Once in a blue moon my expectations line up with reality, and it’s wonderful. The weather mostly cooperated, with just a few sprinkles, although it was bitingly cold

On our way to the city center, we happened to run into the march for science, which started a cool discussion with my girls. It was probably the biggest march any of us had ever seen (although they didn’t *go* anywhere, which would have annoyed me).

They, like us, were headed for Boston Common. Frog pond wasn’t very exciting, since we couldn’t wade (signs, plus too cold). Right next door was the Public Garden though. My kids were *thrilled* to see the Make Way for Ducklings statues and  settings from the book. We have a picture of 9 month old Aunica sitting on one of the baby ducks crying, so we told her we were going to recreate the photo, but she refused to cry. Spoilsport. 😉

Our first historic building was the state house. The grounds used to be cow pasture for John Hancock, and Paul revere himself covered the dome with copper, which was gilded later on down the road. It overlooks the commons, and as we looked also, I imagined George Washington and other founding fathers meeting there to plan the revolution.

Next stop, park street church. Called brimstone corner, either as a homage to the “fire and brimstone” sermons given here, or because gunpowder was stored here during the war of 1812. It also became an abolitionist Mecca, where the song My Country ‘Tis of Thee was first sung.

I do love a good graveyard, and the granary burying ground is exceptional. John Hancock, Paul Revere, Sam Adams, and even possibly Mother Goose are buried here, as well as the victims of the Boston Massacre. 

Some quick stops at kings chapel, where George Washington himself worshipped,

Boston Latin school,

 old corner bookstore (now a chipotle-I couldn’t bring myself to take a picture), and the old south meeting house, when the plans for the Boston tea party were laid. Plus a Starbucks hot cocoa run in there somewhere because it was COLD!

This leads us to the old state house, where the Declaration of Independence was read from the balcony.

Last stop on our walking trip was Faneuil hall and Quincy market. The kids got caught up watching a Celtic unicycler street performer. On the way back to the car the girls and I experienced a powerful holocaust memorial, with words from the survivors. Then we drove through this tunnel 5 times looking for the old north church, Paul Reveres one of by land, two of by sea fame. Oh, look, there it is!

Finally, pizza. This pizza was really tasty, but even better, the employees were sooo sweet with my kids.

Ad somehow, just this once, I managed to put just the right amount of “things” in my day.