Trip to Boston

The weather turned out to be so nice yesterday that we decided to offer Keagan the option of taking a subway trip into Boston. He jumped at the idea and we were packed and out of the house in 15 minutes of our offer. Including Keagan getting dressed into his "T is for Train" shirt.
I've learned that the key to having a fun trip in town with him is not to have an agenda- just to go with what he feels like doing when we get there. On this trip we got to Alewife and were told the station was closed due to track work, and we have to take a bus to Davis. Most people were probably perturbed by this "inconvenience" but we were psyched. A bus AND a train ride? Perfect! So we got on the bus and went to Davis Square.
We took the train into Park Street. This is usually a good bet because the station offers lots of trains to watch, and if you go above there are plenty of places to grab a snack, plus the Common of course, with playground and other attractions. We left the Red Line train and went up to the Green Line section. Keagan just wanted to stand in the middle of the platform and watch the trains for several minutes. Eventually we found a bench to watch from (I'm not a big fan to standing in one place for too long these days...). Finally Keagan announced he would like to go on a green train. He picked a B line train. Then decided when we got on it, he did not like this one, so we got off at Boylston and switched to the next train, an E line. (See what I mean about no agenda?)
When we got on the E line he decided he wanted to go out to the park (meaning the Common). Of course that's what he'd want after we left Park Street... but since we were only at Arlington stop at this point we said sure, we could walk back through the Public Garden.
We got off at Arlington and it was almost 2pm and I hadn't had lunch (watch out! Hungry pregnant lady!) and saw that right across from the station when we emerged was an Au Bon Pain. Perfect. Keagan and I LOVE their lemonade. It's our special treat. Keagan picks out a corn muffin and some yogurt, and Erik and I split a sandwich and we all share a giant lemonade. They also have a bathroom- another pregnant lady necessity.
Refreshed from our luncheon, we headed out toward the public garden. It was such a gorgeous afternoon- the place was bustling with people- including a wedding! We spotted the swan boats right away and asked Keagan if he'd like a boat ride. The line was a few minutes long, but not too bad so we got in the queue. This was the first time any of us had been on a Swan Boat (unless I'm mis-remembering my childhood), which I found astonishing since Erik and I are both Boston suburbs natives.
After the swan boats, we headed towards the Common and I saw the top of the carousel and instantly remembered reading about how they set up a carousel ride in the Frog Pond after the Winter season and before opening the pond for wading. Keagan was beside himself. We practically ran over to find the ride.
Keagan wanted to go in the tea cup with another little girl and her mom. He has done the spinning cup before on another carousel and thinks the spinning is hilarious. Better him than me- I'd need some dramamine for that, or a bathroom afterwards.
To round off our adventure we went to the playground by the frog pond, and got another glass of fresh lemonade from a vendor. Then we were back at Park Street and headed home on the red line. Complete with another bus trip, which included an eccentric bus driver who was happy to beep the pathetically soft bus horn to make Keagan laugh.
Back in the car at almost 5pm, Keagan promptly passed out in his car seat.
Little did we know, though, our day of outdoor fun was not complete. When we got home our neighbors were outside grilling and invited us over for Smores. Even Willow got to come and explore a new yard and get a nibble of a graham cracker. It was a sweet way to round out a nearly perfect Spring day.