July 2010: Aurora's first month at home with Mama was a mix of fun activities, carnival rides, and (on the hottest summer days) quiet time spent at home in front of a fan.

Aurora is a very verbal kid. She is able to carry on short conversations with other people. She is extremely observant, pointing out things that are identical ("same, same"). She enjoys playing matching games by herself. She also says things like "Choo choo train tracks down there" when we cross a bridge over the commuter rail tracks and "Uh oh Mama. I see be careful light!" when she sees Kathy go through a yellow light. Aurora loves singing, often breaking out into song at random times. Her current favorites are the Bumblebee song, Baa baa black sheep, Twinkle twinkle little star, and Old MacDonald.

Aurora stopped going to day care this month. Instead, she is spending 8 weeks "at home" with Kathy. She started attending Gymboree classes a couple times a week and loves going to see Gymbo (the clown) and getting Gymbo stamps on her hands (and feet and belly) at the end of class. We also go to storytime at the Newton library and Family Fun Day at the Natick Mall. Plus, there's always shopping to do a couple times a week (supermarket, farmers' market, etc.) Aurora really enjoys going to the local Trader Joe's because she knows she can get a snack (free sample). The same is true for Whole Foods ("We go to supermarket to eat olives?"). In fact, she often tells us that she is going to the supermarket with Wai Po (or Gymbo).

In just a couple of weeks, Aurora has learned how to put together 24 piece puzzles on her own. At the start of the month, she needed a lot of help figuring out which pisces go together. She was often frustrated. But after listening to our pointers (finding edge pieces, putting similar colors/parts of the same animal together, turning the pieces, etc.) several times, she knows them for herself.


July 3, 2010: The Fourth of July long weekend was packed with all sorts of activities. We headed out to Chinatown for dim sum with one of Mama's friends from college, stopping for a carousel ride along the way.


Video: Riding the hop-hop

After filling up on dim sum, Aurora gets to splash in the Frog Pond with Baba.


And then it is time for a snack. Hmmm..what do I want to have today?


On the way to Starbucks for our snack, we "ran into" this Revoluntionary War reenactment. At first, Aurora was interested in seeing what was going on, but as soon as she heard the first gunshot, she was more than ready to go home.



July 4, 2010: As tradition dictates, we headed out to the Newton Centre Playground for our free Cabot's breakfast. It was a hot day, and Aurora had trouble controlling her chocolate ice cream cone.


That evening, we biked over to the carnival. Aurora rode the alligator roller coaster and the train without any trouble. Bye-bye!


She was about to go on another ride when the fireworks started. She was terrified and started to scream and cry uncontrollably. I guess we could have predicted this based on her reaction at the reenactment the previous day. Luckily we saw a friend from day care and gave them our extra ride tickets as we hopped on our bikes and furiously pedalled home. Funny thing is once we got home, she wanted to watch the fireworks on TV.


July 5, 2010: We headed out for a ride along the Charles River, stopping to look at the ducks, geese, a turtle, and a bullfrog. We took the path all the way out to Waltham, where we had pizza for lunch before returning home. One of us fell asleep on the way back.


That evening, we headed out to the Walnut Hill pool. It's amazing to see how much more comfortable Aurora is in the water this year!


Video: I'm swimming!
Video: Jumping


July 6, 2010: Another hot day. Aurora enjoys her first popsicle so much, that for the next several days she would hopefully ask Mama for a popsicle at random times throughout the day.



July 9, 2010: Free Friday Fun is at the Franklin Park Zoo. It was crowded and hot, but Aurora still managed to have a blast. She rode the carousel twice, patiently waiting to be close to the head of the line so she could ride her chosen animals. We also had to wait quite a while to ride the train back to the entrance on the Zoo. Kathy is proud of how patient Aurora can be (sometimes).


After Jon gets home, we all head out to Natick to cool off.

Video: Swimming (I did it!)

Aurora has her first taste of fro yo at Truly Yogurt, and she loves it! In fact, the cones are so huge, that she had a lot of trouble eating even half of it (we threw some if it out so she could have the cone).



July 10, 2010: Aurora attends her first baseball game at Fenway! For months, she has been asking to go see a baseball game (with Uncle Anthony), so we bought tickets to the Futures at Fenway doubleheader. It was set up to be as kid friendly as possible, with games for children on Yawkey Way.

Video: Aurora pitches!

That morning, Aurora insisted on wearing her ladybug pants. Once we got to Fenway, she finally decided that she was hot and wanted to change into shorts.


Unforunately, the weather did not cooperate so only 6 innings of the first game were played before a rain delay, which eventaully led to a rain cancellation. We hung out at Fenway until they announced that the second game was cancelled as well. Even when there's no game, there can still be advertising on the field.


Video: Fenway in the rain

Anthony and Aurora disappeared for a while, returning with a new friend, Wally. Aurora almost takes a nap at Fenway, but decides to perk up and play instead.



July 11, 2010: Aurora helps Baba with a project - putting together her new outdoor chair! It's perfect!



July 13, 2010: Aurora gets to try out her water table for the first time! When Jon gets home, he joins in too.


Video: Water play


July 15, 2010: Following the advice of a neighbor, we go check out the St. Francis Festival in Nonantum. There are more rides (and bigger rides) than at the Newton carnivals we've been to in the past. Aurora seemed a bit overwhelmed here.

Video: Dragon coaster with Mama




July 17, 2010: We head back to the festival (we still had unused ride tickets). This time, Aurora is all over it, wanting to go on rides that she is still too small to do.

Video: Riding the Crazy Bus



She held her own against bigger kids in the Spiderman fun house.


Video: Bounce bounce
Video: Bridge crossing
Video: Exiting Spidey house

The carousel is always a favorite.


There was a Rockin' Tugboat too.


Then back on the Dragon Coaster.


Video: Dragon coaster with Baba

Thanks for going with me, Baba!


Checking out the House of Glass.


Video: Where do I go?

Video: Exiting the House of Glass

There was a 50's-style girl group performing as we were leaving. Aurora really enjoyed the music!


Video: Bopping on Baba


July 23, 2010: Aurora is a carnivore! Here she is thoroughly enjoying a rib from Blue Ribbon BBQ.



July 26, 2010: Aurora enjoys some Chinese take out for dinner.


Video: Proud of myself


July 27, 2010: The Unitarian Church a half mile from where we live hosted a chimes concert. Several Cornell Chimesmasters (alums) who live in the area played. We walked down and had a great evening listening to the music and enjoying the weather. Jon and Aurora danced a bit to the music.


Video: Spin fast, Baba!


July 29, 2010: We joined the local Gymboree for the summer. This allows Aurora to attend several classes and/or open gym times during the week. It's a great way to let her use up extra energy while playing indoors (playgrounds are best reserved for warm, but not too hot, days). She is a master of the gym, always finding new ways to play with things! Of course, there are accidents too as she often tries to do the same things bigger kids are doing.


Video: Hi Wai Gong! Hi Wai Po!

Video: Counting

Video: Swing so high

Video: Boink!

Video: I, er, san!


July 30, 2010: We took advantage of Free Friday evenings at the DeCordova Museum and brought along a picnic dinner. Aurora loves picnics!



July 31, 2010: The whole family went on a long bike ride to the library, along the Charles River to the Waltham Farmers' Market (where Aurora happily ate 3 or 4 yummy ripe plums while waiting for Mama to finish shopping), to lunch at Upper Crust, and then back home. Aurora was pooped!