spirit in the city.

It’s been a beautiful, winter, Christmastime/post Christmastime, sleepy, hazy respite from being online and plugging in for the last little bit (also a time for run-on sentences, apparently; that’s what happens when I get rusty here.). Here I sit on the couch in pajamas and a robe, hair a bit dirty and thrown up in a messy bun, wanting to indefinitely remain, gazing up every few minutes at a little boy standing before me showing me how Kai’s Fire Mech arm swivels with the flame on the end (Ninjago-speak for those in the dark), snuggle another one who every now and again is tucking himself into my side handing me a book to read (current number one: Cowardly Clyde by Bill Peet). After various needs are met, I glance back down to pick up where I left off with Love Warrior, sipping on lukewarm coffee every few minutes and adjusting my blanket to be sure it’s still covering my feet. This is the break between the chaos, or at least the break after the chaos. And it really did get chaotic for a bit despite my certainty that the race-to-the-finish-for-Christmas is very much not for me. Did I sign up for too many things? Promise too much? It’s all well and done now but I’m analyzing a bit how to do it better in the future. Are you feeling it too? Even so, I do want to record our time in the city earlier this month before it’s forgotten and we’re deep into 2019.This time of year, Boston trips are few and far between. Our last fall trip to the city is a little bit of a farewell until warmer weather is upon us in early spring. The way blustery wind funnels through city buildings in the winter makes them feel even colder than other places. So unless there’s constant ducking into stores for warm treats and warm air (shocking to you, perhaps, is that LA Burdick’s hot chocolate is not for me; it’s melted-chocolate-bar thick and I just can’t get behind it.), it’s brisk. But I do love that city. And cities at Christmastime are even more magical. The holiday spirit found in every window box, and wrapped around every tree. One event I am definitely up for driving into the city for, no matter the weather, is the gingerbread house decorating at 75 Chestnut. And it was so perfect to sign up for it on Anders’ birthday. I considered a birthday party for him, but then when I saw that there were time slots open on the day of his birthday, I decided to bag the party and do this instead. Indoor winter parties are a bit of a drag anyway, aren’t they? 
Then when Eliot Hotel reached out and offered us a stay, combined with the gingerbread house decorating, it was the perfect way to celebrate this soon-to-be four year old. And guys, I’d celebrate this boy all day long, all week long, all year long if I could because there was never such a squishy, cuddly, easy to love boy as this Anders. He kind of makes me weak in the knees, I’m not going to lie. I did this gingerbread decorating last year if you remember, and Parker absolutely loved it. And I loved watching him love it. We felt like Anders could totally manage it this year, and while it is pricey, it’s really the only holiday event we do. (One year, I would really, really love to snag Nutcracker tickets–I think Anders would love it. He’s been requesting the 1993 Macaulay Culkin version a lot recently. Between my constant playing the music, and the fact that his preschool did a very sweet little version in school where he was the toy soldier with red painted cheeks, he’s fallen hard for the story.)Plus, 75 Chesnut really goes all out. It’s a child’s dream, really. Three tiered plates overflowing with different candies: hershey kisses, Necco wafers (perfect for layering on the roof, if you ask me), licorice rope, gum drops. Bags of icing to pipe along the trim of your house before careful selections of candy to decorate with. It’s overwhelming and totally delightful. Plus, you choose an appetizer, an entree, and drinks while you sit for a full two hours decorating and it’s just so decadent, so fun.I’m not sure we could fit one more piece of candy on this table. The boys tried, though. I sort of throw all my need for order out the window at this event and just keep piling on candy. “You want more rope? Okay. Skittles? Done!” We walked out to a cold Boston evening with the promise of Christmas spirit in the city as we headed for the Public Garden to cut across it to return to our hotel. It’s always a pleasure walking along Charles Street any time of year. I sometimes get requests for an updated Boston guide. I’ve totally neglected one, but let me put a plug in for Charles Street–walk along it! It’s lovely. And take any of the crossroads to wander. Beacon Hill is the best.The lit trees along the garden, and then lining Commonwealth Avenue delivered. It’s Christmas in the city! The Eliot Hotel is located short of the big CITGO sign, along Commonwealth Avenue, less than half a mile from the Prudential Center. We had a big corner suite (it was beautiful) and could look outside at the lit up trees along Commonwealth Avenue. I loved that it had two rooms with a door separating the two so you could be up past kids’ bedtimes and read or watch a movie. Steve met us at the end of his work day, taking the train right from campus into the city. I love getting a knock at a hotel door and having it be Steve! Must make a note that the staff–every last one of them–was so lovely, so accommodating. The hotel, inside and out, was classy and elegant. Really the perfect cozy spot to hunker down for a night in the city during wintertime.Our first official Christmas pajamas picture–we’ve worn them about a dozen more times since then and will continue doing so through the winter months. When we got home from the decorating, there was a plate full of cookies in our room and a card signed by the whole staff for Anders. Are you kidding me?! What a sweet gesture! Morning views while I half-snooze away.I believe there was a riveting episode of Wild Kratts going on in this picture.Ready for breakfast at Uni–a really cool restaurant on the bottom level of the hotel. And when we woke up that morning, it was about 20 degrees in Boston. So… going outside to find breakfast wasn’t something high on my priority list!  Have you ever seen something so beautiful in your life?Sharing restaurant tables with toys for a long time now. Anders is very deep into the Transformers toys, and that was the majority of his birthday and Christmas gifts. Also, breakfast was delicious. We sat next to this beautiful window looking outside at bundled passersby and decided that staying in was absolutely the right decision.I love how thrilling things like elevators are for little kids. I think we have a lot to learn from them.Back to our room for a bit more siesta before driving home. Being out of your own home, suddenly you’re capacity to relax increases tenfold. Sure I will sit here, cuddled up with you boys and my book, let’s do this all day long.

Thank you Eliot Hotel for the stay! You made this four year old’s month.