Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Our favorite "multi-generational" outing place is the Aquarium.  You can
    always stop off at Faneuil Hall afterwards to do the shopping part.  :)

						cheryl

    Have leftovers. :')
    
    
    Diet. :')
    
    
    Mike, (hoos feelin rather goofy today)

    Children's Museum - I know of four myself:  Acton, Mass. (discounts
    available through your PSA), Boston, Londonderry, NH, and Portsmouth,
    NH.  If you go to Portsmouth, there are many cute shoppes and several
    seafood restaurants.
    
    Museum of Science.  Boston.  Isn't there one in Worcester, Mass.?
    
    Farm stand - buy apples, sample cider, look around.  Some of the larger
    farm stands are a pleasure to see and smell.
    
    Skating - ice or roller.
    
    Go to one of the smaller airports and watch the planes come and go. 
    Eat at the cafe overlooking the tarmac.
    
    If its nice, go to the pond and feed the ducks.
    
    Laura

    how about touring the House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Mass.?
    Then you can have lunch at Pickering Wharf.  The Christmas decorations
    should be up by then.  There is also a walking tour of the historic
    homes of Salem (many built by prosperous sea captains in the early
    1800s), there's the Essex Institute with a wonderful collection of
    artifacts brought back in the China trade, too.  Actually, up until
    the mid-1800s, I think -- maybe it was a little earlier -- Salem
    was a more important port than Boston.

    If the weather cooperates, how about a tour of Plimouth Plantation
    in Plymouth MA?
    
    Or if you are slightly masochistic, you can head into Boston (along
    with 15 bazillion others) and check out the 'new and improved'
    Enchanted Village at Jordan Marsh.

    Anyone have suggestions for what to do in and around greater
    Pittsburgh?  We have 2 girls, ages 4 and 1 1/2 and will be visiting my
    in-laws for Thanksgiving.  
    
    Thanks,
    LZP
    

    Did anyone go to Enchanted Village at Jordan Marsh last year?
    How was it?  Did you have to wait in a long line?  We plan
    to take the kids (3yr and 1 yr) this year.  But I heard
    that you have to wait for hours to get in.
    
    Wendy

    Just a note on the Aquarium and the Museum of Science.  We have done
    both of thoses on the day after Thanksgiving - without kids.  Both 
    places were absolute zoos - long lines, crowded inside (so bad that 
    you cannot see the fish tanks along the side of the building) and
    HOT. Now that I have two kiddos, I cannot imagine taking then on the
    day after Thanksgiving.  Last year we did the National Aquarium on that
    day - and that too was a big mistake.  But we do not get to Washington
    more than once every two years.
    
    I think I would opt for a place that is a little more wide open.
    
    Just my opinion,
    Penny
    
         

    From a fomer 'burbs of Boston Brat, I can't imaging a single place in
    or around Boston that isn't going to have a zillion people!  I remember
    fondly our annual trek to see the Ligts on the Common, the weekend
    after Thanksgiving, it was nice but the traffic jams were just
    horrible.
    
    RE the Enchanted Villiage, it's supposed to be up until a week or so
    after Christmas.  If we can't get it in this weekend (before
    Thanksgiving) it WILL wait until after the first of the year! I really
    hate crowds.
    
    Have you considered a drive up the coast of New England?  Say leave
    around the area of Lynn or Swampscott, drive up through Newbury, into
    Portsmouth, Kittery and even Portland.  Now that's a nice tour, and
    depending on your home base, it may or may not be a day trip, or an
    ovenight in an inexpensive motel with off-season rates.
    
    I remembere Newbury for it's little shops, tiny white lights, and the
    Militia men or some other group marching through the streets in a fife
    and drum group, it's like a real life "enchanted village" after dark.
    
    Lyn

    There's also the Christa McAuliffe Planitarium.  I think it's in
    Concord, NH.  You can get discount entrance tickets from Personnel.  
    From what I'm told, this is an excellent place for kids and adults.
         
    
    Gail

    Personally, I can't imagine any place better than Filene's Basement in
    Boston when the doors open.  It's not often you get to see people
    hurdling over display tables.

    
    
    A couple of other nice things that we've done in the past with visiting
    relatives on thanksgiving weekend....
    
    
    Take in a performance of "The Nutcracker"  (I think there is one in 
    Groton, that weekend)
    
    
    Go see the Ice Capades (Centrum?)
    
    
    /Kathy
    

    Thanks for all the ideas.  I did forget to mention that we live in
    Sudbury.  Anyone ever go to the basketball hall of fame?

    RE, the Basketball Hall of Fame, in Springfield MA.  Haven't been
    _inside_ of it, but have walked by it several times while attending
    twice-yearly seminars at the Marriott, which is just across the street. 
    Evening magazine did a spot from there not long ago, and it did look
    very interesting.  Just FYI, there is a beautiful park and riverside
    walk way right next door to the Museum.  And can't forget the great
    shopping Mall attached to the Marriott, and of course one of my all
    time favorites, the Student Prince  (or Fort) restaurant, for
    authentic German food, with atmosphere!
    
    Enjoy!
    Lyn

    Just saw in the newspaper that the A&D Train Museum in Middleborough
    will be opening for the holiday season (thru Jan 5th or so.) Employee
    activities used to carry discount coupons before A&D went 'out of
    business' last year.

    Where is it located?  Middleborough, Mass. or NH or?  How do you get
    there?
    
    What do they feature?
    
    Any relation to A&D ointment?  Sounds like a good place to bring the
    baby!  (hah hah - bad joke on Friday afternoon)
    
    I was going to ask about any train museums or good train rides in the
    southern NH - northern MA area.  My brother nver outgrew his
    fascination with trains.  I got even with him!  I sang "I been working
    on the railroad" to him at his wedding reception!  Since he is coming
    from out of state, it would be fun to show him something local.
    
    Laura

    Edaville RR in S. Mass (Carver?) might be fun for railroad buffs.  I've
    never been there, but this is it's last season, I believe.  The owner
    has sold it.  I'm thinking of taking my daughter there.  She is
    fascinated by trains.  Anyway, I hear the Christmas display is
    wonderful.
    
    Mary

    For book buffs:
    
    There will be a New Hampshire writers' book fair at the Center of New
    Hampshire in Manchester on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 am to 4 pm.  There
    is a $2 entrance fee.  Various authors will be there to sign books.
    
    Laura Steinhart

    Re: .17
    
    Sorry...my Boston background was showing.
    
    A&D is located in Middleborough, MA, which is in southeastern MA. In
    fact, it's not too far from the Edaville RR in Carver as referred to
    in .18

    Wellllll.... this might not be exactly what you had in mind - but it
    might be fun to sit around and craft up some Christmas presents/orna-
    ments.
    
    I just found this ***WONDERFUL*** magazine called "Family Fun" at
    Shaw's tonight, and it's LOADED with neat and fun ideas for the family
    to share it.  $1.95 - I'd recommend it to ANYONE who has a family and
    or enjoys crafts.  Some very unique ideas too, not just the typical
    "How to make soldiers out of clothespins", but things like painting
    your hands/fingers like puppets (complete w/ paint recipe!), games for
    different ages .... I can't remember it all, but it's GREAT!!  Pages
    and pages of "indoor" activities.
    
    Have Fun!  I think it'd be nice to just have a "Family" day!
    
    Patty

    Well it's not quite for a whole day, but I am looking for ideas for a
    night out....on a shoestring!
    
    We seemed to have lucked out and found both a sitter, and a weekend
    free for both of us this weekend.  Now we need ideas.
    
    Looking for a place where we can be allowed to just sit and chat, maybe
    over a glass of wine or coffee after dinner without being made to feel
    like we're being rushed out, because someone else wants our table.
    
    Our favorite places in our area, which is Worcester, and South and West
    "'burbs" have been pub type places like Picadilly or Periwinkles, but
    they always have huge waiting lines on Saturday night, and always seem
    to try and get rid of you as soon as coffee and dessert are served.
    We wanted to try someplace with either a band, or entertainent, or he
    suggested a comedy club (it sounds expensive in my opinion), but since
    nights out have beens so rare lately I need some current ideas.
    
    Thanks,
    (a desperately needing a night out) Lyn

    
    Well, it's also been quite awhile since we've had a night out.
    But, favorites, from years gone by, for the type of evening
    it sounds like you're looking for have been:
    
    Maxwel Silverman's Tool House, Worcester:  They used to have a DJ for 
    dancing on Fridays and Saturday's and there never seemed to be a problem 
    in keeping your dinner table for the entire evening if you were staying 
    for the dancing.
    
    Tom Foolery's, Westboro:  A bit more reasonable than the above $-wise
    and you may have to leave your table after finishing your meal, but
    they do have a nice quiet, Victorian-style lounge.  
    
    Carol
    

    
    There is a coffeehouse/restaurant in downtown Westboro, called the
    Vienna Koffeehouse, I believe.  We stopped there a couple of years
    ago and had great coffee. I had just come back from a business trip
    from Geneva and was craving for some GOOD coffee like I got hooked
    on over there.  The food is German type.  Upstairs did have a 
    singer/entertainment.
    
    Have a great weekend,
    
    Pat K
    

    Does anyone have any comments on either the "comedy club", as
    advertised on the sign outside of the AKU-AKU near 290.  And this past
    week I've heard a lot of talk on the radio about the "new Sports Bar"
    at Periwinkles/Georgios at the Auburn/Oxford line.
    
    Just exploring a few options.....
    Lyn
    
    (I do like some of the ideas, especially the Coffeehaus in Westboro,
    thanks!!)

    Some feedback on the Enchanted Village...
    
    I went this past Thursday afternoon.  I picked my daughter up from
    nursery school at noon and drove to Alewife where we parked and took
    the Red Line into Downtown Crossing.
    
    The Jordan Marsh Enchanted Village is on the 6th floor.  You need
    free tickets to get in; that's how they regulate the crowd.  You can
    pick up tickets at the booth on Summer and Chauncy Sts.  
    
    The displays are very cute.  The first part is the Enchanted Forest
    full of automated teddy bears.  The second part is just walking past
    old train pictures and paraphenalia.  The third (and best part, IMO)
    are the automated Victorian style displays.  The kids get a thin
    coloring book at the end.
    
    I went on a Thursday afternoon at 1:30.  It was a ordinary school/work
    day.  (Quite honestly, I wouldn't try this any other time.)  We were
    able to get in right away and the place, although full with mothers and
    kiddies in strollers, was not jammed.  However, based on the type of
    crowd control stuff I saw, the place probably gets packed.
    
    Even with a relatively small amount of people, the Enchanted Village
    got *very hot*, so be prepared to carry coats.  
    
    All in all, a nice trip.  
    
    'Tis the Season!
    Lois
    

I know this is terribly late, but I haven't been able to read this 
file very often lately, but it might help for next year.....

One outing that I like to do sometime between Thanksgiving and 
Christmas is Tea at the Ritz Carlton Hotel.  This year I did it with 
my 8 year old daughter and another mom and her 5 year old.  We went 
after school on the 18th of December - actually sat down at about 4:00.

First of all the Ritz is always beautifully decorated during the 
Holidays.  Second, there is a harpist that plays in the dining room 
during tea as well as strolling carolers that come into the dining 
room as well as wander the lobby areas.  And third, you can visit the
"Nutcracker Suite" which is a room they have decorated as a part of 
the Nutcracker fantasy.  This year's theme was Palace of Sweets.

The girls both ordered hot chocolate and icecream.  The hot chocolate 
was served in a silver pot left on the table for refills and with a 
gravy boat of whipped cream for them to garnish whatever.  Maggie 
thought that she had died and gone to heaven!

After tea you can walk across the Public Gardens and Commons to see 
the lights and move on the Jordan Marsh.  We got there at 5:45 p.m., 
got tickets for 6:00 entry and strolled right in!  There was no crowd 
and no waiting!

It's an afternoon of fantasy that we really enjoy.
Norma