August 2011: What a great month! Aurora went to classes at both My Gym and Gymboree, spent many hours
trying out different playgrounds in the area, visited some more art museums, went to Six Flags
New England for the first time, and camped in the backyard.
We took two road trips this month. The first was up to Vermont to visit 2 former Walnut Hill teachers and ended
with a weekend in New York. The second was a weekend up to the Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire. We had a
fun time while we were there, but cut our trip short by about 6 hours to rush home before Tropical Storm
Irene hit the area at full strength.
August 1, 2011: Playground equipment in full sun gets hot! Aurora tried to play at Loker Park but found
most of the equipment was too hot to sit on.
August 3, 2011: The Newton Center Playground is a favortie place to go play. Aurora is now able to
do by herself many of the things that she could do alone last year. She is quite the daredevil!
Video: Toadstools
Video: 'Round and 'round
She is truly a master of the "baby playground" equipment.
That evening, we met up with Greer's family for a concert in the park.
Video: "Proud Mary"
Video: "Good love"
The evening ended with a trip to Yo Bro, a new frozen yogurt place in Brookline.
August 4, 2011: We went back to the DeCordova Musuem that evening.
Video: Chimes 1
Video: Chimes 2
August 5, 2011: Another trip to the Newton Center Playground. We brought bubbles this time, which
were popular with some of the other children there.
Video: Bubbles
That evening, we took advantage of "Free Friday Fun" to go check out the ICA (Institute of
Contemporary Art) for the first time. There is a room which juts out over the harbor and
has floor to ceiling windows. Aurora really enjoyed looking at the view from there.
After the museum closed, we took a walk along the harbor. Aurora danced with Baba to the music
we could hear playing (from
an event outside the ICA).
Video: Grooving to the music
August 7, 2011: The annual ADP alumni picnic at Endicott House. This year, it rained the
whole time we were there, so we did not get to explore the grounds or take advantage of the
swimming pool. Instead, we got to play indoor games.
Video: Twirling
Aurora tries out Scattergories, dominoes and chess.
She eventually switched over the Scrabble. Just her luck - first time
playing the game and look at the letters she picks!
Video: Twirling 2
Video: Maestro
Of course the rain ends as we are leaving. Perfect opportunity to splash in puddles!
Video: Puddle jumping
August 8, 2011: We tried a playground in Watertown that morning (near the Commander's Mansion).
Video: Playground fun
Aurora likes to nap on the couch. It's surprised us that she doesn't fall off!
August 9, 2011: Playdate and lunch with Greer and Amy today!
Video: Dangling
Video: Tire swing!
August 10, 2011: Aurora really enjoys going to My Gym. It's more gymnastics based than Gymboree, which
she is outgrowing. She loves jumping on the trampoline!
Video: Monkey bars
Video: Rings
Video: Trampoline
A good summer day ends with a trip to Truly Yogurt. The servings are so huge, we only get 2 cones to share
amongst the three of us (four if you count Twiga).
August 12, 2011: Kathy thought Aurora would enjoy trying the spray park at Artesani Park along the
Charles River in Brighton. Aurora decided she much rather play on the two playgrounds than get wet.
Video: Spinning swing
Aurora did decide that she wanted to play with her water table that evening.
Then she was inspired to create some art at her easel.
That evening, Aurora and Jon camped out in the backyard.
August 14, 2011: We went to IKEA twice during tax free weekend. It was a special treat for
Aurora to get to go to Smaland this time since kids need to be potty trained! She also liked
being able to watch "Finding Nemo" while eating.
August 16, 2011: We start our Vermont vacation up in Jeffersonville with Don Mayer. He has a
small house in rural Vermont, not far from Stowe. Aurora enjoys exploring the big yard, and
quickly learns to watch out for dog poop in the grass.
Don has big screened in porch - perfect for hanging out in the evening.
Video: Boom boom pow
Video: Super Freak
Don's dog Cocoa is quite old, but still big (and scary) to Aurora.
The evening ends when Aurora starts dancing on the ceiling.
August 17, 2011: We hike up Sterling Mountain in the morning. Aurora climbs up all the
way by herself, with only some help over the biggest rocks. That's approximately 1000
vertical feet - and no problem for this super hiker! On the trail up, we stopped to
rest a couple of times and Aurora ate a hiking snack.
Close to the summit, Aurora stops to explore Sterling Lake.
It is just a short hike up to the top. Aurora is quite proud of herself!
We go inside a snack bar for a snack. The actual snack bar is only open during the
ski season, but the building is open for hikers to use.
We walked over to check out the ski lifts nearby. Aurora picked some flowers along the way.
Video: Run!
On the way down, Aurora decied she was too tired to hike and she got a ride with Baba.
Before saying goodbye, Aurora let Cocoa get a little bit closer to her.
Picturesque church in Stowe.
We headed down to Montpelier to meet up with Corin, Jared, and Oliver for Circus Smirkus. During
intermission, Aurora and Jon demonstrate the new tricks she picked up by watching the performance.
Video: New tricks
August 18, 2011: We head to the Montshire Museum that morning.
Video: Mechanical music
Outside, they have a large water play area.
Video: Stomp stomp!
Video: Spray
Video: Controlling the switch
Video: Ring Around the Rosy
Aurora and Oliver vs. Jon: Splash fight!
Video: Water fight!
From the Montshire, we headed over to the Polar Caves. Aurora had a blast climbing
through a series of small "caves" created by large boulders. When she emerged from
some of the larger caves, she would say "I did it!" to herself!
There was even a small farm where you could feed some of the animals (deer and ducks).
Corin teaches at a farm school in Vershire. That evening, we gathered together some fallen apples
to feed the sheep and cows. The chickens and goats got feed.
August 19, 2011: We say good-bye to Corin and Oliver that morning and head over to "Treasure Island." This
is a small beach and playground on the shores of a local lake. Aurora had fun digging in the sand.
Video: Water slide 1
Video: Water slide 2
We had lunch sitting on some rocks overlooking the lake. Aurora can't help but dance when she
hears some music.
Shortly after lunch, we pack up the car and take off for the annual E Ink party. This year, it
is at Six Flags. Aurora is tuckered out and sleeps most of the way there (it was a 3 hour drive).
Once there, we ate an early dinner with the Inkers and then explored the toddler area. Aurora was right
at home on these rides!
Video: Race cars
Video: Roller coaster
Unfortunately, our evening ended earlier than planned due to the arrival of a thunderstorm which
shut down the park. We drove down to New York to spend the rest of the weekend with Wai Po and Wai Gong.
August 21, 2011: Once again, Aurora has the opportunity to try out a different playground. The one
we usually go to in Yorktown doesn't have any swings, and Aurora loves to swing.
Video: Swing lessons 1
Video: Swing lessons 2
Video: Super higher
Video: Slide?
Video: Hang and swing
Taking a short walk.
Aurora sleeps most of the way home that afternoon.
August 23, 2011: We went to Babies R Us in the morning to buy some snacks. As soon as we
pull into the parking lot, Aurora asked me if I had any coins in my pocketbook. When I said "Yes"
she asked if she could go on the Bob the Builder ride. I told her maybe after we were done shopping. While
inside the store, she saw a pink tutu that she wanted. I told her she had to
make a choice because she could have only one: a ride on
Bob the Builder or the tutu. Aurora thought about it and said "Bob the Builder." When I asked
her why, she told me that she already has a pink tutu at home, so she did not really need another one.
When did she get to be so clever and rational?!
Once again, a new playground. This one in Watertown really is relatively new.
Video: Race!
August 25, 2011: We had dinner out at The Fireplace with Amy, George, and Greer. By the end of the
meal, Aurora and Greer play with the iXL. Aurora has to show Greer how to play, but she was pretty
good about sharing her games.
August 26, 2011: We pack up the car and head off the New Hampshire. We spent a weekend in the
Lake Sunapee region last fall and thought it would be nice to try to go during the summer. We
arrived at the hotel mid-afternoon and get directed to this cool playground in the town of Newbury.
Video: Monkey bars
Video: Rope climb
Video: Spinning umbrella
Video: Swing practice
The town harbor also has a small beach which we stopped to check out.
August 27, 2011: After breakfast, we drive over to the state park. There is a big sandy
beach there. Perhaps because it was overcast that morning or perhaps because Irene was
on her way, there were very few people at the park that day.
Video: Sifting sand
Video: Great Wall of China
Video: Building sand castles (very long video)
Aurora takes a break from empire building to have some PB & J for lunch.
Then it's back into the water. Look at the weird thing Baba found in the water!
Video: Swimming
Aurora tried to bury Baba in the sand.
One last look at "The Great Wall of China" and "Manhattan." Aurora was a very prolific real estate developer
that morning!
Video: Godzilla attacks!
Video: The Return of Godzilla!
Aurora lays out on her towel and informs me she is basking in the sun.
Video: Basking
Once we put away all the sand toys, Aurora is ready to tackle the playground.
Video: See saw
Video: She got it!
Dinner al fresco at The Common Man in Claremont. We were seated near a stream and waterfall. One reason
we decided to drive 30 minutes to get dinner was to find place with cell phone reception
so we could call Frankie and find out how bad the storm was back home.
Back at Mountain Edge Resort, Aurora and Jon sneak in some pool time before bedtime. The next
morning we get up early and head home, driving through some heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Irene.
Despite the wind and rain, we get home in the same amount of time it took us to drive up, and walk in
the door around 10 am.
August 29, 2011: What a big girl! Aurora is ready for her first day back in day care. Not sure who cried more
at dropoff - Aurora or Kathy!
