Take a walk – World War I Memorial Park and Zoo

We had another fun walk (walk walk)!

(I sang that in my head to the tune of Sesame Street “I have a new way to walk”.)

Today’s adventure had me walking at least 1.5 miles and seeing lots of fun sites. I say at least because my fit bit doesn’t track if my arm is pushing a stroller.

Here’s the zoo entrance

Unicorn behind me and my daughter

Poor donkey – my daughter poked him in the nose

Dad and toddler look at Emu

Another child was feeding leaves to the deer

In addition to the zoo there were multiple playgrounds

Riding a dinosaur

There were hiking trails and a beautiful view too!

There’s a disc golf course too but we’re going to try that another day.

I’m 2 for 2 on finding fun outdoor activities for our Saturday – so we’ll see if I can extend the streak.

Take a walk – Tower Hill Botanical Garden and Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail

I had a great weekend! Got in adventure and at least a 2.5 mile walk on Saturday and Sunday.

Tower Hill Botanical Garden was beautiful. The flowers were awesome and their mythical creatures exibit was adorable.

Treefolk

Looking at the kraken

Bigfoot

The Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston, MA are definitely worth the visit and I am surprised that it took me so long to realize they’re there.

Sunday, we went down to Cape Cod to visit family.

Then we saw the ocean

Also, just because this made me laugh, enjoy this movie theater sign

Thanks for virtually joining me on my scenic routes!

New England Aquarium

My daughter got a membership to the New England Aquarium for her birthday and we used it yesterday.

We had a great time!

Look at all the fish!

This sea lion was showing off to make my daughter laugh

Elise liked being able to touch these sculpture

Turtle! At the top of the Great Ocean tank

I got a ton of steps in for the day walking from South Station to the Aquarium, pushing the stroller around the Aquarium, and walking through Faneuil Hall to Park Street Station to go home.

There were still some Christmas store displays up

Wishing you all a fun new year!

I won – LivFitness

I’m super psyched that I’ll be able to put fitness classes back into my life in 2020 thanks to winning a contest from LivFitness in Quincy.

I get 1 month of classes, a haircut, and a massage (my first massage!)

Living on just my husband’s salary right now has been tough and I’ve cut any “extras” that take care of me.

I’m going to start 2020 in an awesome way!

Fitness as a Mom

9 months ago I had a baby girl and she is awesome!

One thing that’s been fun for me is getting in workouts that involve my baby in her stroller.

Here’s what I recommend if you’re on the South Shore of MA like me:

1) Peek-A-Blue Hikes

I’ve written before about how much fun Peek-A-Blue Hikes are on my first day attending, but I’ve loved them even more with each hike!

The routes are guided and one is stroller friendly.

I’ve only taken the stroller route but every week there are at least 30 parents and littles.

The hills are a bit of a climb pushing a stroller, but that’s the workout of it.

2) Walk in Boston

My favorite route is from South Station to the Aquarium.

The boardwalk section often puts my baby to sleep but when she’s awake, she can see the harbor seals at the Aquarium for free!

If you plan in advance, you can get a pass from your library for admission for up to 4 adults for $10 each.

3) Always Be Strolling

We take our baby in her stroller all over the state.

In the photo above, Dad & baby are at the opening of the Adams Hancock Common in Quincy.

 

That’s what’s working for me! Other parents, what do you recommend?

 

Self Defense Class

Quincy Police recently offered a 2 day women’s self defense class. I’m so glad I attended!

It was a great refresher of the skills I learned from a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) class I took back in college,

The second night we tested our skills against the cops in the red man suits acting as attackers.

I cried at how many Mom’s and daughters were taking the class together.

According to one of the instructors the most dangerous time in a woman’s life attack wise is pregnancy thru the first year of your child’s life.

I took the class to be sure I stay safe and get home to my 5 month old. Also want to be safe when baby and I are strolling.

Quincy Police will be offering this free course again in September & I’d happily take it again if any of you reading want to join me but don’t want to take the class alone!

I’m also going to be taking the pepper spray training class offered by Quincy PD in September as well.

Photo Blogging Challenge – Outdoor Activities

The theme for the May Photo Blogging Challenge was Outdoor Activities.

Since I was participating in the RACE Cancer Foundation May Challenge, my main outdoor activity was walking with my daughter in her stroller.

Here are some of my favorite sites from our walks:

The famous Make Way For Ducklings statue in Boston – we walked over 4 miles that day!

Cows at Richardson’s Ice Cream & Dairy farm in Middleton, MA

Little Free Library seen on a walk in Dedham, MA

Flowers in Assembly Row – Somerville, MA

My daughter’s first carousel ride at the Greenway Carousel in Boston

 

I hope you enjoyed my 5 photos this month!

I’m looking forward to checking out other bloggers challenge photos.

 

This monthly photo blogging challenge is facilitated by PJ of the Northeast Bloggers Network.

 

Exploring Nature – Stroller Style

The weather has been a bit spring-like in MA – so baby & I have been exploring nature.

First, we went for a walk around Turner Pond in Milton.

Elise loved looking at the ducks with Grandma Martha!

Next, we visited Webb Memorial Park in Weymouth with all of the Kempe family: Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, 2 Aunts, and an Uncle!

The views there were breathtaking! Auntie and Grandpa took Elise out of her stroller to give her a better view.

Finally, on Sunday, we visited with my side of the family and took Elise for a stroll on Revere Beach.

That one put Elise to sleep but I was happy for the walk with Elise’s Grandmother, Great Grandmother, & Dad.

We’re looking forward to lots more outdoor adventures when the weather in New England remembers it’s supposed to be spring, not winter.

Peek A Blue Hike

My 4 month old Elise, her Grandmother, and I had a wonderful time at the first Peek A Blue Hike of 2018!

The hikes are in the Blue Hills of Milton, MA.
LL Bean sends a guide to lead and read stories.

Friends of the Blue Hills provide a song break and awesome snacks!

Snacks included coffee for adults, mini water bottles, juice boxes, apple slices, goldfish, mini muffins…and probably something else I’m forgetting.

There are 2 routes – one stroller friendly & one with hiking.

We chose the stroller friendly but I plan to carry Elise in her front carrier next time to see if we like the other route better. The stroller route was a bit of a steeper climb than we expected.

Hope to see you at a future hike!

Seaport Sweat is back!

After the April 2nd snow yesterday, I need to focus on the warm weather returning soon – and with it free outdoor fitness classes!

Seaport Sweat is back for it’s 3rd year!

The annual program, which is organized by Boston Seaport planners WS Development, offers more than 200 free fitness classes from May 29-October 12.

Here’s the weekly schedule:

• Mondays: Kick it By Eliza at 5:30 p.m., plus Box and Body at 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays: Bootcamp at 5:30 p.m., plus Boxing at 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays: Kick it By Eliza at 5:30 p.m., plus Yoga at 6:30 p.m.
• Thursdays: Bootcamp at 5:30 p.m., plus Box and Body at 6:30 p.m.
• Fridays: Yoga at 12:00 p.m.

My favorite trainers are Athena Concannon, Eliza Shirazi from Kick it By Eliza, and Monique Magno!

Thank you ladies for returning to lead workouts this year.