Boston: GBBRI

826 is an organization that provides creative writing workshops for children.  Their writing centers are fronted by a store front that sells fun thises and thats.  We visited The Boring Store in Chicago this past Christmas with our Agent Evil O.

Of course we had to visit 826Boston, which happens to be called The Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute.  Agent Evil O brought her secret spy attache with her and carefully picked out more items to complete and compliment her secret spy kit.  Big Sister picked out her own specimen examination kit as well.  Unfortunately we haven’t had a chance to participate in the creative writing part yet, but these storefronts inspire creative play like no other.

Video: Fundraiser

This past weekend my kids participated in a play-a-thon to raise money for their music school.  I was featured in one of the pep rally’s to get people going!  Here is a little clip:

Behind me is an opera chorus consisting of parents, including a recent Grammy Nominee.

Taylor Swift

The girls kept asking us what we were going to do the afternoon of the marathon. My Sister and I just kept trying to be vague, but finally the afternoon was upon us and we couldn’t put it off any longer.

I gave the girls a few clues:

1. We are going on a trip within a trip.

2. We are doing something country.

3. It’s epic.

They started guessing: horse back riding? ice skating?

4. It’s once in a lifetime.

5. It’s something we are going to see.

Fireworks?

More epic than fireworks.

Lolly’s eyes squinted a bit and her lips pursed and then:

Taylor Swift?

YES!

Phoebz could not believe it….Lolly was just stoked that she was the one that figured it out.

Once we got to Lexington from Louisville, I said: There are going to be a LOT of screaming girls there tonight.  Phoebe: I’m going to be one of them!

On the way to checking into our hotel we saw the many many Taylor Swift Vehicles. Holy Cow, it takes a fleet:

Being the RED Tour, we had to have red lips that night. Nice photobombing by Jason and the Bathroom Staff!

It was a great first concert appearance for these little turkeys. Though Jason and I thought Ed Sheeran was absolutely brilliant–he even took our picture during a song, Lolly was super offended by his use of the phrase: Hell Yeah.

Finally Taylor was on in full force.  The girls knew all the songs, I knew most of them too. I loved her use of the various stages and flying from one to the other was an unexpected affect.  I wanted to buy red sparkly keds after she wore hers to open.  Phoebz loved all her monologues between songs….and I loved the creative concepts for some of her bigger hits, her insertion of HEY HO and her dancers.  Lolly wore pigtails because she thought that was country.  Jason made us wear ear plugs because he’s old.

Thanks Dad for searching for tickets for months and finally finding the exact right experience for us.  Taylor Swift Forever.

 

Grammy & Papa do NYC

We only ventured into the city once when Grammy & Papa were in town, but we saw some sights!

Pickle met her first puppy, which was really so darling, and they were so darling together….if I was a different woman living a different life, I would have taken that puppy home with me.

But I am not Kelly, so I will just enjoy this picture that will remind me of that moment at Union Square Market.

We stumbled upon this sculpture made of nails. 5000 nails.  It’s called The Bird. He really nailed it.

We stopped by Books of Wonder and picked up the latest Olivia book which is pretty awesome as always. And City Bakery offered us a most delicious lunch. It was beautiful weather and we had a great time seeing all the sites.

After we picked up the BIGS, we witnessed Papa play a pretty adventurous game of Tag at Central Park.

The next day we took a walking adventure to Peter Pan Donuts in Brooklyn. A few spanish-speakers on the street called me Diablo. I assured my Dad that happens with or without my horns hoodie.  The donuts were a buck each, which blew our minds. They were tasty, and I am glad we walked a total of 3 miles to obtain them, kind of made me feel less guilty about eating my Red Velvet Cream Donut….for a buck.

 

Red Yellow & Blue

Madison Square Park is always up to something cool.  When my parents were here we stumbled upon the latest art installation actually being installed. The use of nautical rope drew me in immediately, as it is a form of fiber!  This seems like a pretty giant Yarn Bomb if you ask me:

It’s called Red, Yellow & Blue by Orly Genger.  It’s pretty awesome. I can’t wait to see it all up and running.

Fraunces Tavern Museum

Last week Pickle and I accompanied the 2nd grade on a field trip to Fraunces Tavern Museum. It is the oldest building in Manhattan.  A famous event happened there in Colonial Times when George Washington said goodbye to his Comrades.

 

Photos were not really allowed. I didn’t totally get that message until after I had taken a few snaps, but I did not get the Long Room where the event ACTUALLY took place.

It does seem incredible that New York City existed so long ago and was nothing like it is today.  It gave me a deeper appreciation for this crazy town I live in.

Alumni Night

 

 

 

I am a Cougar by Marriage, a Terrapin too. I feel like more of a Terp than a Coug because I was with Jason to experience University of Maryland…but the more I visit Provo and spend time on the campus or interacting with BYUites, the more I feel like one of the gang.

Last week we went to back-to-back BYU/MD games at Mad Square. I hadn’t been there for a long time, and not since it was renovated.  I have never done this, but I actually researched the food choices before I got there. I was psyched to eat this burger with delicious cheddar and bacon onion jam.  I chased it with some salted caramel yogurt. NOT VEGAN.

Jason brought our friend Sean who had the longest hot dog I have ever seen.  My friend Christina made the best sign which should have gotten on the dance cam, but instead will debut on my blog.

Baylor brought a lone triple-baton twirler—I loved her.

MAD SQU definitely turned up the entertainment values (lights, music) for the second Maryland game. Sadly, neither of our teams won, but it was a great chance for us to go on a date.

Pickle & Bee: Chapter 4

 

Chapter 3

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

playground

Spring Break found us at the Playground! It was a little chilly, but quite glorious to stretch our legs and try the swings for the first time.  Jason made himself sick spinning on this little contraption.  We went two days in a row. Lucky.

It hailed on a us a bit, but we stayed strong.

Easter Parade

When I realized that this year was an Easter Parade year, I knew I really wanted to try to do a good job with our hats.  I discovered some vintage hats in Chicago over Christmas and picked those right up, with the EASTER PARADE in my sights.

Working on each bonnet has been a good distraction from some uncertainties happening in my life right now (read: possible job opportunities).  A few weeks before the parade I suddenly realized that I must have a pram for my Pickle to ride in. Within 24 hours of thinking this thought, I had one.

I did a refurbish on it and then I got very dismayed as I saw the forecast get colder and colder. Last week I acquired a bunny snowsuit on ebay, with the thought of putting her easter outfit OVER it. When it came, I saw that was not going to happen so I tried to spruce it up a bit with some cuter ears and a little muzzle and I ended up putting a dress over it that I found at the salvation army the day before for $.49-

It was the right move.

At the Easter parade you either take peoples photos or get your picture taken. Guess which group we were in this year?

This was our view for the entire 90 minutes that we shuffled along 5th Avenue.  One of our first photographers was Bill Cunningham himself:

We saw so many sights, and I wish we could have stayed all day, but alas, I am the MOST enthusiastic member of the Posse (Phoebz a close 2nd), and we had to get to our church services, so a quick visit it was.

Here is what we saw:

We got our snaps taken quite a bit, but I was only able to hunt down a few internet sitings.  Here is Jason telling the NY Post that I am 31.

He seriously doesn’t know how old I am , which tells me that fantasy 40th birthday party in my head is probably NOT going to happen.  Here are some captures:

Pickle was a big hit.

Lolly hated it. Evidence from this blog (don’t forget to read the caption):

And here is what we looked like:

My hat had a hard time staying put, but that’s ok…I really do love how they all turned out.  Glad we remembered Jason owned a straw fedora too!

Happy Easter! Get ready for an Awkward Family Photo right…..NOW: