December Fun

Yes, there is a giant Minnie Mouse in our front yard, but we still don't know who installed it... some neighborhood elves?!

And there's Elcie from around the block, who actually looks a lot like Nina.

Finally, Nina just being so silly with the empty stockings. Crazy girl.

Christmas Party

Nina was eagerly anticipating the Christmas party at the club, so it was very easy to get her all dressed up in her holiday finest. She still didn't want to sit with Santa, but loved decorating a cookie, getting face and arm painted, getting balloon animals, having a yummy dinner and even going on a carriage ride with Nanna and Papa. Now for the countdown until Christmas day!

Silly Nina

These days Nina has mastered the goofy grin of a girl up to no good. Here she is on the plane to Houston, leading our nature walk, playing piano with Uncle Joshua, singing in her new sweater, decked out for a stroller ride and dressing up at school.

Nina 2015

The video montage is complete! Hard to believe how much she grows in just a year... You'll need the link because the video is not public: https://youtu.be/pUL6Gw7y_CQ

Fall Outings

Nina has been very busy the past couple weeks. Nanna took her shopping for party shoes, Nina showed Andrew all the fun equipment at Swaim Park, and she got to ride a new carousel at Smale Park downtown.

Andrew and I visited Nina at school for breakfast in the sukkah, and then I finally got some one-on-one time with Nina at the pumpkin patch, playground and even flying a kite in the backyard. She is enjoying fall to the fullest!

Before and After Andrew

Monday, October 3, 2016 was a perfect day: Nina and I went to the zoo, I got my nails done, and that night had a baby!

Fortunately Andrew's arrival didn't interrupt Nina's schedule, so she got to meet him on Tuesday after school. She loved the shiny silver shoes and purple Minion towel that Andrew "gave" to her, and she seemed pretty interested in her new baby brother. Actually, she was very interested in all the gadgets in the hospital room.

Once we got home she thought she should try out his carseat - silly Nina! Luckily she doesn't recognize it as her old carseat.

From my point of view life before Andrew was great, and after his arrival it has only gotten better. I hope that Nina feels pretty much the same.

Active Toddler

Well, there is definitely a theme to Nina's free time: playing! We were at Swaim Park again last weekend, and then had a blast at Summit's Fall Festival.

Nina was scared of the giant bounce house at first, but once she did it she kept going back again and again. The snow cone and face paint were also a hit (sorry, no photos of those). I'm just glad that she keeps her little side ponytail so her hair actually stays out of her face while she's romping about.

Just Having Fun

The last two weekends have been great for playing outside, so that's what we did. Over Labor Day weekend we went to three different playgrounds and the "playscape" at the Cincinnati Nature Center. This weekend Nina played at Mommy's "work" and then spent a rainy afternoon at the library (trying out some headphones at the computer).

We also tried posing for a back-to-school photo... on Sunday morning after coming home from the playground. Nina insisted on trying to help sweep the patio, and finally was willing to pose while holding Doggie. It will have to do.

Playground Fun

Last weekend Nina just did not want to take off her PJs, so off we went to the playground anyway. A couple days later we found a "new" playground near her school with a see-saw and great climbing equipment, even a clean sandbox! Lots of fun in the sun.

Sumper Camp at the J

Nina continued going to the J all summer, where it's a more relaxed environment and swimming (splashing) every day. You can see Nina exploring all areas of interest... art, math, pretend play and of course, swimming. It was a long hot summer, but she loved being with her friends and a couple new fantastic teachers.

Michigan, Week 2

After Chris left with Nanna and Papa we had a couple days to ourselves before Ra-Ra joined us at the cottage.

Nina loved riding the tractor at Pond Hill Farm, became an expert bubble maker and kite flyer with gifts from Ra-Ra, rode on the ferry to Mackinac Island, and had lots of playtime at the new "river" by the beach. Hot and sunny, rainy, windy or cloudy... every day was another adventure!

Michigan, Week 1

After a pretty easy 10-hour drive to Harbor Springs we settled right in to vacation mode at the cottage with Nanna and Papa. The Fourth of July parade was entertaining as always, and Nina quickly fell in love with all aspects of life in northern Michigan: playing at the beach, shopping and dining in Petoskey and Harbor Springs, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, and indulging in cookies, ice cream and fudge!