Cincinnati 2016

Only a few months late, but here's a recap of our weekend Cincy trip we took back in June:

We seemingly have started a tradition to visit our Cincinnati friends every other year (and on the years we don't visit, they come down to Nashville to see us).

It had been tricky coordinating a trip up to visit them this year, what with Justin's crazy every-other-weekend work schedule, their schedule and crazy life, and a newborn baby thrown into the mix.

Then in early June, I got a random call from our friend asking if we were free to come up to visit that weekend.  Somehow, that happened to be the only weekend we were free anyway, and so up we went to Cincy just a few days later!

It was a supershort visit, but a fun one nonetheless.

We started our trip with lunch with Ann, a friend who moved back to Cincinnati from  Nashville a few years ago.  It was great catching up, and I'm glad we were able to squeeze in a quick visit!

Afterwards, the kiddos were ready to reunite with people their own size, so onward we went.  The original plan was to head to a Reds game, but the tickets were sold out (which was a blessing since it rained anyway).  Instead, we walked around a bit and hung out at a cool park for a little while before the downpour.

The kids also enjoyed their first real sleepover (in the past, the kids slept with us in the guestroom).  We could hear the giggling coming from the kids' room, but the boys still managed to conk out relatively quickly.  The girls, though, were up wayyyy past their bedtime telling stories and just catching up.  It was great, though, seeing how young friends who only see each other once a year could still have so much to say to each other!

The boys fast asleep and the girls wide awake.

The next day, we went to Mass and walked around Xavier University.  Xavier, of course, loved seeing his name and all of the Xes on campus!

We went back to their house to have a scrumptious brunch with some other former Nashvillian-turned-Cincinattian friends.  It was great catching up with everyone and seeing all of the kiddos running around and playing with each other.

We left just before another downpour and decided to stop in Louisville for a little bit just because we could.  We splashpad-ed and quadbiked and found a yummy Indian restaurant for dinner before heading back home.

It was a great weekend spent with friends!  Can't wait to catch up with them again, whenever that may be!

Lissie's Busy May

May is typically a busy time of year for any kid, what with the rapid winding down of the school year and all of the fun end-of-year activities that come with it.

For Lissie, May was super busy for the same reason.  One particular week, though, was extra chaotic and crazy with the hustle and bustle of both her pre-K graduation, her first ballet recital (and dress rehearsal prior), on top of Daddy's birthday thrown into the mix.

It's still hard for me to believe that Lissie graduated from pre-K and that she will be a super big kindergartener in the fall.  No longer will she be just across the hall from me in her preschool.  Popping in to say hello or simply to peek in to see how she's doing will be a thing of the past.  I've seen her grow leaps and bounds while she's been at school - she's come out of her shy shell more and more and she has become so sweet and kind and has learned an incredible amount in such a short time.  I know she's ready for kindergarten and all that it entails. I also know that it will be hard for me to let go.

Surprisingly, I didn't cry at her graduation, although I probably would have if I wasn't distracted by how thrilled she was to be up there with all of her sweet friends.  I love that her class was not only so small but had all girls, and they all became such great friends.

Getting her diploma from Ms. Kelly

Performing her song.

Best Friends

Ms. Nicki had Lissie for two years,
and she gave her the most thoughtful medallion
that was absolutely perfect for Lissie. 

We're so lucky that Ms. Danielle goes to our pool -
Lissie is thrilled to still be able to see her teacher
throughout the summer!

And, oh my.  Ballet.  I was never into dance, so I wasn't ever intending for Lissie to take it.  But she had begged me for a while, so I signed up for a giveaway for free dance classes last summer.  I won them, and she loves them.  I was surprised since she didn't know anyone at first, and she was so shy in the beginning.  But, boy, did she come into her own throughout the year.  In fact, even I was shocked by her commanding stage presence and sheer glee of being in front of a crowd!  It was awesome to watch, and you can bet she wants to do it again in the fall!

After her recital, we celebrated with a family meal at Loveless Cafe.  Yum!

Congrats on everything, Lissie!  You never cease to amaze me.  As much as I'm going to miss you when you start kindergarten in the fall, I have no doubt that you are going to do some pretty incredible things with yourself, and I can't wait to watch!

Dear Xavier - Four Years

We had crab legs, at your request, for your birthday dinner.

Dear Xavier,

How can it be that you're four now?  A big boy for sure.  You hate being in your sister's shadow and so you insist on doing everything that she does, sometimes much to her chagrin.  You also refuse to let anyone call you little, even though you are the smallest (yet oldest) kid in your class.

You're also the child who gives me the most anxiety.  You're my wandering child who loves to explore and who has never had a problem approaching just anybody for a free hug.  Yep, you're always finding ways to get yourself into trouble - like the Lego incident when it got stuck in your mouth when we told you not to put it in there to begin with.  Because if something is off-limits, it becomes all the more intriguing to you.

But, at the same time, you're also oh, so loving.  I melt every time you randomly come up to me just to tell me you love me or when you just slip your hand in mine.  And, seriously, your hugs are just the best.  They are so squeeze-able and tight, it's no wonder you love to give them away to anyone who happens to be near.

You can still give me a good tantrum, though, but it seems you save the best ones for me.  Like all three (now four!)-year-olds, rationalizing with you can be tricky, and you always have to be right and this can lead to some difficult situations.

But you're definitely growing up.  You're so smart and active and always willing to learn.  You pay attention to everything and you ask oh, so many questions!

We spent your fourth birthday camping for the first time with friends.  You had a blast, except when Lissie decided to play with her friend instead of you.  That feeling of being left out was a difficult one for you to grasp, and it took you a while to recover from being hurt.  But you did love all of the camping food (yum, s'mores!) and sleeping in a tent, even during a thunderstorm.

We ended your birthday with a feast, at your request: Lola's pancit, butterfly shrimp, and crab legs.  And an ice cream cake of your choice to top it off!  Whew!

You are just so uniquely you, and it's so hard for me to express exactly what that means.

Some of your loves:

• Swimming
• Your sister
• One-on-one time with mommy or daddy
• Riding your bike
• Ninja Turtles (despite never having seen the show/movie)
• All things turtles
• Playing games
• Food
• Cooking with mommy

Some of your dislikes:

• Not getting your way
• Not having all of the attention
• Being left out
• Being called "small" or "too little" to do something
• Being wet (hating any type of wet clothing - you need to change immediately after swimming)

Stay sweet and hug-able forever.

Love always,

Mommy

And, as always, our yearly interview:

And some pics taken throughout the year:

Turtles are your fave.

More turtles.

Mangia is your favorite restaurant.

Eating out is seriously your favorite hobby

Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!

Swimming is your favorite.

Your signature cheesy grin

This is typical, silly you.

The birthday boy with Father Bala, who baptized you only a few days after your birth.