A last catch up post from our busy summer holiday!
One of the best days over the summer for me was our family visit to the Museum of Fine Art. This is one of my favourite places in Boston – I walk in and a weight is lifted, I smile and relax.
I first went to the MFA ten years ago, and have returned several times. When my husband gave me membership for my birthday last year, I was thrilled.
This was the first time that I had taken the boys with me though, and what a wonderful trip it was – showing them (and my husband!) my favourite galleries, paintings, sculptures and displays. Seeing such interest and excitement from the boys was fantastic and I relished every moment of our visit.
After a fascinating look at some musical instruments (a gallery I hadn’t been in before!) we headed to see the Egyptian art. I’ve always been fascinated by Ancient Egypt, and the 7yo really wanted to see the mummies. He wasn’t disappointed and spent quite a while reading about the various mummies – he was particularly fascinated by the mummified animals that were also buried. You can see a crocodile and a cat in the bottom right photo!
The next request from the 7yo was to see the Samurai exhibition. I had seen this exhibition on a Member Preview day earlier in the year, and we managed to catch it a few days before it finished!
We passed through the central courtyard, part of the new wing of the museum, and the Lime Green Icicle Tower was a huge hit! I love this glass sculpture, it is stunning – and on a sunny day (as it was when we visited) it really glows.
My husband is not a massive fan of Fine Art, it’s not that he dislikes it exactly, more that he doesn’t really see the point… His face in the photos below probably illustrate this better than I can in words…
He did however encourage the boys to look and ask questions, which was wonderful. He didn’t help however when naked people resulted in hysterical giggles from the boys – the final straw (after lots of anatomically correct sculptures!) was the painting Man at his Bath by Gustave Caillebotte – and we had to leave that particular gallery, with it’s beautiful Monets, Van Goghs and Degas’… Mortified doesn’t even come close!
We visited the Asian art galleries and the temple with it’s wonderful collection of Buddhas – I didn’t get my five minutes of quiet contemplation on this occasion…! We took a quick trip through the American galleries taking in the wonderful work of Sargent. We nipped into the Contemporary galleries – although this resulted in the most face pulling from my husband :) We grabbed a bite to eat in the Garden Cafeteria. The 4yo had a wee rest…
In the few hours we were there we managed to see a huge amount of the Gallery, albeit on a slightly whistle stop tour! Everyone found something that they loved and talked about on the way home.
Of course, no day trip would be complete without trains! All three loved the train journeys to and from Boston, and the trip on the T (subway). There was even an ice cream treat on the way home :)
It was one of those really magical days where you take someone to one of your favourite places – nervous that they won’t enjoy it; won’t see what you do; won’t understand what makes it special – and they love it!
I’ve renewed my membership and will be taking the boys with me again :)
I am linking up with the wonderful Jaime at The Oliver’s Madhouse – why not hop on over and take a look at some other magical moments!
Love the glass sculpture, so beautiful! It’s great when you are worried about them enjoying something and they turn out to love it! :D
I was so pleased that they enjoyed the trip so much :)
Wow! Looks a fantastic day out x
Thanks – it was fab!
It looks absolutely fabulous. I love that lime green icicle tower! How great for you to have this so close to you and now with membership, too. Hope you all enjoy many more days there x
I hope so too. It’s lovely to wander on my own and enjoy the peace, but it’s also great to be able to share it :)
That looks and sounds amazing. Great photos, too xx
Thank you – it is a wonderful gallery – love it!
What a lot of exploring!
#MagicMoments
We did manage to cram a lot in!
wow what an adventure!!
thanks for linking up and sharing it with #MagicMoments xx
Thanks! A great day out :) Thanks for hosting xx
This place looks amazing and it’s lovely to see the boys taking such a keen interest. It is nice when other people enjoy your passion for places you like to visit :0)
Absolutely – I was so pleased they enjoyed it xx
That looks great, lots to look at! Sounds and looks like you had a fantastic day.
We really did! Thank you x
Wow – looks amazing ;) x I’d be terrified to take my toddler anywhere with old breakable things! Lol x they are clearly having a fab time though xx love a nice family day out ;) xxx
Have to admit we didn’t release the wee girl from her buggy for very long :)