Maia doing the Robot

While we were in Newport, Rhode Island Maia busted out the robot. I was thrilled!

Honey Pot Hill Orchards

On opening weekend in September, we took a trip to Honey Pot Hill Orchards out in Stow, MA.

We started with a hedge maze that we couldn't solve. We found the entrance and Maia suggested (or rather demanded) we leave while we could.

We checked out the cute animals (rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, and chickens)

We picked out a cute little pumpkin (that sat on our counter until it rotted).

And Maia enjoyed sitting on the tractor like a real farmer.

Something I have never had is a cider donut. This place had homemade, fresh cider donuts. I guess they're pretty much everywhere out here but they were absolutely delicious. Joe and I both ate two! And I'd do it again!

Joe had to stand in line for a while to get these treasures. I have a new reason to look forward to the fall here.

Then off to apple picking. This was also very fun. It was especially fun to watch Maia.

Maia tried out the ladder and then wanted to pick apples that were only reachable by ladder. I was surprised. She's usually so cautious with heights but not this time.

My cute little apple picker. I loved being outside with my little family doing something new. My joy was spilling over. What a great time we had.

After we went apple picking, we stopped by our friend, Tom's, mom's house. We were so close to her house, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to say HI. We were so glad we did stop. She has this amazing farm with 30 horses. She offers riding lessons and has a foundation to allow every child to ride horses, especially those with special needs.

We had such a fun time that we decided to make Honey Pot Hill Orchard (and a stop off at Rita's house) a yearly tradition for as long as we are here.

Preschool

We live in an apartment complex where a lot of our dental student friends live. It's nice to have friends close (especially when I don't have a car every day). Four of us moms got together back in September and arranged a rotating preschool that meets 2 times a week. I know it will save me and Maia when it's snowing outside and I can't go anywhere. Maia LOVES it. She's the only girl.

Here is her first day. She sat down and pulled out her pencil box before anyone else really showed up.

Her cute "classmates"

Newport Mansions

We headed to Rhode Island in September to see the Newport Mansions. These were fascinating! On our way, we found a little slice of California... How cute. It's own mini Compton.

Our first stop was at the Green Animals Topiary Garden. This was my favorite stop. It was absolutely gorgeous. The air was so clean and it smelled so good here. It awakened something in me. It was awesome!

I loved these cute girls standing outside the visitor's center. We forgot our bug spray (it's all new to us) but the people were so kind to let us borrow some so we didn't get eaten alive. We first picnicked on the lawn overlooking the bay, then got down to business and checked out the garden.

The flowers were beautiful!

We got to swing on an old school tree swing.

Even Joe.

Some kind of squash hanging. I just liked what I saw.

Green Animals!

This was my favorite part of the garden. These are grape vines with grapes hanging. It smelled like candy! I never knew that grapes could really smell like a purple sucker but better. I loved it! I had to visit this particular spot more than once because it was so awesome.

Joe and Heidi on the porch of this home...

This is the home of the woman who owned the garden. Her gardener was the one who created the green animals. We got to tour this very old home.

On the second floor of the home was an old toy collection. Maia (and I) LOVED the dolls and tea sets and doll houses.

Serious doll houses. Check out the height of this one compared to Maia.

Bedroom

Dining Room

Library

The trees. If Joe could have, he would have uprooted this tree, strapped it to our car and planted it in our backyard. (We don't have a backyard so he couldn't do it)

It was a big ol' tree. GREEN ANIMALS TOPIARY GARDENS WAS A SUCCESS!

Next stop: THE ELMS

This place was at one point planned to be bulldozed and turned into a shopping mall. Uh, what? Luckily the preservation society saved it.

Interestingly, most of the house was empty because they sold all the furniture and stuff.

Maia thought the plans should have been put into action about 1/2 hour before this was taken.

And the trees. This was actually pretty nuts. Inside these hanging branches is a very nice place to hang out. It's open inside. Just some tree trunks and dirt. Very cool place to play if you were a kid living here.

Next stop: THE BREAKERS!

The view here was amazing. A huge lawn and ocean. LOVE!

This is the back of the house. The Preservation Society hosts parties on this lawn. If you're a member of the society, you can go to these parties with your kids. They're pretty extravagant I hear.

The inside of the home was decorated ceiling to floor with paintings, mosaics, tapestries, tiles, intricate woodwork, etc. There wasn't one inch that wasn't decorated. The furniture was interesting and the grand entrance was awesome! Staircases and indoor fountains.

I think the best part of the day was playing on the grass and Maia busting out her "robot" dance. Joe and I had no idea she even knew how to do the robot. Perfect ending to a great day!

Stone Zoo (Sept. 9, 2011)

Back in September we made it to the local zoo in Stoneham. We met up with our friends, Porter and Zach, and checked out the animals. We had a great time and enjoyed the nice weather (and bee season)!

Maia liked this painting because "it's like baby jaguar from Go! Diego! Go!"

Maia and the cute boys!

This bear was awesome. I think it was our favorite attraction besides...

the train! The train trumps every other attraction.