Since we're all just heaps of duft, we might as well enjoy our vacations.

We rounded out our vacation in Boston. In retrospect, spending two days together (based out of a single hotel room) at the end of a two-week vacation might not have been the greatest choice, as we all got pretty cranky, but we had a really nice visit regardless. The kids were excited to see the places they had read about, and Cook and I were excited to return to Boston, where we lived for a couple of years when we were young and foolish. I think we were all pretty satisfied. I was pleased to find that the subway system still smells the same. Duchess was pleased to see History. Skipper was pleased to see the ducks and know we were almost home. Cook was pleased to see the transportation improvements in the city.

We wandered around brick streets in Beacon Hill. Duchess was navigating.

We visited the ducklings at the Public Garden, in honor of Skipper's favorite author.

We took a picture of Duchess with a statue of George Washington.

This is the State House. I don't know who any of those other people are. 

We went to the Children's Museum for a brief break, deploying a free reciprocal membership with a local Portland museum. They have a very cool climby thing. And now Boston has connected itself to its waterfront, thanks to the Big Dig, and the waterfront is also cool. We did not go on the Tea Party ship, to Duchess's eternal disappointment.

We went to Faneuil Hall and took a picture of Duchess and Skipper with a statue of Sam Adams. 

We went to the Old North Church, and took a picture of Duchess with a statue of Paul Revere.

We met Mr. Otis at the Old State House. Duchess was enthralled. She wants to be a historical interpreter.*

And now we're home! I leave you with this heart-warming sentiment, courtesy of the Copp's Hill Burying Ground.  :

*"Not as a career, Mom. As a job when I'm not ready for a career yet."