Flashback to the 4th

Since it has been almost a month since the 4th of July, I think it is the perfect time to finally get around to posting a few pictures.

Dave's restaurant is normally closed on the 4th, but that wasn't the case this year since it happened to fall on a Saturday. We made the best of it though.

We arrived in Cincinnati two years ago on July 4th, so the day holds a special place in my memory. That year we were exhausted and the fireworks were rained out. Last year we started our traditions.

On the 3rd we head to fountain square for festivities and fireworks. Dave snuck out of work early to join us. Pardon the awful nighttime phone pictures.

On July 4th you can find us in Northside with all of the hipsters and weirdos. I took so many fun pictures, but here are a few of my favorite moments.

We sat toward the end of the parade route and Sophia got whiny and tired of waiting so she entertained us with her own parade.

I laughed out loud and loved the performance from the Northside Mens Drillteam. I loved the drill props and the wagon following behind with extra batteries charging.

Not only were we towards the end of the parade, but we were also sitting in between performance stops. The biggest cheer of the parade was when the car below stalled out, but successfully started up again. Sophia talked about the car for almost a week afterwards.

 We loved all of the costumes, floats, props, and dancing.

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The Northside Yacht Club...ha!

Emma took in all of the sights and sounds and made it through the whole parade. As soon as she was back in her carrier she fell right to sleep. We didn't stay long in the carnival area after the parade because it was HOT, but we did cool off with some streetpops and gelato before we headed home.

I had decided not to do fireworks on the 4th since it would be just me and the girls, but the restaurant closed early and Dave was able to escape, so we headed to the neighborhood fireworks show. Sophia enjoyed her first sparkler experience with our neighbors before we walked to the stadium.

And yes, we paid the price for ignoring bedtime more than once, but the 4th only comes around once a year.

Carol Ann's Carousel

Carousel riding with Daddy. Sophia was just under the height requirement to ride alone, but that just meant that she got to ride twice. Sophia drove the corvette so that Emma could have her first carousel experience.

Smale Riverfront Park

We have lived in Cincinnati for just over two years and I feel that there is still so much exploring that we need to do. At the beginning of the month we made a trip to Smale Riverfront Park. There was a Reds game (and the park is across the street from the stadium) so we ended up parking across the river. Poor planning on our part.

We had a picnic lunch and then Sophia played in the fountains.

We wandered down to the labyrinth and Sophia had fun running and racing through the maze. (No reflection and meditation happening for her.)

The day was warm, but luckily there are multiple opportunities to cool off. After getting all sweaty, we all cooled off in the misty fans.

Sophia's favorite part was these elliptical stations. She could have spent the entire time playing on them.

I got quite a kick out of the flying pig. 

At the edge of the playground there was another water feature with gears that Sophia loved figuring out.

Across the street, but still part of the park, is another sprayground and a carousel. Dave and the girls rode the carousel, but we skipped playing in the water. Before heading back across the river we told Sophia she could pick one more thing to do and she wanted to use the elliptical again.

We did not get to do everything at the park because after the game let out it  got even more crowded, but I can't wait to head back and explore more.

30/52

A portrait of my little loves, once a week, every week, in 2015.

Playing doctor to the babies at the museum. One of her favorite things to do.

Fascinated with the sunflowers we encountered on the side of the road.

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Wordless Wednesday: Creek Walking

Turner Farm

After a few visits to Turner Farm, we finally took Dave with us. Sophia enjoyed exploring and showing Dave around. The animals were our focus this time so little time was spent in the garden areas. 

We had the opportunity to meet the executive director of the farm while we were there and learn more about the property and vision for the future. I am so thankful that Sophia has the opportunity to see first hand where her food comes from. Can't wait to head back!