Jan 11,
Today we woke up to snow on the ground and still falling. It wasn’t a ton, like they got in Cincinnati, but it was enough to cover alll the sidewalks, to wear my snow shoes, and to let Kika play in the backyard. She loves playing in the snow. It is one of the joys in her life.
Jan 6,
While this time around it was only 3 of us, we maintained our tradition one more year with Rosca and Dia de Reyes. It has been a while since we had a good rosca, but a dry rosca is better than nothing. It at least allows us to carry my very dear and special tradition.
Jan 5,
We received our new canvases already, and I hung them up today. I also washed Sofia's sheets and made sure her room is all nice and clean. She will not be back for a while, but whenever she comes back her room will be ready for her. Also, I want her room to be perfect while she is away. I miss her a lot, and when I walk past her room I want to think of her and smile, instead of seeing a mess.
Jan 4,
Today my friend Mario met me at work to save me the drive all the way to his house, and to return the little Kicks to us.
Jan 3,
Today we made the long drive back from Cincinnati to Boston. We left at around 6:45 am and arrived in Boston 14 hours later. Bella slept for a good portion of the trip, so I guess it seemed less long to her. Sofia flew directly from Cincinnati to Denver, so she only had to do the long drive one way.
Jan 2,
Today was our last day in Cinci and we made it count. I worked out again in the morning and then had lunch with my good friend Jessica. In the afternoon, my mom and Sofia agreed to humor me and go to the Zoo Festival of Lights, one of my favorite spots to visit during the Holidays. It was cold but not as bad as it could have been, so it was a good day to go. So many memories at the zoo! We also got lucky as a zoo worker at the tickets office gave us 3 free tickets! We are no longer zoo members, and those tickets are expensive, so it was very lucky of us and proof that we were meant to be there.
For dinner the 4 of us went to J Alexanders, our very favorite restaurant. After that Bella still spent the night with her friend Claire, and Sofia stayed at her friend's Sam. It was tough saying good bye to my Sofifi, but I stayed strong.
Jan 1,
I started the year with a workout, and then we had lunch with Bella's friends and their families. We went to Deweys, our favorite pizza spot. Sofia was still sleeping, and she didn't want to come anyway since she doesn't know them that well. She did hang out with me for a little bit in the afternoon, before she did her own thing again. And other than lunch Bella was with her friends the whole time. It was a chill sort of day, and Lionel and I had dinner at Wild Ginger, another one of our old spots.
Dec 31,
After working out, this afternoon we had lunch with abuelitos. After lunch we made a quick stop by Coffee Emporium and Bella went back to her friends. Sofia hung out with me a little bit but then did her own thing as well. Lionel and I had dinner with Claire's parents in Hyde Park, did an impromptu visit to one of my old mentors, and saw the new year start before calling it a night.
I am happy that the girls have friends to celebrate with, but I am definitely not used to starting the year without them. I liked it more when it was always the four of us and, after the Happy New Year photos, I knew they were safely tucked in their beds. And, when I walked up to my room, I could take one last look at them.
Dec 31,
This morning I started my day by working out, and completing my final mileage for the year. I am proud of myself for pushing to do more than barely crossing the 500 mile mark.
Dec 30,
Today I had lunch with my friend Nathalie, who used to be our neighbor long time ago, Lionel and I made a stop at Coffee Emporium, I went to see Wicked with abuelita, and Lionel and I had dinner downtown. And the girls continued to enjoy their friend time.
Dec 29,
Today I had lunch with some of our Friends Night group. Not everyone was able to make it, but it was great to see those who did. We have literally known each other for decades, and have gone through a lot in our personal lives - good and bad. So there are lots of joint memories in here.
Dec 28,
Today I drove by the girls elementary school, and our old house in Mt Washington. We then had lunch with abuelitos before the girls went their own way, and my mom and I went to the Krohn Conservatory, one of my favorite Holiday stops. I have so many memories there with the girls, so it is a special place. Lionel and Bella ended up getting tickets for the Bengals' game, and went with Kaitlin and her family. And we met again for dinner at a new bar-type place in Hyde Park. Only the adults, as the girls were doing their own thing.
