June 2012: We had quite a busy month! We enjoyed lots of time with friends near and far, played outdoors
both at home and away, and even saw an airshow.
On the 7th, Aurora had her pediatric audiologist appointment. This was the follow up to her
failing her hearing test at her annual check-up in March. Dr. Hansen and his assistant (Dr. Brizzee)
were both wonderful with children. They extensively tested Aurora's hearing at a variety of decibels and frequencies.
For the most part, she did fine. There was a tiny bit of concern that she could not hear as well in
her right ear at 2000 Hz. We made a follow up appointment for June 2013 to make sure that it is
not indicative of progressive hearing loss.
June 3, 2012: We try to release the second butteryfly. It is unseasonable cool that day, so it
took several attempts throughout the day to get this butterfly to leave its box.
June 7, 2012: ScooperBowl! Or in Aurora's mind, ice cream for dinner day. Since Aurora had
her hearing evaluation that morning, none of us went to school or work that day. Instead, we
met up with Corin, Oliver, Lindsey and Peyton
at City Hall Plaza in the mid-afternoon. Once again, Aurora's favorite flavor was mango.
Luckily, we were just about filled up when the (rain) sprinkles showed up.
Some of us decided to take the T to the Science Museum for a bit. The ride there was quite
an adventure for the kids.
Unfortunately, the Museum was just about to close when we got there, so we hung out
in the lobby and in the gift shop instead.
Then back to the T for a ride to Chinatown for dinner. First we waited for the Green Line trolley...
...and then the Orange Line train.
Two tired 4 year olds, one stroller. Good thing the "BOB" was big enough!
After dinner, we say good-bye to Corin and Oliver and walk over to the Boston Common to
retrieve Jon's car.
June 9, 2012: In preparation for Aurora's Summer Party, we try out the bouncy house to make sure
it still works OK.
Video: Bounce house
Just being goofy...
June 10, 2012: In the morning, we head to Cambridge to see the Dragon Boat Races.
Then go to the Newtonville Village Fair. Aurora enjoyed an obstacle course, a twiga bounce house,
and some rides.
Aurora tries a Sno-Cone for the first time. What a mess!
June 12, 2012: It's a My Gym day! Aurora is eager to show off some of her new tricks.
Video: High bar: Attempt 1
Video: High bar: Attempt 2
Video: Parallel bars: Attempt 1
Video: Parallel bars: Attempt 2
Wearing a skirt or a dress does not slow her down a bit!
Video: High bar: Attempt 3
Video: High bar: Attempt 4
Video: Butt bounce attempts
Video: Getting around
June 14, 2012: After school and work, we meet Jon at a local playground. Aurora has almost
mastered most of the play equipment.
Video: Balance beam
Video: Where are we driving to?
June 16, 2012: Snuggling up with Baba at Peyton's 1st birthday party.
June 17, 2012: Happy Father's Day! Our family tradition is to get up early and make Jon drive an hour
out to Davis' Farmland. Aurora always loves petting the soft bunnies and kittens.
She is still nervous around many of the larger animals, like calves and lambs. She got braver
as the day progressed, but still preferred feeding the smaller animals.
Meeting a milk snake. Aurora let Baba hold it for her.
Feeding the pigs and petting a chick.
Aurora tried to save her food for the littlest goats.
Putting some hair clips on the pony's mane.
Getting even braver - Aurora is letting the animals eat out of her hand now!
She's a pro at the pony rides!
Exploring the different play areas.
Video: Swinging by herself
There is a cow shaped bouncy house.
She was very insistent about getting the baby all the way into the shopping cart.
Check out how tall I am!
Fishing for her lunch. She caught a lot of fish!
After lunch, we headed over to the spray park. It was a bit chilly that day,
so Aurora did not spend too much time in the water. She always loves the bubble pool though!
Video: Waterslide 1
Video: Waterslide 2
Basking in the sun.
After water play, it's time for a snack! Aurora chooses cotton candy flavored ice cream.
Despite her best efforts, the ice cream starts to melt faster than she can eat it. It's Baba
to the rescue!
Aurora really enjoyed riding the "goat carts" this year.
Video: Goat cart 1
Video: Goat cart 2
Painting the house...
...playing in the sand.
Aurora has mastered these scooters. Jon can ride them OK, and Kathy still can't figure it out completely.
Video: Going around the cones
Back to the goat carts.
Aurora leading a line of boys!
Ooops! Drove off the road...good thing Baba's around to rescue her!
Video: Passing on the left... and the right
We are finally headed back home. But first, we had to do 3 more "one last things"...
June 20, 2012: At Gymboree
Video: Dancing
June 23, 2012: It's Aurora's non-birthday party! She was excited that so many of her school friends showed up!
We had at least 50 people stop by during the day (about 2 dozen kids plus one or 2 parents per kid). We
offered a variety of crafts (decorate your own tote bag and/or sugar cookie, sun catchers, sticky mosiacs),
a water table, stomp rockets (we eventually recovered all of the rockets from the trees/roof/neighbors), and
of course the bouncy house. Jon was exicted to host a big party again, even if it involved more
toddlers and less beer than in the past. No serious injuries and it seemed like kids and parents all had a blast.
June 24, 2012: We check out a water park in Watertown. Afterwards, Aurora enjoys laying in the sunshine. She looks so
grown up!
Trying the log roll and other playground stuff.
Video: Crossing the divide
After the park, we head to Open House at My Gym. Since Jon rarely gets to take her, Aurora is excited to be
able to show her Baba all of the
things she can do at the gym.
Video: Trampoline
Video: Ladder climb
June 25, 2012: That evening, we head into Boston to enjoy Member's Night at the New England Aquarium.
Slowly, Aurora warmed up to the idea of touching a shark or a ray. First she watched Baba do it
several times, then she put her hand over his as he touched one, and finally she touched one all by herself!
We saw part of the sea lion and fur seal show. Afterwards, Aurora was extremely patient, waiting a long
time for her turn to play with the two new sea lion juveniles.
Video: Sea lion play (short)
Video: Sea lion play (long)
Having a snack near the bottom of the Giant Ocean Tank.
Checking out some of the other exhibits before venturing to the touch tank. Here Aurora
bravely touched a sea star and an urchin.
Turtles hanging out.
June 26, 2012: The local Shaw's supermarket sits over the Mass Pike. On this trip, we
happened to see a commuter rail train go by.
June 30, 2012: That morning, we read a book about all different sorts of vehicles. On one page,
there was a drawing of an air show and all the planes there. Aurora mentioned that she would like
to go to an air show to see airplanes. Kathy hopped on the Internet and discovered that there was
an air show not too far away that very weekend, so we packed up and headed up to New Hampshire.
Unfortunately, the trip took much longer than expected due to extra traffic (lots of folks going to the air show
and those headed up north for vacation), so we missed most of the "shows." We managed to catch
the headliners though. Jon really enjoyed seeing the Blue Angels perform.
Even with earplugs, the jet engines flying overhead were too loud for Aurora's ears. She eventually
asked to be put into her stroller and she managed to fall asleep through the rest of the show!
Some shots and videoes of the tricks performed by the Blue Angels:
Video: Blue Angels 1
Video: Blue Angels 2
Video: Blue Angels 3
Video: Blue Angels 4
Video: Blue Angels 5
Video: Blue Angels 6
Video: Blue Angels 7
Video: Blue Angels 8
Video: Blue Angels 9
Video: Blue Angels 10
After the performances, we wandered around to look at various other planes, taking
photos so Aurora could see what she missed.
Aurora woke up on the walk back to the car. The day ends with a stop for ice cream on
the way home. This time, Aurora picks Cookie Monster ice cream. Once again, Jon
"sacrifices" to help Aurora finish her ice cream.
