Movie Night with Sydni

We ran into some last-minute scheduling yesterday that postponed our movie date to tonight, but it actually worked out just as well. I'm not sure who was more excited, me or Sydni, to go see the newest Disney release, Frozen.

I snagged Sydni after work and we headed home to pick up Rob & Becky before landing ourselves in an otherwise completely vacant theater for the movie. I may be an undying fan of the classic Disney flicks, but I do have to admit that the satirical humor and creativity of the newer releases are still adorable.

While Syd's favorite character was one of the humans [I'm trying to omit as much spoiler stuff as I can!], I think mine was definitely the snowman, Olaf. I found this clip online that is more of a trailer introduction than a spoiler... so enjoy ;)

I very much appreciated the fact that we had free reign over the seats in the theater tonight; Sydni did such an awesome job of staying put during the movie that I couldn't resist letting her have some self-expression time during the closing credit reel. I give you a regrettably grainy rendition of Sydni's interpretation of the closing credits ("Let it Go" by Demi Lovato):

It also included a grappling match in efforts to get her shoes back on.. haha.

[sorry about the quality!]
miss becky, syd & mama - wrestling match!

From the theater, it was on to Graeter's for some ice cream to round off the night. Yumm!!

goofin' around with my loves... & a free sundae! [yiiie!]

ice cream monsterrrrr ♥

fun times with miss becky!

.. And now we're home, safe and sound. Sydni's tuckered out and I'm sure it's going to be a quick, painless request for bedtime ;)

G'Nite!

xo | cmd

✿ Saturday With Sydni ✿

This is how today started:

not complaining one bit.

& Then...
SOCCER PRACTICE!

soccer monster!

-- I felt like I was back in my childhood, except on the other end of it now. I've only seen pictures of me then, but they were not unlike the scene today: Sydni in her pint-sized soccer gear - cleats and all - and a t-shirt that even in the smallest size available drooped off her tiny frame. As much as I tried for the pigtail today, it looked unusually disheveled by the time we got there, which in a way magically available only to little girls, made her look that much cuter.

so cute. so. stinkin'. cute.

soccer kiddies

And some short but fun action I captured [*note to self, take an actual camera next time.]
 

^ My little [future] left-wing (:

^ Red Light, Green Light!

I just.. can't get enough. (: (: (:

Soccer practice off the checklist, we made a break for iHOP.. because it's Saturday, pancakes sounded amazing, and we had no agenda. We were already in Mason, so once breakfast was out of the way, we made a stop at Half Price Books and came out with a couple of movies, a book for Sydni, and of course: Insurgent. I couldn't resist buying it, but didn't feel like paying retail for the thing [proud consumer moment]. It's the second of the Divergent series that I started last week.

insurgent by veronica roth

And ok.. I originally planned to start the thing today, while Sydni napped or snuggled up for a movie at the end of the evening or something. No. Instead, I devoured it cover-to-cover before tonight was over. I'm still blaming Nikki for getting me hooked. It's. So. Good.

Between chapters [& Sydni's nap), we got outside for bike riding, bubbles into the sunset, and some hiking around the area. She's my little trooper!

bubbles into the sunset: i could literally do this every day.

& again, because we're spoiling ourselves today, Graeter's!

hahaha.. graeters!!!

.. And that is how we do it on a Saturday. Tomorrow we'll be on the river for a bit, but for now it's time to call it a day.

xo | cmd

Ali & Melissa Are Here!

So maybe we weren't given the entire day off work today like some folks had, but I'm definitely complaining about a half day... since some other people [more specifically other Express offices] were working the full day. Happy Day-After-The-Holiday! Haha.

The extra few hours were great for heading home, getting Sydni, and having her "help" me clean up the house for our visitors, who were en route by mid-morning from Illinois. It wasn't long before Ali & Melissa made it safe & sound...

hello, friends! (:

Can I please just say how much I have MISSED seeing Ali every day?! We used to be co-workers, and went from every day both at and outside of work hanging out, to me moving two states away and seeing each other faaaar less frequently. Booooo! I'm glad they're both here, even if it is just for tonight & tomorrow night.

Ali came bearing little trinkets! (:

thank you, friend!! | you can never have too many owls! (:
+ a mini love statue from philly & some shells for sydni from new jersey!

We wasted very little time hopping back in the car for a trip over to Rookwood; there was browsing to be done at Charming Charlie, Francesca's and Love Culture [with no success at any of them], before we called it quits. Might I throw in here, too... that the lady we spotted very obviously and with no tact SHOPLIFTING from CC should really be ashamed of herself. If you're gonna be a thief, don't let my 3-year-old of all people blurt out, "Mommy? Is that lady taking those?" -- I mean, really?  and headed back to Mariemont for Graeter's.

graeter's!! | mariemont, oh

You cannot go wrong with Graeter's.
Ali, welcome to Cincinnati! haha.

Back at the house, it was dinner cooking time [one of my faaaavorite whenever guests are in!], Pitch Perfect [duh], and an impromptu jewelry-making session to match their attire for the wedding they'll be attending tomorrow.

mmmmmm! diiiinnnerr..... chicken+couscous+zucchini = homecooked fun

I have a few last-minute tweaks to do for their jewelry for tomorrow, but I think we're all just about spent right now.. we'll call this one and pick it all back up tomorrow... (:

xo | cmd

A RAINY July 4th ☂

 ☂.
Happy Birthday, America!

 

This whole rain thing is starting to get under my skin. This happened a few years ago here in Ohio; I remember it very clearly because I could've sworn I was suffering from seasonal depression. There's just something about skies that stay the same color for days on end and that color is just .... drab.


weather forecast.. booo....

I have my phone defaulted to show the updated weather forecast. Any other time I would guess that it's lagging, broken, something... but no.. it's just been stuck on "rain" or "thunderstorms" for the past week because it's 110% accurate.

So aaaanyway, I was determined not to let both Sydni and myself deteriorate on the couch all day from cabin fever, so after the anticipated beauty of a lazy start [day off, yeahhhh], we made breakfast and watched some cartoons before I shuttled us out of the house if for no other reason that to just get out of it for an hour or so.

Everything around here just seems to be perpetually wet, even when the rain does take a short break. Syd and I ran a few errands, and on an impulse buy, snagged a little project to do when we got home to help pass the time. Oh, and because it's July 4th, and despite the rain, we wanted to be festive about it all!

DIY!
Same shirt, same girl .. with just a little snipping and some yarn (:

Looking at this picture for the bajillionth time now, I just realized that Sydni's arms look rather defined.. I don't know if I think that's funny or cute... or both. We'll go with both. My little monster...

So uhhh.. fireworks!
Well, it was rainy, of course, but Becky stopped by and we figured we'd try and catch the local Dogwood Park display from the house. The park's only about a half mile up the road, so I was sure we would be. I don't know what propelled us to hop in the car and explore what the other options were closer into Mariemont, but we did, and ended up at Graeter's. Rain or not, there is NO complaining when it comes to ice cream. Haha.

rainy July 4th!

Rain or not, it was a good day. I was off work, spent the entire day with Sydni, and celebrated with her and my amazing friend some fireworks, ice cream and most importantly, the reason behind it all, which I absolutely am NOT discounting.


thank you.... thank you. ♥

To you and yours, wherever you are, I hope today was a great day (:
For those who served, gave, serve now or any who may choose to walk the path of service for our great nation, thank you for dedicating your lives for the freedom we have in ours.

Happy Independence Day.

xo | cmd

Woooonderful Wednesday!

I may've gotten a smidge carried away with the new laminator we have in the office. Well, not really, but I did decide I'm going to take a stab at doing some dry erase stuff where I would otherwise be wasting paper. Let's see how that works.


lamination!

Sounds good in theory, yeah?
.. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Anyway, after work it was time for my rescheduled session with a personal trainer. I can't accurately tell you how long it's been since I worked with a PT on a formal level. Probably... college? Yikes.

Well, he did some work on me and made me realize just how much work I have yet to do. No worries; I'm all over it and I feel pretty good about it. I felt especially hopeful today about reinstating some of the things I've missed for so long now that I'm back on familiar turf and finding once again some sort of stability.... and consistency, for that matter.

One step at a time. Just ya'll wait and see... this girl will be cut again in no time. (:

Once I'd been whooped by the trainer, I headed back to Northside to meet up with Mike and Becky; Becky and I loaded up the kayaks and took off to Winton Woods for a quick paddle to unwind. It was exactly what I needed.


grab yourself a kayak, a peaceful lake & a great friend.. you're set!
winton woods lake | cinci, oh

Ahhhh. Perfect. To top it off, we got back to Mike's to find he'd already put dinner together. I know I'm an avid fan of The Comet, but I will have to say that even for my indecisive self, I absolutely would have chosen this over Comet any day. Delicious.


tofu. kale. couscous. peppers+onions+carrots. mt.carmel.
= heaven.

I have some great friends, that's for sure.

They're even greater for doing things like late night Graeter's runs with me. Haha. Nothing says, "Let's negate a workout" like some good old fashioned Graeter's. Oh well. Truth is, it was totally worth it and I'm not sorry ;) hehe..

There really isn't much I didn't like about today. It was an even-tempered day at the office, I spoke briefly with Ali, visited the gym for the first time in a few weeks, kayaked, and spent time with some of the wonderful people I call friends. Of course, the night ended with a phone call across the states with Rob, who I'll be seeing in just a short couple of weeks, too.

Who can complain about that?

G'nite!

xo | cmd