Halloween Bash

We hosted our “Annual” Halloween Tot Bash on Sunday and had dozens of princesses, spiders, lions, superheroes and assorted animals running around. Even some parents dressed up and everyone looked great!

When I asked Sofia what she wanted to dress up as for Halloween she alternated between many responses, but she settled on Snow White. I had bought Sofia a Snow White costume a few months ago at a rummage sale, but it was too small for Sofia. Thanks to Craigslist we found a very cheap costume for Sofia too (nevermind the seller was a creepy old man).


Fiona White




“Jon and Kate” made up! Our friends Rob and Emma’s take on that wacky tabloid duo.



Random Pics
Sofia wanted to be Tinkerbell one day, so she wore a cute skirt my mom made her, which had hints of green, and she was satisfied.






Playing dress-up with friends

Pre-school Update
I read “Little Red Riding Hood” in Spanish during one of Sofia’s classes last week and she claimed to have “loved it.” I also had my first Parent-Teacher Conference last week with Sofia’s teachers. They both said she was very sweet and “a joy” to have in the classroom. They said she’s settled in well, but can be reserved. They’re hoping she makes friends and interacts more with the other kids. Sofia does very well in small groups or one-on-one, but lots of kids can overwhelm her. Although she seemed to have a great time during the party!

Sofia is also attending a class once a week at a Nature Center, and her teacher there thought she was a “pro” at pre-school. She said Sofia dances a lot! Both sets of teachers remarked on Sofia’s dexterity (like beading necklaces) and love of art.

In other “firsts”, we attended our first fundraiser for her school and Joe volunteered on grilling duty. We foresee many more such events and activities.

Oh, and finally, we went to a fun cider pressing/hay ride get-together a couple of weekends ago. Sofia rode the hayride with Edie.

Apple Picking and Fun Fest

We joined a few other Ohio City families to go apple picking at Patterson Farms on a beautiful, but brisk, Saturday morning.


Sofia enjoying an apple she picked


Waiting for a hayride to the Family Fun part


Sofia paints a pumpkin alongside Arman


Fiona drives a tractor


Sofia LOVES her ponies


Fiona’s first face painting…a black kitty


Finally, a family photo!

Other fun events
Well, Sofia thought it was fun…I took her to the dentist for a cleaning and she was excited. She did really well and got to take home stickers and faux bling. Fiona has her first appointment in six months, to coincide with Sofia’s next cleaning.

On Sunday, Sofia saw her first movie (ever!) in a movie theatre, and a double feature to boot; “Toy Story” and “Toy Story II” both in 3D. Joe took Sofia to the newly rehabbed Capitol Theatre during the Grand Opening weekend.

Hallmark Moment
After coming home from the park last night I was helping Sofia take off her jacket, but the zipper was stuck. She could tell I was frustrated so she said, “I’ll give you a big hug, Mommy, so you can be happy.” She really knows how to push my buttons! She also said, “I love you so much, Mommy.” Adorable! Her affection might have been due to the fact that I let her have a few Skittles, but I’ll take it.

Happy 18 Months Birthday, Fiona!

Fiona celebrated her 18th month birthday by peeing in the potty! She's been sitting on the potty for a few months now, but tonight she actually went. We're so proud of our little girl! Fiona, we love you sweetie!



Sofia White
Sofia insisted on wearing Fiona's Snow White costume and it fit!

New Adventures

Welcome Home!
Sofia came home over Labor Day weekend. She arrived with Nana and Papa and we spent a nice weekend with them. On one of those days we took the girls to the LakeFarm Park to visit with sheep, chickens, cows and ponies.


Sofia loves riding ponies. Fiona just wanted to eat one.

We also took a bike ride during that weekend. The girls rode in the bike trailer and Fiona tried hard to pull all of Sofia’s hair out. Hopefully they’ll get along better as they get older.


Love Fiona’s mischievous grin.

Random Pics
We went on a hike in the MetroParks one weekend with the usual suspects. It was a beautiful warm day.


Sofia, Mae, Nora and Fiona watch a horse (not pictured)

Later that day we spent the afternoon with Edie and her parents.


Sofia plays dress up with Edie.

First Week of Pre-School
Daddy took Sofia to her first day of school at Music Settlement and she had so much fun she went back.


On our way to her second day of school


Sofia and one of her teachers

Sofia went back the following week and we added a morning at Lake Erie Nature Center. She spent a couple of hours learning about cows and Fiona enjoyed the Metroparks with Fernanda.

In other news…

As I mentioned in our last post, my agency office moved downtown. I’m enjoying biking to work, with the exception of that tumble I took. It’s only two miles so it’s a quick ride. It's also been very nice to occasionally carpool with Joey and have lunch together without constant "mommy!! mommy!! daddeeee!" We also go to the same gym so we see each other a lot more.


Tower City formerly Terminal Tower or Cleveland Union Tower; until 1964 it was the tallest building outside of NYC.


The Brown’s Stadium is in the foreground and Lake Erie in the background.

Three Days and Counting

Yet again, the weeks have flown by and it's been almost three weeks since our last post. And in that time Sofia has been in Illinois visiting with family, but will be home in three days.

A quick recap...Sofia and I flew into Chicago on August 13th and she's primarily stayed with my parents, with a weekend or two with Nana and Papa Boyd. Sofia is having a wonderful time frequently playing with her cousins Cecily and Vincent; visiting various libraries with my mom (she LOVES books); going on walks and to the park; visiting Kiddieland and playing with her cousin Keira; concluding with a big birthday bash for her cousins Cecily and Vincent.

Joe and I call her every night and have Skyped a few times. She doesn't seem to miss us much, but I'm relieved that she told my mom once, "you'll miss me when I go home".

Nana and Papa will be bringing her back this weekend and spend a couple of days with us. Pre-school will begin in a couple of weeks, so it's the start of a brand new chapter.

We've spent great quality time with Fiona. I have to admit, it's much simpler having just one child! My plane trip with Sofia was a breeze and time with Fiona is so easy. I took Fiona for a jog in the Metroparks a couple of weekends ago and we visited the Great Lakes Science Center last weekend, aside from trips to the park and library.

Nonetheless I'm looking forward to having my little chatterbox home and to reading countless stories to a more appreciative audience (Fiona is getting a little better; she doesn't slap the book out of my hands immediately anymore).

Here are some random photos...

Joe got into the spirit of our annual yard sale by slapping a "price" on Fiona


Fiona found it hysterical


Last days of summer (three weeks ago!)...


My bookworm...future PhD?

In other news...
We have a serious flea infestation that's centered in our basement. I'm not sure how that happened since the cats, who typically live there, have spent most of the summer outside. Unfortunately it's become worse in the last couple of weeks and we decided to call an exterminator.

I haven't set foot in the basement since I was jumped by several fleas in the span of 10 seconds (from the bottom step to the deep freezer). Joe has diligently vacuumed and removed all carpeting and the cats' chaise lounge, but it hasn't abated. My poor cats have been relegated to the outside even as temperatures have dropped. We even gave them a bath (much needed after several years without one). I hope the new flea meds we gave them will help.

We'll continue to fight the fleas and keep you abreast of our struggle.

As for me, I spent last week in DC for a conference and it was a sweltering 90 degrees every day. It was nice to see some friends and to meet a friend's baby.

I started this week at our new office with great views of downtown Cleveland and Lake Erie. Pics to follow.

Sweet Home Chicago

It’s been too long since my last post so I apologize for the length of this update.

The latest, of course, was our trip to Chicago. I spent a week at the NCLR Conference and it was a great opportunity to catch up with friends I haven’t seen in years (in some cases since we moved to Cleveland) and to be a tourist in my great city. I stayed downtown and had the opportunity to run along the Lake every morning and stroll along Michigan Avenue. I took a few quick shots of some of my favorite sights.


Wrigley Building


Wacker Drive and the Chicago River

Family
The girls spent the week at Joe’s parents’ and had a great time. We also had an opportunity to visit with my family and Sofia enjoyed playing with cousins Vincent and Cecily.


Sofia got over her initial shyness and danced with Vincent.


Cecily joins in the fun

We were also in town in time to celebrate Joe and Nola’s 39th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations! And thanks for Joey!


We had dinner and took in a show at Drury Lane


We had a chance to watch Brian’s band “Sir Leo” play and to celebrate Brian’s birthday. Michelle embarrassed him by bringing a cake into a bar and having him blow out the candles. I think he lost some rock star cred.

We also made time to have a playdate with the Hernandez Family. On our way to the park we ran into the fire department demonstrating how to put out a fire. Sofia declined the offer to try, but Ale’s two boys gave it a shot.


Mati did a good job of putting out the "fire", while Emi waits his turn




Serge and Fiona

One of Joe’s friends, Mike, lives a few blocks away from Ale and Sergio and we went to visit his new baby, Jack. Fiona kept trying to touch the sleeping baby, but he woke up on his own (I swear!).

Random Pics
In the interim, since the last post, we also helped celebrate Edie’s third birthday at The Little Gym.






Sofia and Edie enjoy bday cupcakes

Weekly WOW




Oh, did I mention we went camping? Don't ask.

Happy Birthday, USA!

Well, I’m a little behind on posting pics of our 4th of July weekend, but here we go.

The Fourth started with rushing to beat the crowds (and the police blockade) and get VIP parking at the Barcelona’s for the Lakewood Parade. It was a beautiful morning and we laid out blankets and chairs and hung out with the kids and several of Rob and Emma’s friends and kids.

I didn’t really take photos of the parade (it was a little lackluster), but took some of the audience (namely my children).


I love that hat


Sofia’s starting to strike a pose now when I say “cheese”


Cora rocks on


Fiona’s turn in the seat…her nap was way over due

That evening we headed over to the W Family’s for fun on their deck and to wait for Cleveland’s fireworks.


This is an example of not letting kids play with fire. Sofia was pretty excited about holding her first sparkler, but didn’t heed our warning not to touch the end. I was trying to capture the huge smile she had and by the time I pressed the shutter she had touched the hot end, and as you can see wasn’t smiling anymore.


Watching the fireworks from the Shoreway


Sofia re-adjusts her earplugs. She likes the firework colors, but not the noisy booms

Other Events
We invited ourselves over to hobnob with Cleveland’s Mayor Jackson since he was at an informal event at a home a few blocks away. I convinced Fernanda to pose with him.




Sofia and Daddy flew her first kite at Edgewater on Sunday. It was a beautiful day.




Fiona and Abi watch Sofia fly the kite.