I Wish I Never Grew Up

Some of my favorite Boston memories took place at the Children’s Museum. How awesome is this place? Though I’m not a kid anymore, I really, really want to go back here. However, I know it just won’t be as much fun as it used to be. Like that maze thing featured above? Yeah, I’m probably taller than it now, but back in the day it would have been the bomb.

What else does the Children’s Museum have that appeals to me so much? Well, there’s an authentic Japanese house you can explore, a whole interactive Arthur and Friends play area, and a fun exercise zone (yes! They show you how to make exercise fun!). A child’s dream come true. Why can’t I be a kid again?

Actually, I just learned that adult admission to the Children’s Museum is only $10. Who needs to be a kid?? I guess I just need to find someone to go with me. Anyone?

Remember the days when you could eat donuts and not think about how many calories was in each one? And how sometimes you could even eat a donut and drink a Coolata (without asking for skim milk) in one sitting and feel no guilt? I miss those days.

I’m still a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee drinker, but can’t remember the last time I had a D&D donut because I can’t usually justify it. But they just remind me so much of my childhood. Sometimes we’d get a special treat for no reason. And sometimes I’d play a really good softball game and my mom would treat me to a donut after.

I’d like to eat some donuts now without realizing their artery clogging powers. I don’t want to care about that.

Don’t go to Toys R Us unless you want to leave crying about how much cooler toys are now than when we were kids. If only I could shrink myself just a little bit, I’d probably buy all the toys. But since it a) wouldn’t be socially acceptable and b) would be ridiculous for me to try and fit on most of the toys, I don’t buy any of them.

I wish kids knew how lucky they were these days. With so many interactive and fun toys, they don’t even need friends!

So really, I think the CHOCOLATE BAR BUFFET (put in all caps for emphasis) that the Langham Hotel holds on Saturday afternoons is actually for adults. But, I would have enjoyed this SO much more as a kid. It’s basically more than 125 chocolate desserts all in one place, all you can eat. And only costs $38, which actually seems like quite a deal for that much chocolate.

The only problem is, how much can you eat? I definitely have my ultra-chocolatey moods, but I was much more of a chocolate lover as a kid (I often choose vanilla over chocolate now, unheard of when I was young!). Plus, how many calories do you think 125 different chocolate desserts have?? I hate thinking about things like this, but when you become an adult, you kind of have to.

Man, what I wouldn’t give to go here as a kid. I’m thinking it would feel something along the lines of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I think I just missed the whole Rainforest Cafe thing. What I mean by that is when the Rainforest Cafe first got popular I was just old enough to find it annoying. And isn’t it the most annoying thing ever? Ugh. Like I want giant trees with faces singing in my ear while I’m trying to eat dinner. Or gross monkeys swinging from tree to tree. Not to mention the screaming children running all around!

But back when I was a kid, I probably would have loved it. Going out to dinner and not having to sit and be all quiet and formal? Having cute little animals all around? Not to mention, animals that talk! Plus, I’m sure the Rainforest Cafe’s food is pretty grubby and kid-like. Perfect.

Then again, I have a feeling I would have been scared by everything at the Rainforest Cafe. Sad, but true. Can I try again?

If Chuck E. Cheese was not a part of your childhood, I feel very bad for you. Not necessarily the mouse per say (because he actually frightened me quite a bit…as did his entire band), but the games and silly little rides. I was a Chuck E. Cheese kind of girl if only to play skee ball and collect my tickets for prizes (stickers? Chinese finger traps? Bouncy Balls? Bring it on!).

I remember sort of liking the ball pit, but now that I’ve heard so many stories of people putting razors and other nasty things in those pits, I wonder if they’re even in existence anymore. I would also like a do-over on the fun house maze. I got lost in it once and cried because I was too scared to go down the slide (which was the only way out). I think I could do better at it now. Hopefully.

I want to go on a ship and throw fake tea overboard and yell “Taxation without representation!” I want to learn all about the political and economic conditions that led to the Boston tea party.

Actually, I probably have the exact opposite feelings as those I felt when I was a kid. I’m sure I loved throwing fake tea overboard the ship (it’s freaking attached to the ship…not even cool), and didn’t listen to a word of the history.

I don’t think it would be too weird if an adult when on the Boston Tea Party Ship alone, would it? Adults sometimes forget history and want to re-learn it. The ship/museum is closed until summer due to renovations, but those renovations are reason enough for me to go back!

While I’m sure the auto museum is quite fun, and yes, I enjoyed visiting auto museums when I was a kid, I’m really talking about the hill outside of the auto museum. I live pretty darn close to Larz Anderson Hill, but you know what? I couldn’t point it out to you if I tried. I never really had a reason to go, considering I’m not much of a sledder. Anymore.

But I hear the sledding is amazing! And what a sledder I used to be. Though I was always a bit frightened of getting hurt (see a trend here?), I loved a good sledding hill and would get all bundled up and take my sled to the top and go somewhat cautiously down.

Now? Sledding is pretty much one of the most unappealing activities you could present to me. Go outside when it’s freezing and snowing out? Sit on the ground and get wet? Speed down a hill with the chance of breaking my neck? Ughh, no thanks. I’ll stay inside instead. But if I had been to Larz Anderson Hill when I was a kid, it would have been like a winter wonderland dream.