Hey, sorry about the New Year’s Eve party post. I wrote that back in January, same with the Halloween post. I was just trying to get some work done ahead of time for periods when I’m usually really busy. Please make sure you don’t host super-spreader events!
April 2020, right after they closed the playgrounds.
Alas, the pandemic came, and turned all our lives upside down. I stopped homeschooling and stopped keeping up with this blog. Basically it’s been one long nervous breakdown that gets more or less intense depending on the stressors.
According to an article I read recently, 37,000 students left the public schools in Massachusetts this school year. Anyone on homeschool groups could see the the tidal wave of families that joined the homeschooling community. Alas, in this like everything else, I find myself moving contrarywise. For so many, public school at home didn’t work. For me, pandemic meant I couldn’t cope with homeschooling at home. Our flavor of homeschooling was predominantly about being out of the house.
Hopefully the coming of the vaccine means life will get back to some sense of normalcy. For now, it feels like it will never end.
Wear a mask, sneeze and cough into your elbow, wash your hands, drive safely, share, take turns, be a decent human being!
Since having kids, I suddenly became aware that there aren’t that many public events for families to celebrate New Year’s Eve. We hosted our first Kids NYE party in 2010, and there are admittedly more public events for families, such as the Boston Children’s Museum’s Noon Year.
The kids were very young at our first party. We lived in a much bigger space then and set up the kitchen with a cardboard play house that the kids could color and play in, and a station for making masks (paper plates and markers) and noisemakers (toilet roll tubes closed off with paper and rubber bands and filled with dried beans). We had mini pizzas for all, and I tried to make “bubbly” jell-o but failed. It still tasted good, but there were no suspended bubbles. (There’s a reason you can’t easily find recipes for this anymore…it doesn’t work). We put Shaun the Sheep on low on the TV for kids who didn’t want to run around, and toward the end of the party (around 7 pm), we had a countdown and jumped on bubble wrap for some indoor fireworks.
As the kids got older, subsequent parties included fancier mask making supplies…paper plates, sparkly yarn, craft feathers and sequins. We wrote our wishes for the new year and made a garland. We moved the start time to 7pm and served mostly deserts and finger food like chips and dip and cut veggies. Netflix used to have some NYE countdown clips from several kids tv shows, I’m not sure if they still do that, but we used one to add pizazz to our countdown to bubble wrap jumping! That activity is a hit year after year.
We now live in a very tiny apartment and I don’t know if we’ll ever host a New Year’s Eve party here. But if you have even a little room, a family New Year’s Eve party is a wonderful and low-key way to celebrate safely with your kids and friends. Keep it simple and it won’t be expensive. Get the big-bubble wrap for more impressive pops, and the small-bubble wrap if you want a less intense experience.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is just around the corner from the MFA. Both museums are offering free admission and activities to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Gardner limits the number of people in the museum at any given time, so it may be a better option for people who don’t want to deal with the crowds at the MFA on free days. Though you may have to wait in line before getting inside.
The museum opens at 11 AM, and MLK Jr. Day activities run 1-4 PM.
Join social justice project Wee The People for an interactive, family-friendly workshop that guides young and old in unlearning and reclaiming the legacy of MLK. Together we will explore MLK’s practice as a radical disruptor and honor his most important act of love: resistance. Activities include sign-making tributes to protest movements, a #ReclaimMLK photo booth, and timed acts of resistance inside the Museum.”
Free general admission to the Gardner is a rare occurrence. If your name is Isabella or your family is Active Duty in the military, you can get in free anytime. Children 17 and under are always free as well. EBT cardholders can get $2 admission for up to 4 adults. The BPL has a $5/person museum pass available that admits 4 people on weekdays, 2 people on weekends.
The ICA is accessible by Silver Line Waterfront out of South Station. You can walk from either the World Trade Center stop or Courthouse. I do not recommend parking for BBHSers because of the expense. The ICA does not have its own parking lot, but you can find their recommendations for parking here.
I know the Museum of Fine Arts is crazy-busy on their free days, but they do offer lots of really wonderful family programming on those days. It can also be a great, low-cost way to spend time with friends. Even this introvert has gone to 4 or 5 MFA free days over the years!
Arrive EARLY is #1, the lines in won’t be as long, and the lines for the coat room won’t be long either.
Arrive LATE, another good move if you don’t mind a short visit. Note that most of the family programs will be winding down by mid-afternoon.
Do not drive there! The garage, lots and street parking will be full and traffic will be sluggish around the museum with people trying to park, save yourself the headache and either take the T or plan to park far away and walk over. Also, museum parking is NOT free on free days.
If the line to get in winds out to the sidewalk on Huntington Ave, go around to the Fenway entrance. The line is usually SO MUCH SHORTER! Keep in mind, the Huntington entrance also has a long line inside, whereas the Fenway inside line is about 1/4 the length. The Fenway coat room usually has a shorter line too.
The downstairs cafe is going to be mobbed, consider eating outside before going into the museum, or visit the cafe at non-peak times.
You can bring your own food into the museum to eat at the cafe, make sure you’re carrying it in a museum approved bag.
Do you have any tips to share? Please leave them in the comments below! ❤️
New Year’s Eve is almost upon us. With a sleet and rain storm on tap for the next two days, I’m crossing my fingers that the weather will be good enough and safe enough for a little celebrating Tuesday.
Images courtesy of First Night Boston
Boston’s First Night has been through a lot of changes over the years, and isn’t nearly as big as it used to be, but it still has a good number of events for families. All events are now FREE! You just have to pay attention to which events require tickets so you can go early to get some.
This year I hope our family can check out:
The Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s Arts & Crafts and Cultural Performances running 1pm to 4pm in the McKim Exhibition Hall at the Boston Public Library at Copley Square.
One of Improv Boston’s performances on the other side of the BPL at 1:15, 2:30 and 3:45. These are free but ticketed performances. Go early to get tickets!
My kids might not be thrilled at this one, but I’m really looking forward to The King of Instruments organ performance at Old South Church at 3pm. Have you ever heard an E.M. Skinner organ? They are WONDERS and make such beautiful music. It’s so powerful, you experience the music with your whole body, not just your ears! And they can make all kinds of sounds, including trumpet and flute sounds. It’s like an orchestra packed into one enormous music machine. The program says they’ll have music for the whole family, so hopefully the kids will enjoy it too.
Some other lovely events in the early afternoon for families are the Puppet Showplace Theater performances in the Copley Mall, and interactive drumming sessions and ballroom dance instruction both at the BPL. Click here for the full schedule of events.
There’s a several hour break between those family events and the next events we might attend.
The Skating Spectacular on Frog Pond starts at 5:30pm. But the People’s Procession from Copley Square to the Common starts at 6pm. So we’ll have to choose between them. Finally, the Family Fireworks light up over Boston Common at 7pm. I love heading home at 7:30pm on New Year’s Eve. I definitely feel like we celebrated AND get to leave before the city gets crazy with New Year’s revelers.
Because of that few hours break between activities and fireworks, I’m not sure what we’ll do. As a BBHSer, I love the free holiday festivities, but I don’t want to spend a lot on food in a more expensive Boston neighborhood. I’ll have to research where we might go before we head down to Copley Square on Wednesday. If you have any tips for cheap eats within a reasonable walking distance of Copley Square and Boston Common, please share them in the comments below!
Because today was so warm, the rink postponed their ice show to Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 2 pm.
DATE CHANGE- due to the weather we are forced to move our annual Holiday Show to next Saturday’s December 21st. We hope to see everyone skating with us soon! pic.twitter.com/XQCRMCcYGA
Every year the Kendall Square outdoor skating rink opens for the season with a skating show featuring professional skaters, international competitors, and lots of holiday fun. The show is free. Skating is free for the day as well (skate rentals cost extra) 11am-9pm.
Details: Saturday, December 14, 2019, show begins at 2pm, free, 300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA.
There’s a very fancy public art installation that just opened up in the Seaport this week. While I don’t usually enjoy the District 1-ness of the Seaport and the events held there, I do enjoy free public arts and exposing my children to them! This one looks like a community experience akin to the “The Gates” many years ago in Central Park in NYC. From the descriptions, it sounds to me like the best time to go is night, but I’m sure it’s captivating any time of day. “Entre Les Rangs” translates to “Between the Ranks” or “Between the Rows.”
Details: December 9, 2019 to February 2, 2020, free, Seaport Commons, 85 Northern Ave, Boston, MA.
Blink! at Faneuil Hall – Nightly through 1/1/2020
This exuberant light and music display has become an annual tradition in Boston. During the day on Saturday, December 14, 2019, you can also enjoy “Candy Land Play-A-Thon” from 10am to Noon where each participating child receives a free game or gift. From Noon to 5pm you can take “Selfies with Santa” and make a Christmas Photo Frame while supplies last.
Details: Saturday, December 14, 2019, free, Candy Land 10am-Noon, Selfies with Santa Noon-5pm. Blink! holiday lights, nightly 4:30pm-10pm every half hour, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA.
Details: Sunday, December 15, 2019, 2pm to 3:30pm, free, Hunnewell Building Visitor Center, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA.
“A Light Through the Ages” the Meaning of Chanukah in Story and Song – 12/15
“Central Reform Temple of Boston will offer the eleventh annual presentation of “A Light Through the Ages”, a celebration of Chanukah in story, song and light. This beloved holiday tradition for people of all faiths offers a unique opportunity for the greater Boston community to experience the inspiration and broader significance of the Festival of Lights.” Free but registration is required.
Details: Sunday, December 15, 2019, 4 pm, free, Central Reform Temple, 15 Newbury St, Boston, MA.
Holiday Concert Featuring the Copley Singers – 12/15
Double posting today! After writing about Saturday’s Tree Lighting on the USS Constitution, I realized a post about weekend holiday events would be useful and fun too!
Old South Meeting House – Holiday Open House – 12/7
We took a tour of the Freedom Trail for the first time this fall and had a lot of fun. But we decided to skip the sites with admissions fees, both to keep costs down and to try to finish the trail in a reasonable amount of time 😉
Well, this weekend we might head over to Old South Meeting House for their FREE Holiday Open House!! It looks like a really fun and interesting program, PLUS we can get another stamp for our National Parks Passport.
Details: Saturday, December 7, 2019, 10am-4pm, Free Admission, 310 Washington St, Boston, MA.
Brandeis Ballet Club’s Full Length Nutcracker – T accessible, 12/7 & 12/8
Seeing the Nutcracker is a wonderful holiday tradition for some. But tickets to most productions can be expensive. Looking for a cheaper alternative to the Boston Ballet’s production? The Brandeis Ballet Club is putting on their 4th annual, full-length Nutcracker! They’ve put a modern twist on the classic ballet.
There is free admission for students and non-students alike!
Details: Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 12:30 pm and Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 5 pm. Free and open to the public. Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Theatre, Brandeis University, 415 South St, Waltham, MA.
T-Accessible! 0.3 mile walk from the Brandeis/Roberts stop on the Fitchburg commuter rail line. 0.7 mile walk from Bus #70 stop at Tavern Rd and Weston St.
Live Nativity on Boston Common – 12/7
If you hit up the Old South Meeting House on Saturday, you could continue your holiday festivities in the evening with a Live Nativity on Boston Common, featuring live animals and readings in English and Spanish! This event is put on by Renewal Church Boston in Back Bay. It’s free, but they are collecting gently used winter accessories such as scarves, hats and gloves to distribute to the needy.
Details: Saturday, December 7, 2019, 5pm to 8pm, Boston Common Parade Ground near Frog Pond. Spanish reading at 7 pm.
Candlelight Labyrinth Walk – 12/8
Looking for something more contemplative? I’m intrigued by this event held by the Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway in Boston. The simple description reads:
Candlelit Labyrinth Walk: In Peace & Harmony. Meet & Greet. Celebrate Walk the Candlelit Labyrinth. Tie a Ribbon with Your Wish on the Wishing Tree. Enjoy Hot Chocolate & Luscious Cookies. RSVP appreciated
Details: Sunday, December 8, 2019, 4:30pm to 5:30pm, Free, Armenian Heritage Park, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA
Holiday Concert by the Harvard Wind Ensemble – 12/8
My son’s saxophone teacher is performing with the Harvard Wind Ensemble this weekend in a free Holiday Concert. We can’t wait to see them perform!
This Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 3:45 pm to 6 pm, the USS Constitution is hosting a lovely Christmas Tree Lighting. The event includes “holiday music, free hot chocolate and cookies, an appearance by Santa Claus and his elves, and remarks from USS Constitution’s Commanding Officer.”
I bet opportunities for beautiful holiday photos will be abundant!
The public may begin boarding the ship at 3:45 pm, the tree lighting will be at 4:30 pm, guests may then tour the ship until 6 pm.
Please note that all adults must show appropriate ID and all bags are subject to search before going onto the ship. Click here to read more about visiting the USS Constitution, ID requirements, what to expect when going through security screening, directions and parking.
Broke Boston Homeschooling 