Dancing in the subway while waiting for the train. The underground entertainer was actually pretty good - and not a bit drunk.
On the subway. She was mad her dad took the picture.
Waiting for the DUCK
McKenna and her friend Allison (whose dad is a fellow with Richard) waiting outside our DUCK for the tour to begin.
Waiting to start. They came prepared with blankets - the weather was gorgeous but a bit chilly on the water. The conDUCKtor said the kids in the back had the "cheap" seats and that they'd find out soon enough why.
Beginning the ride. Ivy (the little bit of head next to me) leaned out the window most of the time and was MAD that her mom was holding on to her! Cooper sat behind me, so of course my blood pressure went up when we got on the water. But he sat down the whole time and his biggest sister was nearby.
A view of the inside. The roof, windows, and seats were added since WWII. Thank goodness. The flip open windshield still operates, and the base for the 50 caliber gun was still there. The conDUCKtor said he's lobbying to get it reinstalled to help with traffic issues.
Another picture of the cutie. A lesson in lip reading: "NO!" Again, she was MAD I took her picture. Ornery little thing. 
Some sights we saw. I can't remember what everything was - but beautiful architecture and lots of interesting history. The conDUCKtor was fabulous - a former Navy officer and history buff. And a comedian! It was very entertaining.
Many beautiful churches. We learned details from how many pilings below (most of downtown Boston is the "back bay" - literally built on the filled-in bay) to who did the stained glass etc. The windows in this church were done by the master (of whom I can't remember the name) who trained Tiffany!
The pond (a lake to us) in Boston Commons. Look carefully through the taken-from-a-moving-vehicle fuzz and you'll see the famous swan boats. That's on our list to do soon before the weather turns too cold.
Not our DUCK, but one that was passing below as we were waiting for the drawbridge to lower. There are about 24 in the fleet - in all different colors.
Entering the Charles River. The conDUCKtor turned on James Bond music for us as he shifted to neutral and put down the propeller. 
The water of the Charles is not polluted, but is green from tanic (?- or something like that) acid that is given off by plants upriver. It's the same acid that turns tea brown, however this acid is not left over from the Boston Tea Party. 
On the water.
A darn cute driver on the water.
She can barely see over the wheel (but you can see her in the rear view mirror).
Another awesome driver. He actually got a couple of turns because he volunteered every time the driver asked. Ivy refused when asked, but as we pulled out of the water wanted a turn. For some reason they don't let the children drive on land!
Another view from the DUCK. -- There's a sailing school for children that has three requirements. #1) You must be between the ages of 10 and 18. #2) You must demonstrate that you can swim. #3) You must pay $1. (Yep! ONE DOLLAR). It's privately funded and teaches unlimited sailing classes throughout the summer. It's aimed at keeping children off the streets (putting them in the water instead). We're hoping to get Austin, McKenna, and Tessa down there a couple of times. What an experience!
Such a beautiful city.
The reason for the former orneriness!
The USS Constitution. Another tour on our list.
After we debarked.
I handed the kids a snack before we headed back toward the subway. Ivy decided to make her cheese and cracker sandwich on the FILTHY CONCRETE before I caught her!
The trip home. Ivy's standard mode of transportation.
The pool deck isn't finished yet - but the pool is beautiful. Looking toward the tennis courts. 
Sitting in the pool looking out. The house is just above the pool, so the deck overlooks it and this gorgeous view. The acreage has natural terraces that work well for all of the "play areas."
Another view from the pool. That's Ivy (with the pigtails) and Tessa in the middle of the picture. I pretty much stayed at the pool all day because the kids refused to get out.
Another shot toward the tennis courts. That's Austin and Richard chatting, and Coop in the pool.
The tramp with the soccer field below it. The tennis courts are down to the right.
More of the pretty trees. I told Richard I would love to retire here!
On the subway. They think it's so cool to be underground! Ivy usually wants to sit "by myself!" but she'll sit with daddy as long as she gets to hold onto a pole. (Mom carries Germ-X in the backpack!)
Taking a trip on the bus. Mom gets nervous every time because there are no seatbelts or carseats!!!
Proud, but humble, in his fame.
This is the second time Cooper has been chosen from the crowd to participate in a street show in downtown Boston. Each time, the performers gave him $1 or $2. Last time we went downtown, he said "oh good, maybe I'll get some money!" He figures it will happen every time.
The guy did a flip over the group. Wish I had waited a fraction of a section to snap the camera.
Beach day with dad! Mom was home with the flu and so dad took the kids. The beaches are beautiful here - more tame than San Diego so the kids can actually play in the water. We're only about 7 miles from the waterfront, although we have to go north or south to the beaches.
Our last trip to the beach we saw a star fish and caught a crab - and found lots of tiny sand dollars!
Batman at his best! We may not have a yard to play in, but we have a closet rod! Yesterday Cooper played on the porch (about 3 1/2' x 7') for an hour while Ivy and I napped on the couch. When I asked him what he did out there he said, "Oh, I stuck my stick in the dirt (of the flowers) and scraped my stick on the cement." Poor kid!
