Our Karate Kid!

Conor started karate last week and he loves it! It's been fun to sit and watch his classes. His teacher, Sensei Scott, is so awesome... he has a terrific sense of humor and really keeps the class moving. Conor can already count to five in Japanese and is perfecting his situps and push ups. Mom is happy to help with the situps as she needs to brush up on them herself. :-)

Tricks and Treats

Halloween was quite festive this year. Abby got to wear her costume to school as she had a field trip to a nursing home to sing to the residents with her class. At the end of the day, the entire school participated in a parade around Nativity. At night, we celebrated Halloween on Auten Avenue with neighbors and our traditional walk with Paige and Allen from next door. This year, we ventured around the block with a visit to Conor's teacher/our good friend and her family. Erick was the candy giver outer and Molly was the munchkin escort, dressed up this year. Abby was the most beautiful Tink fairy ever (true we are biased) and Conor protected us all as a good Clone Trooper.

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

Abby and Conor are so excited about Halloween. We visited Shaw Pumpkin Farm, the same place we have been going since the kids were tiny tots. It's strange to see that Abby and Conor are now some of the oldest ones. How time flies...

Abby will dress as Tinkerbell this year, in keeping with her continued love of everything fairy. Thanks to Grandma Diane's sewing skills, she'll have a handmade Tink costume. She is thrilled. Conor will be a Clone Trooper from Star Wars. He is wild about Star Wars and tries his costume on daily. We'll send pictures next weekend and recap all the fun.

Ike Visits Cincinnati!

Well what a surprise to find out that Hurricane Ike was capable of making such an impression on Cincinnati! With winds strong on Sunday, we never expected that by day's end the entire region (practically) would be without power. Our front tree took quite a hit and took down our third floor gutter with it. We enjoyed a meal on the front porch with neighbors Maureen and Steve Simon and their sons, Max and Henry. Thanks goes to Erick for his early in the day food preparations, which are part of his Sunday ritual. While most neighbors were spreading peanut butter and jelly, we were digging in to pot roast, meatloaf, and zucchini casserole (yum).

Monday was spent cleaning up the front yard (Molly and Conor). Abby had school at Nativity (no power, but water) but the public schools (all of them) were closed, including NKU. Erick had "business as usual." When our power finally returned at 4 p.m., Abby cried. She enjoyed the time together without the distractions of TV, liked the fact that school was not quite so hot, and loved reading by flashlight in the bathtub.

Just Ducky...

Today we participated in the "Buddy Walk" in association with the Down Syndrome Association. We had the honor of walking with Conor's friend and classmate Will who has DS. It was a great day (despite the forecast which called for rain). Afterwards, we splurged and bought tickets for the new Duck Boat Ride through Northern Kentucky and entering the water on the Cincinnati side. Both Abby and Conor were given the chance to drive the boat. Yikes! We all survived! :-) QUACK, QUACK!

Abby Enters Second Grade Today!

Abby started school today. She's a big, bad 2nd grader now. How time flies! Abby's teacher is Mr. Cain. She just found out yesterday when they posted the lists. Ab is so happy. She keeps saying: "I can't believe I really got Mr. Cain for my teacher." They started the day by picking seat numbers and Abby picked #8, a seat right in the front row next to her friend Haley.

Silly Cousins

Last weekend, we were able to enjoy one last out-of-town adventure when we went to Dillon State Park to meet up with the Blenk side of the family. The kids had a blast catching up with their cousins: swimming, hiking, biking, scootering and even a light parade with their glow sticks!

And He's Off...

Today Conor started his Kindergarten career at Pleasant Ridge Montessori. He looked like quite the pro as he met up with his teacher Miss Maureen and other classmates outside their brand new building. It's hard to believe his full-day schooling has begun. He's definintely ready and we can't wait to watch him grow in the year ahead.

Horsin' Around

Abby finished her two week Horse Camp at Winton Woods Riding Center this past Friday. It was a great experience. So much so that we are apparently now looking for a second home in the "countryside." I think it may be a tent. :-)

Abby, along with three friends, learned how to trot and weave on her horse, as well as how to groom her new friend. Abby's horse was named "Third," which is short for "Third and Long"... a definite football connotation. It was amazing to see at the ending Horse Show exactly how much Ab learned. We are very proud of her.

Summer Fun!

The Cincinnati Blenks have decided to start a blog to keep up to date with family and friends who are far away. Our summer is flying by and it has been full of fun and some great memories. With school starting for Conor in 2 weeks and for Abby in 3 weeks, we want to share some of our summer accomplishments.


Conor learned how to ride a two-wheeler and his swimming is much improved. He is quite the socialite, reveling in playdates and time outdoors. Abby is a full-fledged swimmer, able to be anywhere at the Y pool without an adult. She jumps off the diving board and goes down the big inflatable slide with her friends. Abby also learned to ride her two wheeler. Both kids did great during our five night, six day camping trip up at Lake Erie.