First Day of School 2013

State Fair 2013

We went to the first day of the MN State Fair this year, just the kids and I. We arrived about 7:45 and left about 1:30. Sooooo tired, and happy. 

We...

saw all the animals, of course *

watched a few horses jumping fences in the Colosseum

petted horses, dogs, rabbits

played in the water displays in the Eco Building

gaped at the big pond of MN fish

walked thru the DNR still-life of MN animals

drank all-you-can-drink chocolate milk for $1

rode some rides (first year for us to do this)

(another ride)

Also, we...

went down the Giant Slide*

saw seed art*

rode the trolley (because the gondola was broken)

watched a Husky demo

saw a pair of 5-minute-old twin lambs

And we ate...

frozen apple juice*

cotton candy

cheese curds

pizza on a stick

comet corn (liquid nitrogen frozen carmel corn)*

Next year, my goals include...

the lumberjack demo

the parade at 2:00

the 4H building

the gondola

*my personal favorites

Tiger Tracks 2013

I ran the MN Zoo 5K this morning. I had a goal, I didn't meet it, but I was only off 15 sec from my fastest time. Considering I walked more than I wanted, I was OK with the results. I think I was running much faster than I realized to make up for the walking stretches. Need to work on pacing myself :)

The kids also did the 1/2 mile Kids Run.

They both did a great job, running all by themselves!

Soccer is Fun

Took a break from karate to try a team sport...

It is going well.

Curious George the Weatherman

Adam: I want to be a weatherman when I grow up. Mom, how long do you go to school for that?

Me: I'm not really sure, Adam. Probably at least 4 years, maybe more.

Laura: If they can fit it all into one Curious George show, they must be able to fit it into 4 years of college.

Going "Home" 2013

Just returned from an extremely complicated vacation that turned out beautifully, involved all 5 Grandparents, a wedding, driving, flying, swimming, kayaking, etc. and on which I took exactly zero pictures. Oops.

So, I'll record the happenings for posterity...

Jim's mom flew up to MN and drove the kids and the dog back to her house in KS by herself (!) last week. On Friday, Jim and I flew to Pittsburgh for the wedding of the younger brother of a good college friend. Well, we were friends with the groom too, but the poor guy was definitely treated as the younger brother. It was tough when I realized he was over 30 now. How old does that make me?? Anyway, Jim and I had a blast together and remembered how much we like each other. Can't wait till the kids are gone and we retire! Oh, and it was great to see the groom and his family too. They have taken good care of us throughout our college lives and after. When we lived in San Diego, they were just north in LA, so if we couldn't make it home for a holiday, we went there. It was great to catch up.

On Sunday, Jim and I flew down to Wichita and spent one night with the kids at his parents. It sounds like they had a great visit. They went to the county fair, rode a little train, played mini-golf, went to a rodeo, drove vehicles like 4 wheelers and lawn mowers, and rode horses at Aunt Rosemary's. I don't think it gets much better than that!

Then the kids, dog, Jim and I drove to my parents in OK about 3 hours away. Ava the dog sits at Laura's feet when we are all together, but that's not going to work for ever. At some point, Laura's going to need the legroom! I really don't want to buy a car just to fit the dog, but I'm not sure what other option we have? Anyway, we had a great time at my parents' house too. They got wet every day by playing at the splash pad, swimming, and something else I forgot? We also saw my Grandma and Aunt Maureen and Uncle Kenny, went to the Pioneer Woman Museum (has nothing to do with Ree Drummond), played with minnows, tried out my dad's kayak, played a lot of cards and Cadoo, and just had a grand ole time.

After a few days, we drove back to KS and dropped Jim off with his parents. He hung out with them until Sunday and then flew to NYC for work. This worked out nicely for us because now we have more room in the car :) but we do miss Jim. The kids, dog and I went up to my Aunt Kathy's just south of Kansas City and stayed with her a night. That was so fun. She has 3 dogs, 4 cats, and 5 horses. Needless to say, we were all in heaven!

After pancakes and bacon breakfast (yum!), we left and drove up to Jim's brother's house in Iowa. He and his wife also live out in the country (all 4 places we stayed were out of city limits) in a gorgeous dome home that reminds me so much of my grandparents' dome they built when I was a little kid. Bob and Kate set up a slip and slide (our first success with this! the kids did great), drove the 4 wheeler, flew kites, chased the dogs around, had a fire with smores, and rode the dumbwaiter. So relaxed and fun.

After church the next morning, we loaded up one last time and headed home. I'm so glad I decided to stop at Kathy & Troy's and Bob & Kate's instead of our normal hotel + pool. That is fun too, but this was way better. But now, we are all exhausted and glad to be back home! I left both kids' special lovey's at my aunt's house in KS, so we are looking forward to that delivery sometime this week. Oops! I think its the first time in 7 years that Laura slept without blankie. But Kate saved the day with some stuffed bears and they were so tired they did just fine. But trust me, we are looking forward to that delivery!

The dog is so depressed to be back in the suburbs.

Tipi Camping

or

The Poster Child for West Nile Virus

or

The Itchy and Scratchy Show

or 

Adam has the Measles

or

Holy Bug Bites Batman!

We went camping this weekend. There were mosquitos. Adam has some special pheromones that the mosquitos like a lot. And some special allergies to mosquito spit, apparently.

Did I mention we were camping in a tipi? For 2 years, Jim has been pining to camp in a tipi, so he reserved one for this weekend many moons ago.

The campgrounds are at the Upper Sioux Agency State Park (what a mouthful!), which is a wonderfully maintained park located where the Yellow Medicine River joins the Minnesota River. It is about 2 1/2 hours west of the twin cities.

There are prairie and forest areas with hiking, rolling hills and flat areas.

I have mixed feelings about camping with the dog. When off-leash (illegal, but I was a rebel while at the campground), she is great. She sniffs around, stays in our areas, comes when called, lays down to keep guard. On-leash, she's whiny in the campground, no matter how long the tether is, and the longer it is, the more she gets tangled up. Hiking on-leash, she forgets all her good manners learned while walking in the suburbs and just pulls the whole time. There is just too much to see, smell and hunt. Any suggestions from experienced dog campers?

The nearest town is about 10 minutes away, Granite Falls.

The falls.

And a park on the other side of the river.

Back at the ranch, er...tipi.

I don't have proof of our favorite part of the trip because I didn't want the camera to get wet. Jim coaxed us down near the smaller river, the Yellow Medicine river, and convinced us to wade in to some dry rocks in the middle of the river. Of course the kids were in heaven after they realized they were safe; I hovered between having fun, fearing for my family's lives, irritation with Ava, and concern for Ava; and Ava was just in a total panic at being away from the land. 

Told ya he had a lot of bites. And yes, we used bug spray.

But he was/is very good natured about it.

"Stop scratching, Adam"

Nearby is the Oldest Exposed Rock in the World.

"Get out and go touch the rock, Laura."

Naps were not a problem.

Aside from grossness of it being on a pillow (why? I don't know), I think this dirty little foot is sweet.

She's sweet too.

He's sweet too.

Hi Jim! Enjoy your tipi?

"Stop scratching, Adam"

I like the phases of the moon. They look extra cool at dusk.

Lemonade Stand

Thank you everyone in our neighborhood, you are very generous. They sold 2 gallons in less than an hour and made much more than we expected.

New York! #5

Everyone was feeling better this morning!

Start off with our morning swim

Then off to Central Park, starting with the Zoo

Sea Lion

Polar Bear

Aggressive swans

And a couple of goofy turtles

"I'm picking his NOSE!!!"

The petting zoo was a favorite

You know we are on vacation when I spring the 50 cents for the animal food. :)

Then we had lunch and ventured into the rest of the park.

The first playground had potential, but looked run down.

This slide looked like it could be so much fun!

Laura's doing a great job acting here. She is actually sitting still, not moving an inch. It was the slowest slide ever. Perhaps on a less humid day, it would have been slipperier?

Did you know there are huge rocks sticking out of the ground all over Central Park? I had no idea? That was probably the kids' favorite thing. Bouldering around on them was so much fun.

The next playground we came to (there are many), was better.

Hans Christian Anderson

The Ugly Duckling (statue, not kid)

Alice in Wonderland

The pigeons were also a big hit.

On a whim, I had the kids sit for a charcoal artist. It turned out to be a picture of very cute kids that don't necessarily look exactly like my kids. 

Jim's going to bring it back from his NY office next time he goes, so I will share it with you then.

But both kids did a great job sitting still for it.

Told you I bought them silly souvenirs

Oh! Hey, there's our hotel room. Very standard, and in good shape.

Just across the street was the neighborhood park. It was in very nice condition and had a splash pad. In fact, there were splash pads all over Central Park too. The park had a tall fence that was locked at night, but otherwise, looked just like a park in the 'burbs.

And that night, Laura and I went to a Broadway play. Does anyone remember my obsession with the movie Newsies as a preteen? Maybe even a teenager. I think I was in the minority that recognized its genius. Anyway, it has been made into a play that is very true to the movie and thoroughly exciting for both of us girls. I'm still giddy :)

Our seats were up in the balcony, but again, they were a pretty serious discount from the full price, so what can you expect. Its a small theater, so we could still see very well. 

Adding to the coolness factor is that this is the same theater I saw my first Broadway play 15 years ago. When I was on a college engineering trip, a renegade professor offered to take a few of us into New York City while the rest of the class was doing something else, can't remember what but I'm sure it was nerdy. But I do remember vividly the Staten Island Ferry, walking through Times Square, and taking a chance on some Standing Room Only tickets to see Rent. Holy cow, how could we be so lucky? Jessica and I stood in the back for the first half, then sat in some empty seats about 10 rows back on the floor for the second half. It was incredible. Just incredible.

Anyway, after the show, Laura and I walked back to the hotel via Times Square so we could see it at night. Crazy!