Pool, Mr. E's storytime, Zoo, Paul McCartney concert and preparing for Sunday baptism

Monday we went to the pool.  Which based on how it was felt more like sitting in a hot bath.

Tuesday we went to Mr. Eric's story time at Clifton Library.

Audrey is interacting more with kids. 

I was shocked that this hat no longer fits.  She adored this hat, probably for all the attention she got for wearing it.  It was a gift from some dear friends and one of the items we will preserve for sentimental reasons.

Thursday morning we went to the Zoo.  In this picture we are looking at the giraffes.

Miss Audrey has recently been pointing out the blue sky and white clouds to me.

Taking a juice break at the zoo's main restaurant. 

Watching the kids on the playground in the Children's Zoo.  She is not cray about walking on the chips in this play area.  Observing first seems to be her nature too.

Petting the goats was not the least bit intimidating though.

Thursday evening Chelsea babysat Audrey.  John, myself, Paula and her daughter Jen went to the Paul McCartney concert at Great America Ball Park.   The Monk Mobile ran a free shuttle from Mt Adams to the stadium.  Although it was very crowded we got a ride down.  However we walked home as the concert went long and we did not make it on to the first shuttle.

It was a sold out concert... 41,500.  Also GABP had never put on a show like this before so there was some question on how they could pull it off.  The reviews were good.

Paula and Jen.

He wore the Reds jacket for a few songs.  Paul McCartney played for 3 hours including 2 encores and no break.   And he is 69 years old. Some of the highlights for me were:  

When he sang Maybe I'm Amazed and the photo on the big screen was the one below:

In the concert they started showing just his face then slowly panning down to his daughter Mary's face peeping out of his jacket and then down to his other daughter Heather standing next to him. 
             Also great was a song Here Today he wrote about an imagined conversation with he and John Lennon.  And then also Something  which he played as a tribute to George Harrison on a ukulele given to him by George.  We did not get home until midnight but so worth it!
Below are random pictures from Friday that I just thought were cute.  It is harder for me to get a decent picture anymore as she always wants my camera.

Saturday the flowers for the baptism at Pilgrim Sunday were delivered.

Saturday I also picked up the catered lunch from Servati's that we served after the Sunday service.

I was lucky it fit in the church refrigerator.  Particularly the "porcupine' fruit tray.

Busy and fun week ... at least that is the plan

This morning after we ran a few errands (depositing rent checks and Lowe's for rental repairs) we went to Story time at Joseph Beth.  Audrey was mostly interested in playing and climbing the seats.

Not a great picture but if you look closely next to her ear is a teeny tiny barrette she wore.  It doesn't look great because she messed with it but at least she wore them.  I'm hopeful for her baptism Sunday.

This is the dress she will finally wear.  When we bought this for her in Guangzhou it was ankle length.  Now it is nearly knee length.

I found out today that this hat no longer fits her.  I was actually quite stunned when I put it on her head as we were heading to the pool.  Next week I am taking her to her 18 month check up which should be interesting.

John left this morning for an inspection in New Orleans.  Oddly enough Audrey said "bye bye" to him this morning as if he left every morning.  Which he does not as he works from home and she is used to seeing him during the day and at every meal.  I'm guessing she will be confused tomorrow at breakfast.

John gets back Thursday which is when we have tickets to see Paul McCartney play at the Reds stadium.  Dinner first with friends that are also going to the concert.  Friday is Immaculata's Festival and Mt Adams Music Festival.  I'm thinking Miss A will like Immaculata's Festival but the other one may be too late for her.  Saturday our neighbors are hosting a cocktail party so we have 2 babysitters this week, a first.  Then Sunday is Audrey's baptism.  I ordered the catered lunch from Silverglades this morning.  I also ordered an Asian themed floral arrangement from her grandparents for the altar. 

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. 

Aquarium

The weather still being unbelievably hot we finally joined the aquarium.  Kinda odd I didn't do this earlier as you can practically see it from our house and certainly a nice activity when weather prevents us from doing outdoor activities.

I hadn't been to the aquarium since the year it opened which was 1999.  There were a whole lot more tunnels than I remembered and fortunately these did not freak Miss A out.  I thought they might as she initially did not care for the Night Stalkers (unsure if that is the new name for Zoo Cat House).

This is not a great picture but it is in the jelly fish exhibit which was probably my favorite.

Also not a great picture but one of the few of the 2 of us.

After the aquarium we went to the adjacent bookstore and shared a muffin and juice and counted the boats on the Ohio River.

Miss A is a big girl seat as they did not have any highchairs. 

Independent play

After breakfast this morning Audrey requested to sit on this stool.  She also, for the first time, happily played with the refrigerator letters while watching a DVD.  This allowed me to clean up the kitchen before we left for Miss Kelly's class!

The ability to walk has allowed her to mix it up with other kids too!

They are actually sharing in this picture exchanging an egg shaker for paper towel rolls.

The other thing that was nice to see during this class was that she could fall or get knocked down and get back up without getting upset. 

Putting away the paper towel rolls.

Sharing scarves.

During the free play time Audrey took all the scarves out of this basket and then put them back in.

Fun class.  Or as Audrey always says "class?'

Stroller Safari at the Zoo today

This morning we went to the Zoo for our last summer session Stroller Safari class.  Today's class was titled  "Ani-moves".   The first part of the class includes hands on animal demo's.  In the above video you can hear the teacher, Miss Lucy say "anyone who touches the turtle should use had sanitizer" before we go out to the Zoo for our walkabout.

Audrey was more interested in chasing "Lucky' the bunny than listening to the rest of the classroom discussion.  She has only been walking for 16 days so I think that contributes to her impatience in listening in class.  At least I hope.

"Lucky" was lucky this table stopped Miss A.

Apparently Audrey seemed to be having so much fun chasing "Lucky" it drew other classmates away from class like this little girl.

One relaxed bunny. 

The class is called Stroller Safari and everyone but us did bring their stroller.  Audrey weighs so little that ever since the 1st class I have opted for carrying her.  You really can't see a lot in the stroller and i think it is a hassle to get her out and put her in so much. 

Watching the kids play in the Children's Zoo.  Audrey is not crazy about walking on the play yard chips.   

But she did like this cool sound stick I bought for her today.

On our way out we stopped at the Giraffe exhibit.  This volunteer was holding a mock giraffe tongue, actual size and color.  I did not know until today that giraffe tongue's are purple and the coloring is part of their sunscreen attributes necessary as the eat most of the day.  On average they eat 75 lbs of food a day.  Oh this volunteer's name ... Audrey.  Unbelievable how often I hear that name now.  Since bringing A home we have learned it is the 10th most common girl name in our city.