So when my wonderful husband surprised me with a weekend trip to Nantucket for JUST THE TWO OF US to celebrate our five-year anniversary, I couldn’t wait to see what the island had to offer! (Kyle also arranged for his parents to come into town and stay with our kids for the weekend…all done completely without my knowledge. How lucky am I?)

Nantucket is an island 30 miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. At the risk of stating the obvious, that means you can only get there by boat or by air. Most visitors take ferry rides over from Hyannis and leave their cars behind for a few days. They are really not needed on Nantucket. The high speed ferry ride takes about an hour.

Kyle and I stayed at a bed and breakfast…one of many on the island. It was a nice place. But it was my first stay in a B&B and I personally found the experience to be a little uncomfortable. I felt like we had to be too quiet when we were in our room and too chatty when we weren’t. However, there are not many hotels on Nantucket (we only saw one resort) – so other than renting a house, staying at a bed and breakfast/small inn was the only option. We weren’t in our room that much anyway, so it certainly didn’t affect the rest of our trip.

Overall, here’s what I learned: Nantucket is absolutely gorgeous with classic “postcard” New England scenery…and lots of rich people. Seriously. Rich. People. I honestly didn’t expect to feel so outclassed while we were there or I would have packed nicer clothes! But it makes sense in retrospect. If you had tons of money, wouldn’t you want to spend it by buying a house here?

Nantucket, Brant Point Lighthouse (www.adventuresinparenting.me)

Nantucket Sunset (www.adventuresinparenting.me)

One of many Nantucket beaches (www.adventuresinparenting.me)

Nantucket, Sankaty Head Lighthouse (www.adventuresinparenting.me)

Ready to hop on the ferry right now? Before you go, here is a quick list of five things to look forward to in Nantucket (because, you know, I’m now such an expert):

1. Exploring the town. When you get off the ferry in Nantucket Harbor, you will walk right into the main settlement of Nantucket. It is lined with cobblestone streets and buildings from another era – which are now filled with high-end shops and restaurants. Kyle and I walked around town many times during our few days there. It is so picture perfect, it’s really surreal. We didn’t do a lot of shopping, but we did do a lot of eating. Most of the food was pretty good. I don’t eat seafood, so I’m always at a disadvantage in New England restaurants since that is typically their specialty.

I will warn that we thought American Seasons – not a cheap place to dine by any means – was quite overrated. I ordered a $40 steak that was full of fat and had absolutely no flavor. Luckily, my hunger was satisfied by the one bean, one tiny carrot, and one half piece of asparagus on my plate (note the sarcasm).

HOWEVER, I will also say that Fog Island Cafe makes a great breakfast and REALLY yummy sandwiches, which are perfect for packing on a long bike ride (see below). And The Juice Bar serves delicious ice cream!  They make a really spectactular hand-rolled waffle cone.

Nantucket (www.adventuresinparenting.me)

2. Admiring the houses. Kyle and I did not see one ugly home on Nantucket. Not even close. They are almost all shingle-style…that look that is so classic New England…and just oozing with character. Whether they were charming cottages or sprawling mansions, they were all beautiful and fun to look at. I took more pictures than I care to admit…just in case we ever have the chance to build our own house and I need ideas!

3. Riding bikes around the island. Renting bikes for the day is a very popular (and relatively inexpensive) way to explore the rest of Nantucket. Kyle and I did this on Saturday and loved it! There are bike paths all over the island, so for the most part, you can stay out of traffic. We chose to take an almost 19-mile loop to the eastern side of the island and back. Along the way, we stopped at a lighthouse and had lunch. It was a pretty perfect way to spend the afternoon with my best friend. I am so blessed to be married to someone who enjoys exploring as much as I do! Kyle and I have ridden bikes down Pike’s Peak (well, halfway down in my case); we have biked all over Paris; and now we can add Nantucket to the list of places we have seen on two wheels.

4. Finding the lighthouses. There are three lighthouses on Nantucket. They are all – as you might expect – iconic and beautiful. Kyle and I saw two of them: Brant Point and Sankaty Head. This is not the kind of scenery we had growing up in the Midwest, which always makes it slightly thrilling. If you are into lighthouses, you will not be disappointed with Nantucket.

Nantucket, Brant Point Lighthouse (www.adventuresinparenting.me)

5. Learning the history. Nantucket has a great Whaling Museum that explains its unique heritage. At one time, Nantucket sailors dominated the whaling industry, which supplied the world with precious whale oil before anyone knew oil could be obtained from mining. After the whaling industry whithered, the island went into a deep decline for a century until its forward-thinking residents revived it as a vacation destination. That is why the old buildings are so well preserved today – very little was modernized during that long island depression! We learned that and much more from a documentary called Nantucket being played in the museum (again – I married someone who loves documentaries as much as I do – what are the odds?) We also learned that the founders of Macy’s department stores and Folger’s Coffee came from Nantucket. And the editor who discovered Mark Twain. Who knew. There was much to see and do at the museum – we wished we could have spent more time there.

"One of 10 U.S. Places to Visit Before You Die" might be a bit strong. But we thought it was a really interesting museum!

So that is Nantucket in a nutshell. It’s a place that every American should have the chance to visit at least once and we’re glad we had the opportunity. If you are looking for somewhere to escape with your honey for the weekend, I would definitely recommend it!

Would we take the kids back to the island? Probably not. Besides going to the beaches, there didn’t seem to be much for kids to do on Nantucket…and we have great beaches right down the road from us on the North Shore of Massachusetts. But in all fairness, that judgement is based on three days’ worth of off-season experience. Want to invite us back to prove how kid-friendly the island is really is during the summer? Be my guest. My mind is always open to change!

If you would like to see lots more images of Nantucket, check out the photo gallery! Please remember that these images are copyright-protected. You can use them, but only with full attribution and a link to my blog. Thanks!

As most of you know, my first picture book is being published this summer. “All About Poop” will be released by Pinwheel Books on September 1, 2012.

While I never planned for my first book to be about poop, this is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for me! I have been writing picture book manuscripts ever since I can remember. I wrote this one because I couldn’t find a good book about poop for preschoolers. Most people are familiar with “Everyone Poops” – and that’s a great picture book for toddlers. But as my son Kellen got closer to three, he wanted to know more and more about poop – especially how it’s made in our bodies and where it goes after we flush it down the pipes. I think those are pretty common questions for kids who are just mastering the art of using the toilet. But the only books that I could find that explained this process were either way too simple or geared toward much older kids. Kellen didn’t have the patience to sit through the more detailed pages…and continued to ask me the same questions again and again.

So…I wrote a book that explained everything Kellen wanted to know in funny, rhyming text. For example:

Kellen thinks this is so hilarious that he recites it almost every time he goes to the bathroom. All About Poop also discusses different words people use for poop, explains what toots are, and stresses the importance of washing your hands.  So far, everyone who has previewed the book has loved it. We are hoping that it will be a big hit with preschoolers and parents everywhere!

The key to making that happen is…marketing. No matter how good a book is, it will never be a best seller if it’s not promoted properly.While my publisher, Pinwheel Books, is still new and small, she wants to launch “All About Poop” in a big way. So a couple of weeks ago, Pinwheel launched a Kickstarter campaign to try to raise extra marketing funds for the book. If you’re not familiar with Kickstarter, it’s a funding platform for creative projects. Supporters can donate an amount of their choosing in exchange for rewards (like, for example, a copy of the book). Every project creator sets their project’s funding goal and deadline. If the project succeeds in reaching its funding goal by the deadline, all backers’ credit cards are charged when time expires. If the project falls short no one is charged.

So here’s how you can help. I have heard SO MANY of my friends and family members say that they can’t wait to buy All About Poop, or that they can’t wait to tell their friends with young children about the book. If all of those people just preordered their one copy of the book right now through the Kickstarter campaign, it would contribute greatly toward reaching the funding goal of $7,000. The price to preorder the book NOW will be the same as it will be later when you purchase through Amazon ($20 with shipping).

However, please be aware that if we do not meet the funding goal by Saturday, June 2, at 7:54 p.m., then the project will not be funded. That does NOT mean that “All About Poop” will not be published. The book is being released either way! It will just mean that we didn’t raise the money needed for the extra marketing push. AND it will also mean that those people who did pledge will not be charged. So they would need to place their book orders again later, when the book goes on sale.

If you’d like to go directly to the Kickstarter campaign page to preorder the book or watch videos about the process of publishing the book (yes, I’m in them too), click here.

Hopefully all of that makes sense! If you have any questions about the book or the Kickstarter campaign, please let me know. I SOOOO appreciate your help spreading the word and helping “All About Poop” get noticed in a big way!!

He taught me that there is nothing as exciting as a train pulling into the station.

He reminded me to never stop being amazed that airplanes REALLY FLY way up high in the clouds.

He showed me that snakes are nothing to be scared about. (Well, at least not the non-poisonous kinds.)

He told me that I could build anything I want if I just use my imagination like he does.

He proved that dirty can be doggone cute.

He demonstrated that the world really needs more people who can love as deeply and unreservedly as he does.

Kellen’s friends showered him with lots of return affection at his birthday party at Pump It Up over the weekend. It was so sweet to see how much he is loved!

To supplement the great gifts he received from his friends, Mommy and Daddy got Kellen LOTS of pirate stuff (pirates are his new obsession) and a big boy bike with training wheels (which he said was AWESOME).

In all, I think my little man had a fourth birthday celebration that was just as awesome for him as the past four years of raising him has been for me and Kyle. Yo ho ho, Happy Birthday Kellen! I can’t wait to find out what you will teach me in the year to come!

The Hayes family just spent a week chillaxing in the South Florida sun. Our return to Boston in the wee hours of Thursday morning was quickly followed (for me) by two days of work, one blogger event, one Girl Scout meeting, a morning of work in the church nursery, and Kellen’s fourth birthday party. Ahhh…back to the reality of the life of a working, multi-tasking mom!

There is such a backlog of blog posts that I want to write that I don’t even know where to begin. So tonight I’m going to start simple.

I just want to say Happy Mother’s Day to all my lovely readers. I hope you felt as loved as I did today. There is nothing like waking up to three people who want to present you with carefully selected greeting cards that tell you how much they love you. And it’s even better when those store bought cards are supplemented by homemade cards and school projects. I got all of the above today, plus lots of hugs and kisses, perfect weather, and a nice, long NAP! I may be busy, but I am one blessed mama!

(P.S. My favorite food is not potatoes. But it was a good guess. Also, I think Kellen said he wants to give me a ring because I always tell him that my wedding ring shows everyone how much Daddy loves me. Gotta admire the kid for even thinking of that. And what does Kellen most like to do with mom? Go on ADVENTURES! Love it.)

November 2005

It grew in perfectly along with its peers…soon shaping up to be a model of preschool dental perfection in Anna’s little mouth. I must say that it served her well.

May 2010

By kindergarten, the bottom front teeth realized that their tour of duty was up. But not this tooth. The bigger and better top teeth could try to push it out, but that didn’t mean it had to get out of the way. For eight wiggly months, this stubborn front tooth held its grip…growing more and more crooked with each passing week. By the end, it had become one lone snaggletooth* sticking almost straight out of poor Anna’s mouth. She had to completely change the way she ate, brushed her teeth, and even closed her mouth. Her gentle extraction attempts were completely futile. This tooth wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

January 2012

March 2012 - Giant gap, but no top teeth lost!

April 2012

We thought we were going to have to go to the dentist and have it pulled this week. But tonight, the fight came…swiftly and unexpectedly. Anna and I were sitting together on the couch when our dog, Bella, starting to climb on us. As I reached to move Bella out of Anna’s face, my arm accidentally bumped her in the mouth.

PLOP!

The tooth never knew what hit it. Thankfully, neither did Anna. After a few tears, she was extremely happy to know that she will be able to chew with her front teeth again. FINALLY!

April 24, 2012 - Anna can eat corn on the cob again!

Tonight the Tooth Fairy flies at the Hayes house and we couldn’t be happier to see her. Adios snaggletooth!

Did any of your kids ever have lengthy baby teeth battles like this one? If so, please share your stories! I’d love to read them.

*P.S. I should point out I am not using the word “snaggletooth” as a derogatory term. The word literally means, “A tooth that is broken or not in alignment with the others.” I looked it up!

One bright point in the town is the Dr. Seuss National Memorial, which I couldn’t come here without visiting. I could’ve walked to it from the hotel, but I drove instead. And I was still scared. But at least I got to pay homage to one of the greatest creative minds of all time and visit with the Lorax.

But I digress.

So far, the NESCBWI conference has been really interesting. I have attended some great sessions about picture book writing, editing, and working with publishers and agents. I have also met some of my kids’ favorite authors and illustrators: Jane Yolen, Dan Yaccarino, and Harry Bliss. (OK…so they’re my favorites too! If you don’t know the names, look them up. I guarantee you will know their work!) In fact, all three signed copies of their books for Anna and Kellen yesterday…and Harry Bliss even drew them a worm inside “Diary of a Worm.” (As a former TV news journalist, I have met and interviewed many important people, so I’m not usually the type to get starstruck. Quite honestly, while I have signed plenty of autographs, I don’t know if I have ever even asked for one before. But I was pretty freaking giddy when I saw Harry drawing that worm for my kids!)

Harry Bliss

Jane Yolen and Dan Yaccarino

I have also met other talented, but lesser known writers and illustrators – some published, most not. I went to dinner with two lovely women about my age last night (I say that because at this conference, unlike BlogHer, ALL age groups are equally represented). We had a great time getting to know one another. I think that is really one of the best parts of going to conferences…leaving with more friends than you had when you went in. I also met one talented picture book writer in my peer review group who blew me away by telling me that he was a chemist (I don’t know many scientists who are also creative writers). Then we figured out that he actually works in the same building with Kyle. Such a small world! Also, I should mention that I shared a new manuscript with that same peer review group and they absolutely loved it. They said it was brilliant, they couldn’t wait to buy it, so on and so forth…giving only minor suggestions for tweaks. So…that should make me feel really good, right?

Then why am I sitting here feeling so discouraged, overwhelmed, and guilty? Are there any therapists in the crowd?

When I come to these conferences, I spend a lot of time listening and observing people. At the NESCBWI conference, it seems pretty clear that most of the attendees have one singular focus in life: to be able to make a living from writing or illustrating children’s books. At BlogHer, it seemed pretty clear that most of the attendees also had one singular focus: to develop huge blog followings so they can work with big brands and make money. And I think those are both admirable goals. I just don’t share them. I have toes dipped in both pools, which makes me feel a little schizophrenic and out of place. Not one person here that I have spoken to about BlogHer has ever even heard of it. And I’m guessing it would be the same way if I asked my blogger friends about SCBWI. Is it possible to halfheartedly participate in both worlds and still be successful?

And then there’s my job. My incredible, exciting job. I haven’t written much about it lately because it continues to evolve on a daily basis and I think I’ve been afraid to jinx it. But after my trip to Denver this week, I think it’s safe to say this: I am in the midst of the most amazing career opportunity of my life…one with GLOBAL responsibility for a very big company. This is the kind of job that people only dream about. It has the potential to change the whole course of my life if I do it right. But it will never allow me to devote myself to writing children’s books or blogging (at least, THIS kind of blogging) full time. It’s going to require focus. Lots of focus. Which is probably why I’m feeling so overwhelmed as I’m being inundated with so much information that has nothing to do with my career. Unlike most of the people I meet at these conferences, the thought of giving up my day job is not a motivating factor for me.

And then there’s the guilt. Let’s see…I’m a mom who hasn’t seen her seven year old in ten days. Anna returned from visiting her dad in St. Louis today and instead of being there to meet her, I was at this conference. Boo! And even though Kellen was home all week, I barely saw him either. I was traveling for work from Monday until late Wednesday night. I saw Kellen and Kyle after work on Thursday. Then I left for this conference on Friday morning. Ugh…I just feel like a mom with some seriously jacked up priorities at the moment.

All I know is that I may be a girl with lofty dreams about being talented enough to do a little of everything…but the truth is that I really can’t do it all. Something is going to have to give.

It’s not going to be my family. And it’s not going to be my job. It’s not going to be the promotion of the book that I am so proud to have actually published. And I don’t think I’m quite ready to give up on the other manuscripts that I still want to sell. So what then? Is it time to put this silly little blog to rest? Might be. It really might be.

So…that pretty much sums up my Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference experience so far: Interesting people, insightful information, and for me, identity crisis angst. It’s a great conference for all the authors and illustrators who can devote themselves wholeheartedly to this dream. Sadly, that just can’t be me right now. I think my non-work-related conference days are over. It’s time for this writer to start focusing on one identity.

While I dread the times when Anna has to be away for so long, I made the most of  my weekend alone with three-year-old Kellen. There are not many days when our second child gets undivided “mommy-child” time. When we do, I cherish it. And so does he. I can’t count the number of times that he triumphantly said over the weekend, “We can do whatever we want, ’cause it’s just you and me, right Mommy?” Right!

One thing I love about Kellen is his desire for new adventures. Kyle and I are both adventurous, so this is not a surprising trait for our child to possess. But Kellen is probably a little more like me in the sense that he is eager to have multiple adventures in one day. Kyle is usually satisified with one good destination in a 24-hour period. I always say…why stop at one?

When I picked Kellen up from school on Friday, I asked him what he wanted to do for the evening. His response: “I was thinking we could go somewhere really fun…like maybe Boston or New York City.” I giggled and told him we probably needed to keep it more local than that. I asked if he wanted to go somewhere for dinner. “Yes, I do,” he stated. “How about an Italian restaurant that we’ve never been to before…in another state.” Dream big, son. Dream big. Instead I took him to the beach down the road, which he eventually decided he was OK with. (I never thought I would be asking my kids to “make do” with a visit to the seashore!)

On Saturday, Kellen and I really kicked it into high gear. First, we met some friends for a playdate at a park in Billerica. We had never been to Billerica before because it’s an hour away from where we live…so that was adventure number one! The Kids Konnection playground was really nice and completely fenced in, which I love. If you live in the Boston area, I would highly recommend it.

Then Kellen and I hit the Burlington Mall for a little while – adventure number two. But definitely not my favorite kind, so we didn’t stay too long.

After that, we spent a few hours relaxing on the beach at Walden Pond in Concord. Yes…THE Walden Pond that 19th-century writer Henry David Thoreau immortalized in his book, “Walden.” 

This is where Thoreau built a one-room cabin and spent more than two years in seclusion, writing and reflecting on the meaning of life and the virtues of simplicity and self-sufficiency. I remember reading this book in my college American Literature studies. I never imagined that I would visit the real Walden Pond! It is now protected in the Walden Pond State Reservation, where visitors can walk the trails around the beautiful property or enjoy the lovely little beach at the pond.

Kellen and I did the latter. It was a warm day, and he was thrilled to be able to dig in the sand and float his boat in the calm water. I sat and watched, taking picture after picture, admiring his creative canals and thinking all the while, “Remember this moment. He is growing up too fast!”

We were also both interested to check out the replica of Thoreau’s cabin. As we did, thoughts of my dad’s infamous family road trips flashed through my mind, when we would spend a week in the car stopping at every historic site or natural wonder along the way (or within a 20-mile detour radius). I learned so much on those road trips and thoroughly enjoyed what many kids probably would have considered “boring.” I smiled as I realized that not only is Kellen like me in this regard…but we are both like my dad.

When we left Walden Pond, it was almost evening. Kyle and Anna would have been ready to call it a day for sure. But to my delight, Kellen eagerly asked, “What’s our next adventure, Mommy?”  That’s my boy.

So then we spent about an hour and a half walking part of the historic Battle Road Trail between Lexington and Concord. This 5-mile trail, part of Minute Man National Historic Park, is where Paul Revere was captured during his famous midnight ride. It also includes the North Bridge, where the Revolutionary War began with the “Shot heard round the world” on April 19, 1775 (incidentally, almost exactly 237 years ago). British troops and Colonial militia had running skirmishes up and down this road, and many of the buildings that were there then are still standing now, like the Hartwell Tavern (below). It’s a pretty cool place to take an evening walk, wouldn’t you say?

By the time it got dark, I had finally worn Kellen out. He slept soundly while Mommy made the long drive home…but not before taking a few Mommy-son photos to help us remember our special “just us” weekend. I’m so thankful for my adventurous little companion!

My daughter Anna is in St. Louis for her spring custody visit with her father, my ex-husband. I don’t begrudge him the time with her – I know he gets so little of it. I just miss her SO MUCH when she is away for a whole week! At seven years old, she is still my baby. I want to be the one to tuck her into bed and kiss her good night.

Thankfully, this time I have a business trip and a children’s book writing conference to keep me busy while Anna is gone. Those two events could not have timed out better!

Last night as we were packing, Anna made something that I love so much that I just had to share. (Actually, I just want to know that it will be accessible to me via my blog whenever I want to listen to it.) She made a recording for me and Kyle.

Interestingly enough, while our son Kellen uses the word “love” liberally with just about everyone he meets (remember how he told the NYC taxi driver he loved him and ended up on The Huffington Post?), Anna has a really hard time saying the words “I love you.” Of course, we know she loves us. If we ask her if she does, she’ll usually blush and nod. But expressions of deep emotion do come not easily to her. Sometimes I just long to hear those three little words from my baby girl.

So last night Anna went off and recorded this all by herself on her phone. When she came back and proudly played it for me and Kyle, I cried like a baby. Truly, this is music to a mommy’s ears. It may be the best sound I have ever heard.

It is moments like these that make it all worth it, is it not? Parenthood…work…the day-to-day struggles…life. I know that when I am an old woman I will listen to this recording and weep…wishing the clock could turn back to NOW…right when I am in the thick of it all…and the “I love yous” still sound so spectacularly sweet.

Lord, don’t let me waste a single second of it. Help me to treasure all the wonderful little moments as they happen. And please bring my baby girl safely back to my arms.

@bostonblogmom Have any pics with Myrtle the #turtle? Looking to fill her fb page with new & old shots like this http://goo.gl/KGO3X

I was interested by this request (and thought it was a great use of social media), so I clicked over to learn that 560-pound Myrtle has been at the New England Aquarium since 1970…so it stands to reason that there are many, many family photos floating around that feature this famous turtle. Check out this one from the screenshot of the New England Aquarium website:

Wow. 1973? That’s older than me!

I think it is very cool that Myrtle has her own Facebook page and checked to see if the Hayes family had any photos to contribute…but alas, no turtle shots. I do, however, have some fun photos of the aquarium’s other social creatures. And since I never got around to writing about our day at the New England Aquarium (back in March…2011…what kind of an adventure blogger am I?), I am going to share some of those photos with you now! This one is my favorite…watch out for that shark, Kellen!

That's actually just Kellen's reflection...but it looks like he's about to get eaten!

If you are ever in Boston looking for something fun to do with the kiddos, here is some of what you can expect to see at the aquarium:

Smiling Rays

Surly Shark

Electric Eels (Flotsam and Jetsam, for all you Little Mermaid fans!)

Playful Penguins

A 3D movie at the IMAX theater - This was our favorite part of the day!

So…I’m sorry that we can’t contribute to your Facebook page, Myrtle the Turtle. But I’ll help you spread the word. And if your friend the shark ever sets up a Google+ account, be sure to let us know!

If you have pictures of Myrtle the Turtle that you’d like to share with the New England Aquarium, be sure to post them here.