Max IS Walking!

So yesterday I spoke a little too soon.  I no more than posted a video of Max walking with his mower and he started walking!  What a stinker!

Jimmy Buffett

Earlier this week I was back in Cleveland to attend a Jimmy Buffett concert with my mother~in~law Connie, sister~in~law Dayna, her mother~in~law Mary and a couple cousins, Erica and Kim. We had a little TOO much fun :-)

Max Mowing

Max is so close to walking ~ could be any day now!

Stricker's Grove

We have finally been home in Cincinnati for about a week. And that meant we could start potty training again. I had Leah going pretty good at the start of the summer, except she had some pooping issues. Her pediatrician suggested that we stop what we were doing, clean her out and start again in a few weeks. So those few weeks passed and we started our training the first day we were home. We have had a ton of success! Leah has no problems using the potty ~ whether it be a little potty, and toddler ring or just the 'big girl' potty itself. She has been telling us when she needs to go, and we keep a potty in the car at all times. But, those pooping issues are back and I am convinced that she is just being stubborn!  (I will only post her first 'pee pee in the potty' pic and not the poo poo ~ but I do have it!)

I had read about a place called Stricker's Grove over in Ross. It is a small amusement park and it is only open to the public a few times a year. Fortunately it was open all last week which meant I had a little ammunition. And sure enough, it worked. As soon as I told Leah that if she pooped in the potty we would go, she ran to the bathroom and went!

 

Stricker's Grove is a great place to take children. It has some smaller rides for the likes of Max, medium rides for Leah and a few bigger rides for older children, including two roller coasters. We hope we can get back one more time this summer when it is open to the public again in August.

Staying Cool

Crocker Park is a shopping area by my parents house and in the middle there is a playground and splash pad.  I take any opportunity of an open swing for Max and Leah wanted to splash in the water.  A perfect way to cool off! 

The video of Leah is a little hard to watch ~ I forgot to zoom in!


Later in the week we took Leah and Max to the Rocky River pool.  I hadn't been there since they remodeled the pool, and it was awesome!  It certainly is geared towards children, including a family slide!

Memphis Kiddie Park

While we were in Cleveland we took the kids to Memphis Kiddie Park ~ twice.  Last year it was perfect for Leah and she loved riding all of the rides.  But this year it seemed too 'young' for her since we have been to both Kings Island and Cedar Point earlier in the summer.  But regardless, Leah had a great time and the rides were perfect for Max!  Memaw and Hippa loved taking them on the Carousel and Train!

4th of July

Conneaut

While we were in Cleveland for 2+ weeks, we went out to Conneaut to visit Pat's family during the middle weekend.  It also happened to be the weekend of the 4th of July, so we enjoyed a parade, a carnival and family picnic.  We were able to go out on 'Grandpa's Boat' in 'Grandpa's Lake."  Leah and Max also got to meet their newest cousins, Alyssa and Carissa, and 2nd cousin (or something like that!) Jeff.  Leah and Max enjoyed riding in Grandpa's tractor ~ even daddy got to drive.  Leah tried to drive but fortunately the keys were nowhere to be found!

Jamie Lindsey Photography

My sister~in~law Jamie has started her own photography business, Jamie Lindsey Photography, and I am always excited when she is able to take some pictures of Leah and Max.  Here are a few recent favorites.  The third child is my niece Addison.  Thanks Jamie for the great pics!

Five Years of Wedded Bliss!

This year Pat and I celebrated our five-year anniversary! Those five years just flew by! We have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time with the obvious being two beautiful children, Leah and Max. Each year Pat has given me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers similar to my wedding flowers, and this year was no different, even though we were spending our special day out of town. Pat even got me a 'wedding top' cake just like we had on our wedding day and first year anniversary! As Pat calls it, it has been 'five years of wedded bliss!'