No, She’s Not Walking Yet (and Please Stop Asking Me About It!)

-

December 4, 2018

We are excited to partner with Burgers' Smokehouse for this post.

There are a lot of people in my house. Though I would love to say our daily routine runs like a well-oiled machine, that would be a lie. The honest truth is that with the myriad of people in my house also comes a schedule that is amazingly hectic — on a good day.

Between chauffeuring five kids to every activity under the sun, working two jobs, holding a position on the school PTO, and managing all the other responsibilities that come with LIFE, sometimes making “Good Housekeeping” worthy dinners falls by the wayside. (And by “sometimes,” this mama really means she finds herself making small talk with the food delivery guy far more often than she would like to admit. When the pizza guy recently complimented me on my new hair color, I graciously accepted the compliment and then slinked back into the house to research easy meal planning.)

Enter Burgers’ Smokehouse.

I was recently given the opportunity to review a meal from Burgers’ Smokehouse, and I’m so glad I did it! The timing was perfect, as the holiday season is just chaos for any mom. Providing my family a delicious, quality meal that I didn’t have to make from scratch seemed wonderful, but I was thrilled when I logged onto the website and saw just how beautiful the food was! There was a delicious-looking turkey that lured me into clicking and clicking and clicking, and what I found was a little sliver of busy mom paradise.

Burgers’ Smokehouse is a family-owned and -operated business specializing in smoked and cured meats, and everything can be delivered to your front door. That drool-worthy turkey in the picture was going to come fully cooked, ready to heat and eat in just over an hour. I was also ordering sides and dessert, so yes, please! This mama was sold!

Burgers’ Smokehouse boxes appeared on my doorstep a few days after I ordered, and with a little prayer, I tossed the entire meal into the oven. I helped the kids with their homework while dinner cooked itself, then I put a healthy, flavorful meal on the table just over an hour later. It was even easier than takeout, and with no awkward small talk! The turkey was every bit as delicious as the pictures online had convinced me it would be. The broccoli casserole was wonderful, and the strawberry rhubarb pie was simply divine.

The best part about this meal? My kids ATE IT. And they liked it.

Even the broccoli.

A few days after our glorious, stress-free meal, my husband uttered the most romantic words I have ever heard him say: “What do you think about ordering another one of these meals for the holidays?”

Our family celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas, meaning our holiday schedule is jam-packed with celebrations and activities. The thought of not slaving away in the kitchen for hours before each of our family parties had never even crossed my mind. That is just what you do on the holiday, isn’t it? But — does it really have to be that way? The idea of spending more time enjoying the company of our relatives (and less time getting to know the nether regions of a turkey) was something that existed only in my wildest dreams!

This year, Burgers’ Smokehouse is taking care of the holiday meal. And this mama’s dream of a stress-free holiday dinner is coming true!

Burgers' Smokehouse __ A Lifesaver for Busy Moms!

Meet Nacho, Our Elf

By

Krystal Avila

-

December 4, 2018

Here is the tale of yet another mother’s love/hate relationship with the Elf on the Shelf:

The leaves have fallen off the trees, you can see your breath when walking out the door, we’ve done the turkey and pumpkin spice everything; all these can only mean one thing: Nacho is here!

Nacho is our 11-inch, 2-pound friend, also known as the Elf on the Shelf. Some elves are boys, some are girls, some have creative names, others are more basic, some fly through the living room while mine sits in basic spots.

We have had Nacho in our house for two years, and since he has been around, I have come to love him. But I also wish he was not a reminder of all the mom fails I am having.

I am someone who loves Christmas and am 100% all things Christmas starting the day after Thanksgiving. From Black Friday shopping to finding the perfect Christmas tree, I love anything and everything Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” reminds us of. But since we have introduced Nacho (named by a 2-year-old at the time) to our son, Christmas time has changed a little for me.

I love that my 4-year-old talks about Nacho all year and often reminds us that he comes Thanksgiving night. I love that my son cannot wait to see where the elf is going to be each morning. I love that he knows Nacho means Christmas is coming. Lights will be outside, stockings hung somewhere in our condo, and Christmas music all day long. My son is just as excited about Christmas as I am and, I can thank Nacho for some of that. Most 4-year-olds don’t get excited for Black Friday or picking out the tree, but they do get excited for a magical friend.

On the other hand, I feel it. I feel the mom fails commencing on Black Friday, just as we enter into the Christmas season. I love Pinterest, but I do not love Elf-on-the-Shelf Pinterest. I am a creative person and love crafts, but I just can’t do it.

I can’t find creative places for Nacho to be hanging, floating, or swinging from. I cannot make the props, find the outfits, sew, or glue for Nacho. Most nights, when we remember, Nacho is moved to another room or behind some piece of furniture in the house. And, you know what? He is just as magical. But I feel the guilt. My son is 4 and in preschool, and he talks a lot. And I am hoping and praying parents of the other children at preschool are not using all their creative abilities for their Elf, because I am not.

I think we moms need to make a pact or something. Elf on the Shelf only moves, doesn’t ride matchbox cars, doesn’t play basketball with Ryder, Chase, or Rubble. He just sits. Because you know what?

All these elves are doing the same thing — watching our children from Thanksgiving until Christmas — so you, Mom, can survive the craziest, most hectic but, also most joyous and wonderful time of year.

Being a 3-Year-Old Is Hard, Y’all

By

-

December 3, 2018

Look at my face. The little button nose, the chubby cheeks, the smile that could melt even the hardest heart. Seriously, have you ever seen anything so cute?

Well, my life isn’t all adorableness, let me tell you. This being-a-3-year-old business? It is flippin’ hard!

Yeah, I hear you, I hear you. “You’re a toddler! What’s so hard about your life? You get to play all day!”

Pffttt. Adults. You really need to be taught everything, don’t you? Fine. I will explain. (But pay attention — I have better things to do. The cabinets can’t color on themselves, you know.)

I vent my frustrations loudly.

When I get mad about things, I feel the mad rumbling in my belly, and it makes my hands turn into angry balls and then the mad erupts out of my mouth like a volcano. You call it a “tantrum.” I call it expressing my emotions. How am I supposed to let the world know that I am mad if they can’t hear me? And why does my voice get so loud if I am not supposed to use it?

Things are scary.

The world out there is terrifying. The other day, my mom took me to the doctor’s office. They wanted me to take off my shoes and stand on this platform that blinked numbers on top. My mom and the lady in the purple pants were standing there telling me it would be so cool to find out how much I weighed. But what if I fell off? What if the platform was sticky or pinchy or made of lava? And don’t even get me started on the doctor! Sure, she is the same lady I have known since I was born. But she is so much taller this time because her shoes have stabby sticks on the back! What are those even for?! And I just know that the cold circle she put on my chest is going to suck my guts out!

I know what I want.

… and I don’t understand why you don’t. Seriously, people. The words are right there inside my head. Why aren’t you doing what I want you to do??? What do I have to do, say every single thing I want out loud?!

My wants change.

Get over it. Yeah, Goldfish crackers were my favorite food last week. Then I heard someone sing on the television that they are the snack that smiles back, and that is creepy. Now I am scared of all fish, whether they are crackers or not. I like yogurt now. But only the vanilla one. In the blue bowl. The yellow bowl reminds me of the smiling Goldfish, and I am scared of it.

Everything is frustrating.

I can’t climb up onto the playground equipment by myself, even though my brothers can. I don’t understand why they can do it and not me, and it is the only thing in the universe I want to do.

You get mad about my experiments.

All I want to do is see if the snake you plug into the back of your phone fits into the slot on the front of the air conditioner. It looks like it should fit in there, and I don’t get why you are so upset about it. Just like you got upset last week when I tried to share my yogurt with Elmo. He looked hungry, and you are always telling me to share, but the second I do, you yell at me for putting yogurt on the TV. And you wonder why I am frustrated!

I want to do it by myself.

I see all you adults putting your own shoes on, and I can totally do that myself. It is just that the opening got so much smaller when I tried to put my foot in. This shoe clearly doesn’t fit anymore. I want different shoes. Now.

I really, really want to help you.

I see you loading the dishwasher, and you look like you could use my help. If it cleans dishes, it can clean my toys too! Let me put those in! And the cat food looks dirty too! And crayons mark stuff up, so maybe they should get a nice wash too!

You expect me to use the potty.

Remember how I said things are scary? This is number one on the list. For real. You expect me to sit on a chair with a giant hole in it, hanging over a bucket of water that spins in circles and goes down a hole to who knows where. Why? I have a perfectly good diaper on my rump! I have been doing this my entire life, why change up the routine now? And, I hate to break it to you guys, but your tushies are a lot bigger than mine. You may be able to safely sit on the holey-water-chair, but my bum could fall right in!

Being 3 is hard, y’all.

I am exhausted. At the end of the day, though, I’m still your baby. I still need your snuggles and your love. It will get easier for both of us, I promise. And in the meantime, look at my sweet little 3-year-old face. You really haven’t seen anything more adorable than your sleeping toddler, have you?

Go ahead and sneak out of my room to that glass of wine you were muttering you deserved earlier. I will give you three minutes before I let you know I can’t sleep. What if that sock on the ground is really a rat that has big teeth and likes to eat toes? I better come get you now, Mommy.

4 Helpful Tips for First-Time ADHD Moms

By

Jalisa Harris

-

November 28, 2018

ADHD moms - Boston Moms Blog

Life with a toddler can be a roller coaster. And life with a toddler diagnosed with ADHD? That’s a whole different story. My son was diagnosed over two years ago, and there is SO much I would tell a first-timer who has a very young child suffering from ADHD. I always find it helpful to hear others’ motherhood experiences, so today I am sharing four tips for first-time ADHD moms of young children.

1. Trust your gut

Some believe ADHD diagnoses in toddlers are too early and not accurate. But if you visit a specialist early on, it will help ease your mind as well as get immediate help for your child.

When my son turned 2, I knew something was off. He was overly hyperactive. Other moms would tell me, “He’s a boy and he’s 2 — what do you expect?” They just didn’t understand. ADHD toddler moms have a different perspective. If my son and I weren’t on the go, doing activity after activity, he could not calm down. He wasn’t that toddler you could sit down and do crafts with. Even during screen time, he had to be holding something and walking around. And that is still true today. I just knew there was something going on.

2. Lend compassion when you experience tough behavior (and encourage others to do the same)

You would be surprised at how many people don’t believe young children can even have ADHD. Some will say, “Oh, he is still too young — he isn’t fully developed.” It’s actually become more common than many think. Because so many people aren’t informed about ADHD in little ones, things like public temper tantrums can be extra stressful for ADHD moms. My son gets very sensitive when it comes to dining out, for example. His brain doesn’t realize he is hungry until it’s too late. So while some kids might have no problem saying, “Mom, I’m hungry” while they’re waiting for their food, my son will throw a full-on tantrum. (For this ADHD mom, keeping snacks on hand is key!) Some parents never experience these types of tantrums — we’d all benefit if everyone kept in mind the fact that tantrums are often totally out of the parents’ control.

3. Seek help when you need it

My mother-in-law tells me stories of my brother-in-law, who had ADHD growing up but didn’t receive the proper support from the public school system. Both my son’s pediatrician and a home-based daycare complained about how hyperactive my son was — without offering solutions. So it was a godsend when an in-home daycare through Catholic Charities recommended Early Intervention.

They didn’t see a huge problem with him and his behavior; instead, they recommended a more classroom-structured setting to help him. Because Early Intervention services end when a child turns 3, specialists referred us to the public schools to be evaluated for an IEP. Soon after, his pediatrician recommended him to a pediatric neurologist. The pedi-neurologist confirmed the suggestion for more structure but did not recommend medication. She wrote a letter similar to the IEP, which has helped tremendously. Advocate for yourself and your child. Seek help, even when you’re not feeling supported by the system.

4. Create small goals for yourself and your child

Having a child with ADHD can feel daunting and lonely at times. Some days I feel like I’m at my wits end; other days, I sit and look at my son and realize he’s struggling too. So we take things one step at a time. Taking small steps to try to understand your children and their struggles will help you — and them — in the long run. Take it one day at a time.

Stress Less This Christmas :: An Alternative to the Elf on the Shelf

By

Ranessa Doucet

-

November 27, 2018

elf on the shelf - Boston Moms Blog

We have come to that time of year when many households see the arrival of a little elf. Lots of parents do a great job with the Elf on the Shelf and make it a fun experience. But I’ve always thought the elf was a bit creepy. So I avoided the elf until my kids began school and started asking why everyone had an elf and we didn’t.

I succumbed to the peer pressure and got an elf. I scoured Pinterest for elf ideas — elf making snow angels, elf in the hot tub with Barbie, elf pooping Hershey kisses. It was fun at first, but by day four I was exhausted — 26 more days of this?! The elf started to merely move from place to place (or got moved in a mad panic at 1 a.m. when I realized I forgot to move him!). I began to get creative with why he wasn’t moving — the weather was too bad in the North Pole, the elf had a cold, the elf was enjoying his current view.

The elf did help with some behavior issues, but I found it was causing me to focus on the negative. I was always pointing out the bad behaviors and repeatedly telling my kids they needed to shape up or the elf would tell Santa. I started to feel like the elf wasn’t for us, and I understood why some moms never tried it to begin with. We needed a change.

This year we will try something new: The Kindness Elves. I want to bring the focus back to giving, gratefulness, and kindness. When I found these elves online, I loved the story behind them. A former teacher and mom of four created them because she wanted an alternative to the traditional elf — something with a positive message that emphasized kindness and gratitude.

The Kindness Elves arrive in your home, similar to the Elf on a Shelf, around Thanksgiving. Two elves come with a cute little house (designed by an actual architect) with a tiny mailbox. They are on the lookout for kind behavior as opposed to bad. They leave notes for kids to find with suggestions of kind things they can do. You can write your own kindness suggestions or purchase a book that includes pre-written kindness suggestions (no 1 a.m. note-writing frenzies).

Some of the ideas are simple acts, such as smiling at people, saying please and thank you, drawing a picture for someone, cleaning up without being asked, and playing together without fighting (I’m a fan of that one). There are also some suggestions for thanking those in our community who serve us, donating clothes or toys to others, or inviting a lonely child to play. The kindness suggestions can be as simple or as complex as you want, you don’t have to write them every day, the elves don’t need to move, and you can make the experience what you want it to be. I’m excited to give it a try.

You could also take this idea and implement it by making your own elves (if you’re crafty), buying any elves you like (Etsy has some cute ones), or using the traditional Elf on the Shelf in a new way.

I’m hopeful the Kindness Elves will work for us (and I’m hoping I don’t get burned out as I did with the other elf). It’s all about what works for your family and doesn’t add any extra stress. I’m hopeful this change will help my family focus on positivity and giving, and less on the kids’ ever-growing wish lists. A girl can dream!

10 Tips for Holiday Decorating

By

alisonthurber

-

November 21, 2018

I just love the holidays. And nothing gets me in the mood more than whipping up some hot cocoa, blasting some carols, and making my home holiday-ready. I love the vibe of a decorated house, but I often find myself unsure how to get there. I end up buying a few cliché items and sprinkling them throughout, which inevitably looks unfinished.

This year, I decided to turn to the pros. I reached out to the fabulous and super on-trend (and mom of three!) Wendy Ditcham of Wendy Ditcham Interiors for her top tips and tricks on decorating for the holidays.

1. Create an inviting atmosphere in your entry

Let everyone know they are welcome by making a statement in the entry. A touch of warmth and holiday decor here will impress your guests and create anticipation for the rest of the house.

2. Work with the colors of your home, not against them

Decorate with colors that work with the color scheme you already have going on in your home. Enhance what you have so it’s all part of the plan rather than competing with it, creating clutter.

3. Go organic

Natural elements are the best way to obtain warmth and texture and really bring the season indoors. Plus, they just look much better than faux items.

4. Don’t forget the windows

For those guests who are standing, it’s nice to have decor at eye level. Putting holiday items only on tabletops leaves out a whole plane in your home — wreaths on your windows indoors fill that void.

5. Group similar elements for impact

A nutcracker collection, candles, and simple ornaments piled in a bowl have more impact and importance when kept together.

6. Experiment with candlelight, string lights, and table lamps

Soft, sparkling lights sprinkled throughout a room are cozier and more festive than bright overhead lighting.

7. Use items in unexpected ways

I’ve used a zebra cowhide rug as a tree skirt before. A chunky knit throw is another great idea. Explore ideas beyond the standard store-bought tree skirt. The same goes for the rest of your decor. I turned a ladder into an advent calendar (see the pic below).

8. One tree is never enough

The main tree is, of course, the family tree with the varied assortment of ornaments that are meaningful to you because they were collected on vacations, handmade by your children, or received as gifts. Adding a second tree will allow you to indulge your tree-decorating fantasies.

9. Flowers, flowers, flowers

I can’t say enough about what live plants and flowers can do for a room, especially at the holidays. A quick trip to Trader Joe’s every week to refresh your vases will keep your home bright and smelling beautiful inexpensively.

10. Hit up your party store for decor

Paper fans and tissue paper ornaments in holiday colors can make a huge impact when grouped together and are so unexpected at the holidays.

For more holiday decorating ideas, see how Wendy decorated a home for the Concord Museum Holiday House tour here. You can also follow her on Facebook for other general interior design ideas.

Thank you, Wendy!

Being Thankful for the Unthankful Tasks

By

-

November 20, 2018

We are encouraged from a very early age to be thankful, and to thank those who have done kind things for us. So much so that a muttered “thank you” to someone who holds a door open for us is simply second nature by the time we reach adulthood.

The message to be thankful for the world around us is also drilled into our heads on a daily basis. Enjoy the gorgeous colors of fall, the majesty of the mountains, the serenity of the first snowfall. Slow down, breathe it all in, be thankful for the beautiful things life has to offer.

The Thanksgiving season bombards us with exclamations of things we need to be thankful for and ways in which to show how very thankful we are. But my focus this year is different than in years past. This year, I choose to be thankful for the unthankful tasks in life.

Unthankful tasks: Tasks in which there is no feeling of or exhibiting thanks, gratitude, or appreciation. Not agreeable or pleasant.

We find ourselves doing these things simply because they need to be done, knowing there will be no direct thanks for them. If we don’t do them, our lives will suffer as a result.

Yeah, I get that it sounds weird. Why would I be thankful for things I dislike?

Take, for example, doing the dishes. Now, I know that in most cases, I will receive some sort of thanks for the dinner I serve on these dishes, even if my kids leave the majority of the food on them untouched. But, at no time has anyone ever exclaimed, “Thank you for this sparkling clean dish!” when I placed the food on the table. As I stand at the sink the following morning, scrubbing congealed yuck off the plates, nobody pats me on the back, thanking me for doing such a meaningful task. And, to be honest, I don’t feel all that thankful for doing it. But… should I?

Doing the dishes, well, that means I’ve got clean, running water with which to wash them.

We may take it for granted, but it is estimated that 783 million people in our world do not have access to clean water — 783 million. Twice the population of the United States lives without access to safe drinking water.

Doing the dishes means I am able to provide food for my family. While 795 million people in the world don’t have enough food to live a healthy, active life. That is one in nine people. Many, even some in our communities, aren’t able to provide food for their families.

The multitude of dishes I am washing means I have a family to feed.

When I think about it that way, perhaps doing the dishes isn’t such a thankless task after all.

Perhaps, instead, it is an opportunity.

There are many, many tasks in our daily lives that feel thankless. But if you look at the deeper meaning of these tasks, perhaps they aren’t so thankless after all. Perhaps they are opportunities in disguise.

Now, I’m not saying it’s wrong to be grumpy about performing these tasks. I am well aware of how annoying they can be, and at times I will admit to complaining until the cows come home about having to do them myself. But, when I am grumpy about performing the unthankful tasks this Thanksgiving season, my goal is to change my perspective. Break the unthankful tasks down to their very roots, and be grateful for the beautiful reasons why I have to do them in the first place.

Guide to Boston-Area Preschools and Private Schools

By

Boston Moms

-

November 19, 2018

Thank you to all the incredible schools that have chosen to participate in our Guide. We are so excited to bring it to our readers!

If you are going through the daunting task of trying to pick a preschool or a private school for your child, we feel you, mama!

We’ve put together a great guide of private schools and preschools in Boston and beyond, brought to you by The Fessenden School. We hope it helps you figure out what is best for you and your family!

The Fessenden School

The Fessenden School is more than an independent day and boarding school for boys in pre-K–grade 9. It’s a journey. An educational playground. A family.

Located just minutes from downtown Boston, Fessenden provides an academic experience that both supports and inspires boys to venture beyond their comfort zones. By demonstrating kindness and respect, faculty and staff encourage students to strive, interact, and claim their identities with both confidence and humility. Attend an admissions event, where you and your family can experience the transformative power of a Fessenden education firsthand. Visit https://www.fessendenopenhouse.org to preregister for upcoming events, or call 617-630-2300.

Pine Village Preschool

The Pine Village Preschool mission is to educate and nurture each child’s individuality within a culturally diverse, bilingual community to develop a true passion for learning and ability to engage in any environment.

Founded in 2001, Pine Village Preschool offers Spanish immersion preschool for ages 15 months through pre-K, providing parents of toddlers and preschoolers a modern approach to child development. In our program, the seeds of creativity, acceptance, and inclusion are planted and encouraged to grow.

Pine Village has 10 locations through the greater Boston area: Brookline, Brighton, Newton, Newton Highlands, South End, Porter Square, Kendall Square, Needham, and two in Jamaica Plain.

617-294-5542

Tenacre Country Day School

Tenacre is a welcoming, coed school and community for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 6. The school’s Wellesley location is easily accessible from many metro Boston communities. Tenacre’s mission is simple and to the point: Tenacre nurtures and challenges each child, every day. The school’s small size, its team teaching approach, and the firm commitment to the elementary years all contribute to Tenacre’s success, as does its attentiveness to every facet of every child: academic, emotional, social, and moral. Tenacre wants to do more than raise test scores — they want to expand horizons, stoke curiosity, and build character.

78 Benvenue Street
Wellesley, MA

781-235-3238

The Meadowbrook School

What’s the value of a great education? How about a lifelong eagerness to challenge the intellect. A spirit that’s never satisfied with “good enough.” The drive to move the world.

The Meadowbrook School is a co-educational independent day school in Weston that inspires and challenges learners in grades junior kindergarten through eight. The school’s talented teachers engage students in an advanced curriculum from the very beginning, building deep personal connections to spark the potential of every child.

Innovation goes beyond technology and engineering or even the latest curricular approach. It’s a deliberate mindset of always seeking a better way.

SolBe

Be the family that thrives. SolBe [sohl-be] is an early learning center that reimagines traditional notions of child care and nursery school. SolBe aims to create the highest quality early learning experiences. The center’s dynamic program continually adapts and improves as they nurture healthy, engaged lives.

A commitment to learning in all its forms. An emphasis on play. An award-winning, inventive design. Evening and weekend parent-child classes. A supportive partner and knowledgeable resource for bustling parents. A community of vibrant, engaged families. A place where children and adults alike want to spend time.

LINX Dance Studio

LINX Dance Studio provides award-winning recreational and competitive dance classes and camps for children age 3 through high school in ballet, tap, tumbling, hip hop, jazz, modern, lyrical, and leaps and turns. Expert dance instructors are committed to providing innovative technique-based instruction. Young dancers will learn and develop self-expression, discipline, and passion as they work to achieve excellence in performance and competition.

Instagram

The Advent School

The Advent School is a premier elementary school located in the heart of Boston. Students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade are immersed in an authentic, experiential, and rigorous academic environment while learning to be critical thinkers, confident scholars, and compassionate citizens of the world. Advent students and alumni are advocates for themselves and their communities; they view the city of Boston as an extension of the classroom. Guided by the school’s expert faculty, Advent students develop a true love of learning, and a strong foundation for their progression to middle school.

Dedham Country Day School

Dedham Country Day School believes that balance matters — in learning and life. DCD combines academic challenge with support; pedagogical tradition with innovation. Strong scholastics combined with outstanding arts, athletics, and service learning create a program that is balanced and whole. Children learn who they are as diverse individuals and how to be part of something bigger. At DCD, a premium is placed on both academic and emotional intelligence. For over 115 years, DCD has been welcoming young children, passionate teachers, and committed families to its pre-kindergarten through grade 8 learning community. Visit Dedham Country Day School on its 17-acre campus, just minutes from Route 128 in Dedham.

Classroom observation: January 25, register at www.dedhamcountryday.org/admissionsevents.

Off-campus admissions coffees: December 11, RSVP to [email protected] for details.

South Shore Christian Academy

South Shore Christian Academy is an independent, non-denominational, co-ed day school educating students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Faculty and administrators strive to prepare students for college and life by integrating Christian faith and rigorous academics to create a strong foundation for success.

The pre-K program provides students a nurturing and challenging environment that prepares children to develop the framework of academic skills and social capabilities necessary to meet the rigor of today’s competitive prep school environment. Pre-K students work with a broad base of academic material and balance this academic work with opportunities for creative and social development. Teachers work with each individual student to ensure that curriculum is tailored to help each child develop and flourish.

Important Dates: 2019–2020 Admission

Pre-K decisions begin December 10, 2018, with rolling admissions until October 2019 if space is available
K-12 application deadline: February 1
K-12 decision date: March 1
Rolling admissions after March 1 if space is available

[email protected]

781-331-4340 x3313

St. Joseph Parish Schools

St. Joseph Parish Schools, located in Needham, MA, offers a full day pre-K and K program through grade 8 (new preschool program beginning in Sept. 2019!). Both schools, St. Joseph Elementary School and Monsignor Haddad Middle School, attract students from more than 20 neighboring communities. Noted for its academic excellence and enrichment programs, the co-curricular activities include a STREAM (Science • Technology • Religion • Engineering • Arts • Math) program and drama classes/productions in the grade school, and visual arts and athletics in the middle school. Learn more at www.saintjoes.com.

Fayerweather Street School

Founded in 1967, Fayerweather Street School is a pre-K through grade 8 school with an emphasis on progressive education. Fayerweather strives to help students connect with their own curiosity and find joy in the learning process. The school offers a thematic, project-based curriculum, challenging academics, commitment to social justice, and an anti-bias curriculum. Fayerweather has a diverse student population, plus a co-teacher model with multi-age classroom. Offerings include Spanish, music, art, woodshop, library, and physical education. Open houses are on October 20 from 10 a.m. to noon and December 8 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Instagram

617-876-4746

765 Concord Avenue
Cambridge, MA

Want to be a part of our 2018-2019 School Guide?

We want to show our readers all the great schools available right here in the Boston area. Partnering with us allows your business greater visibility with a large targeted market of local families. Join us and help enrich the lives of Boston Moms!

Let's Chat

Boston Holiday Events and Festivities :: 2018

By

-

November 16, 2018

Welcome to the holiday season! Boston Moms Blog has you covered when it comes to fantastic local happenings this winter with our Boston holiday events guide!

This holiday guide brings you the best of Boston-area events, like holiday trains, Santa sightings, holiday plays and productions, tree lightings, and more. Search by type of event, or search by date below. (With so much fun to be had, we are sure we missed a few wonderful events! Know of one that should be included in our roundup? Let us know!)

NOTE: We do not always have up-to-date information on every event and will do our best to keep this guide current as dates become public and more information is known. All events are subject to change, and we recommend you check with the venue itself to confirm dates and times.

Boston Holiday Events and Festivities __ 2018

Gift Shopping in Boston :: 2018

By

-

November 16, 2018

November 24

Lowell City of Lights (Lowell | 2–10 p.m.)

Ring in the holidays in downtown Lowell with this year’s City of Lights parade and holiday celebration! Take the afternoon to stroll the city streets and enjoy live performances, holiday shopping, photos with Santa, and the crowd favorite — a hot chocolate competition! The daytime fun leads to the nighttime extravaganza — the City of Lights parade and city hall lighting — which marks the city’s official start to the holiday season!

November 27

Jingle Mingle Sip and Shop (Danvers | 6–9:30 p.m.)

Jingle, mingle, and dine with wine at the second Jingle Mingle Holiday Sip and Shop. Kick off your holiday in style with 16+ vendors and crafters; 50 randomly selected guests will receive a free swag bag with items and coupons from vendors. Wear your ugly sweater for a chance to win a gift card! And don’t forget BOGO pizza in the restaurant.

November 30–December 2 and December 7–9

SOWA Holiday Market (Boston | 11 a.m.–6 p.m.)

‘Tis the season for the 4th annual SoWa Winter Festival. Now over two weekends, join for the biggest winter shopping village and holiday festival in Boston. You’ll find the perfect handmade gifts, sip on winter cocktails, and discover the best of the SoWa Art + Design District. The SoWa Winter Festival is family friendly and free to attend.

December 1

Red Bow Fair (North Andover | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.)

For over 25 years the Red Bow Fair has attracted large crowds of enthusiastic holiday shoppers. The fair includes a variety of juried crafts, a silent auction, holiday greens, gift baskets, baked goods, quilt and wine drawings, used books and media, and the ever-popular luncheon.

December 1

Old South Church Christmas Craft Fair (Boston | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.)

This craft fair features 30 New England artists who will vend their unique offerings in the festively decorated chapel of historic Old South Church in Boston, located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay. Shop pottery, jewelry, felted wool, stained glass, photography, knitwear, soaps and potpourris, weaving, metal and wood work, and much more! This year, find that one-of-a-kind holiday gift or stocking stuffer that’ll be sure to wow!

December 2

Wellesley Holiday Stroll (Wellesley | 1–6 p.m.)

There’s nothing like it throughout all of the greater Boston area — 60 Wellesley merchants host events and savings, scavenger hunt winners get gift certificates worth about $850, and the Art Walk by the Wellesley Women Artisans has become just as much of a tradition as is this great event.

December 7

Downtown Haverhill Christmas Stroll (Haverhill | 5–8 p.m.)

Kick off the holiday season at the 2018 Christmas stroll! The event will include family-friendly activities like cookie decorating, ornament making, and live music with performances by local artists. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a ride on the Haverhill Bank Express Trolley or visit Santa’s Workshop to meet Santa and some of his elves. Enjoy the spirit of the season with holiday music performed by wandering carolers and a saxophone quartet. The highlight of the evening will be the official tree lighting with Santa in Washington Square.

December 14–16

CraftBoston Holiday Show (Boston)

Comprised of 175 exhibitors, CraftBoston Holiday is a highly regarded, must-attend event for artists, collectors, and craft enthusiasts. At the Hynes Convention Center in Boston’s Back Bay, CraftBoston Holiday is conveniently located in a fashionable, concentrated shopping district perfect for the holiday season. Come for the day to shop for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts, meet and support the makers, and learn about fine contemporary craft.

Free Holiday Events in Boston :: 2018

By