking to learn and engage to find out more about others.  Random, I realize. However, true.  While I love to talk and solidly lie on the extrovert side of the ball field, I am also passionate about meeting people and learning about what makes them different from everyone else…what they love….what they hope to do…and what they consider special.   So…refreshing (and kind of endearing) to spend some time last night listening to someone who likes to do the same.  I got such a kick out of a newish friend by listening to him chat up people (including myself) to learn more about them.  Maybe I’m off the mark….maybe he’s writing a book. But I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and think…kudos for being a good guy who might agree that your life grows more wonderful by meeting and knowing as many diverse and interesting people as possible.

I was asked a few times last night, “So what do you write about on the blog?” and….while I’m not always sure how to answer that….today I’ll say, “I write about things that make me think or make me smile.”  I did a lot of both last night.

Happy Sunday, friends.

Thank You, Grand Isle

Posted on by Nichole S.

There have been some great posts (and gorgeous photos) about the USCG Cutter Grand Isle, its years of service, and the fact that it was decommissioned earlier this week.

This may sound silly, but here in Rockport, at our tiny little home, it was sad news.

My boys have loved that vessel since they could both say, “boat.”  The several months that the Grand Isle left us back in 2011 for an overhaul in Baltimore were loooong months for Thatcher and Finn.  Such a quirky thing, but they missed her presence in the harbor greatly.

Grown-ups do coffee runs….  Thatcher and Finn have asked me to do boat runs for as long as I can remember.  I’ve written about this before, so forgive me if you read it, but for YEARS now, no matter the season, we have been doing the tour.  “The tour?”  You may ask.  Well, it goes like this….  some time in the parking lot of Cape Ann Marina to see the shrink wrapped boats, or a drive by the docks to see those in the water, down the boulevard, past the Fishermen’s Wives Statue, a quick sit at the Man at the Wheel to watch whatever traffic may be going in or out of the harbor, through the fort, past St. Peter’s Square, check on some of the fishing fleet, look for the Privateer, check on the Lannon, down Washington Street to Harbor Loop, count the Coast Guard inflatables and grey 47-footers, see who is docked behind Captain Carlos, down to Cape Ann Whale Watch to see the Hurricane, and then on to the their Disney….The State Fish Pier.   Each and every time…upon driving past Pratty’s, the boys would declare, “I think the Grand Isle is in!” or “I think the Grand Isle is out!”  “What do you think, Mom?”  They’d make me drive crazy slow to let the anticipation build until the nose of our Jeep would peak past the Environmental Police building to catch a glimpse…or not…of the mighty Grand Isle.  It took a couple of years for them to realize that if they would just look up (at high tide anyway) they could see her yellow tower rising from the harbor…hence giving her away.

Thatcher, in particular, has been somewhat obsessed with the Coast Guard as a whole for years.  I’ll never forget the day he was standing forever peering at the boats through the fence at Solomon Jacobs Park until a new hero, Petty Officer Bowen, came over and invited him into the fenced in area for a tour.  Oh my, the smile!  Petty Officer Bowen later shared with me, that having grown up in Chatham, he used to spend hours doing the very same thing.  Kindred spirits, those two.  I’m not sure he’s aware of the little fire that was lit in Thatcher that day.  But I’m incredibly thankful for it.

As the love affair continued there would be more tours of the Coast Guard Station and vessels at Harbor Loop, a Coast Guard hat for his birthday, a Coast Guard shirt that reads, “Schrafft” and the year “2025”….as in the year Thatcher would be eligible for the academy, Coast Guard patches, and even a Coast Guard Halloween costume (loved that!).  And then….there was the tour of the Grand Isle.

The boys couldn’t even believe their good fortune.  They looked forward to the day for a couple of weeks….and then clammed up like crazy in the midst of all of the excitement….but, talked about it relentlessly for months afterwards. (Thanks, Cousin Rob!)  They were so little then….yet, so in love with that boat.

As a parent, you never really know what your children will become passionate about.  We have clocked hours sitting in the parking lot of the State Fish Pier just looking at the Grand Isle.  During winter months, the boys would sip their hot chocolate after hockey practice.  Summer months….there’d be smoothies.  On so many of those days, my dad would happen to call and get a good chuckle upon asking, “What are you guys up to?” only to find out that we were sitting looking at her ….again.

I wouldn’t trade a single one of those seconds that I spent wondering who thought I was stalking them as we sat in front of her bow. I was always keenly aware that surely there was someone up in the pilot house thinking, “Yikes. There’s that Jeep again.”  I was happiest when I could put the windows down so that the boys would be visible in the back seat.

So, Thank You, Grand Isle.  Thank you for helping me foster something wonderful in my boys.  Thank you for helping to spark their interest and for being the impetus for many valuable lessons.  I know at least two little boys who will miss seeing you sit proud and strong in our waters.

 

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 2/28 and 3/1

Posted on by Nichole S.
March….finally.  Maybe, just maybe, the worst of it is over.

Pick #1 

Mentioned just yesterday on GMG….and sounding like a lot of fun….is the Harlem Superstars Basketball Game!

Proceeds go to benefit the Cape Ann YMCA’s Annual Campaign!

The game starts at 7pm at Gloucester High School.  Tickets are $7 per person ($8 at the door) and all proceeds support the YMCA’s Annual Campaign to provide scholarships for local kids and families.

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Pick #2

The Lunar New Year at the Peabody Essex Museum

WEEKEND FESTIVAL

Saturday, February 28, 2015 from 10am – 4pm

Check out the day’s schedule HERE!

A full day of fantastic family activities waiting to be had!

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Pick #3

Also in celebration of the Chinese New Year…the Annual Lion Dance Parade

Chinese New Year Events – Lion Dance Parade

Click Here for Information about this year’s parade!

Be sure to scan all the way down when checking out the link above.  If you do you’ll find some great suggestions for where to eat some dim sum and more!

 

                                  Photo of Lion Dances at Boston's Chinese New Year Celebration in Chinatown

 

When: Sunday, March 1, 2015

See Boston Discovery Guide’s March Events Calendar for more information

 

Note:  In case you remember that this this parade takes place in February, you’re right.  However, Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar, and it takes place later than usual this year.

 

Where:  Beach Street and other nearby streets in Chinatown, Boston
Closest T station: Orange Line/Chinatown (or walk over from any Downtown Boston T station
Cost: Free

 

 

 

#StayWeird

Posted on by Nichole S.

I’m not a huge award show junkie.  In truth, I rarely watch the Academy Awards (or the Oscars…even that confuses me), the Grammy Awards, the Golden Globes, the People’s Choice, the Emmys, or any of the others.

While I’m not proud (nor ashamed) to say that I have not seen a single one of the movies that were nominated for an Academy Award this year, I did, however, watch part of the award show on Sunday evening.

And, while doing so, I was pleasantly surprised by two things.

First of all, when Graham Moore won Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Imitation Game” he made an inspiring and brave acceptance speech.  #stayweird

 

Secondly, oh the tears, listening to Tim McGraw sing “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” just about did me in.  What a beautiful song.

Boats, Boats, and More Boats

Posted on by Nichole S.

If you didn’t get to the New England Boat Show this year, stay tuned for next year’s dates.  I really can’t recommend it enough…whether you’re in the market for a boat…or just love boats.

With a huge number of boat manufacturers and industry vendors….as well as, engaging and interactive activities for the kiddos, a day at the boat show is a fantastic (and inexpensive) way to spend a day.  We paid $26….kids under 15 are free.  Parking was $15….which I suppose could be avoided if you don’t mind walking a bit and if there isn’t 9 feet of snow on the ground next year (fingers crossed).  The most expensive part of the day was the quick bite to eat that the boys needed to rally through the second 3 hours.

Sadly, my iPhone battery died after 4 hours of photo taking so many boats are not represented in this slide show.  I was also shooting more like a mom and less like a blog contributor, so if you can’t tell what type of boat it is, I apologize.

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A Girl Can Dream

Posted on by Nichole S.

I took the boys to the New England Boat Show the other day.  We arrived at 12:45 to be there for the 1:00 opening and left at 6:45.  6 hours. Honestly, we could have stayed much longer (and gosh knows the boys wanted to), but we we were stopping for dinner on the way home and I was getting antsy to hit the road.

I have about 200 photos of a large variety of boats to weed through, that I’ll post later in the week, but for now….think Hinckley.  Sigh.

There are a million boats that I’d be happy with and there were several boat manufacturers that caught my eye the other day.  There are some boats that I like for one reason…like fishing….and then there are boats that I like for different reasons…like “cruising.”  There are even some boats that I would absolutely sell my home for the very second the boys go off to college and live upon happily for the rest of my life….like the Ranger Tug.

That having been said, there is one boat that I see in my dreams a bit more clearly than all others…and that is the one and only Hinckley.  Ummm…sigh, again.

HINCKLEY YACHTS   Worth taking a look.

If you were unfamiliar with Hinckley prior to last week, you may have quickly learned about them after having seen the images below go viral. The brand new 43-foot Talaria was making its way to the New England Boat Show when it lost its battle with snow banks at the intersection of Summer and Lincoln Street in Boston. The irony of the picnic-style boat, whose sleek design screams CAREFREE SUMMER DAYS, stuck in Boston’s dirty snowbanks in the midst of what could be a record breaking winter squeezed my heart just a bit.

So, I was delighted to see the Maggie Mae, gorgeous and unscathed, in all of her tremendous glory, in the Hinckley/Hunt Pavilion.

I was also delighted to learn a bit about the company, as well as, the boat owner who was eagerly anticipating the delivery of his purchase.  I was even more delighted to hear that he was understanding and realistic as to his boat’s little city adventure.  Kudos to you, sir.

The learning about the company part was somewhat accidental….and I have 5-year old, Finn, to thank for the lesson.

Upon stepping foot on the Maggie Mae, Finn immediately announced (and loudly I might add), “I don’t like this boat.”  After a quick exchanging of, “I’m sorry…are you my son?” eye contact, he quickly explained.   “These people are Philadelphia Flyers fans.”

Huh?

“Well, look, they have the Flyers logo all over the boat.”

Kudos to you also, Finn.

So, of course, we had to ask about their choice of logos.

And….here is the deal.

As an elementary school teacher I have spent a good amount of time teaching my students about Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses…and while I would recognize the sandals worn by Greek God, Hermes, and Roman God, Mercury….I’m not sure that I ever knew that those sandals were called Talaria. The Talaria, as it would be, is a very fitting choice to serve as the logo of Hinckley Yachts if you ask me. Swift, regal, noble, refined….special.

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While enjoying my one and only visit on the Maggie Mae (sigh), I also learned that her new owner, Robert A. Vincent, sounds like a really nice guy!  Mr. Vincent, in fact, was due to arrive at the New England Boat Show later in the evening for a Christening Party for his gorgeous boat….with a catered party and all.  Had my iPhone not died, I would have stalked a bit for some photos of the ceremony. Had I trusted that Thatcher and Finn would not choose that exact moment to demonstrate how tired they were becoming…I would have at least snuck back to observe from afar.

I would like to add that, while Thatcher, Finn and I were certainly not in the market for purchasing a Hinckley, the boat company’s representatives were cordial, helpful, kind, and patient with the boys…and with me.  The only thing that could have made our visit nicer would have been a large, flat body of water, some sushi, and some champagne.  And maybe the keys and a captain.  Just saying.