Highlights from July

This is a photo of the kids at my favorite park. I think they like it as well. It's called Chamberlain Park and it's probably a little less than 2 miles from home. I like it as it has a 1/2mile walking path around the perimeter. When we go here, the kids are expected to either ride their bike or scooter around the cirlce two times. Sweet Cassie just runs around like a crazy thing having the best time. After we go around, then we get to play on the super cool play set and swings.

I also like this park because it's really open without mosquitoes and the bathrooms are nice, clean and right next to the playground.

We were so fortunate that July was not as hot as normal so we were able to go the Zoo a few times. Cassie is standing behind the other two - coudn't get her to cooperate.

We did something different this month and took a trip back to the Cincinnati Nature Center. When we lived in Stonelick Township, we would go for hikes and walks with Oliver quite a bit - several times a week. We just loved going there and it wasn't far from our house. I can remember walking there when Athena was a baby. Patrick would carry her in the Baby Bjorn. I can't remember bringing Carter there.

This summer, CNC has offered free Monday visits. This was too tempting of an offer to pass up. We headed out and had such a wonderful time! I'm looking forward to going back again soon. I sure do wish this was closer to home or that there was something like it closer to home.

We went to one of the ponds to discover lots of frogs sitting on top of lily pads. The kids got an adventure kit from the Nature Center with some nets and went to a different pond and found some tadpoles and other interesting things to look at. Cassie and I headed home at lunch time, but Patrick, Athena and Carter spent most of the morning and afternoon exploring and seeing lots of things.

Athena even held a snake:

On another day, we headed back to Chamberlain Park for movie night. The movie was Madagascar II which the kids had seen before, but it was still a fun time. They sell snacks for a pittance so we had our fill of good treats and were settled in to enjoy the film when it started to rain. It started as a drizzle and we stayed, but then it just out right game down in sheets. So that was the end of that.

Another day we went to Parky's Farm. We ran into our Ranger friend, Eric who let us go fishing. This is always so much fun for the kids as the fish (not sure what kind they are - rock bass?) are plentiful and used to being fed. This means they're easy to catch.

Before fishing, we checked out the garden and ate some green beans and Patrick dug around for worms for the fishing. After we had our fill of fishing, we told the kids they could either ride the ponies or take a tractor hay ride. They chose the pony. I think this is the first time that Carter has wanted to do this. This summer will be Athena's last chance to ride as she will be too tall by next year.

One Sunday we went to Cowan Lake State Park. It's one of our favorite places to go. Well, it used to be. Unfortunately, the State of Ohio is out of money. This means there's no one around to make sure the the Canadian Geese are kept under control and no trash cans. We can handle no trash cans, but the Geese have made the place so disgustingly filthy. We found a relatively clean little patch of sand for the kids to play in and then went to buy soap from a near by camping ground so that we could wash them up before eating and going home.

We going searching for a cleaner lake - we think Indiana might be our place. We went to Brookville early in July and it was very busy, expensive, but very clean. So much for free parks. You get what you pay for - nothing.

And here's the gang at a Friday night concert on the square.

This week the kids are in Jungle Camp at Renaissance Montessori. They tell me they're having a blast.

Saturday brings August - Athena's b-day with friends on Saturday, Nana and Grandad are coming, vacation and back to school. It will all go by too quickly.

July is Getting Away from Me!!!

I can't believe it's almost the middle of July and no posts from me! Here's a quick re-cap of the month:

Wet, cold, hot, wet, cold, hot. That about does it!

Seriously, on the fourth of July, we attended Stephen and Karen Herdina's annual 4th of July Party - we've gone for at least 6 years, if not 7. This is the 3rd year that it's rained on the 4th and it was by far the wettest 4th in a bit.

We were at the party, outside pool party, for 5 hours. It rained the entire 5 hours. Patrick and the kids were smart, though, as they spent about 4 of the hours in the pool which was heated to 83 degrees. It wasn't that warm outside. I was freezing my bum off!

Swim lessons for Athena started back up on the last week of June. She's in Level 3 which is a very hard class to pass. In order to pass she has to be able to swim without stopping across the short side of the pool. I don't think she'll pass this time, but I don't think any of the kids pass the first time. She needs to be a little bit taller and needs to work on her breathing from the side. Overall, though, her improvement this summer in the pool has been incredible.

I have some photos from this month that I'll pull off my phone and will upload here soon.