Sunday, April 6, 2014
My Little Keith Haring
I love kids art shows. I'm not a fan of having to bring everything home and put it on display (who is, really?). But this year, I just loved B's version of Keith Haring's Blue Dog. It's a keeper and will be part of our art collection.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Learning to Sew
Bridget's Daisy Troop had a field trip to Stitch! in Cleveland. I hadn't been there, but had drive by it several times and thought it would be neat to stop. As a parent chaperone, I was able to hang out with the girls while they learned to sew and I was so glad to be a part of this field trip!
B is 7. I wasn't sure if that was too early to operate a sewing machine. And I was nervous watching all those small kids operating an electric sewing machine. You see, I stitched my thumb when I was learning to sew so I had good reason to worry! Of course, it could be my limited sewing skills, but I was still nervous. No reason to be. The girls did great and made cute purses. B uses hers to carry her library books. What great fun!
B is 7. I wasn't sure if that was too early to operate a sewing machine. And I was nervous watching all those small kids operating an electric sewing machine. You see, I stitched my thumb when I was learning to sew so I had good reason to worry! Of course, it could be my limited sewing skills, but I was still nervous. No reason to be. The girls did great and made cute purses. B uses hers to carry her library books. What great fun!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
My Favorite Place for a Saturday Morning
Ever since I moved to Cleveland, I tell everyone I meet that the two things I love the most about my hometown are the Metroparks and the Westside Market. There is no better way, in my opinion, to spend a Saturday morning, than to grab a cup of coffee from Urban Coffee Roasters, an apple fritter for Meg, wander around the stalls, grab a cupcake for B, some fresh bread for Greg, and pork from Dionne's. Love our Saturdays!
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Free Time
I got that little rare moment of a couple hours to myself...no kids...no responsibilities...no deadlines. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO! So I grabbed one of my magazines, headed down to Gypsy Beans and had the best little cup of nonfat latte. It was such a treat to grab a window seat, space out and just stare at the people walking on the sidewalk.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Bridget's 7th Birthday
If you're following this little blog of ours, you know that we don't celebrate birthdays in ordinary ways. We love trips. I will forego buying a new dress or shoes so that I can sock away travel money!
B had been asking for awhile to go to Disneyland (we love all things Disney) so we thought we would surprise her with a trip. I arranged for Meg to fly from Dayton to Cleveland so that she could take the CLE to LAX flight with us. Greg was already in LA for business. I had to figure out a way to "surprise" B because she is quite the savvy traveler. While she was sleeping the night before we left, I packed a weekend bag with both our clothes. I told her we had to go to the airport and take a suitcase to Greg because his boss was making him fly somewhere hot and he needed shorts and stuff. She believed the first lie.
Things started falling apart when we pulled in to the long-term parking. She asked if we were flying somewhere (because we always park in a certain long-term parking lot). I told her that the airport was under construction and short-term parking was destroyed (which was true). As we went through security, that's where the ruse got tougher to keep up. I wrote a note on the boarding passes so that the TSA guy wouldn't ask her questions and told him it was a surprise trip, but of course she asked why we had to go through security to get Greg his clothes. This was all NOT making sense to her!
But the best part was Meg, who had been hiding behind a column, jumped out to hug B and yelled "Happy Birthday!" We then told her she was going to Disneyland. B was more excited to see Meg and could have cared less about the trip! Lesson learned.
Even though it poured the whole time we were in Disney (yes, we brought the Cleveland weather with us - we always do!), we still had a magical time. We rode rides, enjoyed shows and just had fun as a family. I think our favorite dinner, though, was at Shabu Shabu....until B fell asleep in my lap from a long day at Disney.
We even managed to squeeze in a day at Laguna Beach (no LC or Lo, Brody or Steven sightings, darn it!).
Great trip for the birthday girl!
B had been asking for awhile to go to Disneyland (we love all things Disney) so we thought we would surprise her with a trip. I arranged for Meg to fly from Dayton to Cleveland so that she could take the CLE to LAX flight with us. Greg was already in LA for business. I had to figure out a way to "surprise" B because she is quite the savvy traveler. While she was sleeping the night before we left, I packed a weekend bag with both our clothes. I told her we had to go to the airport and take a suitcase to Greg because his boss was making him fly somewhere hot and he needed shorts and stuff. She believed the first lie.
Things started falling apart when we pulled in to the long-term parking. She asked if we were flying somewhere (because we always park in a certain long-term parking lot). I told her that the airport was under construction and short-term parking was destroyed (which was true). As we went through security, that's where the ruse got tougher to keep up. I wrote a note on the boarding passes so that the TSA guy wouldn't ask her questions and told him it was a surprise trip, but of course she asked why we had to go through security to get Greg his clothes. This was all NOT making sense to her!
But the best part was Meg, who had been hiding behind a column, jumped out to hug B and yelled "Happy Birthday!" We then told her she was going to Disneyland. B was more excited to see Meg and could have cared less about the trip! Lesson learned.
Even though it poured the whole time we were in Disney (yes, we brought the Cleveland weather with us - we always do!), we still had a magical time. We rode rides, enjoyed shows and just had fun as a family. I think our favorite dinner, though, was at Shabu Shabu....until B fell asleep in my lap from a long day at Disney.
We even managed to squeeze in a day at Laguna Beach (no LC or Lo, Brody or Steven sightings, darn it!).
Great trip for the birthday girl!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
What a Non-Swimmer Has Learned About Swimming
Things I've learned swimming:
1. I can blame my receding hairline on the swim cap. Yep, that's the story I'm using!
2. The batthing suit hides NOTHING. No matter how many times I pull or tug, the back fat remains.
3. Using a kick board is deflating...and super exhausting. All these years running and I never knew just how tired my legs could really feel.
4. Pool buoy should be considered an investment and not an expense. I used the Rec Center's pool buoy (free) and it's that hard styrofoam kind of material and it chafed my thighs...ouch!
5. I should have invested in a Lotion company and will start asking for bottles of Eucerin for Christmas.
6. I am not an amphibian. Breathing while immersed is not easy and I am amazed at how uncoordinated I feel at times trying to breathe.
7. Pay the extra for a good swimsuit. My Speedo Endurance has worn like iron and I love the straps.
8. Lastly, not every practice session will go well. It's a lot like running so I know not to get deterred.
15 weeks left and at least I knowi can swim 2,000 yards. I'm no Natalie Coughlin, but I'm getting a little better each week and really starting to enjoy being in the water.
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