Spring Break = Party Time, Excellent!

So it's Spring Break and all your travel plans went bust...what to do, what to do...

Ah ha! You have lots of fun anyhoo! Grace went with her BFF and her family to Great Wolf Lodge near Cincinnati for 2 days. They had an absolute blast! Later in the week, Bill was able to get a much deserved day off (One WHOLE day! Whoo hoo! Um, did that sound sarcastic? Sorry!) so we headed to Cincinnati with Grace, Miss K and Miss K's Mom and brother! Our destination? The Newport Aquarium just over the bridge from Cincy.

We got a very early start and were

there when they opened the doors...

Let's head inside...

The girls meet up with Carrie...Carrie looks a little non plussed about it all.

I got such a giggle out of Carrie's little wagon...it's called the Penguin Mobile.

You are a cutie Carrie!

2 lovely ladies

Here we are in the Lorikeet zone. You get your little cup of nectar, hold it up

and voila! You are feeding the birds! Gosh are these little guys bee-yoo-tee-ful!

Grace LOVED this...I didn't think she would ever leave...well. That is until one of the those pesky birds had had quite enough of the nectar and felt the call of old Ma Nature. Uh huh. Let go right on the girls. That was it! They were more than happy to leave then!

This is Miss K's very pretty Mom!

Mr. Bill petting a shark. yes. That is what I said. Petting a *shark*.

Miss K petted a shark. Her brother petted a shark. Grace petted a shark. Did *I* pet a shark? Me? Are you kidding? Penguins I pet. Lorikeets I pet. Stingrays, maybe. Dolphins I hug.

Why I even petted a very dapper tree toad.

Sharks? Um, no.

By mid afternoon we were all famished. and headed into downtown Cincinnati for lunch.

My oh so generous brother and sis in law had given us certificates for a place we had yet to try.

Delicious food, a wonderful waiter, lots of laughs and good conversation.

Here is Grace with Miss K and her so, so cute brother posing in front of the mechanical bull. I think the kids were a teensy bit disappointed that only those over 18 could take a ride. I offered to represent our group and saddle up but, after looking me over, the bull up and went on strike. Sad.

The view of Cincinnati from Newport on the Levee, an area filled with shops, restaurants and

entertainment venues..it is also home to the Aquarium. The next day we had an all girls trip to The Greene, a shopping and foodie paradise not too far from Rabbit Run.

Miss K, her Mom, my Mom and I had a wonderful afternoon!

Here are the girls chatting up one Mr. Easter Bunny.

Lunch was at Brio...I had their shrimp risotto ...oooh. To die for!

And then we headed for the shop to end all shops, well, at least that is how two BFFs describe Justice! the aptly subtitled, The Store For Girls, is always a big hit for Grace and Miss K! Both had birthday monies burning proverbial holes in their pockets and they wanted to check out the newly arrived Summer merchandise. Whew! After all of that trying on and deciding and spending money, the girls

were ready for a treat! Off to Coldstone Creamery!

The ice cream was on Grandma (No, not literally you sillies!) and the smiles were

on the faces of the two happy, silly Spring breakers!

I do hope your week has been a good one.Ours started off cold, rainy and yes. Oh so snowy on Tuesday. But it has still been a good few days. Tuesday I had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory with two dear friends, Wednesday afternoon I had lunch at Christopher's with two more of my closest, most special friends and my Mom! Days spent with such people are always blessings!

Last evening, Bill and I had Mom and another special friend over for dinner. Spaghetti and meatballs and lots of laughs. No silly! They weren't laughing AT my spaghetti! Okay, maybe they WERE but we had fun anyway!

And yes. I KNOW I am lucky! These friends (and Mom too of course!) have all known me since I was a rug rat, seen me through every moment of my life, good and not so, and STILL like me! Hard to believe but oh so sweet. I count those blessings every day!

And when I count those blessings, each one of YOU is on that list too.

You are all so, so important to me.

Yesterday was sunny, warmer and very pretty. Today is to be the same...ahhh.

Well, I am off to pick up my nephew, run some errands and give a little tender, loving

care to my much neglected cottage!

Happy Thursday!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q