Cleveland Boyds: July 2013

Well, I started this in Leon, three weeks ago, when I had some time. And yet I still didn't have time to finish. I'm just going to post what I started and come back again soon!

I'm going to try to stay current with the blog again, for those few loyal readers!

Here's some highlights, month-by-month, from the winter months.

January/February

Princesses on Ice
The girls resumed school and ice skating lessons, culminating in a Princess on Ice show in which they starred.

Sofia's wearing a black hat and Fiona a pink hat.

The Ice-scapade was held in 18 degree weather and the kids performed without jackets. They were troopers and Fiona, who hadn't bothered to participate in practice sessions, but a few times, followed the routine.

Obama's Inauguration
We celebrated Obama's Second Term by watching his inauguration. Four years ago I had canvassed door-to-door with Fiona in the Ergo, and here we are again!

Skiing!
Unfortunately global warming is definitely real since we only had a few days of snowfall in Cleveland and then it didn't last very long. We took advantage one day and went cross-country skiing.

Sofia's attempt at downhill skiing

Dinner Club! Gangsta Style
We hosted dinner club by having a Murder Mystery Theme. The setting was a 1920's speakeasy in which a major crime figure was murdered. One-by-one (of the guests) was killed off until the first murderer was unmasked. It was a great time, even if have the time we had no idea what was going on.

March

Sofia's Poetry Show

Sofia did very well in her class's poetry recital. She practiced for months, remembering her parts in three different poems.

Maple Sugaring

We continued our annual tradition (second year in a row!) and went maple sugaring. The girls tried on the buckets that kids their age would have helped carry to their village. Cleveland's climate allows for some great maple production and we saw how trees are tapped and how the sugar water is turned into maple syrup.

Sofia learns to ride a two-wheeler!
It was a beautiful afternoon so after eating some pancakes with Cleveland maple sugar Sofia tried riding her two-wheeler. After many attempts, on the grass to cushion any falls, she felt a little more confident to try it on the asphalt path. I ran alongside her, holding on lightly to the back of her bike. She stopped wobbling enough for me to begin to let go from time to time and began running faster until she took off on her own. She went up and down the path, grinning from ear to ear, proud of her achievement. I was very happy and proud and tried not to cry.

Fiona practiced on the balance bike and go the hang of it as well. She'll be ready for a two-wheeler in no time!

Fiona's Birthday

Fiona turned five! She got a double dose of fun since we threw her, and her classmates, a party at Pump it Up! The bouncy houses are always a hit. The following weekend we went to Illinois and she celebrated her actual birthday in St. Charles. We invited her cousins, of course, plus some special friends and their kids. Everyone had a great time and lots of popcorn and Tres Leches cake was consumed.