The Big 10

This week we got settled back in following our trip to Canada. It's always a chore to get unpacked, do the laundry and get everyone back on schedule. We were glad to have something to look forward to this weekend- our tenth wedding anniversary! Katie was very insistent on helping us celebrate, so Jamie coordinated a nice dinner for us at home on Friday night. We all toasted (Caroline said her version of cheers: "Do!") and then once Caroline was asleep Katie organized another special dinner for us in the playhouse (which kept her busy and allowed us the chance to finish our wine from the comfort of the patio). You can see the playhouse is now complete. Aunt Ellen sewed curtains, a tablecloth and even cloth napkins, so Katie used all of these things for our fancy dinner. Thank you, Ellen!

After our playhouse dinner, we showed her pictures from our wedding and she was very intrigued about the groomsmen dancing in their underwear. I am in the process of having our wedding videos converted to DVD (yes, ten years ago videos were done in VHS!) and she is anxious to see this performance for herself. I will have to refer her to Uncle David for the "why".

Saturday we did our usual stuff (gym, grocery store, naps) and then Jamie and I went out for our anniversary on our own. We tried a new restaurant in Cincinnati that was terrific (It's called mesh- and it is a lowercase m). The food and service were excellent and they made a big point of recognizing our anniversary, including a package of cookies to take home. And, as many of you know, dessert is definitely the way to win me over! After that we went to watch the semifinals of the ATP tennis tournament in Mason, OH. We had my company's tickets and the seats were great. It was fun to see Nadal play, although I am still baffled by his choice of capri pants.

Sunday we took the girls to a local park to go to the butterfly house. None of the butterflies landed on us, but the girls did get to pet a caterpiller-- and it was very fat, just like The Very Hungry Caterpiller. After that we enjoyed a quick snack in the shade and then headed home for naps.


Later in the day we had the sprinkler out, and eventually progressed to the pool. I think the girls played in it for about the same amount of time it took to blow it up-- which is why Jamie is always trying to sell the girls on the sprinkler!

We have another big event next weekend: Caroline's second birthday! In lieu of a big party we are going to celebrate at the zoo with my parents and my sister's family. August 9 is also Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary, so they have been gracious enough to agree to spend their 39th wedding anniversary with monkeys and polar bears.

And speaking of the birthday girl, she is really turning into quite a character. She is talking up a storm and has some strong opinions- and a little temper. When she is mad about something she will lay down on the floor and say "night, night" (with a big pout). She will do this wherever she is-- the kitchen floor, garage, bathtub. She loves to be funny, and as you can see in the photo third from the bottom, she will even repeat a funny face upon request.