Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in boston, MA

Boston Dog Parks

June 23, 2009

I admit that I'm a bit out of my league here since a) I don't own a dog, and b) I have not been to a dog run since my teens when I thought I'd attract the interest of some cute guy by accompanying him on a trip to a local dog run.  But I do know secondhand the intense commitment level most dog-owners have toward their pet and they want to show ‘em a good time.  So in honor of all you dog-lovers in search of a local dog run, here's looking at you:

1. Boston Common. Though most of the day dog-owners must keep their canines leashed, there are a few exceptions. Dogs are allowed off-leash in the Boston Common between the hours of 6:30-9:30am and 5-7pm. There are still areas where signage instructs leashes at all times, and since this is a busy place, keep an eye on your dog.

2. Peters Park Dog Run. A park dedicated for dogs, this is a 16,500-square-foot piece of land in the South End where dogs can run leash-free. The park is cleaned twice a week but users are expected to pick up after their pets. Open daily, 6am - 10pm.

3. Danehy Park. 50-acres of open space comprise this park in Cambridge.  Within the park is a designated off-leash area that is not fenced in so keep an eye on your dog.

4. Coolidge Playground.  A smaller park located in Brookline, this place is perfect for area dog-owners.  Dogs are permitted off-leash from dawn until 9am.   

5. Soule Recreation Center.  Ah, one of our top spots for summer, this fabulous playground and spray park also offers off-leash hours from dawn until 9am.   

Thinking about adding a new 4-legged creature to your family, there are rules and regulations set forth by the city of Boston.  Visit them here. 

Don't forget your pooper-scooper!! 

A Fish, an Angel, a Miracle - The March of Dimes

by Jay and Melanie Harper

April 13, 2009

It's safe to say that until a few years ago, we didn't know much about the March of Dimes.  Then suddenly we became all too aware of their mission and this is the story about why I'm here today.

In February 2003, my wife, Melanie, became pregnant for the first time.  We named our little one "Guppy" when we learned from one of our books that at that stage he/she looked like a fish, and at 10 weeks we couldn't wait to hear Guppy's heartbeat for the first time.  Unfortunately, we never would.  Melanie miscarried, Guppy was gone.

After the initial shock and pain, we became determined to do whatever it took to bring life into this world.  Finally, after a year of surgeries and recovery, followed by another frustrating year of negative pregnancy tests, Melanie was pregnant again!  At 20 weeks, we learned we were having a healthy boy...with hiccups.  These sounded like bubbles, and thus he was "Bubbles" until we decided on a name.   Melanie's OB said we were in the home stretch and could put our worries aside.  We did, but only for two weeks.  Melanie called me at work, and ten minutes later I started the longest cab ride of my life from Boston to Beverly Hospital.

There was a good chance we would lose the pregnancy, and given that we were only at week 22, the chances of Bubbles surviving was practically zero.  Practically zero.  How did we go from "the home stretch" to a practically zero chance our son would survive, seemingly overnight?  We would not give up on Bubbles and we planned to make it to 24 weeks and be transferred to Boston's Beth Israel Hospital with its Level III NICU.  We approached the long road ahead with a positive attitude, and a one-day-at-a-time mindset.  That night we said a prayer that would become a nightly ritual:  "Thank you God for today, and Lord, please let us have another good day tomorrow."  There wouldn't be many tomorrows.

On the eve of Bubbles reaching the 24 week mark Melanie went into preterm labor and they transferred us to the BI.  We made it to Boston, but not the way we hoped.  We had prepared ourselves for this moment and knew what to do: if he's fighting we fight with him, if he's quiet, we let him sleep peacefully.

Our son came into the world quietly at 5:05am August 6, 2005 and we named him Keona, a Hawaiian boys name meaning "God's gift."  The doctors turned to us and we knew: Hello meant goodbye.  Keona's delivery team was incredibly compassionate and wept openly with us.  They cleaned him up, swaddled him and we held our first-born son.  He was perfect in every way except for being too little. 

As fate would have it on April 15^th, 2006, the three year anniversary of the loss of Guppy, Melanie gave me the incredible news that she was pregnant once again.  Keona came into the world as quiet as a lamb.  On December 9, 2006, our second son Ian was born, full-term, crying at the top of his lungs.  It was the most beautiful sound we had ever heard.  Ian looked just like his big brother...only a little bigger. 

Today, Ian is a loving, happy and healthy 2 year old with a tremendous curiosity and a vocabulary and intellect that seem to be growing by leaps and bounds every day.  Melanie and I are the proud and happy parents of two little angels; one in Heaven, one on Earth.

Because of Keona, we learned about the mission of the March of Dimes and we also learned about how little is known about prematurity.  As a scientist I'm frustrated when all my questions about what caused this to happen to Keona are answered with "We simply don't know."  As such we became interested in the March of Dimes to help fund research that would provide answers to unanswered questions, and more importantly, to help prevent other couples from going through the tragedy we faced.  No parent should ever suffer the loss of a child, and the birth of a child should always be a time for celebration, not a time for sorrow.

Each year we donate to the March of Dimes in place of the Christmas presents that we'll never buy Keona.  Last spring, Melanie saw an ad for the March for Babies and we decided that it was time to do more to honor his memory.  We set up Team Keona and told many of our friends and colleagues our tale for the first time and about this great event in which most were walking as a "thank you" for helping their children born prematurely to survive and thrive, and others like us were walking in memory of those who were simply born too soon.  The outpouring of generosity was astounding.  Our goal of $1000 was literally smashed within hours after sending out the first donation requests.  Eventually we raised over $6000 (including a $2000 contribution from my employer Genzyme) for this incredible charity.

The March was a blast!  Our most precious memory from this event occurred as we were walking along the row of signs celebrating survivors and memorializing those who lost their battle.  As we got to Keona's sign, Ian walked up to it, embraced it and gave his big brother a hug.  As Ian grows up, he will learn how the loss of his big brother and research sponsored by the March of Dimes helped bring him into the world.  We have received two wonderful gifts in Keona and Ian, and these walks are the least we can do to give back and help ensure that other babies will be given a healthy start.

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Get the Kid a Haircut!!

by Jill Notkin

February 02, 2009

Haircuts. It's a sore topic in our house. My husband doesn't ever want me to cut the kids' hair because he likes it long. I like it long too, but unruly doesn't do much for anyone. So, I bit the bullet and took them for a $17 haircut at one of those fancy just-for-kids places with the fancy tricks and prizes. It didn't work out too well since my toddler just doesn't like strangers  Read more...

Potty Training Your Toddler

by Jill Notkin

January 23, 2009

Today we are going to discuss Potty Training. That job we get as parents to get out of the diapers and into the bathroom. I don't know about you, but it is one of my least favorite responsibilities as a parent. Not that changing diapers or pull-ups is fun, but potty training just seems so ... I don't know ... time consuming? Here to help are Sean and Cindy Platt , the authors of  Read more...

The Gift of Giving

by Jill Notkin

December 16, 2008

Ok. So it's 9 days before Christmas and you're so over beating the rush at the mall. How about giving a gift that keeps on giving all year round? Here are a few ideas for gifts that you can't touch or feel, but will provide a lot of fun: The Children's Museum offer memberships for children 10 and under. For one year, your child will have free admission to the museum, as well as free  Read more...

'Tis the season

by Jill Notkin

November 10, 2008

'Tis the season for giving and what better way to contribute to our community than by helping families in need. There are a handful of wonderful local organizations who will take your giveaways. Last time I posted about giving , I provided info about where to donate everything from old gowns to linens and towels. Today is all about families, as are the next couple of months.  Read more...

Project Dollhouse

by Jill Notkin

October 23, 2008

As we edge closer to November and the Halloween decorations are put away for another year, the next thing on all our minds is the upcoming holiday season. Beginning with Thanksgiving and ending with the New Year, the next nine weeks will undoubtedly be filled with planning everything from holiday menus to travel to how to get through the season stress-free. Shopping is a big thing on  Read more...

Sharing & Caring

by Jill Notkin

October 06, 2008

In our house we care constantly cleaning out cupboards, closets and drawers. We don't just "spring clean", we also winter clean, summer clean and fall clean. Truth is, I love getting organized and that means getting rid of the excess. I've used this exercise to help teach my kids about charity, and because I let them help to sort through and put things in boxes, they actually get it! We  Read more...

Charity Begins (by Teaching it) at Home

by Jill Notkin

September 03, 2008

Seems like September is synonymous with fundraising events and 2008 is no different. There are flyers and ads everywhere for charity walks, runs, days and so on. It makes sense to want to teach our kids about supporting our community so what better way to teach than to actually do! Take part in one of these events or with a little research, find your own that suits your family!  Read more...