God loves a Terrier, yes He does.

We had such a lovely trip to Boston over the Fourth of July. We had an amazing time. We went with our friends, the Andersons (Brian and Nicole, found on the right side of the screen). Her sister lives just outside of Boston with her husband and several turtles, and they were kind enough to let us stay in their beautiful home. Let me say that the Andersons have two little dogs, Buddy and Bandit, whose company I have thoroughly enjoyed while here in Vermont. Jake does not like dogs. His trademark move whenever a dog comes near is to stand still with arms up in the air until the dog goes away. But Buddy and Bandit came down to Boston with us and Bandit sat in the back seat with us the whole drive down and Jake did so well! He was holding Bandit, petting him, and I think Bandit fell in love with Uncle Jake.

He followed him around for the rest of the weekend. Jake even raced Bandit outside! 

They grow up so fast. 

Now of course I want a little dog, and am very very slowly wearing Jake down to the point where I feel we may have a dog in the next three to twenty years, depending upon how persuasive I can make myself. Here are Buddy and Bandit, the ferocious little beasts that have slowly melted Jake's heart of stone. Buddy is the rat terrier on the left, and Bandit the one on the right. Bandit might be my favorite dog I have ever met. Sorry Cooper and dearly departed Dominoes...Bandit has a little something extra. 

Just look at that face!! Bandit's mom was a rat terrier, but the Andersons don't know exactly what kind of dog his dad was. He looks part beagle, part doxen, with a corgi-type of body. Whatever he is, I just love him. Buddy is really sweet too, but it takes him a while to warm up to you. Buddy sat in the back with us on the ride home from Boston, and by the end, even he was sitting on Jake's lap! I am so proud of all of Jake's progress. I know it sounds silly, they're just dogs, but it's hard for Jake, and he has grown so much out here in so many ways. Dog acceptance is just the tip of the iceberg.

Back to Boston. Jake and I had been to Boston several times, but we had never done any of the historic sites on the Freedom Trail, so we did that this time. We saw so many incredible places that literally began this amazing country, and it was awesome to see them in person and feel the spirit of independence that abides there. There are a lot more pictures; feel free to check out my facebook for more.

The redcoats walked right by us.

And of course I had to see the "Make Way for Ducklings" statue at the public garden. It has always been one of my favorite children's books! Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Oack, Pack, and Quack are all accounted for!

The public garden was one of my favorite places. There was this amazing tree that reminded me of Sherwood Forest in Nottingham.

I also made a new friend, Sherman. He is Nicole's sister and husband's turtle, but actually more like their son. He just roams the house and hangs out, and he sat on my lap for a long time. It looks like he has lipstick on since he just ate a raspberry! Sherman and I really bonded.

I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July and enjoyed the fireworks as much as I did! But then, if you know me, you know that even a little popper is enough to make me goofy happy. My mom watched the Boston fireworks on TV with the Boston Pops and everything, but said she didn't see us. It was so crowded, but totally worth it. We watched from the MIT side of the river, and our view was perfect. They were big and loud, just the way I like them! Of course getting home in the seas of thousands and thousands of people was a bit of a madhouse, but totally worth it. 

In short, we had a great time, with great people, doing great things. It was great.

Oh, also, Mike's Pastries. Wow. That's pretty much all I can say about that.

Coming soon: MELP graduation blog!