I can’t believe how quickly this year has flown by. So much has happened and my girls have grown so much. In the past year I have taken many trips (both business and family), attempted to potty train the twins, launched our webshop, shot a lookbook, and begun the first steps in curating a vintage selection. I have made friends, created memories, and focused on family. Life is short and I work everyday to really appreciate it and the amazing people in my life. I am feeling lucky and nostalgic but more importantly, I feel very hopeful and excited to see what’s up next.
I am not a huge fan of resolution but am certainly compiling a list of goals for 2012. So here, along with pictures from the last year, are my goals for 2012…
1. Continue growing Monkey & The Bug. I want to expand, bring in new lines, finalize our plans for the vintage section, and shoot a new lookbook.
2. Travel (even) more. I’d like a nice, long vacation with the girls and my husband. Just relaxing by the beach sounds perfect!
3. Get better at blogging for both Stel’s and Monkey & The Bug. In the last year I have really started to learn my way around the internet but there is always room for improvement. I’m hoping to blog more often!
4. Relax. Balancing twins, a marriage, and two businesses is HARD WORK. I want to do more yoga, take more time for the family, and learn to stress less.
What are your goals for 2012?
Filed under: to do list | Tags: Ice Cream, Indoor Playground, Playground, Splash Pad, Sushi, To Do List, West Roxbury
This is a fun day of activities for those of you in the Boston area looking for some new ways to beat the heat at its own game. Being stuck in the AC doesn’t have to be a drag and this is creative way to cool the kids down and get some energy out without hitting the pool or beach. Kids Fun Stop is located in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. It’s an indoor playground with a giant playhouse, climbing structures, multiple ride on toys, an arts and crafts area, blocks, and a small a merry go round. It’s for children under the age of 6 and babes under the age of 2 have a separate play area. Kids Fun Stop provides free wifi for those of you who want to get a bit of work done while the kiddos play and most importantly, has blasting AC for those days when it’s really too hot to play outside. During the week they have play groups and musicians that come to perform for the little ones. For more details click HERE. I have nothing bad to say about this place. It has a wide variety of activities, padded floors to minimize boo boos, and it’s as clean as can be. There is no way your little ones won’t be entertained by something at Kids Fun Stop.
Just down the street in Chesnut Hill on the VFW Parkway is Hynes Playground, a park and splash pad. I recommend you bring a picnic blanket and let the kids go wild.
If you are feeling hungry you can travel across the street from Hynes Playground to a delish sushi place called Misono or Bertuccis Pizzeria. For a cool treat you can stop by J.P. Licks all in the same plaza.
I’d love to hear what you are all doing this summer! Please share : )
Filed under: Around Town, to do list | Tags: Aquarium, Summer, The New Englad Aquarium
The summer is finally upon us here in Boston and I could not be more excited. I’m making a summer to do list filled with fun activities so we don’t get stuck in a summer rut. The first on our list is The New England Aquarium. It’s a great spot to cool off in on a scorching hot day. Before I even get started I want to thank Adriana from Just By Living for sharing her pictures of her visit to The Aquarium.
If you live in, around, or are visiting Boston, The New England Aquarium is a must see. The entire building is focused around a large central aquarium filled with hundreds of species of fish, sharks, eels, turtles, and rays. 200,000 gallons of water and a man made coral reef make up the mammoth tank. There are over 50 viewing windows for guests to sit and watch the fish. My kids always take their time here. A large winding walkway will take you from the bottom to the top where an aquarium employee can answer any of your questions about the living creatures in the tank.
Hendrix at the giant central tank.
At the base of the massive tank is a huge penguin exhibit with three different kinds of penguins, a little toddler play area, and smaller exhibits filled with all kinds of sea life. You can catch a glimpse at a sea horse or the rare sea dragon, pet a horse shoe or cuddle a star fish in the tide pool, and get up and close with some river monsters.
Some tropical fishies.
School of fish.
A learning center. Note the giant tank in the background.
Outside is the Marine Mammal Center. It’s a large pool overlooking the Boston Harbor filled with seals and sea lion.
The New England Aquarium has a really cool jelly fish exhibit.The tanks looks infinite and the lighting they used gives the jelly fish an almost magical quality. It doesn’t seem real. Whoever designed the tanks did a fabulous job.
The absolute best part of Boston’s beautiful aquarium is the Shark and Ray touch tank. The touch tank is the largest on the east coast and contains a man made mangrove filled with several species of shark and rays. You have to be a bit patient and able to sit still but if you dip your hand into the tank and wait you are sure to get to pet a ray and a shark.
SHARK!
Tons of rays!
The New England Aquarium has a cafe, large IMAX theater, whale watch tours, and gift shop. There is parking near by and many other restaurants to eat at. I highly recommend going during the week if you can and avoid school vacations. Buying your tickets ahead of time and printing them out at home will make your life a million times easier. Also, there is a stroller drop off area and plenty of lockers.For more on The New England Aquarium check out their site HERE.
I’m definitely looking for suggestions for my summer to do list so if you have any ideas or want to contribute a post about whats on your summer to do list email me at info@monkeyandthebug.com
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