Adventures with Nick and Sally » Life Lyn Style

Preschool Visit Day

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May 182012

Wednesday, I dropped Sally off at a friend’s house and took Nick to his preschool mini visit. We signed him up for preschool a couple of months back. This visit was to meet the teachers, other kids, and play.

He loved the “How Does a Butterfly Grow” poster since we currently have chrysalises in a habitat ready to hatch. Actually, one became a butterfly today. He also loves trains. So, he didn’t waste any time in getting some track put together.

He also enjoyed a couple of puzzles before it was time to clean up.

He’s one happy kid!

I purposely didn’t take photos of the other kids, but rest assured that he met a few new friends and had a blast! I was surprised to find out that the director had recently left and they are currently searching for one. Luckily, the teachers have been around for years and seem to have it all under control.

I’m hoping that maybe with a change in management, we can have healthier snacks. Currently, the snacks are cookies, crackers, Goldfish and the like. I’d love to see blueberries, grapes and orange slices. I don’t mind Nick having other things once in a while, but I don’t want preschool to be exciting because there is a yummy snack. They probably don’t even need a snack since they are only there for 3 hours.

We opted to keep Nick home this year, so when he starts preschool in September, he’ll be one year away from kindergarten. With his playroom time at the gym, visits to museums and other activities, I think he’ll do just fine with one year of preschool.

Now, I just hope he’s 100% potty trained by September!

Friends Forever

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May 162012

Our Saturday night ended with dinner with friends. Our visitors from Italy were in the states for 5 weeks. They left to go back to Rome on Monday, but not before we got together one last time.

We ended up with 5 couples/families getting together. The fun part is that I went to high school and in some cases junior high with them. It really awesome to have friends that I’ve known for 25 + years.

We’ve traveled the world, went to college, married, divorced, moved a way, moved back, had kids, etc. and we are all still friends. I am blessed with many wonderful people in my life.

I didn’t take many photos, but here are a few to share.

It was a beautiful day for the deck. Nick and Sally loved running around the yard.

We enjoyed grilled chicken. A checked out the corn hole game. Sally blew bubbles.

Aaron had never heard of corn hole. I guess it became popular after he left for Africa. We didn’t stay for the game, but I heard that they didn’t let him win his inaugural game.

Thanks to our wonderful hosts. Let’s not wait so long to get together again.

Cheers to friends!

A Mother’s Day Eve visit with Great Grandma

May 152012

After our trip to the Farmers’ Market and hiking on Saturday, we picked up lunch and visited with my parents. Once lunch was over, we headed over to my grandma’s house. Nick and Sally were very excited to see Angel (the dog). Grandma spent a few weeks in Florida and this was our first visit since her return.

It was a beautiful day, so we played outside.

The balls needed air, Stephen was happy to help. It’s so fun that Nick and Sally really know their Great-Grandma.

It’s also fun that she’s willing and able to toss a ball with them and play.

There were smiles all around.

Uncle Frank stopped by too. Here’s a great photo of Nick and Sally with him.

I also snapped this shot of my brother with Grandma.

It was such a great visit!

Spree For All–part one

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May 142012

9 years ago, the Metro Parks Serving Summit County started a program called the Spree For All. It was somewhat modeled after the Fall Hiking Spree. But, this program is on level trails and is intended for everyone. So, it’s perfect for strollers, wheelchairs and everything in between. This year, we thought we would do it with the kids.

On Saturday, we headed to the Everett Covered Bridge after we left the Farmers’ Market. This bridge is near where Stephen and I were married. We even had a few wedding photos taken here. So, our visit brought back great memories.

Nick and Sally really enjoyed checking it out.

It was such a beautiful day for a walk.

The Spree for All hikes are all 1 mile or less. There are turn around symbols at 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2. This enables everyone to pick their distance. It also makes it easy to do with the kids. Many of the trails are close together so we can do a short walk, take a break and drive to another park and do another hike.

After the covered bridge. We stopped at the Ira Trailhead of the Towpath Trail.

Nick was super excited to tell me all about the pit toilets and how they work. He’s pointing out where they get pumped out. Soon, we were on our way to the trail.

Nick and Sally weren’t thrilled with the number of dogs on the trail, but they were very happy when we arrived at the turn around.

On the way back to the car, we stopped to check out one of the old locks. Stephen took the opportunity to explain the lock system to Nick.

Life is full of teachable moments. Our Spree for All hikes were no exception.

We need to hike 5 trails to complete the spree. I’m hoping to finish it up on our next trip to Akron.

World Culture Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

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May 082012

On Saturday, the family headed down to the World Cultural Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. We always try to arrive right at 10AM (or opening time) when we go to events like this. We were running a bit behind, but we were inside and checked in by 10:15AM.

We’ve been to events like this at the museum before. They are always well done.

We started out in the photo booth. Then, volunteers helped get the passports started. We stopped at some of the booths like this Mexican one (where the kids signed up to hit the piñata).

There was an animal encounter with a opossum. Nick and Sally made masks.

They made twirling puppets. These volunteers were so patient with the kids.

They also tried their hand at origami.

Nick picked out Medusa and Sally picked out a lady bug for their face painting. They both sat so still.

They both took a shot at breaking open the piñata.

After the pinata finally was broke open, we let them each grab three pieces of candy. It was almost 11:30AM and time for entertainment in the auditorium. We enjoyed a drumming group and a couple of dancing group. Then, it was time to head home. But, Nick was determined to get all 10 stamps in his passport and Stephen helped him accomplish that while I grabbed a snack. By 12:20AM, we were on the road back home.

It was a great event. When our kids are older and nap time isn’t such a big deal, it will be even more fun to go to things like this.

Lake Farmpark with our friends from Italy

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May 052012

Our friends are still visiting from Italy. We’re so glad they were able to come for 5 weeks this year. On Wednesday, they met us at Lake Farmpark.

Nick and Sally hung out at the solar tracker while we waited for everyone to gather. The first stop was a wagon ride.

We rode down to see the animals. There were still some babies. But many of them are already growing up.

It was fun to see the girls getting along. Jeanne posed for a photo with the little one. For the first time, I visited the stables. I’m not sure why I didn’t realize they were there sooner. We watched this horse get a bath. He wasn’t thrilled.

Outside we stopped to look at more animals before heading up to the main building. We were a few minutes early for the cow milking, so we stopped in the playroom.

The old kids climbed up the bleachers and waited for the milking. Nick tried it, but the other two weren’t interested.

Little kids that walk together holding hands always makes me smile. Regardless of exhibits, Nick and Sally are most happy with dirt.

The little one has the most beautiful eyes.

It was fun to spend the day with our friends. We ended our outing with dinner at Red Robin. All in all, it was a successful day.

Adventures of Flat Stanley–part 3, the final installment

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May 032012

April 20 – Flat Stanely went to see the Green Dream at Beachwood Community Center. First, he stopped by the welcome table for a photo. He enjoyed a smoothie sample at one of the booths.

He shared an orange creamsicle cupcake from The Mobile Cupcakery. He stopped by the Junion Achievement booth. They gave him a nice clear bag with handles.

He spun the wheel at the Chick-fil-A booth. He won a free chicken sandwich.

April 21 – He went to a Caring Cubs event at Whole Foods. He learned about eating the colors of the rainbow. He also played a matching game about the food groups.

He really liked the cheese station. He got to make his very own cheese person out of pretzels and cheese.

He painted flowers using celery to make designs. He finished up learning about healthy plates and then drew his own.

April 22 – He went to Earth Fest at the Cleveland Zoo to celebrate Earth Day. He really liked dancing to the accordion music. He stopped by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad booth and found out about their bike and ride options.

He loved the model of the rocket ship at the NASA booth. It was cold and dreary, but Nick and Sally still had fun taking him climbing rocks.

He especially liked trying a green smoothie at the Vitamix booth. He bought me a Vitamix before he left town.

May 2 – With all of the photos printed and put into a book, it was time to pack Flat Stanley in his travel box.

We dropped him off at the post office. He should be visiting my nephew’s classroom by Friday or Monday.

We had a great time having Flat Stanley visit. It was kind of like being on vacation. So, now we’re getting back to reality.

Adventures of Flat Stanley–part 2

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May 022012

If you missed part 1, you can read it here.

April 18 – Flat Stanley visited the Mayfield Heights library. He hung out in the display shelf with some friends. He was super excited to find a book all about himself. He checked it out to share with Nick and Sally.

After the library visit, he went to Heinen’s. He picked out more delicious fruit. He really liked riding in the shopping carts.

He also stocked up on carrots and broccoli.

Later that day, he went to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. He was excited to meet Miss Amanda. He ate dinner with us in the break room and played with Sally.

He enjoyed the archeological dig display in the Smead Discovery room. He decided it would be fun to get buried.

April 19 – He went back to the JCC for a kettlebell workout and he did a strength training workout with Jen the trainer.

After nap time, he returned to the JCC for his swim lesson. His favorite skill was the back float. He also loved testing out his plastic bag swim suit.

He was cold when he got out of the water and was happy to wrap up in a dry towel.

After dinner, he headed to Sprit of Clay for some glass work. He made a great glass bead pattern to have fired into a dish.

He checked out the display of utensils and thought about signing up for a class, but it wasn’t going to be offered while he was going to be in town.

Stay tuned for part 3 tomorrow.

Adventures of Flat Stanley–part 1

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May 012012

My nephew lives in Maryland. He’s finishing up first grade. His class recently read the book Flat Stanley. In a nutshell, Stanley is flattened by a bulletin board. Since he is now only 1 1/2 inches wide, he fits in an envelope and can travel around the world having adventures. Everyone in my nephew’s class made their own Flat Stanley and sent them off on an adventure. Nick and Sally were glad to have company here in Ohio. Here’s part one of our adventures.

April 14 – Flat Stanley attended a cheese making class at Mayfield Road Creamery. He learned about pressing Havarti cheese and checked out the cheese storage room.

April 15 – Flat Stanley went to church with the family. He listened to band practice and ironed in the play room.

He also played with some tools before making an appearance in Nick’s Sunday school classroom.

After church, he headed to Miles Market. He rode in the cart and picked out some delicious fruit.

April 16 – He visited the JCC playroom and met Miss Deana. After a quick trick there, he went to Beth’s spinning class.

Once he left the J, he stopped at the post office to mail a package. He loves the post office, but he was glad that it wasn’t time for him to leave yet.

April 17 – He headed back to the JCC and was able to do some needed cement work. It was back-breaking and a chair massage was in order once he completed his work.

After his massage, he met Mr. Jerrell. Once he left the JCC, he realized he needed to get an oil change and made a trip to Lube Stop.

After a nap, he decided to build a Lego house.

Stay tuned for more about his Ohio adventures tomorrow.

A “Daddy day” at Great Lakes Science Center

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Apr 292012

Hi, everyone! This weekend’s adventure with Nick and Sally was to the Great Lakes Science Center, where they took me (their dad) to see all the neat stuff.

I was excited to go. Though I have been to GLSC for various events, I have never really been in the galleries to see the permanent exhibits. Even better, part of the museum has been redone as the NASA Glenn Research Center’s visitor’s center, after budget cuts forced the closure of the original visitor’s center. I have fond memories of numerous school trips to NASA and was looking forward to seeing it again after a few decades away.

Imagine my excitement when, as soon as we walked in the door, I saw a real Apollo capsule on display. This one carried a crew to Skylab, the US’s first space station. Nick has been very much into rockets and space ships lately. I wasn’t sure he understood at first, but he got excited once he had a look inside and saw the seats and controls. Later, he told Lyn, “I saw a real space ship!”

Nick and Sally tolerated a trip into the biomedical engineering section, to humor their Daddy who has worked in that field for some years. They enjoyed it more than they expected. Nick liked working controls to move a dummy’s arm (the exhibit was about using electronics to move paralyzed limbs), and Sally liked playing with a giant DNA model.

Next, we visited the play area on the third floor. Nick enjoyed fixing a play car they had. Sally preferred to drive it.

Uh oh, it looks like Sally needs to make some repairs, too…

On the way out, we passed through the electricity exhibit. Nick asked recently how traffic lights work, so he took a few minutes to investigate.

After too many detours to count, we finally made it out of the exhibit hall and into the main entryway. I breathed a sigh of relief — at this age, lunch and naps are very important things. Suddenly Nick exclaimed, “Daddy, I can see the stairs!” I looked around, seeing an escalator, but no stairs. Eventually I saw what both children had already seen. This escalator had a glass side to show the steps circulating back down to the bottom. The escalator held their attention for longer than many of the exhibits.

Finally, we made it back to our car. The outing was deemed a success by all. We will be returning. We have plenty of museum left to explore.

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