Carol's parents Dennis and Mary were our guests for the second half of October. As always, it was wonderful to have them with us. Charlotte spent the first whole day glued to Grandma's lap.
We did some fun sightseeing together. We took the T into town and then the T ferry across the harbor to Charlestown to visit the
USS Constitution Museum. Carol also took them to walk part of the
Freedom Trail and back up to Russell Orchards to buy pumpkins.
Dennis and Mary borrowed our car for a couple of days and drove to
Provincetown at the end of Cape Cod. While on the Cape they also visited
Plimoth Plantation. The fall colors were almost at their peak when Dennis and Mary left so they got to see that, too.
We were sad to see them leave. We look forward to seeing all of the grandparents again when we visit them in February.
Speaking of fall colors: they were quite beautiful this year. The amount of color depends on weather conditions throughout the spring and summer - how much water they get and when, plus the temperature range the trees experience. This year the recipe was just right. Then once the color appears ill-timed wind or hard rain can strip the trees before we can enjoy the colors.
I finally took some photos on the way to work one day this week. And Carol took a few around the house as well. The downside of deciduous trees that turn colors? The leaves fall off and must be raked. And raked. And raked.
That raking has a benefit of it's own: it produces a very large pile of leaves that's perfect for jumping into. Audrey and Charlotte loved it. And the neighbors kids Anna and Parker came over and joined in the fun.
We've had plenty of other fall fun, too. The girls went to a big Halloween party at Audrey's school a week ago. On Halloween itself we had dinner at the neighbors' and then all the kids and the moms went Trick or Treating while the dads handed out candy at their respective houses. We got a lot of kids! Our retired neighbor Victor was telling me today that when their kids (now in their 20s) were young the neighborhood was full of kids, but they all grew up and moved away. He's enjoying the fact that many families with kids have moved in again. So are we.
I've been meaning to mention Tessa, the female tabby we brought home from the shelter in August. She is the perfect cat. We are really in love with her. In case you missed it, I posted a
video of her playing fetch with Carol.
Yesterday we visited the
Museum of Science for
Harry Potter: The Exhibition. The girls have never seen the movies (and won't for several years, probably), but they like wizards. They really liked the exhibit. We also saw the "lightning show" in the Electric Theater and spent a bunch of time in the Discovery Center. We barely touched the main museum, but we bought a membership so we can go whenever we want now. It's a fantastic museum.
