SEVENth Heaven!!!

The always lovely Linley Brooke turned 7.  On Sunday.  While we were in Boston.  Walking The Freedom Trail.  Then driving home.
It was not the most ideal of birthdays.

Until we got home.  Where she had a little box waiting for her.  Complete with a dress and shoes and a note that read:

{FRONT}

Happy Birthday Linley Brooke

To celebrate you get to spend the day in New York City.

All alone with your daddy.

And eat lunch...

{BACK}

at the American Girl Doll store with your brand new American Girl doll!!!!

 Always one to be counted on for epic emotions, she was near tears and completely shaking as she read.  The girl has been begging for this doll for a solid year.  And has always been met with a solid no by her father.

Then he changed his mind.  

Because he is smart.

  It was quite possibly the best day of her little life.  And the fact that she spent it all alone with her daddy made it even more special.

 When they got home we completed the celebrations with dinner, cake and more presents.  Because that doll needs clothes.  Bless you Debs.

 And I mean, this girl is just so jaw-droppingly stunning.  

In conclusion, her no-good-very-bad birthday had the happiest of endings. 

 Pats on the back all around.  

We love you so much Linley.  I will never tire watching you grow into this most adventurous, laugh-loving, nurturing, smart, witty, admirable and enviable little girl.

Boston Day 3

We ended our stay walking The Freedom Trail.

Ben Franklin's parents are buried here.  And famous??

 The British are coming! The British are coming!

Wait, Paul Revere said that right?

History was never really my thing.

 John Hancock.  Who has got to be famous for something requiring a signature, yes?  (Just kidding...he is the funky signature on the Declaration of Independence and a big shot patriot and a two-time governor of MA...bless you wikipedia).

Because when in Boston, one must take a picture on the Democratic Donkey?!?  There were no elephants present.

(I would like to make an inappropriate statement referring to donkey's here, but my son reads this.  Who knew I could be censored?!?)

Site of The Boston Massacre.  And Tessa.

Hello USS Constitution.  

Good Old Iron Sides.

And who doesn't love kissing babies on canons???

Such a good little getaway.  I'm ready for another.

Boston Day 2

Good Golly there's a lot of pictures down there.  But this was just a picture-perfect day.  

(minus the intense heat and humidity).

We spent the morning at the Children's Museum.  Which was ridiculously awesome

 My favorite part had to be these caterpillars.  The green one below was like 6 inches long.  And super creepy cool.

 Can you find him?

After the museum we ate at The Barking Crab; a little seafood shack on the harbor- which hands-down fed us our most favorite meal of the trip.  Fresh and succulent and velvety buttery sweet lobster goodness. 

We ended our day with a little shopping and some ice cream at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

These accidental twinners are too cool for school.

Then walked along the harbor back to our hotel.

He's the cutest.

And that grumpy girl is so squishy.

After we got the kids to bed, we, the adults, left to play hipster at a super trendy asian fusion/tapas joint.  It was tasty.  And fun.  And loud.  And a reminder that we aren't remotely hip or trendy.