The boys have been dying to get in the water with dolphins for quite a while now.  We were so happy to make that happen for them down in the Bahamas this week…thanks to a pretty epic Easter gift from their grandmother, “Nammy.”

If you’re ever in the Bahamas, I highly recommend the UNEXESO Dolphin Experience.  It was a day my boys will remember forever.

Happy Easter, GMG friends!  With Love from the Schraffts down in the Bahamas.

The boys were dying to see of the gorgeous homes and yachts along the intercoastal waterway during our two day pitstop in Fort Lauderdale.  They have a thing for boats of all sizes and are blooming wharf rats.  Seeing some of these large “mega yachts” up close was super fun for them.  And the homes…..my goodness.  No joke.

Local artist, Barbara Moody, Professor at Montserrat College of Art and board member of the Rocky Neck Art Colony, is currently in the midst of her sixth solo exhibition at Boston’s Kingston Gallery.

Inside/Out will be on exhibition until April 30th at the Kingston’s Harrison Avenue location.

Please visit this link to learn more about Barbara Moody, Inside/Out, and the Kingston Gallery

The Kingston Gallery writes,

Embodying the abstract tradition of intuitive exploration through drawing and painting, Inside/Out is an exhibition of bold new work by Barbara Moody. Electrifying the space with color, shape, line and subtleties of surface Moody employs a range of materials to create large-scale drawings on Tyvek, an industrial construction material of thin plastic. The vast expanse of Moody’s drawings creates virtual shifts and collisions in space, full of chaos, tremors, and foreboding. “When I make the large drawings, it’s like a performance; fast, wild mark-making, drips, changing whole sections from dark to light with broad strokes.” Moody uses multiple perspectives and viewpoints in Inside/Out to generate a sense of immersion in the space, enveloping the viewer in a visually rich, mysterious environment.

And another Rockport opening to report for the season….   The Lobster Pool will be opening in just four days, or 103 hours, on Friday, April 14th at 4:00. Get on over there, eat some delicious food, enjoy the view, and maybe take in the sunset.

READ ALL ABOUT THE LOBSTER POOL ON THEIR WEBSITE HERE

Gorgeous photo, courtesy of Paul and Betsey Horovitz, from the mouth of the Annisquam River.  So many beautiful hues of green, blue, and purple from the ocean to the sky.

After the crazy snow fall last Saturday….we were thrilled to wake up Sunday morning to a really nice day.  We went for a nice walk….and then a nice drive.  I dragged the boys with me around Cape Ann while I took the some photos.  They played on beaches along the way, took some of their own photos, and then convinced me it was time for an ice cream.

Two things.  First of all, Long Beach Dairy Maid is super yummy. TONS of choices….and tons of ice cream.

So, secondly, downsize your order.  I got a small….it was easily a large at any other ice cream joint.  Really…too big to finish.  The boys got “kiddies”…which insults them to no end, but were still quite large….as seen in the photo below!

I’ve been told since that kids should really order the “1/2 Kiddie” and I should have ordered a “Kiddie”.  Which, if you ask me, begs the question way not just make the 1/2 kiddie the kiddie, the kiddie the small, and the small the large.

READ MORE ABOUT THE LONG BEACH DAIRY MAID AT THEIR WEBSITE HERE

Pick #1: Enchanted Easter Tea Party at MarketStreet

Dress in your Easter best and let us enchant you at our Easter Tea Party on The Green!

As your party attendee enters the affair, they will be greeted with a special Easter Package containing everything they will need to delight in the fun!

Guests will sip “tea” and enjoy a light breakfast while being mystified by our entertainers. That’s not all! Hop on over to the craft table, cookie decorating stations, and photobooth for more fun!

-There will only be 150 tickets sold for this event, reserve yours while you still can!

-Each ticket is good for one Child and 2 Adults. *Each child is allowed to bring up to 2 parents/guardians with them. More than 2 adults will not be permitted into the Tea Party Area.

-(Rain Date for this event is Sunday, April 9, 2017)

-*100% of your $5.00 donation will be given to the Lynnfield Recreation Department.

-*Ticket required for entry. Participants without tickets will not be granted access to the party.

READ MORE AND PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Pick #2: Beverly Comic Con

Join us on Saturday, April 8th for the fourth annual Beverly Comic Con hosted at Porter Mill Studios!

Free to the public, family friendly and jam packed with local comic creators and unique vendors. Original art, posters, prints, handmade collectibles, t-shirts, graphic novels and of course comic books, will all be on hand for this one of a kind event.

Free admission with plenty of parking across the street at the garage.
Doors open to the public at 10am.

Beverly Comic Con 4
Saturday, April 8th.
Studios at Porter Mill 10am-6pm
95 Rantoul Street
Beverly, MA. 01915

Special Guests-
Robert Gill – DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Valiant Comics
Braden Lamb – Boom Studios, First Second Books
Shelli Paroline – Boom Studios, First Second Books

Live music –
DJ Noel Snow
DJ Radio Scotvoid
Qwill

Live art –
Michael Crockett

Magic Show –
The Impossible Ivan Demarjian

TONS OF VENDORS ON SITE

READ ALL ABOUT COMIC COM AND REGISTER HERE

Pick #3: Visit Rockport

Now that the town is coming to life again for the season, you’d be crazy to not get a jump on the season by visiting now.  As we learned earlier this week, Top Dog and Roy Moore Lobster Company are open….as are many of the shops.  Visit T Wharf, stroll Bearskin Neck, stop for lunch, do some spring shopping, and enjoy the sunshine (hopefully).

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

I’m a big fan of geometric features in photography.  There was something about the contrast of the horizontal waves rolling in behind the vertical reeds that caught my eye enough that I had to turn around, pull over, and take some quick photos on the Back Shore the other day.

“The Neck” is coming to life.  Rockport’s Bearskin Neck is slowly but surely opening for the season. First Top Dog on Sunday and then Roy Moore Lobster Company yesterday!  Bring on the warm weather!

Yesterday was Top Dog’s first day of business for the 2017 Season.  We can’t wait to get down there!

From now until the kiddos get out of school their hours are as follows:

Monday – Thursday 11:00-4:00

Friday – Sunday 11:00-7:00

CHECK THEM OUT HERE!

April!!!  Happy Dance!

Pick #1: Little Mermaid at the Larcom Theatre

When:     Sat, Apr. 1st and Sun, Apr. 2nd

Tickets:   $13 to $21

Venue:     13 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA

>> Buy Tickets!

The beloved tale of The Little Mermaid is brought to the stage in a brand new production following a sell-out tour of China and the UK. The Panto Company presents their adaptation of this classic Hans Christian Andersen’s story to the stage in a fantastic, funny and exciting interactive show full of singing and dancing.

 It follows the dreams of a young girl who believes there is something more for her out of the water. Of course there’s a handsome prince, an evil baddie and lots of laughs along the way.

 Together with stunning scenery, eye-catching costumes, original songs plus up to date chart songs and not forgetting loads of audience participation this show makes for a thoroughly entertaining family day out.

http://www.thelarcom.org/thelittlemermaidhttp://www.thelarcom.org/thelittlemermaid

Pick #2: Meet the Chicks at Green Meadow Farm

Pick #3: Build a Bluebird House at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

READ MORE HERE

Parent/Child Build a Bluebird House

Sponsored by Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Sat, Apr 01, 2017 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

Instructors:

Angela Walsh – Sanctuary Field Teacher; Cheri Corrado – Sanctuary Nature Guide

Audience:

All (suitable for children 6 – 18 years)

Members:

Adult $19.00, Child free

Nonmembers:

Adult $23.00, Child free

Celebrate spring by building a bluebird house with your child. We’ll supply all the materials and instruction to build a nest box for bluebirds and tree swallows. These wonderful nest boxes also attract chickadees, tufted titmice, house wrens, and woodpeckers. A short slide presentation will introduce families to the natural history and behavior of birds in Massachusetts, and we’ll discuss where and how to place your nest box. Dress for the weather because we will take a short walk to look and listen for bluebirds.

Instructions and Directions:

Meets in the Barn. The fee is per family and includes one kit. Extra kits may be purchased for $12 each and must be ordered when you register. Please bring a hammer.

Registration is required.

Call to register 978-887-9264.

Register by mail: program registration form (PDF 66K)

For your own security, DO NOT send credit card information via email.

For more information, contact:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

87 Perkins Row

Topsfield, MA 01983

ipswichriver@massaudubon.org

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

This awesome Smart Flower is taking solar energy to a whole new level.  So cool.  Call me a dork, but I could watch it in action all day long.

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

You’ve all heard of March Madness…well, let your child hit the ice during Cape Ann Youth Hockey’s Mite Madness for a free skate session!

Mite Madness Reminder!!

 FREE Skate & Information Session

Talbot Rink – Wednesday, March 29th 

5:30 – 6:30 PM

Click HERE to Register for FREE Skate and Informational Session!

• Mite age player level with birth years 2009 and 2010 are invited to attend a free skate session on Wednesday, March 29th at 5:30 PM.   Mite players will skate an ADM skills game with GHS hockey players while parents are invited to attend an introduction to CAYH’s Mite Co-Ed Travel Program.  

• Frank Caputo, CAYH Hockey Director, will discuss the ADM player development model and have an open discussion with parents and other attendees.  

• Pre-Registration is required on our website at capeannyouthhockey.com

• Players must have participated in CAYH Cross-Ice, In House, or Mite Hybrid in 2016-17 (or an equivalent program) to register.  Skaters who have participated in Learn to Skate for at least 2 seasons and who have progressed to the “Learn to Play” sections are also candidates for this evaluation. Players must have a valid USA hockey number in order to participate in the on ice skate session.

Click HERE to Register for FREE Skate and Informational Session!

Click HERE if you would like to register for 2017-18 Mite Evaluations scheduled for Wed, April 26th, 2017

Still Have Questions?

Is Your Player a “Mite-Age Player”?

Does he/she have a birth year between 2009 & 2010 for the 2017-18 season?

All of our CAYH programs have different program  descriptions, cost and commitment levels, but we would like to familiarize the Mite Hybrid travel team to families that have qualifying players, but may not know much about the program. 

The CAYH Mite Hybrid Team is a travel team that participates in the Valley Hockey League and competes in half-ice games, per USA Hockey rules.  Valley Hockey League (VHL) Mite teams are divided into geographical areas to minimize travel and are also split up into multi-tier divisions to maximize parity.

Teams will play a 25 game schedule.  

Practices are held 2-3 evenings per week at our local Talbot Rink, and there is generally 1 game each weekend at a Valley League rink.  The season runs from September-March.   Tuition for the 2016-17 season was $1200.  The tuition for the 2017-2018 season is TBD. 

Due to popular demand, CAYH has increased the number of Mite-Hybrid travel teams over the past few years to accommodate this growing program.

For Example, The CAYH Mite-Hybrid 2016-17 PLAYER PACKAGE Included:

• 25-Game Schedule, Plus Playoffs in the Valley League
• Avg of 2-3 times weekly practice @ Talbot Rink
• On Ice Skills by Power Edge Hockey
• On Ice Goalie Skills by Bertagna Goaltending
• Chaos Hockey On Ice Skills
• Home & Away Jerseys with Socks (Value $150)**
• Contribution toward End of Season Team Party
• Contribution toward Team Tournament
• Contribution toward Championship Team Jackets

For the 2017-18 season, each player will be receiving home/away personalized jerseys and socks that they will own and be responsible for.  This package is valued at $150.  

Jersey fittings and assignment of jersey numbers will completed at the end of June. 

So please attend the Mite Madness Free Skating and Informational Session on Wednesday, March 29th at 5:30 PM. We look forward to your player becoming a member of our 2017-2018 Mite-Hybrid Travel Team! 

** Should you have any questions regarding the Mite-Hybrid program or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Frank Caputo at hockeydirector@capeannyouthhockey.com or Jessica Cusumano at registrar@capeannyouthhockey.com

Click HERE to Register for FREE Skate and Informational Session!

Click HERE if you would like to register for 2017-18 Mite Evaluations scheduled for Wed, April 26th, 2017

Thank You!

CAYH

While I haven’t been to the Red Barrel Pub for more than a decade, I do remember some fun nights in there listening to great music and sharing laughs with friends.  Kind of the end of an era….or many eras in fact.

I stopped by Maritime Gloucester yesterday morning and checked out some of the progress on the pier and the aquarium.  It is coming along beautifully and is pretty exciting.  We clocked some serious hours in the Pocket Lab Aquarium when the boys were a bit younger and no doubt they’ll fall in love with the space all over again when they see the new digs!