Weekend Warriors

We had a very busying weekend That started with a bang on Friday.

School is coming to an end for this year and Friday was Field Day.

The kids each participated in several events.

Roo did the baton relay and 3 legged race.

 Butter also ran the baton relay and did the water balloon toss, which they were out after the first toss, because she's afraid to catch things! :0)

When the boys weren't in an event this is what they were doing...always having their hands on each other. Noogies, hugs, high fives...7 year old boys are worse then girls when it comes to keeping their hands to themselves!

Here Butter is in her third event the hoops. She made 4 baskets, got hit in the face twice, when 5 grade boys chucked her the ball when see wasn't ready...never cried or flinched. So proud.

If it had happened at home there would have been wailing and gnashing of teeth...oh and huge crocodile tears.

Lastly it was the tug of war contest between classes.

Can you find Roo? (that is Rob in the hot pink shirt...oh lala)

Yep, that is little Roo in the back, last...he's gonna be the anchor!

And they lost. I think because Mrs. K got stuck with a bunch of shirmpys in her class. HA!

Butter's class won, Mrs. H hasn't lost yet...hmmmm.

The kids got to have an overnight with Nana & Papa. Rob and I took the opportunity to have a date.

We drove over to White Bear Lake and had dinner on the patio of Rudy's Redeye Grill.

The patio was gorgeous, and packed! We were told the wait was an hour and a half. No biggy, we'd wait. I found a bar stool and plopped us next to a small table that some young girls were at, their cups empty, their plates off to the side...any minute they'd be done. We waited and waited, until finally the waitress brought them the check, we asked ever so nicely if we could have their table. Why yes, we could. I gently stood, taking position to scooch into the closest girls seat, while Rob stood off to the side to let the girls pass, just then a lady came out of nowhere and tried to steal the table...She tried telling us that she'd been there longer then us...oh, no, Rob had just ordered a second beer when she and her friend walked in! Just then our buzzer went off for a table. (the bar tall tables were first come first serve) I kindly let them have the bar table. When we got to the hostess stand she tells us:

"There is a party of 5 sitting at a party of 8 table, they said you could join them if you'd like?"

I had to think about this for 2 seconds. No.

I told the girl I just gave up a bar table to now have to share? No. We would wait. I also pointed out that there was a table that a woman was sitting at alone and had been the entire time we were there which was now 40 minutes. She wasn't ordering...

We waited another 10 minutes and finally got a table. We were seated by the party of 5 at the table for 8...there was only 2 people at that table! We ordered drinks, and an appi. Brushetta, one of my favorites. I was completely disappointed. They used onions to "fill" the tomatoes. Making it look like there was a lot of tomatoes, but really half was onions; they also drizzled it with balsamic vinegar...the flavors were not good at all. We ordered Cajun Shrimp pasta. It was the blandest thing I've ever tasted and that is coming from a girl who doesn't like a lot of spice!

We were mid way through our meal when single ladies date showed up, and table of 5 finally got their other 3...

I enjoyed the time spent with Hubby, but this was a dud of a place and the food...was extremely underwhelming!

We went over to Cup and Cone for dessert. YUM!

Saturday I got to see my spiritual hero live: Joyce Meyers was in town and boy oh boy was it fantastic!!! She is so gifted and the teaching she gave was just what I needed to hear!

Before she taught, she came out and prayed over us. I was moved to tears.

I went with the mom of one of Nina's friends. The past few weeks we've gotten closer, It has been very nice. We met up with two other women and we are now discussing going to St. Louis in the fall for Joyce's woman's conference.

Rob had to work at Summit, which he volunteers at once a month to give tours at the brewery...he is paid in beer. He loves this! I am slowly becoming a fan our a few of their beers, although I really am not a beer drinker.

The kids went to an airshow with Nana & Papa so Rob and I headed to church. It was another brilliant message...which I needed after Friday night's patio debacle! ;0)

Sunday we volunteered to walk in the Grand ol' Day parade with Summit.

We held signs, while Rob passed out buttons. It was funny to hear the parents yell "Where are the samples!!!" When normally it's the kids yelling "Candy!!!!"

The route was 2 &1/2 miles, with some hills. It was grueling on my feet.

The sun was gorgeous, perfect temps, but my feet suck!

I hate bunions. I have had surgery on my right foot 12 years ago, and it has no better, if not worse in terms of walking around on...I'm not sure more surgery will help...genetics!

Nordy, our NHL hockey teams mascot. Roo was so funny, he would not get near him and did his thing; where he puts is hand up to his eye like he's trying to look at the sun...Nordy did get him to give nugs.

Butter on the other hand, well you can see for yourself!

I would have hugged him too, but Rob was ready to find the Summit group!

It was a wonderful morning of seeing old acquaintances. I was the party pooper and wanted to go home. My feet had had it.

It took us 40 minutes to get out of downtown. With the shuttles not running and road construction it was a nightmare! We had to stop off half way home for lunch.

I'll tell you what, this weekend we were all warriors!

Hope that you all had a wonderful weekend too!

It's time.

The bags are packed, we've mapped it out

We're so excited we could shout!

A certain mouse is waiting

We've been anticipating.

Princess, Castles, magic places

Countries in the World showcases

Buzz and Woody, Lightening, Mater

Jedi Training to fight Darth Vader!

Roller coasters and stunt shows

Hurry up it's time to go...

M   I    C

See you real soon.

K   E   Y

Why, because we need a little fun.

M  O  U  S   E!

That was fun!

We had a busy day, it started at Grammy J's house for waffles and the face painting.

Roo wanted to be a skeleton this year, which is a bit unusual for him, he likes his characters. He has been into bones lately, so I guess it's not a stretch. I was worried that it might be too scary for him, so I did my darnedest to find a "Happy" skeleton. But I knew once he saw his sister was getting face~painting he'd want it too. My Mom had a "happy" face all ready to paint.

 He sat in the chair, he had to go after Daddy, yes, we ALL got face~painting. When my mom has an audience she paints EVERYONE, it's good practise. half way through his face, he began to cry, Grammy would let him look each time she added something new. He decided it was too scary after she began to apply the black around his eyes, she hadn't even gotten to the smile yet, poor guy.

Next up was Butter or I should say last up was Butter. She was a pumpkin girl, so Grammy decorated her face.

Ta Da! 

  Butter loved it.

Now I suppose you are wondering what Rob and I looked like?

I got a little fairy on my cheek, purple of course, I refused to take a picture because it is break~out season and even the cute little purple fairy couldn't hide them!

My mom did Rob first, we had no idea we were going to be guinea pigs, but this takes the cake.

Yep, looks like he got run over by a truck!

Here they are bundled up and ready to go over to some friends house for trick or treating.

 One of Butter's dearest friends moved into a new neighborhood, it was INSANE, but so so much fun. We ended up seeing lots of families we knew through soccer.

 Jack, Roo, Butter and Sarah

 Little Sarah is hilarious and spunky, she is a good bestie for Butter who is serious, but loves to laugh.

The girls were ready to go go go and the boys were ready for hot cocoa and rest.

  This about says it all.

 I could not believe the hoopla in this neighborhood, just the scale of it wore me out. Full size candy bars, chili and bonfires for the adults, hayrides back to your house, and one house even gave out stuffed animals! I told you, insane.

Summer's end

As I look out on this last day of our summer vacation, I think about how quickly these last couple months went by; even if there were days when I thought I would literally pull my hair out if I heard "I'm bored. What are we doing today?" one.more.time!

We spent plenty of lazy days at the beach, or swimming at the pool. I didn't read as much as I'd like to have but the books I did read were enjoyable.

As we get our things together for the start of school: Butter's first day is tomorrow and Roo has a "practise day" Wednesday and then starts his half day afternoon schedule on Thursday. I am forced to acknowledge the passage of time. Second grade, my girl is starting second grade that's ONLY ten grades shy of graduation! I could blink and it would be here. My "baby", yeah well, I just a titch ready for him to test those wings. We've had potty issues over the summer, we've had melt-downs and power struggles that I thought would have been long gone. He's ALWAYS been on his OWN time frame. He's wicked smart, when he's interested and curious about what he's learning. Staying focused on the not so fun/interesting things, well, that is going to be a challenge. I can already hear the feedback from his teacher...he likes to be silly...let's just say she's been warned.

I will never forget the look on Butter's face when we went to meet her new teacher. She was hesitant, cautious and then when former students started to trickle in to give their "old" teacher a hug and say hi, she then decided her new teacher couldn't be too bad if she gave hugs, and I could imagine that she was already planning ahead to next year when SHE would be the one stopping by and how the teacher would then embrace her in sweet remembrance!

Butter has grown a lot over this last year. She is really starting to cut her path, determine who she is and who she wants to be. She is serious about her school work. She enjoys learning. She is cautious about who she chooses as friends and is beginning to see she MUST be in order to have the really good ones!

Just in the last month she learned to ride her bike without training wheels. I love to watch her go. Being her mom I get to watch the fear rise up and see how she copes and eventually overcomes it. Sometimes I'm there to push and other times I sit and watch. She always comes out just a bit more sassy...

She is learning about money. She doesn't like not having it! (Do any of us?) Lessons can sometimes be hard, but sometimes the best way to teach them is to be completely open and honest. Our kids learned a valuable one over our vacation. (So did Rob and I.) I followed my gut and not my desire to go along blindly with my wishful husband. He can be intoxicating at times with his rosy view. I had to be the hammer. I had to be the one to break the glass. At the time it hurt, it was incredibly painful. I still see their faces at night when I close my eyes. The very next day my family learned that Momma was right, she wasn't ruining something, she was protecting something else. It was difficult for my husband to admit I was right, I think it was harder for him to admit to himself he had been wrong, he should have been more diligent, careful, mindful.

I hated being right; but ever since I've been giving praises.

We've heard a lot of bad news lately, it's in the newspapers, it's on blogs, it's right here close to home. My heart bleeds. I can get completely wrapped up in the pain of it all. Reading about a family who lost there 7 year old daughter to a rare form of meningitis because she went swimming in a lake...Or reconnecting with old friends and hearing how they had to let their home go back to the bank and are now starting over...hearing about the loss of two family members in one month for an in law...the earthquake on the other side of the earth. Pay cuts right here in our own home.

This last week, when we had to make our own fun; when we had to stop waiting for the perfect {fill in the blank}. Becoming overwhelmed in the pain is easy, praying your heart takes commitment but choosing joy, now that takes guts, determination. It takes a CHOICE. I am so glad I made choices this last week.

We took Butter to the AMerican Girl store out at Mall of America. She had been saving her gift certificates to get herself another doll. Ruthie needed a sister. Speaking of Ruthie, look how sweet the girls look in their matching AGChicago shirts and sparkly red shoes! Butter got compliments all through the store, which see acted like it wasn't a big deal but I so know better! (wink wink) After we figured out what she could and could not afford, we went to the dessert bar, you know how shopping can take a lot out of a girl, or ahem Roo...

He asked where the boy dolls were. He was a little upset to see all the "borrow a doll" dolls were girls, but that was until he got his ice cream, then he didn't care, it meant he didn't have to share it!

Ruthie and Butter decided on the Mini tray...

Which turned out to be NOT so mini.

Rob pointed out the Swatch shop; Do you remember swatches? Why don't I remember them being so expensive? Well, about 6 months ago Rob promised Butter he'd buy her a watch. She found one she had to have, a swatch no less, and she was determined for follow through. {insert laughter} I knew how much the watch was, I also knew Rob is a push-over when it comes to following through with his sweet-angel faced daughter. He honestly thought the watch was less, much less...

She has been wearing it everyday and taking wonderful care of it. I won't go into how upset the boy was...sorry bud, ain't gonna happen, not until you're going into second grade and ONLY if you can prove your responsible...

I love being able to say "Hey Butter what time is it?" and she has to answer me instead of the other way around!

We ended our trip to the big mall by stopping at Ikea.

I am now having dreams of a new pantry on our small/not enough storage kitchen. I'm starting me another envolope.

Goodbye summer of 2010: we thank you for the lessons we've learned.

Vacation

Our trip up North was short and sweet, but we sure packed a lot in while we were there. We went for a pontoon ride,  swimming, walked the resort, ate Walleye, did some shopping at the sweet little boutiques in town and attended a family dance! To round out our vacation we saw Nanny McPhee Returns, which was a major treat, since we don't normally go to the movie theaters. We went out to the apple orchard to see if we could score some SweeTangos and we went to an indoor waterpark!

One of the highlights for me was watching my adorable husband dance to Miley Cyrus with his sassy daughter. (that's him in the orange hat, the bouncy boy in the blue shirt is our son Roo. I have NO idea who the women in the black dress is, but she kept getting in my way.)

Beautiful Gull Lake

Enjoying the sun by the pool.

Dancing with Daddy.

Maybe next year you'll see them on America's got talent!

At the docks waiting for the boat ride.

Farming...

One of the things we wanted to do over the long weekend was go to the apple orchard. We have two that we like, the apples are wonderful. But there isn't a WHOLE lot more then apples. Well, they DO have corn mazes but those don't open until October. So I googled apple orchards in our area. There were 38. 38! We live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. If you've never been to MN, our Capital is St. Paul, which has a slightly larger more hip "sister" called Minneapolis. There are many SUBburbs surrounding these to "twin" cities. The Mall of America for example is in the CITY of Bloomington, which is SOUTH of the "twin cities". I live NORTH of the twin cities, yet I still live IN the twin cities. So you see 38 orchards in the CITIES, that is a lot of options. I had two things I was looking for:
1) The brand new Hybrid apple the SweeTango. It is a cross between the Honeycrisp (Which was bred here in MN) and the Zestar.
I remember reading about it in the paper, they had a naming contest, and the winner of that contest got to be one of the first of the "public" to try it. That was a year or two ago. I have been thinking about this apple for two years?!?!?!
2) It needed to have something else to do then JUST apples.

We decided to go to Fall Harvest Orchard. They have a working farm. You can get up close and personal with the animals, the have hayrides through the crops, pick your own apples and the SweeTango! It was an hour from our house. We packed up the kids and the dvd player and went for a drive. As we drove in we passed a winery that was having an art festival and wine tasting, we'd hit that on the way back. :)
It wasn't too bad of a drive, we were greeted warmly and handed a bag of feed to feed the goats. They were greedy buggers!Then it was on to my favorite thing: Do you know what it is???

Chickens! Here Roo is holding a chick. If I could, I would have chickens. Fresh eggs. I had to remind Roo not to hold it too tight, it was just a chick.

Can you tell Rob has the camera? Does he NOT see my butt is in this frame?

Here's Butter, she was gentle and calm.

This was Butter's favorite part. The pygmy goats. She loved holding them.

I think she would have brought one home if they had let her. SO cute and their little Bahhhhhhs.

I was nervous for Roo to pick one up and hold it, he is not so gentle. I was telling him NOT to pick up that particular goat because it had a dirty back side and I was pretty sure it wasn't finished. Oh course he went straight for it and the goat peed on him. He had done SO well all day keeping his pants dry and then the goat peed on him! All he could say was "Bad goat! Somebody needs to give that goat diapers!"
Ever hear of the Funky Chicken? Well, I found it! Turns out it's not a chicken...

It is a pheasant. A Chinese pheasant. He was laying down in his pen and I started whistling at him. He got up and start fluffing up and strutting.

The colors on this bird were just GORGEOUS. See how fluffy he is, that's cause he liked my whistling. He was coming over to check me out. Sorry Birdy, I'm spoken for by my own Chicken legs!

Hayride. For some ODD reason we were all wearing purple that day. Even Rob had his Vikings hat on. (note to self: You need a haircut!)

Again Rob with the camera...We are picking gourds. Did you know EVERY gourd has ten stripes? And there is a gourd called the crown? It looks like a gourd wearing a crown. I'm gonna find one of them next time.

Roo on the tractor.

The reason I want Chickens! The kids got to pick a dozen eggs, and I bought them to bring home.

We had SUCH a great time. We plan to go back in October for pumpkins, Haralsons and POPCORN. They grow it right there in the fields!

As for our (limit) two bags of SweeTango's well they are almost gone. They are juicy and SWEET and a bit tart, but no where near as tart as a Haralson. They are very crunchy, firm. Normally I can't eat a whole apple, I get sick of the taste. Honeycrisps are way too much to eat for me. But I could eat about 3 SweeTangos a day. They are SO good. I hope you all get a chance to try them.