Vacation with the Godkids, day 1

[fbhjr]

The day started off cloudy as my wife and I drove into Boston.


As has become our habit when going into the city on a weekend, we stopped at the Swiss bakery near the highway.


We picked up a wide selection of breakfast pastry.


Then, drove over to the art museum.


Our friend Al was going to meet us there at museum opening to transfer the kids for the week they are spending with us. As it isn’t the easiest place to get to, and he hadn’t been there before, we were a bit worried about that.
But, GPS devices and promise of breakfast for the kids had him there in plenty of time.


We went straight for the Japanese print exhibit my wife and I had seen a month or so ago.


Our Goddaughter seems very interested in Japanese art. And, this is a wide ranging example of it from 150 years ago.


I was very complemented when Al told me that my giving him the background on some of the things made it more interesting. Especially as he and I used to work at a museum together back in the 80’s.


For some reason our Godkids seem to be fond of Phoenixes…


And, have an appreciation of benches in museums.


They did have a hands on thing of print making that seemed quite interesting.


Al seemed quite impressed with the big glass tree. Sorry we couldn’t show them the whole exhibit by the same artist that was there a couple of years ago.


You can tell our Goddaughter is impressed with art.



Our Godson seemed to find some stuff he found interesting too.


They both worked on the sample mosaic you could make.


Then went and looked at the historical one.


About that time their dad had to head off for the long drive home. So the rest of us went to the cafe. We noticed the line for the Japanese exhibit had grown quite long. Glad we went early.


We had a nice lunch near the exhibit entrance.


Then, off to the science museum. Sadly there was some sort of motorcycle parade going on, so we got trapped in a tunnel for a while.


Then, I took a wrong turn. They’ve changed many of the roads in that part of Boston. I remember the old roads where you get in the left lane to go left. Now, you get in the right lane to go left. I have trouble with the whole left/right thing anyhow. So, we got to go over the big bridge.


Everyone was happy to visit scenic Somerville.


Where else can you get views like this?


But, we got there.


And, found lots of other people had the same idea.


I waited in line while the others just waited.


I was very happy to see the kids were actively interested in seeing some of the exhibits.


I remember this big map of Boston from when I was a kid. They haven’t changed the map. But, an awful lot of what is in those photos has changed.


I am always serious for photos.


I remember this same Apollo mock up from when the missions were still going.


But, this is NOT the dinosaur that was there back then.


Our Goddaughter is working on a vacation scavenger list for school. Lots of it is environmental stuff. Hopefully some of this will count.


Our Godson worked on the robot contest to see how many plastic flamingos his robot arm design could lift.

He did twice as well as the two college women working at the same table. But, was still short of the record.


We started one of the lightning shows with the big Van de Graff generators.


But, we left half way through to get to the Pixar exhibit that had scheduled tickets.


They had a lot of interactive things to do.

In a way they almost had too much to do. There really was no way to do it all.
But, we saw a lot and they both said they liked it.

Then, back to the next lightning show.

The plasma globe was a big hit.

I’ve got some old ones at home. Maybe some will migrate south.

I’m not sure finding a rock in the gift shop is what the project is about…


Then, out of Boston and back west to home.


We stopped at a Chinese/Japanese restaurant near home for dinner. It had become warm and sunny, so we ate outside. (And, less wait for that…)


They seemed to like the food.


Then, the 5 miles left to home.


We all agreed this was the most stupid thing we saw all day. A guy on a motorcycle texting as he drove.


Fortunately, he put his phone away and didn’t crash.
So we made it home.


Where self inflating beds were set up.


Now, to get some rest…

Comments

[hindustar.livejournal.com]

Amazing day! Such smart inquisitive kids! =) This made my night to see this.

[postingwhore.livejournal.com]

I think any kid would be lucky to have a godparent like you :p

I remember this big map of Boston from when I was a kid. They haven’t changed the map. But, an awful lot of what is in those photos has changed.
I really enjoy looking at old photos of my city and seeing how things have changed. And the changes really are big!

I've seen people riding bikes whilst talking on their mobiles...it scares me everytime. @_@

[merilune.livejournal.com]

Your Goddaughter looks so tall!

It looks like you had a great time. I hope you enjoy your time with your Godkids! :D

[becofoz]

Sounds like a good, if not tiring day.

I drove in Boston once. It was my first experience of driving on the wrong side of the road...it was a bit scary!

[morgan-lafaye.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a very good start to the week. The bike parade was in memory of the Boston Marathon attack. The bikers have made this an annual event. They raise money and such.

[meathiel]

That bakery looks great ... and all things I recognise! *lol*

Great day at the museum it seems ... that glass tree thing is cool!

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

Wow what a day!
Looks like a lot of fun.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

Fun!