By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Nicole Reblando of Mount Auburn tries to control a kite that landed on her daughter, Olivia, 3, in Eden Park on Tuesday. No damage was done to child or kite. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

Rob Quebman stuck his toes in Mirror Lake at Eden Park and played his saxophone.

Nicole Reblando tried to fly a kite with her daughter, only to find herself fighting off the kite when it took a dive toward 3-year-old Olivia's head.

Everywhere around the Tristate on Tuesday, people shook off one of the worst winters in memory by enjoying the first day of 80-degree weather since October.

Cincinnati's high temperature of 81 degrees fell 3 degrees short of the record, set in 1976. But that didn't give Quebman the blues, even if he did play some on his sax while his 2-year-old daughter Aleda Grace danced.

"We thought it would be a good way to give thanks to God for the nice weather," said Quebman, 37, of Madisonville. "I started out playing a little gospel, but it quickly turned into 'name that nursery rhyme.' That was probably the best way to thank God anyway."

The temperature was well above the average high of 65 degrees for the date. The nice weather is expected to hold for today, with a high of 78 degrees predicted. However, rain moves into the picture later today, and by Thursday temperatures fall back into the 60s.

Reblando, 33, of Mount Auburn, took all four of her children to the park Tuesday, but was just the one attacked by the kite. She said there was no damage done.

"We went to the art museum in the morning, then went and had a picnic," she said.

"Then we tried to fly the kite and that didn't work out too well. The wind just pushed it right back down."

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Wilmington say Thursday's showers will give way to cool, dry weather on Friday and Saturday, with perhaps another round of rain on Sunday.

E-mail dklepal@enquirer.com