Summer List: #5,18, and 98...and a few more

We had a fun and busy weekend working on "The List." We woke up Friday morning trying to think of what to mark off for the day.  The decision was easily made once I realized it was National Doughnut Day: #98 - Make doughnuts!  It was really more me making the doughnuts, but the kids did like dipping the them into the butter and cinnamon sugar mixture when they came out of the oven.  Yum!

When Steve got off work Friday afternoon, we left our muddy torn-up road for Princeton to visit Grandma and Grandpa Gibbs (#18).

On the way, I was dropped off at Varsity Theater to join my dear friend for a Rob Thomas concert.  Very fun - thanks, Evie! a couple very talented artists opened, and then Rob came on with his guitarist from Matchbox 20.  They covered a handful of their older hits in a cool acoustic style.

The next day, we joined Maggie's buddy Raef, little brother Christian, and mom Evie for a rendezvous at Clifford Park - Isanti's finest!  It was fun to revisit one of our favorite parks from when we lived in Isanti,along with some very dear friends.  And at the same time, we crossed #5 off the list!

Comparing scraped knees.

Photo by Evie Larson.

Photo by Evie Larson.

 

Sad we  moved away before these two were really able to interact, but I still plan for them to be buddies. :)
Photo by Evie Larson.

I didn't get any pictures of our time with the Gibbs family, but it was lovely, as always. And we got to meet the newest member, Buster, Jim and Angie's Bichon Frisé puppy!

We also crossed off #s 9, 17, and 63 by playing "I Spy" in the car, taking Asia for a walk, and walking to the park when we returned to Stewartville this evening.

The Summer List

School is out, and we're ready for the summer fun to begin. After seeing the idea somewhere, we decided to make a list of 100 summer activities for the kids. This doesn't include my own personal list of painting, running, etc., but I hope to get to those as well.
Here's to summer!

Date night after the last day of school.

Trying to get this boy to sleep past 5:30 in the morning by cutting back to one nap.  Day 1 - asleep by 10:15 am.

Last weekend we accompanied Steve to Winona for work and then went to Lark toys afterwards.  Fudge, ice cream, toys, and the carousel.

Doughnuts form Kwik Trip to start the early morning trip to Winona.

Her Heart

One of the many things I love about my daughter is her heart for people. A particular example of this softness occurred just today.
While enjoying the chilly evening on our patio, our time outside was interrupted by the flashing lights of a first responder truck. It appears that our elderly neighbor, who was born and raised in the same house in which he still resides, took a fall.
When Maggie learned of his accident, she immediately set to work with her markers and coloring book to create a Get Well picture for Mr. Sullivan. After her masterpiece was finished, she was utterly distraught to learn that he was going to the hospital and that she wouldn't be able to deliver her picture yet this evening. Much consoling was needed to assure her he would be fine and that her picture could be presented at another time. After the tears subsided, she did remember that when Curious George fell and went to the hospital, the doctors helped him get all better. What a sweetie. And during her bedtime prayers, before I could even prompt her, she included a request for Mr. Sullivan.
I thank the Lord for her.

Please

Am I the only mom that cringes when her toddler says, "please?" Let me elaborate.
We try to teach our kids good manners. Try. And sometimes they follow through!
Also, in case you're not familiar with sign language, the sign for "please" is to rub your chest with your hand. Combine a precious 19-month-old boy, chocolate chip muffin in hand (healthy version!), and a desire for more. Screaming won't do the trick, ("What do you say, Bode?") so he takes his grubby little hand and runs it over his shirt, which happens to be soaked from the watermelon he was carrying around earlier. *sigh*
I suppose the obvious solution is to make him wear a bib. Or maybe quit teaching him manners. :)

Ladies' Man

We needed to get out of the house today. It was raining, and we were crabby. So what better place to go than The PlayPlace at McDonald's to run off some steam on a rainy gloomy day?

And that is where I realized Bode's got moves. Or he thinks he does. After getting the snub when trying to hug a little toddler girl around his own age, he set his sights a little higher. Older women. Preschoolers.

While one little girl was just minding her own business perched atop the hood of a play car, Bode strutted over and started talking Bode talk while gesturing animatedly all around with his hands. When that got no response, he upped his game by lifting his shirt and showing her his six-pack-to-be. The poor girl didn't know what to do. I tried to engage him in some other play, but he went back again...and again with another little girl. We may have to teach him the meaning of the word "harassment."

Sisters, Brothers, Parents, and Children

The past couple weeks have been filled with family. My sister, fresh off her first year away at college, came to hang out, do some shopping, visit the circus, and play nanny for a few days. We'll see if she comes back after the beating my children gave her.

The next weekend my mom and sister were back to spend the day with Maggie and Bode while I traveled for work. We capped off that day with a delightful visit to the winery with my brother and sister-in-law while my precious little nephew stayed with our children and a sitter. Maggie informed me the next day that he had been crying. Why? "Because Bode was wiggling his head." (Sorry, Annie!)

We finished our weekend with a visit to my parents' house for  Mother's Day. Not only was I blessed to spend some time with my mom, but the day was made even more special knowing I have the two most wonderful children in my life.

Our backyard is starting to bloom.

This kid is constantly getting bumps, bruises, and bloody noses.

Teacher Appreciation Day = BOGO at Chipotle.

A new game invented by Bode - ring ball.

Dancey Dance

This weekend was absolutely beautiful. Saturday morning was spent (finally) cleaning and organizing our garage after it had become a dumping spot during our mid-January move. We now have piles of cardboard box stacked behind our house, waiting for recycling day, much to my husband's chagrin ("I appreciate your passion, but let's just throw them away."  Yes, I am a freak that often picks through our garbage to find tossed recyclables).  Either way, it's an improvement from having the clutter in the garage!

In the afternoon, we had Maggie's Spring Dance Show. Adorable. It has been fun to watch her interact with her peers, enjoy movement and music, and gain confidence in front of an audience.

Afterwards Maggie suggested we go to Dairy Queen, asking Steve, "Is that ok, buddy?"  So we put Asia on the leash, loaded Bode into the wagon and trekked down the road, over the walking bridge, and up the grassy hill to enjoy some ice cream.  After we filled our tummies, we decided to extend our walk, so continued to Florence Park to swing, slide, and learn from Daddy how to roll down a hill.

We were able to enjoy the outdoors even more today when my parents stopped by to grill at the park after they returned from Florida.