Saturday, March 30, 2013

Kron Easter

15 Months, Week 4

The first gorgeous day of Spring! 60˚ - we’ll take it! Nora [and Tim] woke up at 7:35 - amazing. 

After breakfast, we went out for groceries [and more sticky mouse traps]. I did my long run in short sleeves [!] - it was the perfect weather for running. And I ran under a 9-min mile - awesome!

Nora took a solid 2-hr nap perfectly timed for us to get out of the house and over to Nana & Pawpaw’s. The annual egg hunt was a success - Nora’s eggs were strategically placed in the middle of the yard for her to have easy access while the Kieffer boys had to work much harder for theirs. 

Nora got the idea right away and loved carrying around her basket of goodies! Thankfully she didn’t know nor care about the candy inside - not sure how long we’ll get away with that. 

We enjoyed lots of great food and since it’s a holiday, Nora was allowed some cake - so did her hair. 

Start your engines!

Loot

I know what to do!


Blinking like Daddy.

Cousins!

7am Sleep-in

15 Months, Week 4

It’s 7:26am. I’m the only one awake. I think this has only ever happened a few times and I love it!

Also - I’m pretty sure there’s a mouse stuck on our sticky trap. Yeah - we found “gifts” under the sink Thursday night. Wheee!

Update: There were indeed TWO mice stuck on the sticky pad. They have been in an empty trashcan in the garage all day. I hate that we have to leave them to “go.”




Sunday, March 24, 2013

Cincy Nature Center


15 Months, Week 3

I knew we were fairly close to the Cincinnati Nature Center here in Milford and our sitter gave us a visitor’s pass [free admission] which was very sweet of her. 

We decided to go Saturday before lunch, though it was still very chilly outside. We hit the visitor center first which had a few “children’s” displays for Nora to look at. So, so old. But darn it if Nora didn’t love that stuffed fox and kept coming back to say Hi to it; “Aye yai yai!” [that’s the sound we think a fox makes in our house]

We made a bit of a scene when we tried to have Nora color at the children’s table but she wanted to take the entire basket of crayons with her. Again, still too young for crayons. Thankfully there was enough schwag in the giftstore for me to distract her with. 

We found the outdoor Playscape which is so amazingly cool - a playground made of all natural pieces; logs, stone, etc. She loves being outside and walking outdoors. 

We definitely plan on becoming members; the membership pays for itself within three visits. Additionally, they have a preschool there whose curriculum is based around nature. Wow, I’m nearly sold - and members get first go at enrollment. Definitely curious about putting Nora in there! 

Nora and her Fox friend

Entering the Playscape, focused on the pavers.

Enjoying the mini-cabin construction.

Shenaningans


15 Months, Week 3

Some photos of Nora working Ailo... again, that dog is a saint. I’m still thankful every day that our random draw at the shelter was such a winner.

Friday after work I was at the bar on the computer for a moment while Nora bopped around the kitchen drawers. She was a little too quiet, so I peeked around the corner and there she was, sittin’ in the towel drawer. Lil’ stinker.



Pile of love!


Ha-ha Mommy!


Little Engineer?


15 Months, Week 3

I find it interesting that Nora doesn’t take to any stuffed animals - she loves objects that she can put together and take apart; the plastic eggs I bought her, buckles that she attempts to work, and the big building blocks we just bought her. 

I even attempted to color with her and instead, she preferred to simply take the crayons in and out of the box while sitting in her tent for 15 mins. That’s a long time for Nora to stay on one task!

Possible engineer on our hands like Grandpa? 

She loves when the highchair comes off the chair...


Crayon focus

I Love the 80s

15 Months, Week 3

Dottie handed down a few items that she’d had from her girls that are around Nora’s size - first up has been Molly’s old corduroy overalls - so cute! Hopefully I can get photos of the other items as Nora can wear them...





Sunday, March 10, 2013

Sunny Saturday


15 Months, Week 1

Saturday was a beautiful mild 50-some degrees so our family took advantage with a walk and after returning, let Nora walk around the house a bit. It’s bizarre to think that it was Nora’s first time walking outside - yes, I know! When she learned to walk it was too cold outside, so she’s just experiencing walking outside the home. 

She was very cautious walking and grabbed pieces of mulch and small pinecones with a very strong grip. Adorable! Our new yard is the exact opposite of the old yard - hills and woods and landscaping galore. 

Can’t wait to explore the parks in our area this Spring!

Sittin’ with Mommy

Checking out the tiny pinecones.

Roaming the driveway.

Exploring

Nora & Daddy!


Photo Post!


15 Months, Week 1

Ailo - King of the Hill

Nora & Mommy at Taqueria Mercado downtown


Pretty Boy!

Snow Day

15 Months, Week 1

This city cracks me up when the snow comes. I also pride myself in learning to drive a car during December so I got two lessons in one. Also, coming from a small town a bit North where snow days required much more criteria - these so-called snow days can be a joke to me. This past Wednesday, we had 3-5 inches of WET snow that was sticking to everything but the roads. Which were simply wet. Even UC closed which NEVER happens. Maybe everyone had snow days to burn? 

Either way, it was the most beautiful snow I’ve seen in a long time : )





Staycation 2013

15 Months, Week 1

Tim and I goofily never took off any days when we moved and felt the need to just take some days off.  The timing worked out wonders; the Morrisons [Tim’s sister & family] were in town and it’s daylight savings weekend - win for everyone.

Luckily for us, we could drop Nora off to her sitter on Friday so Tim and I could get sh*t done! We organized the basement and went to get our taxes done at H&R Block. We normally do them ourselves but for some reason I thought going somewhere, more money would be found. Joke was on me. H&R Block seems to hire seasonal people who basically just punch in the same numbers I would have on my computer. And that place was filled with socially awkward weirdos. I’m sorry, but it was that painful. So annoyed with myself. 

After that, Tim and I actually enjoyed a day-date lunch that included a beer! Whoa - yay us! We went to BJ’s [chain] at Tri-County because we’d heard good things - we were impressed not only with their own brewed beers but also the food. 

Next we hit Home Emporium at Tri County to start our dining table search - similar to a TJ Maxx of home goods - it was really awesome with really great stuff. However they don’t deliver and didn’t have any chairs we wanted. Will definitely go back though.

Next we went to Ashley/Morris Furniture - we were there a length of time and surprisingly found something we loved. I’d had my eyes on a World Market dining set, but we’d have to have it delivered and we luckily found something we loved in person at Morris. 

I’m so eager for the table to arrive so friends and family don’t have to stand around with food anymore!

Vintage glasses compliments of Dottie [I found them! But haven’t seen the pitcher yet, Dottie!]

Mommy & Daddy day-date!

Our new dining table & non-matchy chair. [Random chest sitting on top]

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Mirror, Mirror

Ahhhh... big sigh of relief that the first floor is nearly complete - a large mirror from our wedding has made it into the dining space - awesome fit. There was also a large blank wall above the kitchen fireplace that was begging for a large piece. We’ve already depleted the concert posters around the first floor, so I went to the Snooty Fox [a local consignment shop] and found a huge, well-made mirror that was $40, on sale for $20 - couldn’t beat it! It’s still a little plain on that wall, but the mirror helps... maybe some paint on the frame could help - ? I just think mirrors do a lot for a space - mainly to “expand” it by reflecting light.

We also made our first fire last weekend while some friends were over - I was a little nervous, but the chimneys seems to be in good shape and it went just fine : )

Cozy!

Dining Space [still need a table & chairs!]

Eat-in space.

“Toys”

14 Months, Week 4

Nora proves the theory right; she doesn’t need store-bought toys. Most days she typically goes through the towel drawer, cooking utensil drawer, or lower pantry [all with supervision]. We tried putting a latch on the pantry, but I don’t even want to try to explain why it didn’t work... we still want to get one on there so she doesn’t bite through the rice bag. *eyeroll*

[When will she stop putting stuff in her mouth?? When those darn teeth come in??]

Like most kids, she loves tupperware and any dishware. So we had a leftover oatmeal cylinder and an egg carton so I got the bright idea to buy some plastic Easter eggs for her to put in and out of the egg carton and oatmeal canister. Thank you Big Lots! ¢¢ She spent at least an hour playing with those plastic eggs, in and out of the oatmeal container and egg carton. Oh, and the Blue Moon case. Ha!

Wow, her post-dinner belly is HUGE.

Easter Egg fun!


Such a rough liiiiife.


Yeah buddy.

Just Photos!

14 Months, Week 4




Nora rocking her birthday Owl hat from Aunt Amy!

I love kiwis!

Mamaaaa!

Post dinner belly - compliments of Grammy Batty.

Eating lunch downtown at Taqueria Mercado - beans & rice hit the spot!

Looking at “babies” on Facebook.
I look awesome.