The Midweek Mania

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are just one long trip to the YMCA for for swimming lessons and to preschool. We threw in a trip around town for a couple of pictures on Thursday and lunch with Mike in downtown Cleveland on Wednesday.

On Tuesday it was preschool to drop of Elaine. We then headed to the YMCA for Jack's and Henry's play group. Elaine's mommy has been going off and on to it since Elaine was 6 months old.

From 2009-12-14 Other Miles

From 2009-12-14 Other Miles

From 2009-12-14 Other Miles

Playgroup is followed by swimming for Jack. I watched from the sideline

From 2009-12-14 Other Miles

From 2009-12-14 Other Miles

It is then back to preschool to pick up Elaine. The rest of Tuesday was uneventful so we'll move on to Wednesday.

On Wednesday we again headed to the YMCA for swimming. This time it was Elaine's turn.

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Elaine says the pool is a little cold.

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Her favorite thing to do is push off the wall.

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I was very impressed with her back float.

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We then picked up Jack and Henry from the childwatch room.

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Loaded up the stroller and headed out into the cold.

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Elaine's Mommy and decided we should meet Elaine's Daddy for lunch. He works in downtown Cleveland very close to the lake, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Brown's Stadium.

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Before we checked out the sites we went to an Italian deli/grocery store. I heard Elaine's mommy say it was the best sandwich she'd ever eaten. Something about pepper crusted capricola. For those wondering, Cleveland hosts a Little Italy Area. Italian engineers and family's were shipped in because part of Cleveland is built over some unstable land similar to places in Italy.

From 2009-12-14 Other Miles

Next we headed back to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There is a Bruce Springsten exhibit going on right now. It was icky out so the kids had to stay in the car. What you can't see in the background is the lake directly behind the building.

From 2009-12-14 Other Miles

Next we headed down the road to the Cleveland Brown's Lakefront Stadium.

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Elaine's mommy tried to get a good picture of the lake, but the weather was icky. In the picture below you can see a line of rocks. Behind the rocks is lots of lake.

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This is the view right before getting on the highway. If you keep going you will drive into the lake. I really wanted a good picture for those of you who have never seen the Great Lakes. Usually it resembles the ocean with waves and water as far as the eye can see.

From 2009-12-14 Other Miles

On Thursday we had time for a preschool photo op. Elaine did not want me to come into preschool with her. She is a strong subscriber to the theory that whatever happens at preschool stays at preschool. Elaine told me her preschool is in an old house. She has lots of fun inside doing arts and crafts, learning to spell words and singing songs.

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On the way to a playdate we took a picture of one of our favorite hiking trails in town. It is built along a watershed and over a landfill.

From 2009-12-07 Miles

From 2009-12-07 Miles

Jack's friend lives in the Little Ukraine area of Parma. Elaine's mommy likes to joke you can't drive down a main road without seeing a church on every block.

From 2009-12-07 Miles

From 2009-12-07 Miles

From 2009-12-07 Miles

So this was the middle of my week visiting the Steels. Elaine's mommy is starting to stress out over packing up for the wedding weekend.

The Monkey meets the Lizard

Monday started off at McDonald's. I meet Elaine's friends and played while her mommy had a meeting.

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Next I found myself grocery shopping. Elaine and I got to play in the Eagle's Nest.

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While Jack and Henry with Elaine's mommy to get the food.

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After lots of fun play we headed out to the car.

From 2009-12-07 Miles

From 2009-12-07 Miles

You'd think that after a big trip to the grocery store we'd have a nice homemade dinner. Instead the family headed to the Winking Lizard. It's their usual Friday night hang out. The rest of the month's Fridays are full of other obligations and they had a task they needed completed.

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Inside I meet a new friend. Every Winking Lizard has its own lizard.

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Elaine's daddy has been doing a world tour of beers this year and tonight he finished.

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Well tonight Elaine's mommy took one for the team and finished for him, since he is not allowed to drink alcohol right now.

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Elaine's family got to take him a nifty new jacket for drinking one hundred different beers this year.

From 2009-12-07 Miles

A History of Parma

Today I learned a little about the City of Parma. The day started with a trip to church. Elaine's family attends a parish that once was the largest parish in Ohio. It is still pretty darn big with 3,000 families and well within walking distance of most of its parishioners.

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Along the way to church we saw the City Bird of Parma, the pink flamingo, at Elaine's favorite flower store. I was lucky and was able to convince one to give me a ride.

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Along with pink flamingos, Parma is known for being very Polish, pierogis, polka and having residents who only wear white socks. The Drew Carey show was set in Parma area and its first theme song is "Moon Over Parma". We stopped at a restaurant that Drew Carey would ship in pizza from and frequent.

From 2009-12-06 Miles

Parma is also the largest suburb of Cleveland and the 7th largest city in Ohio with a population of about 90,000. Parma's population soared in the 50's. It is home to a big Chevy plant along with many other local businesses.
After church, the family headed to Elaine's favorite restaurant, The Macaroni Grill. Not only do they have great bread, but I helped Elaine decorate the table.

From 2009-12-06 Miles

From 2009-12-06 Miles

From 2009-12-06 Miles

We stopped at Elaine's mommy's favorite drive thru and discussed where to go next.

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We took a detour to another cinema inspired landmark. Its not in Parma, but the movie is a favorite of Elaine's daddy. I'll let you guess where I am.

From 2009-12-06 Miles

From 2009-12-06 Miles

Back in the USA

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Today I saw the sun again and found myself in Ohio.

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From 2009-12-05 Miles

Elaine was very excited to introduce herself and I was excited to share a treat with her.

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Elaine's mommy let me know I'm in for a busy week. Elaine is going to be a flower girl on Saturday and can't wait to take me to her Aunt Jill's wedding. We also have gymnastics, preschool, a trip out to lunch with Elaine's daddy to look forward to as well. Off to sleep so I'm well rested for tomorrow's photos.

The Swedes say there is no bad weather, just bad clothes!!

I would have to disagree with them during this time we have had Miles!! I haven't been able to do nearly as much as I wanted to do but it has rained every day and is just plain nasty!! I know that I can't hold on to him any longer and must pass him on again. Maybe after everyone is finished, he could come and visit us again when the sun shines!!

Here is the rest of the update from the palace visit......

After catching a glimpse of the Princess in the window, we headed Västerlånggatan. Gatan means street. It is a popular tourist attraction as it has many shops, cafes and restaurants. We even found a Ben and Jerry's but I was told that it was too cold out to have an ice cream!!
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A few blocks up, they even had a 7-Eleven
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After walking on Västerlånggatan for a bit, Kathryn's mommy said it was time to get on the T-bana (subway) and find a McDonald's for dinner. Yeah! I was so excited to hear that they have McDonald's too just like in the USA!!

Here I am showing you the different stops on the subway line. I think the McCoy kids had their fill of pictures at this point!
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And here I am waiting on the train. Kathryn wanted her picture taken because their was a pigeon in the background.
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And when the train was pulling up.
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When we rode the train, we were really far underground and had to take a very long and high escalator to get out and back onto the street. Here is another shot of me!
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After all of that walking and riding, we finally made it to Karlaplan. This is an area in Östermalm, where Kathryn lives. We have heard that Tiger Woods has an apt here! I was so happy to see my Happy Meal. It was very tasty! Did you know that the kids meals here, you can pick either carrots or apples and you still get fries too?!
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Here is Kathryn helping me with a drink. I sure was thirsty!
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What a great night I had. Kathryn's family has been very busy! They are still trying to move and Kathryn's mommy is doing Thanksgiving for 21 people in their apt!! It is going to be amazing but more because their ovens are too small to really fit the turkey.

Kathryn has told me that I am going to go and visit a new family and tells me that I am going to have a lot of fun. She was really sorry that we didn't get to go ice skating and see some other sites but the weather just didn't cooperate. I will be sad to leave her but can't wait to see what my next adventure holds for me!!

Kathryn's mommy said that she would come and let you know when I am on my way but looks like my plane is leaving tomorrow!!