Maya and my sis
Checking out the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra before the ballet started
In front of the cool ceiling lights at the Aronoff Center
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Nutcracker Ballet
Today, my sister came up from Frankfort to go to the Nutcracker Ballet with me and Maya.
Maya and my sis
Checking out the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra before the ballet started
Maya and my sis
Checking out the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra before the ballet started
Friday, December 18, 2009
Zombie Walk
Heading out for a winter walk in our neighborhood to "search for zombies." We found lots of evidence of the zombie apocalypse sprawled all over the ground in neighbors' yards -- crumpled up Homer & Bart Simpson, crumpled santas, a crumpled snowman, crumpled penguins, and even a crumpled Grinch.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Win-Win
We had an interesting game of Monopoly Jr unfold yesterday. As per the rules, we all started with the same amount of cash in hand at the beginning of the game. We all used the same strategy -- buy any & every property you land on so you can rake in the rent payments. The only variable was the roll of the dice.
After the first couple of passes around the board, I had happened to land on the majority of properties and was sitting back collecting money way quicker than I was spending it. Seth was in the middle and his trips around the board were hit or miss -- sometimes coming out a bit ahead, sometimes behind but fairly close to even. Riley was not so lucky. The first couple of trips around the board he seemed to land on everything except property to buy. After Seth and I had most of the property, most of Riley's turns ended up costing him rent to one or the other of us, and his money dwindled quickly.
When Riley got down to his last dollar and landed on my property, which rented for $3, Seth piped up and said, "I don't want to play this as a win-lose game." I asked him what he suggested we do. He said he had plenty of extra money, and just gave Riley some. "You have even more, ya know, Mom." So I gave him a handful. Then Seth decided to sell Riley one of his properties and I sold him a couple, and everyone was able to stay in the game as we continued to play.
Ewww -- pay no attention to the messy kitchen in the background. We had better things to do than housework, apparently. (See foreground)
After the first couple of passes around the board, I had happened to land on the majority of properties and was sitting back collecting money way quicker than I was spending it. Seth was in the middle and his trips around the board were hit or miss -- sometimes coming out a bit ahead, sometimes behind but fairly close to even. Riley was not so lucky. The first couple of trips around the board he seemed to land on everything except property to buy. After Seth and I had most of the property, most of Riley's turns ended up costing him rent to one or the other of us, and his money dwindled quickly.
When Riley got down to his last dollar and landed on my property, which rented for $3, Seth piped up and said, "I don't want to play this as a win-lose game." I asked him what he suggested we do. He said he had plenty of extra money, and just gave Riley some. "You have even more, ya know, Mom." So I gave him a handful. Then Seth decided to sell Riley one of his properties and I sold him a couple, and everyone was able to stay in the game as we continued to play.
Ewww -- pay no attention to the messy kitchen in the background. We had better things to do than housework, apparently. (See foreground)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
It's Starting To Look and Feel Like Christmas Here
Cold, grey, & dark outside, warm and twinkly in the house.
I'm thinking it's about time to add the smell of cookies baking.
I'm thinking it's about time to add the smell of cookies baking.
Monday, December 7, 2009
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Saturday, December 5, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday Gratitude
Well, here we are at the final Wednesday Gratitude day and I'm thinking I *really* wish I had written mine out earlier in the week before all the news yesterday and today about carrying on with the whole War is Peace thing. Yeah, we all knew it was coming, but don't you just like that in-between time where you can hang on to a shred of hope that something will be done to turn the old Business as Usual on it's head?!
1. I'm thankful we'll be in Chicago next week when the official War is Peace speech/advertisement is supposed to happen. Glad I'll be somewhere where I can find people gathering together to speak out, even though I'm pretty sure the decider types don't listen.
2. I'm thankful to be spending today and tomorrow baking & cooking with Matt & Ri & Maya & Seth.
3. I'm thankful that for the last several years we've been leaving behind old holiday traditions that were stressing everyone out and creating our own happier traditions.
4. I'm thankful that things like Farm Sanctuary exist and that "our" adopted turkey gets to live there.
5. I'm thankful for the shift in mood that a little gratitude brings. Thank you, Clint, for the idea and Clint, Frank, Sandra, Lisa, and everyone else who has played along. Loved reading all of your posts each week!
1. I'm thankful we'll be in Chicago next week when the official War is Peace speech/advertisement is supposed to happen. Glad I'll be somewhere where I can find people gathering together to speak out, even though I'm pretty sure the decider types don't listen.
2. I'm thankful to be spending today and tomorrow baking & cooking with Matt & Ri & Maya & Seth.
3. I'm thankful that for the last several years we've been leaving behind old holiday traditions that were stressing everyone out and creating our own happier traditions.
4. I'm thankful that things like Farm Sanctuary exist and that "our" adopted turkey gets to live there.
5. I'm thankful for the shift in mood that a little gratitude brings. Thank you, Clint, for the idea and Clint, Frank, Sandra, Lisa, and everyone else who has played along. Loved reading all of your posts each week!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Highfield Discovery Garden
These are from a few weeks ago. Matt and Riley were away for the day on a skatepark trip. Maya, Seth and I spent an afternoon at the Highfield Discovery Garden at Glenwood Gardens in Cincinnati.
Seth's new joy: saying, "Mom, come take a picture!" Then running away just before I snap the picture.
Scavenger Hunt
Seth's new joy: saying, "Mom, come take a picture!" Then running away just before I snap the picture.
Scavenger Hunt
Spotting fish and frogs in the pond
In the center of a spiral pathway
Seth's picture posing trickery again! Look at that *joy*! Love it!!!
Seth's picture posing trickery again! Look at that *joy*! Love it!!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday Gratitude
A few of the things I'm thankful for:
1. All of the new things we've gotten to see and do and learn about this week in Baltimore and D.C. -- the museums, the aquarium, the metro, the harbor, the parks. And I'm thankful that we get to do those kinds of things when there aren't big crowds.
2. I'm not usually thankful for my Kentucky accent, but this week we got to meet and chat with several people because of it -- must have really stood out here! One was surprised that we live in KY but don't own any horses. Another was surprised that our grass is not really blue. If anyone was surprised that we were wearing shoes, they were too nice to say so! ;-)
3. For learning that sounds like "Oooooh, look at this!" or "Hey, check this out!"
4. For candy -- because of general yummy goodness & because something so simple can make such a huge difference on a mile-long walk with tired kids at the end of the day.
5. For some upcoming down time with no plans.
1. All of the new things we've gotten to see and do and learn about this week in Baltimore and D.C. -- the museums, the aquarium, the metro, the harbor, the parks. And I'm thankful that we get to do those kinds of things when there aren't big crowds.
2. I'm not usually thankful for my Kentucky accent, but this week we got to meet and chat with several people because of it -- must have really stood out here! One was surprised that we live in KY but don't own any horses. Another was surprised that our grass is not really blue. If anyone was surprised that we were wearing shoes, they were too nice to say so! ;-)
3. For learning that sounds like "Oooooh, look at this!" or "Hey, check this out!"
4. For candy -- because of general yummy goodness & because something so simple can make such a huge difference on a mile-long walk with tired kids at the end of the day.
5. For some upcoming down time with no plans.
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