Adios 2025

Dec 31,

Some traditions. Some firsts. Some milestones. Small trips. Big trips. Good memories. Hard memories. Sad goodbyes leading to new beginnings. Adios 2025. You were bittersweet.

New Years Eve

Dec 31,

For New Year's Eve, Lionel, Sofia and I went out for dinner. I wanted Bella to come as well, but she had plans with her friends and Lionel and Sofia told me to let her be.  

We went to Trio, had our dinner, and came back home to chill for the rest of the evening. 

Sofifi Mami afternoon

Dec 29,

After family lunch, we had our Sofifi-Mami afternoon. We went to Museum Center to see the Auschwitz exhibit. It was her pick. A very tough topic, but one we need to continue to learn from. We had not been there in years in years, since they were little. The place has not changed much, but it is still a pretty cool building.

Family Lunch

Dec 29,

Yesterday was nice, but today got really cold again. Still, we braved the weather to have lunch at Sotto. We had not been in a while, so I made a reservation. I figured the family would like it, and it felt like a special lunch, at a special location.

Festival of Lights

Dec 27,

One of my favorite Holiday traditions is the Festival of Lights, at the Cincinnati Zoo. Last year only Sofia, Abuelita, and I made it, but this year the four of us went. The weather was very mild, so it was the perfect day to go. 

Gifts and Ikea

Dec 26,

Today Sofia helped Lionel unwrap and setup his new coffee machine, a Christmas gift. We then went to Ikea (Sofia, Bella, and me) to get a new dresser for Sofia and a bookcase for all her books - including the ones she brought back from Boulder. We found what she wanted, so she was happy. 

Christmas Day

Dec 25,

This morning Lionel and I walked Kika, I went to visit my parents for a little bit, and then grandma and grandpa came over and the girls got up and opened their Santa gifts. It was not cold but it was a little bit rainy and a gloomy sort of day. So it was a good day to take it easy, which is actually not too hard to do when everything is closed for Christmas. 

Christmas Eve

Dec 24,

Christmas Eve was ... interesting, with Bella being particularly sad. She eventually cheered up a bit for regalos, but I struggled getting past her mood, which had a domino effect on me. I didn't even feel like taking too many photos, but did push to take a couple before the evening was over.  I just really wish it had been a much happier evening, especially after everything we have been through this year and as we are starting to build new memories here.  

Early Christmas

Dec 22,

Gabi and her family could only come for a couple of days, right before Christmas, since she didn't have vacation days left. So we celebrated early with them. 

My dad has been super hesitant to join any group celebrations for a while, since the pandemic, but they came to the house one night as well. And even engaged in a friendly game of Jenga.

Hamilton

Dec 18,

Well, it seems like Bella is not destined to see Hamilton right now. First we had tickets to go in Boston, but then we moved back and could not use them. I then managed to get tickets in Cincinnati, but turns out she had an exam the following morning and therefore could not go again. 

Lionel, who is not particularly a theater enthusiast, suffered through it. And Sofia and I thought it was ok.  It can be a little hard to follow if you don't know the full story, or if you don't already know the songs. Still, it was good to go out and do something different for a change. Plus I wanted Sofia to have a chance to do things she doesn't normally get to do while in college. It is good for her.

On the way back to the car we got drenched, as it was raining hard, but at least it was on the way back and not on the way there.

Snow!

Dec 14,

Well, they did not get it wrong. The snow did come. Lots of it, and during a really cold weekend. Walking Kika was a mess. She enjoyed it partially, but not when it was so cold that after a few minutes of walking she started to lift her paws to try to give them a break. I helped her with my gloves, but it only partially helped. I wish we could find some boots that work for her, but so far nothing has helped.