boston for a birthday.

Steve had a birthday about a week ago, and was perfectly content to spend it doing outside yard work like cleaning the garage (possibly his favorite activity; he acts like ‘ho hum, I’ve got to clean the garage again‘ when the time rolls ’round, but given how often the time rolls ’round, I’m certain that he very much enjoys the activity), mowing the lawn, and generally “batting down the hatches” as one does when fall hits in New England and there are certain things that just need to be done before it just gets too cold to do them otherwise. Though, as someone who feels a bit like birthdays need to look a bit different than other days, I pressured him to make a decision on what to do.
Because it is all about me after all. {Here’s Anders using a boot scraper to scrape his sneaker.}So he suggested Boston. I said, “are you sure? You don’t want to head north?” Again, all about me. He again said, “Boston.” So I decided to let the man have his pick and into Boston we went. Also, check out this throwback of the same stoop, same cute boys, just a little bigger. Time, stop being such a bitch.Beacon Hill strolling is pretty spectacular in the fall. Fall window boxes galore. I love those little mini pepper plants. That’s the official name for them. Do you guys recognize this door? Do you REMEMBER THIS VIDEO? How is that boy in blue the same boy in the video? HOW?  I’ve been missing our days of leisure, lately. Every year since Parker’s been born, we’ve had weekdays where we could actually get out together, and make a day of it. From time to time, Steve could even join us. Full days in school has put such a damper on that and I don’t like being relegated to Saturdays and Sundays for any major family time. (The more I talk like this, the more I should probably homeschool, eh?) We’re getting away soon and William and Lindsey are coming too and I’m just really excited for a good chunk of time together.This kid. I am so, so in love with him, guys. I still call him Anders-badger (because he is naughty; just look at the face) most of the time, and I still give him about fifty seven kisses a day, and we get into bed every night so excited to cuddle each other, and he exclaims, “I love cuddling with your soft shirt!” I also realized I’ve spent nearly every single night of his life sleeping next to him. I was reminiscing this morning about how he used to flail a bit and get upset as a newborn next to me, and I would tuck him in the nook of my arm and he would immediately settle and go back to sleep.  A snap with the birthday boy. I love this man.Acorn knocker, Acorn Street!
These beautiful homes that really don’t require any extra decoration to look so spectacular but are still the perfect canvas for all of it.Even the fire escapes are pretty in Beacon Hill. After walking, we stopped into Paramount where Steve got a burger. He’s predictable, but that’s his charm. Also, the famous Robert McCloskey ducks! I wonder how many pictures I’ve gotten with Parker on them. Mums in the garden.And that fantastic fiery tree.