My editor called. "Research and compose a perfect, relaxing day in Boston," she said. I'm not that good at relaxing. It's not that I am a stress-ball or severely Type A or anything like that. It's just that, like most people I know, I have a lot more things to do on any given day than I can possibly complete and relaxing seems like a self-indulgence that just doesn't ever bubble up to the top of my to-do list. Relax for a whole day? Well, in the name of research, I'll try.

Did you know that Boston does not have a single big-name toy store within its boundaries? It's true. Ever since the flagship FAO Schwartz on Boylston, famous for the gigantic bronze teddy bear statue, closed its doors for good - bribing your kids in Boston has become quite a challenge.

So...how can I possibly paint a picture of the perfect family day in a city so un-kid-friendly that they can't even keep one measly toy store in business? I mean, the Toys-r-Us in New York has a Ferris wheel - A FERRIS WHEEL! How do you compete with that?