Two weeks in to 2019 and we've had everything from coat-free lake days to sledding and ice-skating, with plenty of relaxation and some back-to-school insanity thrown in the mix.
After the rush of Christmas preparations, and the busy-calm of vacation and visiting, we had a nice long stretch of winter break with no real plans. We'd toyed around with travel, but travel is expensive. So, we stay-cationed in the CLE!
It was lovely to have a few days here at home to take Anna to some of her favorite places and to just hang out with her at the house. I told her that I could used to taking her for granted! Ivy was over the moon to share her room with one of her favorite people, and misses her terribly.
Our lake at year's end...
We brought a friend. I love that my girl loves her friends.
Ethiopian feast! This restaurant is a few blocks from our home. I love where I live.
New Year's Eve: We took Anna to the airport and then took ourselves to Melinda and Will's for our 8th annual "New Toddler's Eve." We even still have some toddlers in attendance!
And some of these giant boys, too.
We had a great night. SOOO much good food, and totally hilarious "minute to win it" games. Like the one with the banana and the orange that made Jack make this face...
Plus my wonderful friends.
Love these people.
We party-hopped to the Heights and rang in the actual New Year with some more friends...
... Then snuggled in for 3 days of cleaning, relaxing and hanging about town. Nat got himself a doozy of a cold so we laid low for a couple of days and that was OK.
January 4th we had 60 degree sunshine so we went to the lake again.
Enjoyed the new Euclid Beach Pier immensely.
Tropical Cleveland!
A night out at MIX to "ring out" vacation...
... and a day trip adventure to Canton, where Jack went for a sleepover at his cousin's and we all enjoyed the McKinley Museum and memorial.
Not to mention meeting Emma's new daughter Addison! My heart! Ivy did NOT want to leave.
Had my first Norwex "home party" with a few great friends who played along and let me practice my party talk for almost 2 hours, while these girls went ice skating.
A Saturday trip to Lake Farmpark. We always have a great time at this place.
The kids played together on this playground better than they have in ... a long time.. They took it upon themselves to try to climb up the (very steep very slippery) slide and all of a sudden there they were, actually encouraging each other, giving strategies, reaching out a hand... Nat and I walked laps on the path around the playground to give them space but still be in sight, and they continued playing together for a good half hour. We would ask if they were ready to head inside somewhere and get the reply, "NO! We NEEEED to do this!" It was a moment to hold in our memories, for sure. Hope for their future relationship...
Sunday-- a touch more snow meant there was just about enough to go sledding. Coventry here we come!
A lovely afternoon. We had Winter run with us down the hill, pulling the sled in crazy directions. So much laughter! Ivy would have kept going all day, and I think Win had a great time too.
