Make Way for Charlotte

Charlotte and me with Aunt Bobbie. Charlotte said, "Now Aunt Bobbie isn't a picture."

It's Spring break for Charlotte. We packed up and headed to Boston on Friday. Charlotte declared her excitement and anticipation, "Know why I'm excited to go to Boston? Two reasons. One, because Aunt Bobbie won't be a picture any more. And two because I get to see the duckling."

First, Aunt Bobbie: Friday night we had Shabbat dinner with Aunt Bobbie, her son (and my cousin) Mark, and our cousin Eric. Charlotte was clearly thrilled to meet her cousins and aunt. I was just delighted to see my family. It had been way to long. We thought Charlotte might be shy with Mark and Eric as she'd only seen one or two pictures and not heard as many stories. She'd spoken to Aunt Bobbie on the phone a few times, so I wasn't as worried about that.

And the verdict? No shyness at all:

Mark teaches at Boston University in the theatre department and is a founder and the artistic director of TheaterBridge at Brown University. So, we tested his cold-reading skills with Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse. I'll be honest, the Skippyjon Jones are tough reads on the first run through, and "in the Doghouse" doesn't flow as easily as the original. While they are cute, fun, and engaging, this is no Iggy Peck, Architect and it is not for the shy reader. And, after no nap and much excited, his audience was not her usual sit-still for reading listener. I'm proud (and none-too-surprised) to announce that Mark hit all the high points, even making up a melody when the text suggested a song!

On Saturday we met Aunt Bobbie at the Public Garden in Boston to ride the swan boats and visit the ducklings. What ducklings, you ask? Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Oack and Quack from Robert McCloskey's Make Way for Ducklings. Now, the aficionados amongst you are counting and shaking your heads. "Eight ducklings, Ilene, eight. You've forgotten Pack," you might be sighing. No, I haven't forgotten him. He was stolen. While he's been recovered, he has not yet returned to the gardens.

Charlotte acted as a willing stand-in, quacking all the way.

After a wonderful morning and lunch with Aunt Bobbie, Charlotte decided not to nap again. We headed to Newton to spend the evening with fellow Brunonians Lisa and Dan Davis and their children Zoey and Marc. Charlotte took to the two big kids immediately and the grown-ups were able to have a lovely visit. So lovely, in fact, that we lost track of time and Charlotte went to bed at 10 p.m. for the second night in a row!