Zoo & Aquarium

We went to the Cleveland zoo and were able to act a bit younger than we generally get to do. Many of my family have listened out of these ears...they can be donkey ears, or kangaroo ears or you decide.

We all headed to the zoo, my parents, grandmother, Cam, Nev & I and took turns pulling or pushing or carrying the snacks. Cam was in charge of the camera. 

Not sure if you've noticed over the few years, but I am obsessed with cutouts. I'm going to create an entire photo album of them one of these days, once I'm finished collecting. 

Lucky for us, we found another cutout at the Cleveland Aquarium. It was Captain Nemo and the sea monster he befriended.

The aquarium had many fresh and exotic fish. Nevlin got to pet a turtle, which he was quite fascinated with but unsure to touch. There also was a walk-through tunnel where sea creatures were both next to you and above you.

The best was when the octopus decided to move from one side of the tank over your head to the other. He was particularly busy opening plastic jars full of treats put into the tank by the staff.

Next up: the family in Ohio and then a P-A-R-T-Y!

Head "West" young man

We basically went so far west that we went around the world to get to Ohio. Driving downtown back home in Cleveland, I got to see some of the old familiar sites, like the theatre. 

 And a new one in the same neighborhood, this gorgeous chandelier.

The market is always one of my go-to places in the home town and it never disappoints. Nevlin enjoyed the sights and sounds and of course all the food. Here he is enjoying a kabinosa or smokee.

There were lots of things to try, so we went twice while we were in Cleveland. This used to be near my brother's high school and also Gram's house. Tat was having a blast showing Nevlin around. Sweet butter, yum.

They opened up the balcony area where you can look at everything from above. It was virtually impossible to grab a great photo of all three of us, especially when Nev is so obsessed with balls and distracted by the smallest of things. More Cleveland family posts to come.

Back to the U. S. ....A

It was time to head back to the US to show Nevlin off to all the relatives. Besides, it was the last chance we had to grab a free ticket for him. We risked having no (paid) seat for him over 6 flights, which generally worked out. Nev was very good, considering the massive distances and time changes. A few tears, yes, but he adjusted to the time change way faster than we did.

Anyway, off to some pictures. First stop, LA, and Liz's family the Froneks.

Visiting Tammi's hairdressing salon. Don't you just love puppy's cut? That's Nat on the left, she turned 16 just this past September.

 

We went to the Saturday markets and found someone selling fountains. Considering how hot it was, Nev loved putting his hand in the stream and getting all wet.

A bunch of us went to Crystal Cove, Laguna Beach. Can you see the tip of the peninsula in the far distance? That is where we walked to and back. PHEW, we were tired!

 There were lots of little inlets like this.

The tip has gotten closer...but still not yet there. A pause to capture all the muscles.

Sorry for the delay

Its been a heck of a few months, but I'm back to posting & have a few to catch up. Before I post retroactively about our trip to the US, here are some recent shots from around the house & at the park near our place.

We woke up one morning and absolutely loved the blooming bottlebrush and snapped this picture. Thanks to the Basha's for Nevlin's cozy PJs. 

We went up to the botanical gardens in the hills to check it out. Nevlin found it difficult terrain, and tried to run with Cam's glasses.

He didn't get far before falling into momma. 

A few of us got together at another park (can you tell there is a theme to our lives - outdoors and parks) and Nevlin had a blast. A swing that could fit more than one, a dream come true!

Nevlin also partook in his very first beater covered in batter for a cake. He really enjoyed it & got it all over his bucket.

Next post will be a flashback. Stay tuned...

MaryEd's B-day in Sydney

We were in Sydney to celebrate MaryEd's birthday. It was a fantastic weekend, full of cake and smiles.

We enjoyed a very leisurely lunch right on the harbor. Nevlin even had a bit of space to play behind us.

The restaurant was right near the foot of the bridge and this shot includes the opera house and bridge & the lunch group. Nevlin was done with taking photos!

Cam, Nick, I and Hannah & Harry went to Olympic Park and saw Nick's name from the Sydney olympics. Funny, but Cam was the person who participated, but Nick was still in the books and thus in silver. 

The hockey game was USA v Canada. It was a bit comical during the first period, but got better as everyone warmed up. this was the 5th game in the tied series and a close match. US won, 5-4 in overtime! U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A...

Random bits 2 of 2

We had a few plays in the city over a few different weekends. One was seeing circus performers in the newly redeveloped town square (that is more of a diamond shape).

This woman fit her entire body in this box. It was madness to watch, but Nevlin had already gotten bored & walked away. Very impressive & flexible. 

Cam crawled inside a plastic ball & rolled around in the grass. It made him nauseous for the rest of his day. 

We have a membership to the zoo, so we headed there another day. Its beautiful at the zoo when no one is around, the weather is cool. The animals don't mind either, especially frogs like this one who felt pretty special with all the attention.

Its been cool, so in June I got a new scarf from Cam's parents & he got his green scarf from Open Adelaide weekend. My Mam made Nev's scarf to match his sweater. We are staying nice and toasty!

Nevlin and his spoon

I shot this series of images one morning back in late June with a spoon we use for rice.

He loved the size of it and especially focused on trying to get it into his small bowl for food.

Like many instances, two utensils are always better than one. And Nevlin really loves using something in each of his hands.

I've got two spoons!!! YEAH!