Some catching up first. Wednesday night, Bug had his band concert. We only had 2 hours notice because Bug left the flyer in his drum kit, but we got there and enjoyed the concert. Monday night, BB had his final volleyball game of the season, in the district tournament- unfortunately his team lost.
Thursday Morning, I headed up to the high school to see BB get an award. The letter that come home just said he was getting an award, not specifically which award.
BB received his Academic letter for perfect 4.0 average this year. Yeah BB!
Friday I started working on Bug's 100 good wishes quilt. I started collecting fabric and wishes for this quilt way back in 2006. I finished the quilt top on Saturday and I finished the back on Sunday. Now to get it "sandwiched" and quilted. I have a goal of Bug's birthday to have this done, but I also think I could have it done by 01Jul when Bug gets back from cub scout camp. he is staying overnight for 4 nights, 3 days, so the finished quilt would be a great welcome home present.
Today, Memorial day, I took the boys and friend downtown. Before we went downtown, I took my boys to a ceremony at the cemetery, those pictures will be posted tomorrow.
Downtown host a "Taste Of Cincinnati" festival each year. I have not been since the later 80s/early 90s. I gave the boys enough money to get 3 tastes if they got the expensive stuff or 6 of the cheap things. Bug got pizza, the only thing he liked there. I had an empanda, a potato pancake, and chocolate covered cheesecake. BB a wurst and jumbalya. BB's friend had a taco, a schinztel sandwich and a soda. The taste is 6 city blocks long with food on both sides and music from various live artist as different places along the route. Usually there are tons of people, so many you can't really walk quickly, but there was a good chance of thunderstorms today, so many people stayed home.
After walking the taste, I took the boys down to the riverfront. We have anew park or at least new sections of the park opening this year. Since the cub scouts will be coming down later this summer, I wanted to check it out and ensure it was going to be good for the scouts too.
We stopped at the new carousel- all the animals are Cincinnati themed.
BB's friend rode the passenger pigeon- the last one died in our zoo about 100 years ago.
Bug started on the cheetah, but moved to the Corvette behind BB's friend. Corvettes were made in Cincinnati back when Pap was younger.
BB rode the University of Cincinnati Mascot, the Bearcat.
I rode the horse painted like a Dalmatian for the first union fire department in the nation
I really wanted to ride this horse, painted like the night sky for the Cincinnati Observatory, but someone else got to it first. Maybe next time.
After we left the carousel, we walked to the Suspension bridge. This was the prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Our bridge was started before the civil war, but not finished for 10 years due to the war. I have always called this the "whistling bridge" because the cars drive on the steel grid, not on concrete. Due to the steel grid, the bridge is closed in the winter for safety when the snow and ice hit.
We played for a little while at the new playground at Smale Park. Loved it. The rope bridge was fun, though Bug refused to cross it. I was being silly when I crossed it, though I did remember why sandals are not good for playgrounds.
The Bug and Momma in front of the suspension bridge.
We walked down to the swimgs by the ball park. I saw these when we took a tour last year and I have been waiting to try them out. Love them too.
We walked along the Serpentine wall, looking over to Kentucky. This is the area when there are fireworks every year on Labor day. Perhaps Bug and I will go down for the fireworks in a few years.
We kept walking toward the Purple People bridge, the only pedestrian bridge that joins 2 states, and we found the statue of Cincinnatus. This is the Roman citizen farmer that our city is named for. If we had more time, we could have continued walked down to bicentennial park (dedicated in 1988) and see some more fun things, but we had to get back to Kentucky so we could ride the duck boat.
The duck boat goes on the water and on the road. I have ridden one of these in Boston on one of my business trips. The tours recently came to the Ohio river, it has been on my list of things to do.
The boat took us on the Ohio river, covering most of the same are we walked, the guide told us fun facts about Cincinnati. We were out today almost 8 hours doing fun things in the Cincinnati.
The boys feel asleep on the way home. Bug woke up at the exit from the highway (we were sitting at the red light). He was not happy I was taking pictures of him.
BB slept all the way home, including sleeping thru our side trip to Wendy's for dinner. We picked up some sandwiches to bring home- I really did not feel like cooking today.
It was a great day. Lots of fun, lots of laughter, lots of memories. Tomorrow, I will post pictures of the Memorial Day observance we attended in the morning.
And finally, in closing, Bug and I wish Karla and David many years of happiness and lots of congratulations on their marriage this weekend. We can not wait to see you.
Love and hugs,
Deb
