So, we've just returned from a quick jaunt to the Point. In between trips, we were home for *almost* long enough to settle into our at-home routine. And by that, I mean keeping insanely busy with a combination of house projects and nonstop outings. Just the way we like it.
Here are some moments from a Cleveland week in July.
This cool rainy summer has created a verdant lawn and garden, the likes of which we've never seen before. We have a tangled forest of tomatoes, big and actually ripening. I've created my first ever lush planter of flowers. While I would not call our garden beautiful or impressive in any way, it is certainly GROWING this year, which is fun.
We hosted a friend of Jack's for an overnight early in the week, and spent the days exploring outdoors.
Across the street (where the land is just beginning to get cleared and spiffed up for possible development... I will miss our woods!)...
...and at Holden Arboretum...
...And at Chagrin Falls.
Other days found us at the pool...
 |
| Both kids have now gone off the diving board, though Ivy was the first to brave it. |
...hiking and building dams in Forest Hills Park...
...and going to the pool again.
We attempted to explore a new place -- the Lake Erie Nature Preserve-- that is only a few minutes from home but which we've never visited before. It ended up being a bit of a "forced march" through a beautiful-- but hot and buggy-- lakefront forest.
I found it lovely but our little troupers were happy to leave.
We also went shoe shopping at Aurora Farms, where we succeeded in buying no shoes. We did, however, feed ducklings.
And, Ivy and supported a local business and got pedicures at a lovely spa owned by a Boulevard family.
We also went to an open house in support of the non-profits that use our local Coventry School building. There has been a groundswell of support for preserving this space and this park. I can't believe we live so close and we have never taken advantage of all of the art and theater programs housed like little secrets here. It has taken this crisis of new ownership and possible redevelopment to get us to notice. Here's hoping Peace Park can be saved for future generations.
The weekend brought an "Exploration day" to the East Side beaches at Lake Erie Bluffs and Mentor Headlands.
Climbing the observation tower...
It was so windy at the top, we flew a kite.
The, off to the big waves at headlands!
There was a sign up indicating poor water quality, so we told the kids to just splash a bit and keep their faces out.
That didn't work so well. Jack was body surfing within minutes. What's a little bacteria among friends??? These kids are made from tough stock.
Headlands is a HUGE beach. Can't believe we've never been out there...
Because all day in the water and sun just isn't enough, the kids and I went to a "dive-in" movie at the local pool that night.
So cute. Ivy watched the entire movie from the water, front and center, only getting out at the very end to snack. We ran into our neighbors there and had a delightful time.
The rest of the week brought more beaches...
... Time spent helping Aunt Becca pack for her big move (oh how we will miss having her nearby!!)
...time with our friends, finally home from their vacation...
.. and MORE beaches!
We also hosted a college friend-- and her dog!-- for an evening...
...and learned how to needle-felt.
And, I finally made it to a Wade Oval Wednesday! We didn't even get rained on.
Plus, our first Presti's of the summer.
My girl and I spent a delightful morning at the Botanical Gardens the day before we left (as Jack was at his techie camp)...
... where she fell in love with this soup and actually ate cooked carrots, celery, and onions! We had the nicest lunch together, chatting and enjoying our food, then went on a mission to find all the treehouses and lego sculptures. I love spending time with this girl. She is turning into such a fun little person.
Despite the fact that we keep running away to Upstate NY, we do love where we live! Where else in the world could we find all of these marvelous things to do and see, so close to home?? And we only scratched the surface of everything there is to do in Cleveland in the summer. Love this city!
No comments:
Post a Comment