The Sprayberries: Arsenal vs. Chelsea

After two years running at my parent's place for the holidays, we headed north for the 2010 festivities. We had a luxurious and relaxing three days in Rhode Island, where Cayden had his first CHRISTMAS. I mean, it was actually his 4th, but this year was the first year we bought him new toys. After months of watching him pretend matchbox cars, dice and random oblong objects were characters from Pixar's Cars movie, we caved and got him a selection of his favorites. Christmas bonus for the parents: child was completely occupied all day long. We also had the novel experience of walking around the streets of Newport and seeing them deserted. We were one of maybe 10 people that thought strolling along the docks was a good way to spend Christmas day, but the weather was perfectly clear, sunny crisp and beautiful. Winter beach walks are one of the things I miss most about living in RI.

Just before the "blizzard" hit, we bailed for Boston to start a new family tradition. Tyson is a rabid Chelsea fan, while Z&K are rabid Arsenal fans. I don't actually care, but am a huge fan of traveling to watch the games on each others home turf. This time Chelsea was playing at Arsenal, so we holed up in Boston, got a sitter and headed to a great soccer bar in Cambridge. Tyson did not end the day happy, but otherwise a good time was had by all. Cayden had an exciting afternoon as well. After telling his sitter that he wanted to go on a train and sledding, she bundled him up, inflated the sled, and packed onto the train to Boston Commons. Apparently, as soon as they got there he fell in a puddle and started crying to go home. So she packed him right back on the train back to Jamaica Plain. Maybe the next sledding trip will be more successful.

Our final day in town was my birthday, which we celebrated by looking at dead animals. Taking Cayden through Harvard's Natural History Museum was a thoroughly entertaining way to spend the day. I topped off the celebration by coercing everybody into ordering amazing Indian takeout, which is possibly worth moving to Boston for. All in all, a good holiday break. We wish you all belated holiday cheer and a Happy New Year!