#1 Memory - Akron Zoo

Hi Everyone,

I have to make this quick, because it is Nicholas' bed time. I wanted to get this blog updated though. I have been so busy and tired! I will have updates, and I have some good updates!!

Our number one memory from this year was the Akron Zoo trips. My mom started taking Nicholas by herself when Nicholas was 3 almost 4 years old. I kept hearing about what a nice place Akron Zoo is. I went there many years ago, and I was not impressed. Finally, this past Summer I HAD to check out this Zoo. The first time we went, it was just the boys and I. I was a little nervous. We did great and we had so much fun. A couple more times, we went by ourselves. Chris still has never been to the Zoo. I will go to this Zoo when it is 30 degrees! No one is there :) These are memories being made, and I will never forget this little gem, and I don't the boys will either.

Have a good night!! Mandy

#2 Memory - Boo (s) at the Zoo

I love Fall! It is my favorite season. There is always so much to do. Since Nicholas was 22 months old, we have gone to Boo at the Zoo at Cleveland. We go as a family, and we really enjoy that trip. This year, it was OK. I think Cleveland could do a much better job with the event. Hopefully, they will revamp. The first year we went was excellent!

This was the first year that we went to the Akron Zoo Boo. It was GREAT! There was no one there, because the weather was terrible. It was cold and rainy, but we still went! It was two days before Sandy, but that weather had nothing to do with the hurricane, it was just good old Cleveland weather. Akron Zoo did an outstanding job. They had stations with people dressed up. The decorations were great. Even though it was a soggy trip, well worth it! I can't wait to go back. Next time, it will probably be busier :) I like going to the Zoo when there is nasty weather. I will be blogging about that.

Memory #3

One of my favorite memories of 2012 was taking the boys to see Thomas the Train. We went the year before, and I was very uncomfortable, because I was pregnant and two days later, Mr. Jacob would make his appearance.

This past May, we went back. It was OK this year. I really was a little bummed that it wasn't as good as last year. We will go back this year. Baby brother is following big brother's tracks in liking Thomas. Jacob gets very excited about Thomas. The perks of having boys! I won't have to deal with princesses :)

Jacob slept through the beginning of Thomas, but with Nicholas excitement he woke up and enjoyed the Thomas ride. I really thought the Thomas ride was lacking this year, but Nicholas enjoyed it and that is all the matters. It was hot!! I think we stayed for two hours. They have some activities set up and then of course the big gift shop. The gift shop wasn't even that big this year.

We will give it one more try. Why was this a good memory? I am not sure :) It was our way to welcome Summer and Nicholas had fun. I guess his happiness is a good memory for me. Stay tuned for #2, sometime this week or next weekend :) Mandy

2012 - Year in Review (Pictures)

                                          January

                                           February

 

                                          March

                                          April

                                          May

                                          June

                                          July

                                         August

                                         September

                                          September

                                         October

                                         November

                                         December







Here is our picture year in review. Tomorrow, I will do our favorite activities. I tried to get group shots. Only missing one month - not bad! I enjoyed putting these pictures together :) Here are the updates from 2012.


Nicholas - Completed his first year in preschool. He did great. Pre-K has been very good. He is very ready for Kindergarten. We have to work on his name and cutting. He needs big time help in those areas. It requires concentration, and well Niko has no patience or concentration skills. We will continue to work on that. Mentally - so smart!! so sassy too! Physical - he has grown so much. He is skinny and to me tall :) He has gotten very picky about foods which makes me sad. Nicholas keeps me on my toes for sure.

Jacob - My angel! He is so good. He has his streaks - but he is NOTHING like his brother. In May, it was discovered that he is delayed. Therapy has been wonderful. If he didn't get PT, he probably wouldn't be walking yet. Speech is a struggle - but we have fun with sign language. He is my little fighter, hero, and miracle.

Chris - He did not get sick all year! He had to step it up in the daddy department when he was told not to work on Mondays and Tuesdays. He has changed many poopie diapers - only when I am not home.

Me - I am OK. I had a real rough year. Losing Cleo just made this year even more miserable. We also lost a good man this year - papa.

Here is hoping 2013 is better and Nicholas' 5th year is better than the 4th year :)

Happy New Year!

Hi Everyone,

Happy 2013! I for one am very happy that 2012 is gone. I think that was the worst year ever for me. I am not sad to see another year go. I am not sure how 2013 is going to to go, but hopefully a little better. I am due for a good year! I know I would do some 2012 review blogs,  but I need more time! I don't think I am going to do a timeline with the boys pictures. My old computer has a lot of pictures, and they did not transfer to the new computer. I will do a year in review though. That will probably come tomorrow.

On Monday December 31st, we took the boys to Lake Farm Park. Every time we go, we love it! All four of us. We decided to get a pass. We just enjoy it so much. This time we went, they had Santa's Workshop. I was going to take the boys to the Akron Zoo to feed the penguins, but Nicholas is still fighting that cold. I wanted something inside - mostly. I got a Facebook alert that Lake Farm Park was having Santa's Workshop one more time this year. I thought Nicholas would love it and he did! It was a very good move on my part :)

The whole day was a lot of fun. We went to Wendy's after and Chris made homemade soup. I even stayed up until 10pm. My one true love came up at midnight and gave me a kiss. I was half out of it - but so sweet :) The year may have been really bad - but the last day of the year is one we will remember!

Have a good night! Mandy