Parade the Circle 2012

We've been quite busy over the past few weeks, making the most of the beautiful summer weather. At the beginning of June, we went to Parade the Circle at University Circle, which kicks off the season of events at Wade Park. It's presented by the Cleveland Museum of Art, and this year's theme was Branches Become Roots; Cycles: Coming Back/Going Forward. They estimate that over 70,000 people attend. It's exciting to have such a wonderful cultural event taking place so close to home.

Ainsley was very patient waiting for the parade to start. Next year, we'll need to get there a bit earlier to get a seat closer to the beginning of the parade route. It took over an hour for the parade to get to us!

The parade entries are so creative and fun to see. Here are just a few of the very colorful parade "participants".

Ainsley's Two-Year Pictures

We got Ainsley's picture taken for her second birthday. I can't believe what a big girl she has become!

I'm going to be 2!

Silly face!

Another silly face!

Say cheese!

Our family

Memorial Day Weekend

Here at Chez Wills East, we're kicking off the summer with a bang! Memorial Day weekend was jam-packed, and if we didn't have to stop for naps, we probably would have kept going. Here are a few highlights of the first unofficial weekend of summer.

We went to the St. Anselm Festival on Saturday night. Ainsley picked a few ducks out of the duck pond at her first carnival game. She kept asking Daddy & Mommy to pick the ducks, but we talked her into picking them out herself.

Then Ainsley went on her very first carnival ride - the carousel! Daddy said she was a little apprehensive at first, but then she enjoyed the ride.

Mommy saw this little truck/train ride that would be perfect for Ainsley, but Daddy thought she was too little for it. Ainsley disagreed with Daddy, because when she saw the ride, she pointed and screamed. Daddy asked if Ainsley wanted to ride it, and she responded with an emphatic nod, "Yes!"

Daddy strapped her in the pink truck while Mommy asked the operator what he would do if Ainsley freaked out. He responded, "She won't," and he was right! Ainsley was such a big girl, riding all by herself and waving each time she went around the circle. She turned the steering wheel and beeped the horn as she "drove" by. Ainsley had a ton of fun at the festival!

On Sunday, we went to Nathan's cousin Brad's birthday party, and Ainsley had a lot of fun playing with the kids.

With her cousins, Lukas & Elise

On a big kid bike!

Monday morning, we watched South Euclid's Memorial Day parade.

Waiting for the parade to start

Waving her flag high

Gathering all the candy is a big job

A police officer let Ainsley sit on his motorcycle!

And the summer kick-off wouldn't be complete without the first dip in the pool.

Looking forward to an awesome summer!

Big Girl School

Ainsley is starting a new daycare, or "big girl school", on Tuesday. We took her for a half-day orientation this morning, and she did great! Miss Stephanie said she didn't cry at all, and Miss Michelle said that she's so cute (but we knew that...). She had a snack, music session (with a guitar!) and an art project - and that was all in only half a day!

We took a few pictures at home before we left for school.

Big Girl School!

It used to be an actual elementary school.

Ainsley is in the Toddler 1 room.

Every week, they post their curriculum, calendar, and menu outside the room.

Ainsley has her own basket and hook for her bag.

We introduced Ainsley to her new room while the rest of her class was out on a walk.

Ainsley was very excited about all the new toys.

Ainsley's class learned about octagons today, and they each made a Stop sign. Here, Ainsley shows off her very first art project.

All ready to be a crossing guard, or maybe work for ODOT.

Ainsley has been talking about big girl school all day, and we can't wait to see how much fun she'll have next week. We think this is going to be a great transition!

Grandma Time

In early May, Grandma Molnar came to spend a few days with Ainsley. They started the week with "Grandmas Day" at the Botanical Garden - Nana Wills joined them for a double dose of grandma fun!

Nana W., Ainsley & Grandma M.

Stopping to smell the flowers

Riding a horse with Nana

Looking at the fish in the pond

Hi, Grandma!

Ainsley and Grandma had a lot of fun on the swings at the park.

Grandma pushes Ainsley "high to the sky!"

Kitty enjoyed the swings, too.

Grandma took Ainsley to storytime at the library, where they enjoyed the play room. 

Grocery shopping!

What a fun week!  Come back soon, Grandma!