New Year's Eve

We were very fortunate to get an invite from the Patterson's to join them in Boston for New Year's Eve.  We were a bit skeptical we could pull it off.  But the weather was unseasonably warm and we had no other plans, so we went for it!

Got into town around 4:30, walked around the Commons to see a couple of ice sculptures (melting) 

and then over to Legal Seafoods where we met the Pattersons.  They wisely put us in the wine cellar (basement) with a few other parties who also had kids.  No major tantrums, all had fun!!

 Megan was super-excited to be out on party night. Tried to escape the wine cellar a couple of times, but we caught her.

The 6:30 fireworks were AMAZING.  We were SO close!  Pip had been dying for a light saber so we picked one up afterwards.  Turned out the vuvuzela was even better.  He's got it mastered.

We tried our hardest to last til midnight. Meg held out til 8, Pip til 11:38, Vivian til 11:41, Phil and I til 11:58. So close! Maybe next year. 

Also relevant, sleep in stats: Pip 8:30am, Meg 8:40am, Phil and Nat 8:41am, and Vivian 10:45am. Nice job Vivian. Meg is excused. Pip needs some serious work.

Straw-yeti

Found this massive strawberry in the container while at the store.  Needless to say, that container was ours!

Museum of Science

We took advantage of our week off to visit the Museum of Science with the Hoffenbergs.  Man, was it packed!!  While we waited for Phil and Matt to but the tickets we hung out in the lobby.  Pip came up with this "game" of "Ow".  ???

Here are some pics of them at the Discovery Center.

Feast

It was the usual race to get the feast to the table this year.  Grandpa enlisted Phil to cook the Christmas meal (and Jen and I were on Christmas Eve duty).  Crown Pork Roast.  Tastilicious.

Vivie and Pip were all about the whipped cream.

Reindeer food

We were well-prepared for Santa this year thanks to Uncle George.  He gave us some reindeer food and cookies to leave out.  

Jen brought over The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and I read it to Pip and Viv before they went to bed.  I think they were horrified at the idea.  It went on and on ... each page getting worse and worse.  Vivian was in near tears.  Pip was incredulous.  Finally ... FINALLY ... just as they were losing all hope, that Grinch realized the error of his ways.  I can not say that Pip was convinced Christmas is not at all about the presents ... he may not have been one of the Who's able to sing Christmas morning, but he appreciated that perhaps he should be able to sing.  The next day Grandpa trotted out form the back with his Grinch tie on.  Vivie was not impressed.

Rubberband plane

Could have been one of the best presents.  I think Phil figured he'd be outside ofr one run, it'd crash, and he'd come in.  Turned out it really flies well.  Maybe Phil should have worn shoes.  Or at least socks.  They were out there about a half hour!!

Meg opens a present

Meg wasn't really getting the concept yet this year.  She appreciated the unfettered access to paper, but was not thrilled to have me confiscate the small bits she was eating.  Ultimately, it took us all evening to open hers.  I had to corral her at the dining room table to open this one.