Kornrumpf, Party of 5: A Boston Common Festival

One of the first Saturdays we were in Boston I somehow found out that there was going to be a festival in the Boston Common, the large downtown park (right next to the Public Garden where the "Make Way for Ducklings" statues and Swan Boats are). So we hopped on the T with the kids, eager to start experiencing all that a big city has to offer.

We were not disappointed! We started off by watching a "court jester" put on a goofy kids show, complete with a puppet, juggling and "tricks". Next on my itinerary was a performance by a group called "Strange Fruit". When we got to the area where they were supposed to perform, they were just posting a sign that the show was going to be delayed a half an hour. That gave us enough time to experience a classic Boston kid's activity - playing in the Frog Pond! A wading pool by summer and an ice skating rink by winter, the Frog Pond is tons of fun! And thankfully I brought a change of clothes for both kids and a towel, so they were able to just have a blast!

The kids started by jumping in an out at the pool's edge.

Then they headed farther and farther out in the pool. (There were way more people congregated at the other end of the Frog Pond near the fountain, so we decided to save that experience for another day.)

This particular day, Nathan's special toy was an old green eraser of Brian's. He had a blast throwing it into the middle of the pond and then wading out to retrieve it.

By the end of it all, Nathan was "falling down" and rolling around in the water, Sarah was almost as soaked, and I was thankful I was wearing black shorts to hide the wet!

Then it was on to the "Strange Fruit" performance. These people from Australia climb onto 15 foot high flexible poles and do a choreographed performance to music. I overheard someone remarking that it was one of the most unique type of performance art he had ever seen and I heartily agree! (Google "Strange Fruit Australia Youtube" if you're interested!)

I knew I would enjoy the show and thankfully the kids were entranced as well!

Sarah kept thinking that this lady was waving to her, so of course she was waving energetically back!

When the show was over, Nathan REALLY wanted to talk to the performers, but unfortunately they left from the opposite side of the performance area and didn't hang around to chat with anyone. But we found another 100% kid approved performer to salve our disappointment - the bubble man!

Our last "activity" of the day was getting the kids balloon sculptures. We had first seen them when we visited Faniuel Hall and then again at the Aquarium, but put the kids off both times. This time they were all over the park, so we gave in and bought Sarah this purple flower...

And then waited in line forever since Nathan had his heart set on this blue fish. Unfortunately by the time Nathan's was finished, Sarah's green balloon had popped, leaving her with a purple flower with a little green "handle". Then before the night was out, Nathan's white fishing pole had bit the dust, but the blue fish made it for a few days before being trashed.