Summer's in Full Swing

The summer brings busy weekends full of fun festivals, afternoons with friends, food, music and occasionally running.

This year marked the first Annual Kids' Dash as part of the Ohio City 5K Run N Crawl.  I was excited that my suggestion for a Kids Run was taken and I helped recruit some volunteers for the race.  We had about 35 kids ranging in ages from 3-7 years old participate.

The Starting Line

Sofia runs along friend Graham (Ashley designed the great-looking t-shirts!)



Earlier that day we joined NWIS for a "meet and greet" picnic at Fairview Park.  Many of the new students were in attendance and posed for a photo.

Among the other fun outings so far, included "Parade the Circle", weekly concerts at Wade Oval Wednesdays (WOW), a visit to Rocky River Beach, a Family Fun Walk at the Cleveland Zoo, a weeklong Pony Camp for Sofia and...Backyard Camping!

Parade the Circle with the Bongornos'

Those adorable pink boots came in handy during Pony Camp.

Fiona rolling in the sand (though it looks a little muddy).

Beatles Solstice Party and Backyard Camping

During our Mexican vacation Jen, Molly and I came up with a number of party ideas and one of them was a Summer Solstice celebration and a Beatles-music themed party.  We decided to combine both ideas and Jen graciously offered to host it.  In addition they offered to host this year's Backyard Camping, which we hosted last year.  There weren't too many takers to actually camp out this year, but we did!  As did a few other brave souls.

Jen, Ashley and Case

A small sample of the dozens of kids at the party

Sofia, Edie and Fiona hang out

"How old are you?"

Ready for storytime and bed!

I won't even tell you what time they actually fell asleep.

Sophie and Fiona curl up

Morning After

Breakfast of Champions!

Thanks O'Learys for a fun, albeit it exhausting night!  Great music and excellent company.  Next post I'll include more photos from the Kids' Dash and the "dance contest"  that Joe organized and coached Sofia to dance to Lady Gaga's "Poker Face."  

(School) Year End Celebrations

Ballet Recital

Sofia performed a couple of weeks ago in her first ballet recital.  She wore an adorable pink costume and did a wonderful job!  She was a great dancer and seemed to enjoy her moment in the limelight.  

After the performance we gave Sofia a pretty bouquet of sunflowers.  It was way past Fiona's bedtime as you can see from the photo.

And I relented and let her wear a little lipgloss given the other five-year olds had on eye makeup as well.

Random Fun Photos

We spent a couple of days in Detroit and visited the Detroit Zoo.  The girls loved the train ride and the 3D/4D "Dora and Diego" movie.  Most of the animals were hiding in the shade since it was incredibly hot, so we didn't see too many of them.  Still it was a very nice zoo and a fun trip.  The girls also had lots of fun at the hotel pool.

Not to be outdone (Cleveland) we visited the new Elephant Exhibit.  You've all seen pictures of elephants, so I'll just include a rare photo of mommy and the girls.

We've been enjoying the stone patio more this summer by getting new patio set and a South Beach Miami feel (hence the white curtains).

Kuz, who was diagnosed with diabetes in March, is finally on the mend.  She had lost a lot of weight and we weren't able to get the diabetes under control, but it seems we've found the correct dose.  She's also put on a couple of pounds.  Unfortunately her hind legs are weak and she might not regain her normal muscle control.

Sofia's PreK Graduation

Sofia graduated from preschool in a moving ceremony to mark the end of the Inclusion Classroom she attended this past year.  The kids sang a few songs and Ms. Beth invited alumns and a former St. Ignatius volunteer who has since finished college and will be a teacher thanks to his experience in that classroom.  We're very fortunate that Sofia had such a great teacher and priceless experience.  Thankfully, this summer both girls will be attending camp with Ms. Beth and her great team of "camp counselors".



Next up...photos from Pony Camp!