Spring Break--- Mystic CT

Well, hello there.

I am still here.

Alive. 

That's a good thing.

I have not posted anything because I have been busy...



Unbelievable

Traveling is not in the plans for this vacation ---- can you see that gas price? Four bucks? No way! But it has been raining---ENDLESSLY here in Boston so the kids are bored and are trying to kill each other. So to save my sanity, Mr. Hubbs said we would go somewhere --- anywhere to unload these pent up energy.  So we head up to neighboring Mystic CT to visit Mystic Seaport. I ended up signing for full membership because it is only $90 with free umbrella and discounts, instead of paying the same thing for one time visit. We had a great time learning and just taking a leisurely walk around the Old Village.



George W. Mason--- the last wooden whaleship in the world

 The  George W. Mason is being restored at this time and it is just amazing to get in this historic ship. The kids loved being inside exploring this humongous piece of history. If you live in the area, I recommend every family especially with kids to visit this.

My boys sure did love playing "captains". They did not love me stopping their serious ship time. Story of my life. HAhahha.

If you go up the Morgan, this is the view from atop. I love waterviews and this sure is lovely. 

If you don't know yet,  I am a lab scientist (?), so here I am fooling around. Lemme show you a funny thing though---here you go...

Isn't this HISTORIC? This is OLD, really OLD microscope. It sure does belong in this museum. KC was sure cracking up at me when I told her this is actually an updated version of what I used as a student in the Philippines. Oh, I love moments like this--- me and the Daughter laughing at my "back in  the day, when I was in the Philippines" moment. I am working in the US now, am I not? So, learning has nothing to do with new books, high tech stuff but the perseverance to discover and the patience to deal with what you have.

It was Pirates Day when we visited so it was fun seeing the staff all dressed up like Tom Blue here. One thing I noted-- the staff we metwere all friendly and so accomodating.

He is my favorite though. He was in charge of the Threadmaking showcase which Mr. Hubbs immensely enjoyed because it ties back to the Philippines.

Mr. Hubbs kept telling the kids how they used to do this and how to make ropes---of course the kids just PRETEND to be interested.  Makes me wonder what age do kids really love being tied to their heritage. My kids sure are very Filipino but they need some lecturing. Just one more reason we aren't going back to the Philippines yet. We'd go when I know they'll appreciate what the Philippines has to offer.

When we went to one of the oyster boats, the kids had fun telling me how it takes about 3 years before an oyster gets to be the size of what I usually eat. Pherry said "Wow, Mom, you need to take it slow so the oyster population can recover." I love seafood. Yeah, you all---meet the seafood queen, ME.

Of course, that comment made me sad. No, made me guilty. It sure is something to remember.

All over the place, there is definitely old feel to it. The village is full of details that should interest everyone, like these ones...

I love looking at the tiny details of places I visit. I think it's what makes it interesting. If you note one of the photos above they still called it DRUGGISTS and CHEMISTS. I think in Europe up to now, they still call their pharmacists CHEMISTS/Druggists.

We visited the planetarium and although we have been to a lot of planetariums, the staff who was there made it the most exceptional. He sure knows what he is talking about and is a gifted teacher. There are a lot of intelligent scientists/professionals but it takes a special person to teach. He is very knowledgeable and if I must say--- the most patient. Thank you dear Sir...

We also visited The Dulton, also designated as a national landamrk and it's amazing to see the sleeping area. I can not believe how tiny the space is. It is indeed a difficult job, although ships and shipmen have always been romanticized in stories and poems, seeing the inside of this old ships do tell a different story.

So we learned and studied, but let me tell you--- we had so much fun too....

I have so many things to tell you but I need to sleep... I will leave you with this lovely photo taken by KC.

A vacation need not be grand. What matters is if it brings smiles and creates beautiful memories. This is what I try to achieve everytime. But I am lying if I tell you it's all fine and dandy in my family. With the 3 kids (12, 10, 8) it sure is chaotic and it takes a whole lot of balancing. But let me tell you this lovelies, aim for happy not perfect. Then it will be perfect. I promise. Guaranteed.

Spring break begins

Patriots' Day signals Spring break for Massachusetts public schools--- it's also the Boston Marathon-- the most prestigious marathon in the whole wide world. Oh yeah, oh yeah-- I live in the best state. Only Bay Staters have Patriots' Day and Boston Marathon. Yeebah!

Last year, I promised the kids I would be taking a break, so Mr. Hubbs and I took the week off from work. I have been working a whole lot recently so I was basically conked out last weekend. After working 2 shifts ( 3pm-7am) last Friday and working Saturday night, I made a hearty breakfast Sunday and we all headed to Palm Sunday service, after which we went to the mall to meet up with family friends. Do I need to tell you we were with Presidential Estate Llaga and Avalon Surwez? Ahhahhah. Yeah, I love some family and friends on Sundays. Makes for wonderful time.

Today, Patriots' Day, we decided to go to Arnold Arboretum. This is the first public arboretum of the USA. Side story---  KC asked me what is an arboretum and I said "Arnold Arboretum is kinda Central Park in NY--- Pherry ( my eldest)--the grumpy geek said-- NO, arboretum is NOT like Central Park, Arboretum is yadah yadah yadah and went on and gave a lecture why it is and is not like Central Park. We all just waited for him to FINISH. Yeah, that's what we do. Anyway, it's such a good feeling to walk in this place knowing that just outside the fence is a busy Boston parkway yet you are surrounded with beautiful flowers, trees and birds. On our way, I saw this beautiful tree.



One day, I'd like to just take a walk and see the beauty of New England--- picket fences and English tudor architecture, and of course well kept yard.

Too many peechurs, too many stories to tell.

Today is one of those days where we:

Run as we see Mama taking pictures. Nooo, we run to show Mama the lovely flowers we found.

One of those days where we turn our backs as soon as Mama attempts to take a picture. No... we don't.

Today is one of those where we can just stare at the pond and skip stones.  What water? It's cold Mom!

Today is a day to let Mama know it's time to stop being paparazzi for ONE minute. MOM!!

Today is the day to stay as far away as can be from Mama so she can't take a nice picture. SCORE!

Today is one of those where we go up the hill not to see what's on the other side ( squirrels) but to stay away from Mamarazzi.  

Today is one of those days we'd rather roll down the hills than see Mama on the way down with her camera pointed right ON your face. Na-ah.

Today is the day we'd rather carry our sweet but seldom annoying brother than have my face on Mama's camera. Yeah, we prefer that Mama. Ooops.

Today is the day we'd rather hand the flowers to Mama to hide our faces. It works. Aha!

Today is the day we pretend to appreciate the flowers while maintaining some distance towards the annoying sibling of the moment than have Mama's camera right on our FACES. Puh-leeze Mama.

Today is the day we pretend to read information than have Mama's information regarding how to look good on pictures. Sorry Mom.

Today is the day we actually love jumping on branches--- makes for a good reason not to stay put and pose for Mama.

Today is the day to let Mama appreciate the beautiful flowers and not just "my beautiful children". Yeah, Mom we know.

Todais one of those where we pretend to fix our shoe straps than follow Mama down the pond because it really looks good for photograph background. Everything is a nice background for you Mom.

Oh yes peeps. That's how I feel when I take photos of these wonderful kids. It is exhausting! But yeah I do love sneaking pictures here and there. They are so full of energy and creativity. So, eventhough I have those photos, I also have these....

Today is the day to give Mama those wonderful flowers as beautiful as her---JOSH.

Thanks for those Magnolias Josh.

Today is the day to stay put and give Mama that nice shot, so she can frame it or show it off to her FB friends--- Pherry.

Don't you look adorable?

Today is the day to play nice so Mama can let us play until we want to stop. Nice=let her take pics.

Oh... my boys can actually play together? Love!

Today is the day we flash our most wonderful smiles to Mama, after all she pays so much for those darn dentists.

There you go. Little darlings aren't they? If only you know how much bribing I need to do. Ha! You know, I love taking nature walks especially with the kids. I love seeing these--- well, aside from seeing my besautiful kids--- kids would be embarrased if they hear me talking like this. Actually, they ask me first, FB or blog pic? Ahahahha.

Lest you forget, Boston is old money--- like this.

Mink anf fur for dog walking, anyone?

I love seeing this too. Makes me go get Mr. Hubbs who's sitting IN the CAR. Oh, yeah.

I know I'm a hopeless romantic. Whatchasaying? I'm dreaming? Well, a girl can dream to have a sweet and expressive husband, right?

What about this lovely scene?

We have yet to have a pet in the family but I AM NOT RUSHING. These pets are so expensive and besides we get to "borrow" from time to time anyway.

So there, the beginning of our Spring break. It's a whole week peeps, so we will see how it goes. If I can post another blogpost, that's a good sign.