Back in Cincinnati

After all the work was done in Dayton, we drove the familiar path down I-75 to Cincinnati to see how the city is faring without us. Finn was most excited about getting to see Elena again. He had been asking about her every day leading up to our trip. We also hear that Elena asks where Finn is when she walks back from the rooftop deck past our old house to her home. Here was the reuniting. Finn is getting off the elevator and walking down to Elena's house.


They played together and ran around out on the deck, just like in the old days. They shared Elena's toys and split pizza and watermelon for dinner.


After the first night we had to go to a hotel. It was strange being back there and not having a home to go back to. Liam, who never knew our old place, was perfectly happy with the hotel.


The next day we were going to the Reds' game with our friends I used to coach hockey with. Elena agreed to join us to find the appropriate clothing to wear to the game. Finn loved the giant foam finger, but there wasn't room enough in the car to bring it home.


While down by the river we ran into another friend who was out on his bike. It was good to see Jason and he is one of the few people who, although there was no plan to meet up with, you weren't surprised to just stumble across him randomly in Cincinnati. It was nice to be able to catch up with him again, and see him back on his bike after a year hiatus from a broken ankle.

The walk continued along the river to the playground. Liam got pooped pretty quick from all the bouncing and fresh air.


After running and walking all morning the kids wanted a break. They wondered over to the tennis court and watched the people playing there. Finn pulled out his one phrase he uses when watching sports, "That's awful!" He picked that up in the Caps final playoff game. They weren't playing well and I had given up. Of course that's the moment that Finn remembers...


Finally it was game time. The Reds (probably) lost. I can't really remember, but I do know there was a 2 hour rain delay in the 7th inning. That's when we left.

The company was better than the game. Our friends Adam and Katy with there little boy Tyler came down. We got to discuss the joys of having a newborn since the Liam and Tyler were only born a few days apart.


It was a great trip back to Ohio, but it already feels like a place we used to live and not a place we still call home. It had the same feel as coming home from college senior year. Everything is very familiar, but not quite home anymore. When we got back to our home after a 12-hour drive, it felt like home.