The Zoo, Miss A's request to see Soundsuits @ CAM Miss Kelly's, tuckpoint project continues and A Day in Pompeii @ CMC

 We had an hour to kill late  Monday afternoon so Audrey and I went to the zoo.  This is not a great picture but I included as Miss A said "smile elephant" when I took it.

 Below is Miss A climbing to touch the evergreen tree outside the safari restaurant.

 The tuck point job continues this week at our house.  They are doing a great job but it is somewhat noisy.  Audrey greets the contractors each day with a cheerful "hello  workers!".

 Tuesday she surprised by requesting to go see the soundsuits at the art museum.  It was rather convenient for me as I needed to buy my yoga pass that day too so we walked up there after her nap.  In the picture above she was watching the artist Nick Cave dance in his soundsuits (no way for me to explain) and she kept saying "this is interesting".  Just stunned me.  And prompted me to think about taking her to the new Pompeii exhibit opening Friday at the Museum Center.

 Wednesday at breakfast before Miss Kelly's library class.   Audrey has been congested but fine otherwise.  I on the other was starting to feel miserable particulary on this day.

 So we stayed home Wednesday afternoon and Thursday... well except running a few errands.

  Look no hands.  Impressive for this little "safety girl".

  Thursday night after dinner we walked in the garden to see what has started blooming (crocus and hyacinths, daffodil and tulips are poking up too).  We also saw just how much clean up we are going to have to do soon.

Friday morning John came with us to the Museum Center to see "A Day in Pompeii".  We really enjoyed the exhibit.  My mom and I traveled to Italy in 1984 and took a walking tour of Pompeii.  One of the things I remember about that tour was it was 112 degrees that day but not so uncomfortable as the humidity was very low. 

 We toured in the morning as we are expected to get some severe storms this afternoon.

 There were three 8 minute videos throughout the exhibit. 

 Stickers and a book helped keep Miss A entertained.

 Afterwards we went to the Bar and Grill for lunch.

 Miss A the shameless double dipper for ranch dressing.

Learning new traditions and mastering new skills

 So tonight Miss Audrey learned about another tradition ... carving pumpkins.

  The final product.  More about that later.

 Another new thing she learned recently is that this tent (purchased with the intent of being a super portable travel bed which did not pan out) is actually a fun play tent instead.

  In this picture she is signing "helicopter"  which is a sign she absolutely loves.   Technically she is signing this word upside down.

  Showing off her 1 eye wink... a skill she learned on vacation in Florida last week.

  This picture shows her genuine love of ice cream.

 At the Children's Museum this week driving one of the buses.

 And playing in the sand area.

  Parallel play.

  Today as we were cleaning I found this silk jacket we purchased while we were in Guangzhou.  Just had to roll down the sleeves and it still fits.  I'm thinking Miss A will wear this to church tomorrow. 

  Baba outlining the pumpkin carving.

  Since pumpkin carving is kinda long (and boring) Audrey played a game of bowling while baba finished.

  In this picture she is signing "game".

  This is also probably the last time she will wear these blue corduroy pants, primarily because they are too short.

  Tonight she learned she can put on this cardigan all by herself.  We had to coach her on "other hand" for the sleeves but she listened, was successful and oh so proud of herself.  She high 5'd and "pounded the rock" to both baba and myself on this accomplishment!

Natural History Museum @ CMC and Tumble Bees class

Friday morning John came with us to check out the Natural History Museum at the CMC.  Independent Audrey, who has been walking 3 weeks, does not want to be carried and we did not bring the stroller.

You can see how the stroller pace is much faster than we were walking.  But the bigger problem was how tired she gets while visiting after that long a walk in this heat.  We only stayed an hour.

An exhibit of a polar bear.

Geodes from Indiana.

Specifically Harrodsburg where my families farm is located.

Saturday we finally made it back to Tumble Bees for our 2nd class.  The session ends next week.

Although this picture was taken while we were waiting for class to start it fairly represents her attitude so far about these classes.   I'm not going to enroll her for Fall and may try dance later. 

Children's Museum, Mr. Eric's Storytime and Songs, Stroller Safari

Audrey and I went to the Children's Museum Monday as it was a very hot and humid day.  The Waterworks section is probably her favorite area.  I tried to put one of their waterproof aprons on her but they are still too big  and she doesn't seem to mind getting wet.

This picture reminded me of a comment Steve Beverage, who works at Crowley's, made about A when he first met her.  Steve said ... "that just looks expensive, like red convertible expensive".   Steve is a hoot and I just love his name.

She and I had a lot more fun playing their steel drums now that I realized we could move them to the floor.  

 On our way to Clifton Library for Mr Eric's Story Time & Songs.  This is our routine every Tuesday morning.  He is such great entertainment that I will adjust our schedule to make sure we can go to his class.  Audrey now walks up to get a high 5 from Mr Eric at the end and this makes her very happy.

Friday Audrey, Paula and I went to Stroller Safari at the Zoo.  This class was The Sounds Around.  This picture is of our teacher Evan who brought this rooster and a hissing cockroach.  She let the kids touch both.  Miss A also got to touch 2 snakes later when we were walking around the Zoo.  I was glad I did not project my lack of enthusiasm for touching these animals myself as she did not hesitate to touch them.

Paula and I were both amused by how participatory and outgoing Audrey was in class.  When asked what sounds different animals made she was the only kid to answer.  When Evan asked the kids if they knew the name of the hissing cockroach that she brought to class Audrey was the only to guess.  She guessed turtle.

The elephants were inside and we got to see them eating hay which the kids generally found interesting.

Saturday morning we went to a memorial for Jim Simmons, a dear friend and church member, who died this past Wednesday at the age of 83.  Jim was a wonderful man who "never met a stranger."   I unfortunately did not get to stay the whole service as A wanted to loudly announce words and people she knew.  When we went downstairs she then quietly observed the kids.  Go figure.

 At the luncheon after the service we met Jim's granddaughter Jenna who is almost 16 years old and also adopted at 10 months from southeast China.  We also discussed timing for Audrey's baptism with both of our ministers.  It will be Sunday August 7th which happens to be Miss A's 18th month b-day! Both Dick and Bob will be in town and will officiate.  We will probably host a luncheon afterwards at the church.  Fortunately she has not outgrown the white silk dress we bought her in China.  However if she continues growing at the same rate in the past 6 months it probably be knee length instead of ankle. 

Tonight John, Paula, Audrey and I are going to Mecklenburg's for dinner and the 15th Anniversary of their restaurant opening.  Also Paula's condo is now ready and she is moving out tomorrow.  Oh, we are going to miss her and this will be especially tough for Audrey who is completely in the dark about this change.

Documenting "baby tricks"

Admittedly this is not the best or most complete video of Audrey's "baby tricks".  However I thought I should document before she stops doing them. 

Today was the last day in this session of Miss Amanda's Music Class so we had a party. The party included cookies, bananas and water  Audrey was not interested in the cookie but ate her and Magdalena's bananas.  The next session won't start until July but we are going to take some supplementary classes during that break.


This week we also attended Mr. Eric's story time at Clifton Library.  Mr. Eric's story time was voted best in Cincinnati Magazine and now I understand why.  We will definitely be back to this free weekly event.  The blue dress Audrey is wearing in the picture is what she chose to wear on this day.  "Help Me Rhonda" suggested I give Audrey choices as she is quickly approaching the age of "No".  I suspect she chose this dress because it was blue.  If we are in a hurry she definitely does not get a choice  "Help me Rhonda" also gave me some interesting and helpful (so far) tips re: putting A down to sleep.     

Because it has rained so much we also went to the Museum Center this week.  It is only 3 miles from our home and has a great Children's museum.  The picture below is of the Water Works section which Audrey shows the most interest in now but needs to be a little older to interact with features.

 Still she audibly expressed her interest in watching the kids play here.

But we still visited the Little Sprouts sections for 0 - 4 years olds.  This toy she called "cool".

And the Legos were somewhat interesting too.  She know the sounds the cow and sheep make so that probably helped.