Author: Nichole S.

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 1/24 and 1/25

Posted on by Nichole S.

Don’t forget about last week’s suggestion of going to see Alastair Moock concert on Saturday at The Cabot in Beverly.  Should be a fun show!  According to their website, tickets are still available.

Also don’t forget that the Cape Ann Museum is free for residents this month and SHOULD NOT be missed!!

Moving on…

Pick #1

White the Bright 2015!

A great and inexpensive way to inspire your budding athletes….in this case, especially your daughters.

Watch Harvard Women’s Hockey take on Cornell on Saturday.  They’re hoping to beat their attendance record and would love your help.  If you wear White to their Bright-Landry Hockey Center  (hence the White the Bright) you also get to spin the prize wheel.  Total bonus is that Adult tickets are only $10 and children 12 and Under are totally FREE.  So, take in an awesome Ivy League hockey game for super cheap and then spend the money you saved at Fire and Ice or somewhere else cool.

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Pick #2

The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is always a no brainer…I’m sure I’ve said that before, but some weekends are even better than others…and, hence, are worth singling out and mentioning.  The following activity, for example, sounds excellent.

Wingmasters Presents North American Birds of Prey at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sun, Jan 25, 2015 11:00 am – 12:15 pm

Tickets range from $10-$13 depending on whether or not you’re a member.

Come see live birds of prey up close in this indoor presentation that will introduce you to the different types of raptors including eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. We’ll discuss the special features these birds have that enable them to be successful predators at the top of the food chain. We’ll talk about how they hunt, what they eat, and their amazing vision, hearing, and feathers. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to see birds such as the golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, saw-whet owl, and more (birds subject to change).

Pick #3

The Hall at Patriot Place and Bass Pro Shops

With no professional football scheduled (obviously) and Superbowl hype building by the second, I can’t think of a better weekend to make the little trek to the Hall at Patriot Place to further inspire your little ones…and get them revved up prior to the big game.  Patriot Place is also a great destination for some shopping and dining.  My boys are CRAZY about the Bass Pro Shops!

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The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon is an exciting, innovative and interactive, modern museum experience for all ages. The Kraft family long considered the best way to honor the greatest Patriots of all time while simultaneously preserving Patriots history. They scored a touchdown when they opened The Hall in September of 2008.

The family’s investment in The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon accomplishes its goal to give Patriots fans a unique, technologically advanced venue to relive and celebrate great moments and great players and even recall some of the hard times that make all fans, including long-time season ticket holder Robert Kraft, appreciate the recent Super Bowl championships. The Hall will impress Patriots and football fans alike.

The Hall is a modern “museum” that takes guests through Patriots and New England football history in a cutting-edge way, utilizing amazing video and audio to tap into fans’ emotions in a manner never before seen in a sports museum.

Pick #4

Kicking it old school….  Don’t forget to go bowling and/or ice skating! This weekend you can also make a date to see Paddington because it was super cute.

 

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Cape Ann Cinema is local, inexpensive, and easy.  Cape Ann Lanes is always a fun bet as is King’s Bowling if you’re looking for a bigger adventure and a bigger bill.

Outdoor Skating in the winter is a must.

Here are some hotspots:

The Frog Pond in Boston Commons

The Charles Hotel, Cambridge

Kendall Square

Patriot Place

Start Your Engines

Posted on by Nichole S.

I’ve literally never seen my boys as wound for sound as they were at the New England Car Show on Saturday.  Boys and their cars, I guess.

In, out, open, close, push, press, twist, turn….repeat….repeat…repeat, etc.

They were crazy…and they had a blast.

That having been said, I would like to publicly apologize to all employees, dealers, manufacturers, and fellow car show patrons for my boys’ unyielding exuberance. While I knew they’d enjoy it, even I didn’t expect it would be this much.

Bygones.

 

Cars, Cars, Cars

Posted on by Nichole S.

We had such a great time at the New England International Car Show on Saturday.  If you have kids who are into cars you should plan on heading in next year!

The practical reason for attending is that if you are considering purchasing a car in the next 12 months it’s a great way to see all of your favorites in super close proximity to each other.  And, as a bonus, you may discover others that you might not have considered as an option.

The less practical reason, of course, is that there are some unbelievably cool cars on display to check out.  I’m not much of a car enthusiast, but it is hard to not be smitten by the sleekness of some of the automobiles that are there for your drooling pleasure.  I have not recovered from some of the price tags….such as the Bentley for $261,100 or the Lamborghini with a BASE PRICE of $441,600 …..which was, for the record SOLD.

If you ask my boys, the real reason to attend is to see how many buttons you can press in a 2 hour window.

So This Happened

Posted on by Nichole S.

In the category of Never a Dull Moment…

I’ve been teaching for 22 years.  I’ve seen a lot.  I have had all sorts of excellent…and funny…and puzzling things happen….but, never…ever, this.  Until this week.

We have two crested geckos.  I’ve always believed in having a lot of pets.  It is a time suck when you’re the one ultimately responsible for caring for them (even with lots of helpful hands), but the lessons for the students are invaluable. We’ve had your run-of-the-mill hamsters and gerbils…and now the coolest guinea pig around.  We’ve also had a hedgehog and a rabbit.  We’ve had birds…and more fish than I can count.  We’ve also had tree frogs, anoles, a tortoise…and now geckos. There were a few years before I had the boys that I had a fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal all at one time so that we could really learn first-hand the different classifications of Phylum Chordata.  I digress.

The children have always treasured having the opportunity to interact and care for these critters and they’ve also provided fantastic learning opportunities.

What better way to learn the parts of a fish…ventral fins, pectoral fins, dorsal fin, caudal fin, gill openings, lateral line, etc…than observing a real live fish?

You get my point.

So, this week we learned that when a gecko feels threatened (don’t ask) it will “drop its tail” in an attempt to distract the predator so that it can flee.  Fascinating.  Most geckos will grow a new tail.  Crested geckos do not.  They can, however, live happy and healthy lives without their tails.  Phew.

What happens after the tail falls off, you may ask?  Well, see for yourself.

 

New England International Auto Show

Posted on by Nichole S.

I should have included this in my Weekend Pics for sure.  I realize that not all kids are car enthusiasts like my boys, but it is still a good time.  I attended the auto show all the time when I was younger (in addition to the boat show) and I always enjoyed it.

New England Auto Show

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210

Tix are $15 for Adults and $6 for Kids.  Kids under 6 are free (Yay, Finn!)

Driving Directions

January 15-19, 2015

Thursday, 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Friday, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Monday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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This Guy Must Have Picked the Short Straw

Posted on by Nichole S.

Construction continues on the Rockport Breakwater and, after watching this guy do his work, you have to assume that he picked the short straw.

Yikes!  That is not a job I would want in January…or anytime really.

Great job, my friend!

 

 

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 1/17 and 1/18

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1

If you make it, they will come….I think.

With no real accumulation and the kids dying to go sledding…or in this case TUBING, New England Sports Park (formally Amesbury Sports Park) has you covered! This weekend is finally opening weekend so they must be making snow.

What is New England Sports Park? Where do we start? 

We are best known the steepest, fastest snow tubing hill in New England in the winter.  

But we are so much more.

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Pick #2 

I am a huge fan of Scavenger Hunts…just saying.  So, this sounds like a ton of fun! I’ve been meaning do one of the Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts for some time now.  I’m not going to lie, the outdoor ones around Boston are more my cup of tea, but this sounds great….especially if you have kids who can’t get enough of the Museum of Science!

The Mad Science Family Scavenger Hunt

See the surreal side of science on a whirlwind tour to see the best of the Museum of Science. Kids and adults work together to uncover the secrets of eye-popping interactive exhibits, a life-size T. rex, a sneaky snake, hidden messages, an electrified jumping disk, optical illusions, a mad scientist’s lab, a musical zebra in a hunter’s trophy room, a book by a cat, live animals and a nightmare chair.

For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by adults, and vice versa. Click on the button below to see the hunt schedule and find more fun!

Saturday 1/17 at 2:00.  Kids 7 and up.  Be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time on the link provided!  GOOD LUCK!

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Pick #3

Ok. So this is a bit premature, but if you want to score tickets, you need to act now.  The new Cabot in Beverly is such a fantastic venue and they have opened with a bang offering a wonderfully diverse array of shows.  If you’ve been wanting to take your kids to a concert, but haven’t scored tix to Taylor Swift, One Direction, or Gosh Only Knows Who Else….or if you’re not sure that they’re old enough for such an event…next weekend’s Alastair Moock concert may just be the ticket you’ve been looking for. A sweeter, simpler concert for young music fans, for sure!

ALASTAIR MOOCK: A REAL CONCERT FOR KIDS
  • When: Saturday, Jan 24, 2015 10:30 AM (Doors open at 10:00 AM)
  • Ticket Price: $5.33 – $8.24

AWARDS: 2014 Grammy nomination – Best Children’s Album; 2013 People Magazine Best Kid’s Album; 2013 Parents’ Choice Gold Medal; 2013 NAPPA Gold Medal.

Nearly twenty years into his performing career, 2014 Grammy-nominated musician Alastair Moock has managed to carve out a unique niche for himself: He is a songwriter committed to celebrating the roots of American music while knocking down the walls between different audiences, genres and musical traditions. Today, his audiences range from adults all the way down to preschoolers, and he plays everything from nightclubs to theaters to schoolrooms. Like his boyhood hero, Woody Guthrie, Moock believes in the power of music to reach all people — young and old, far and wide, for all occasions.

 

 

But it is Moock’s newest album, Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids, which is nearest and dearest to his heart. In July of 2012, one of Alastair’s daughter’s was diagnosed with leukemia. The Singing Our Way Through project began when they started writing songs together in the hospital. Over the next several months, Moock continued to write and collect songs that reflected his family’s experiences – the love, the pride, the surprising amount of joy, and some of the more difficult parts too.

Moock decided he wanted to record an album for other families traveling similar paths. With the help of an amazing fundraising campaign and the musical talents of friends including co-producer Anand Nayak, Chris Smither, Aoife O’Donovan, Rani Arbo, Mark Erelli, The Okee Dokee Brothers, and (fellow 2014 Grammy nominee) Elizabeth Mitchell, Moock released Singing Our Way Through in July, 2013. Since then, more than 2,500 albums have been distributed to hospitals, cancer organizations and patient families around the country.

And Now I Can Sleep

Posted on by Nichole S.

I saw this sweater and matching pants (jammies, I’m thinking…but, I’m really not sure) during my one trip to the mall during the holiday season.

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They reminded me of something, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  Since then, every once in a while, it has nagged at me.  I’d get this tiny little sliver of a flashback…almost grab it….and then POOF…it’d be gone again.

Until last night.

Victory!

I awoke from a sound sleep with a strange song in my head.  Foggy…I went back to sleep.  In the morning, I found myself humming it again…and then, not much later…I finally had it!

I had figured out the song.  But, why?  Why was I suddenly singing a song from some whackadoodle show from my youth?

The Great Space Coaster!  What?!

There’s No Gnu Like Gary Gnu!

Seriously?  I watched this stuff?  I was a pretty active kid…Did I really have this kind of free time on my hands?

And then…. I found these images.

And now I can sleep.

Do you think the designer of the pants and sweater clocked some time watching this same show back in the day?  You never know when inspiration will strike….or how long it will stay dormant in your psyche, evidently.

 

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Time to Reconnect

Posted on by Nichole S.

With a rare unscheduled morning suddenly before me and the boys off for a game of pond hockey, I put Marlin on his leash, grabbed a cup of coffee, and took off for a brisk walk around town.

It has been way too long since I’ve been able to find time to do that and it was exactly the dose of medicine that I needed yesterday.  I don’t often forget why I love living in Rockport, but this is the time of year that I don’t necessarily find the time to actually enjoy it….or appreciate it.  Early yesterday, for 90 fantastic minutes, Marlin and I played Who are the People in Your Neighborhood while walking past Old Garden Beach, down Atlantic, through town, up and down Bearskin Neck, to Front Beach, into Mill Pond Park, past the frozen pond, by the cemetery, down Hale Street, through town again, and back home….seeing friends and familiar faces along the way.

Along the way, Marlin was kind enough to let me wrestle my phone out of my pocket once in a while to snap a photo.  He isn’t keen on slowing down much…but, tolerated my pitstops.  He was most appreciative of the stops that allowed him to stalk birds.  He, unlike me, doesn’t have an affinity for front doors…but would take those opportunities for a quick pee.

There’s something magical about this town…no matter how cliche that sounds… and I’m so happy to have had the chance to reconnect.

 

Olympic Rings Good or Bad for the Purse Strings?

Posted on by Nichole S.

So, by now, you all know that the United States Olympic Committee voted Boston as its Applicant City for the 2024 Summer Games and the Paralympic Games.

Boston was selected over Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.  The last U.S. city to host the Olympics was Salt Lake City back in 2002 and it has been 18 years since the Summer Olympics has called the USA home.

The field is not yet complete, but for now Boston is competing against Rome. Germany is expected to enter a bid for either Berlin or Hamburg, South Africa will likely throw their hat into the ring, and Paris and Istanbul have been said to be entering the competition as well.

The host city will be chosen by the International Olympic Competition in 2017.

So, I ask you, based upon the knowledge that you have, what’s your opinion?

Bring on the Olympic Rings or Hell, No! Forget about those things?

Here are some articles for your reading pleasure. Comments welcome.

USA Today Article

FOX News

TEAM USA

Boston.com

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Boston Scores Winning Bid

Posted on by Nichole S.

Boston wins the United States Olympic Committee bid!  Next stop, International Olympic Committee…in the hopes of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games.

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Nichole’s Family Picks of the Weekend 1/10 and 1/11

Posted on by Nichole S.

Ummmm…..Brrrrrr.   It is kind of hard to think of doing anything other than a mad movie marathon or intense family game day under blankets, sprawled on the living room floor, but here are some ideas.

Want to feel like you are in the tropics, even though we aren’t?

Pick #1 is to visit an indoor garden and it might just help you forget these frigid winter temperatures!

Here are two great choices.

The Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston

While it may be too cold to enjoy some of the outside gardens, there are some gorgeous indoor spaces and you are always welcome to hike around outside as long as you can handle the temps.  Be sure to visit the Limonaia, or Lemon House, and the Orangerie.  The Winter Garden is also not to be missed!

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Or there are the Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens.

The Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses house the most diverse collection of plants under glass in the greater Boston area.

There are sixteen interconnected greenhouses comprising 7,200 square feet under glass. Many plants in the greenhouses have cultural value as food and spice around the world. Some plants in the greenhouses have historical significance to Wellesley College, the most prominent being the 130-plus year old Durant camellia which came from the founder of the college.

The Desert House showcases cacti and succulents in a series of miniature landscapes, demonstrating a range of adaptations to different desert environments and providing examples of convergent evolution. Larger landscape plantings give a realistic impression of desert plants in nature. Annuals such as desert bluebells are added to enhance the landscape as appropriate. This house is kept cool during the winter months to encourage spring bloom.

The Tropic House is the tallest of the greenhouses, allowing small trees such as palms, cycads and banana to grow in a central in-ground planting area. The house provides a general impression of a tropical forest understory, demonstrating adaptations such as aerial roots and large leaves with drip tips. Vines and lianas are encouraged to grow up appropriate hosts, and epiphytes are grown on trees or simulated trees.

Aerated pools in the Hydrophyte House provide suitable growing conditions for aquatic plants as well as plants adapted to wet root zone conditions, such as mangroves and papyrus. A range of water-loving plants, from floating aquatics to rooted emergents to floodplain species, is demonstrated in and around these unique pools.

Other houses and collections include the Seasonal Display House, Mabel A. Stone Cryptogam (Fern) House, Warm Temperate House, economic plant collection, caudiciform collection, sensory plant collection, and carnivorous plant collection.

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Pick #2

Need to shake off the chill?  Try the pot….The Melting Pot, that is.

I have such fond memories of fondue family nights spent hanging over our mustard yellow super 70s fondue pot!  While this experience may be slightly more modern than my memories (and more than a wee bit more expensive) it is worth it for a fun treat!  There are locations in Bedford/Burlington and in Boston’s Back Bay.

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Pick #3 

To help take care of some of that holiday excess that you may have enjoyed….

Hit the gym.  The Metrorock Climbing Gym

“Climbing for the Day” passes are $20 for adults, $10 for children under 7, and FREE for children under 4.

There are locations in Newburyport and Everett.

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Maserati Dreams on a Minivan Budget

Posted on by Nichole S.

You should have seen my boys’ eyes when we told them that we were renting a car for our weekend getaway to New York City….and then pulled into the Maserati Dealership…and then moved right along to the waaay back of the lot to the rental agency to pick up our mad minivan.

I’m still laughing.

But, really…who do they think we are?

Thatcher and Finn have become more than a little obsessed with cars lately. While a part of me is super impressed with how much they know, part of me could handle a day off from answering questions like, “What do you think goes faster?  A mustang or a corvette?” or “Would you rather have a fast little sporty convertible or a big 4WD SUV?” “Well, what if you lived in Florida? What if you lived in Alaska? What if you lived in Australia”  (Oh, for the love of God). Then there’s, “Which do you like better? A Bugatti or a Ferrari?” I had to Google Bugattis. Or the more elaborate, “If you had a mega yacht what type of car would you put on it to drive around all of the islands you visit?”  Ummm. Hmmmm. Good one.

Sometimes I get caught up in it and actually select my answers carefully….you know, because someday it might matter.  Other days, I just answer absentmindedly (don’t tell them…please).  Last week my mother was in the car with us and Finn announced, “There’s Nammy’s (their name for my mom) favorite type of truck!” as he pointed to a massive Dodge Ram.  I looked at my mom with a raised eyebrow and she whispered, “Sometimes its just easier to give them an answer.”

She’s right.  They’re relentless.  Always have been.

That having been said, they do love their cars….and they would be as happy as the Autobahn is fast just driving around looking at cars (and boats).  I know a couple of kids who will be attending some lawn events at the Lars Anderson Car Museum this summer, for sure.

So, while we didn’t actually take one of the Maseratis to NYC, the boys insisted that we give them some time on the lot to take photos and ooh and aah their little hearts out.

While they were running around all awestruck, I took a second to look around too.  In doing so, I learned a few things.  First of all, Maseratis cost a shit load of money! Secondly…and insanely…many of the cars on the lot were actually SOLD. What? To Whom?  And thirdly, Maseratis cost a shit load of money.  That bears repeating.

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Finn is still pissed that his Maserati dreams were shattered and he was pimping it minivan style instead.

Rockport Rings in the New Year

Posted on by Nichole S.

I can’t even imagine the details that need to go into organizing an event such as New Year’s Rockport Eve.  With 15 incredible venues and 38 performers and/or acts covering the entire downtown area over the course of 6 rockin’ hours, Rockport was the place to be on New Year’s Eve!

Massive kudos to those involved in the planning, execution, volunteering, and entertaining aspects of this event!

My only regret is that we had to limit our fun by only attending 6 of the many, many options.

We traveled in a group of about 6 adults and 7 kids.  Hitting the Shalin Liu for the Cape Ann Big Band was an absolute must and was also our first stop!  Such a tremendous venue and band….it was the absolute best way to kick off our New Year’s Eve celebration!

We then took in a Story teller, some face painting, balloon animal making, The Jolly Rogues and their Seafaring music, Jah Spirit and some awesome reggae music (some mad dancing), and then the one and only Dan King.

We made it back to our friends’ beautiful home in time for some late night drinks and snacks with about 35 minutes to spare before the big midnight moment.

Rockport proved one again, that we are beyond fortunate to call it home.

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Nichole’s Family Picks of the Weekend 1/3/15 and 1/4/15

Posted on by Nichole S.

Happy New Year!

I hope that 2015 proves to be everyone’s best year yet!

It looks like the cold weather is here to stay, but with no snow there’s no chance of sledding, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing anytime soon. There’s still plenty to do!

Pick #1 

Fire and Ice Festival on The Lawn on the D

Check out the link above for the weekend’s schedule of events!  It looks like a great time!  And…as the 1st event of its kind, you can be a part of the history!

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The Lawn on D kicks off its winter season with Winter on D’s inaugural event – Boston’s first Fire & Ice Festival!

Enjoy the chilling beauty of this winter season as The Lawn on D is magically frozen into a wonderland of ice. The Fire & Ice Festival offers fun free daytime activities and exciting winter attractions that will keep you happily frolicking in the cold including an ice labyrinth, free daytime and evening activities including kids dance parties.

The Fire & Ice Festival will feature one of the largest ice labyrinths in America that will allow visitors to walk through a glass-like maze built out of nearly 300 giant ice blocks bathed in colorful lights during the evening hours. Guests can also admire photos from world-famous adventure photographer Paul Nicklen whose polar photos of penguins, polar bears and other arctic creatures will be frozen into the ice labyrinth walls.

Watch the finest fire art performers from The Boston Circus Guild manipulate the orange and yellow hues of fire at their will. Feel the heat and watch the flames flicker and dance in the evening sky by skilled performers in an icy winter wonderland.

Got a chill? Kids and adults can warm up under the winter pavilion with a nice warm cup of cocoa! The pavilion will feature a beautifully carved ice bar, serving up seasonal favorites including apple cider and hot cocoa for the little ones, along with wine and beer for adults.

Fire & Ice Festival goers can sit by one of the many fire pits placed around on the lawn to warm their hands and feet after grabbing a bite to eat from one of our food trucks including free samples of Legal Sea Foods’world-famous chowder and good hearty bites from Stoked Pizza, The Taco Truck and Sheherazad.

Music and entertainment will be provided throughout the three day Fire & Ice Festival.

(Please note: Evening fire performances and Legal Sea Foods will not be present on January 4, 2015)

 

 

 

 

 

Pick #2 

The Neveland Theatre Presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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Pick #3

Skating at the outdoor rink at Market Street in Lynnfield, some bowling at Kings and a good meal….some shopping wouldn’t hurt either!

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Check out the full list of restaurants and stores here!

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Pick #4

As has been mentioned here on GMG before, swimming at the Cape Ann Marina is a total no brainer.  Swimming, food, and drinks, oh my!  For the record, the kids’ meals are $8 and come with a drink, the meal, and even a small vanilla ice cream.

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Get Your Swim on!

Posted on by Nichole S.

School Vacation Swim Membership at Mile Marker One and Cape Ann Marina!

It isn’t too late to take advantage of this offer! I was about to pay $28 for one day, but with 6 days left before school starts, the $49 vacation week membership was a no brainer! Oh, ummmm, did I mention you can get a beer and some snacks too.

A perfect “Staycation” activity!!!

Artist at Work: No Rest for the Weary

Posted on by Nichole S.

I met a friend for a bite to eat and a couple of drinks at Stone’s last night and headed back out into the cold to head home at 9:30.  The chill was just leaving my car as I turned off of Broadway and onto South Street in Rockport to climb the hill towards home.

There, on the side walk, was an artist at work.  My clock read 9:42 and my temperature gauge read a mere 36 degrees, but he was happily painting away.

I drove past him and hemmed and hawed a bit about whether to continue towards home or turn around and capture the moment…with no camera, but at least, my phone.  I saw him painting on that same corner last week and was mad at myself for not stopping.  I didn’t want to make the same mistake twice.

I’m glad I turned around.

Chris Coyne, of Coyne Fine Art, was in the midst of an already gorgeous painting…surely to be all that more stunning upon completion.  This evening he was painting The First Baptist Church of Rockport. Last week he was painting one of my favorite things about the holiday season, the Dock Square Christmas Tree. He was kind enough to show me the completed painting of our beautiful town tree. Nothing short of stunning!

I’ve always had an appreciation for Chris Coyne’s art, but after seeing him out in the cold late at night to capture the perfect moment in time…I have an entirely new appreciation.

Do yourself a favor and browse his work at Coyne Fine Art or on his Facebook Page

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