MN Zoo

Yesterday morning we met my friend Erica and her girls Lola and Stella at the MN Zoo. We bought our membership before going in, and I think it's going to be money well spent.

It was so nice to just stroll around and look at things, not feeling like we had to see it all because of the amount of money we spent or the rarity with which we visit the zoo. Now we can go whenever we want, and just for an hour or two at a time.

We spent the vast majority of our time playing in the Woodland Adventure play area. It is a great little playground. I was very impressed with the attention to detail the builders used on the playground.

On the sign, there are various animal's depicted:

Inside, there is a treehouse with 3 different ways to access it, including a "secret" staircase inside the tree trunk.

There is a lighthouse, again with creative ways to get up and inside, with a giant slide or a bridge to the treehouse.

There are unique play "things" in the play area too. The boys just loved this fishing boat, with real (but no hooks) fishing poles ready for use.

Inside one of the caves, a bear is hiding in the corner. The first time we went through, Dylan stopped in his tracks. He wasn't sure if he was going to proceed or not. Once I confirmed for him that it was not real, he ran through as fast as he could, and didn't go back. Brody however, visited the bear several times during the morning.

The boys and I are pretty  happy to have this membership. I think we're going to get our money's worth. We have several friends who have memberships as well, so we can just meet there for a few hours in the morning before school, or just to play if we want a change of scenery.

Easter Preschool Orientation

Today was orientation for Easter Preschool. Class officially starts on Monday. Dylan will go M, W, F from 12:30 to 3. For today however, class went from 1 to 2:30 and I attended with Dylan. I thought having a parent there for the first time was a good way for the kids to get acclimated to school.

There are only a handful of returning kids from last year, with most of the class being new to the school or new to preschool. The class is blended between ages 3-5, with most of the kids being in their second year of preschool, although the occasional 3 year old (and even one little sweetie who turns 3 next week!!) is in the class. I haven't told Dylan this, as I'm sure he'd be insulted to realize 3 year olds are in his class.

Here he is, with his new backpack outside the house. He was more than happy to pose for me this year. He chose his own outfit today, including his cowboy boots. I think he looks so cute!

Class started with circle time, where the kids and teacher identify the day/date on the calendar, as well as discuss the weather. Dylan was more than willing to offer information about the weather, his name, etc. The shyness or hesitancy to join in that I anticipated was nowhere to be seen! All of his anxiety about having to go to a new school and meet new friends was totally gone. I was so relieved.

We played outside for awhile too. The kids seemed to have fun, and Dylan was no exception, but he didn't let me get too far from his sight. I think he was worried that I would dip out on him when he wasn't looking!

Back inside, the kids had a little bit of free play time. They had a little more circle time, where the teacher told them their "project" was to color the little person shaped cut-out with their name on it, then to turn it in for a Scavenger Hunt list. It was fun to explore the building with Dylan, to find the bathroom, the sanctuary, etc.

One important thing this classroom has going for it is the train table and train collection. A must-have in Dylan's world!

Before we left, the kids all held hands and sang a goodbye song. Dylan didn't know he was holding the hand of the little one who isn't 3 until next week.

After class, Dylan and I went to Caribou Coffee for his first hot cocoa. He acted so grown up, like he was soooo sophisticated now that he was at a coffee shop. He noted that Brody hadn't been to a coffee shop or had hot cocoa yet.

It was a positive experience today, and I think Dylan is not only ready but excited to go to school on Monday.

Family fun at Raceway Park

One thing I love about being back in the Twin Cities is that there is no lack of things to do. Sunday evening races have been held at Raceway Park for as long as I can remember. We went a few times when I was a kid, and now the boys have gone too.

Raceway is a short track, mostly good for the little cars that sound like bumblebees or the "bomber's" as they are called. They do all different classes of cars though, as well as the famous (well...at least in the TC famous) crazy 8 races. Sunday's first crazy 8 race was wild! It's quite exciting watching the cars try to cross through the traffic without getting hit. Unfortunately, they did get hit this night, but they were all okay. It was an exciting 3 car crash!

They both wore ear plugs for awhile.

Predictably, Brody didn't wear his for long. He really enjoys thrills and noises. This child is not kept entertained by much for four hours, but he sat almost the entire evening and watched the races.

He also snacked a little too...

Once I bought Dylan some ear muffs he was a much happier spectator and enjoyed the evening too.

It might be a little bit hillbilly, but I think the entire family enjoyed the heck out of our evening at Raceway and I'd bet money we'll be back!

Swing set!

One of the things we were about to do before we listed our house was grade the back yard for the swing set. This project has been on the little boys' minds for awhile, and we finally have it up!

Brian, Great Uncle Gregg and Great Uncle Dan all worked hard for a whole Saturday, as well as more work by Brian on Sunday to assemble the swingset.

Now that it's up, we're kind of glad we didn't spend the money on our yard back in Illinois. The swingset is just perfect for the boys, but nothing extravagant and certainly not the greatest quality. It will do just fine for these boys, but wow, not worth the couple thousand dollars we were going to have to put in to our yard to make it flat!

Both boys love to swing. They  have also been enjoying the clubhouse.

Yes, Brody is wearing his jammies outside. He's been insisting on putting on jammies for his afternoon nap. When he wakes up, he just about runs out the door as fast as he can to play, with no time to change. Strange to the neighbors I suppose, but I'm okay with the jammies situation. There could be worse things!

State Fair

What's a little family to do on a 92 degree day than visit the state fair?

Brody is very particular about whom he spends his time with. It changes on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. This day, Uncle Matt was the favorite. Brody wanted to hold his hand or ride on Matt's shoulders all day.

Despite the heat and humidity, we had a fun day. We were able to check out several displays and booths. The boys really like the DNR building.

Brody and I rode on the carousel, and to my extreme surprise, Dylan chose to ride the Giant Slide. Oma rode with him. If you can, click on this picture and you can see the expression on Dylan's face. Priceless. He said he was never doing that again.

We had good eats! We shared cheese curds, the boys shared a giant corn dog and a s'mores too.

We explored Machinery Hill for quite awhile. As an adolescent, I recall being bored out of my mind as my brother and his friend climbed all over every tractor on the grounds. Now my boys do that too! They spent quite a bit of time on these four wheelers.

We had a nice day with minimal breakdowns by the boys. Now, back to unpacking...

The little move

Saturday, August 28th the boys and I made the move to Minnesota. It feels strange to say that. Brian was up early to get the U-Haul. The boys checked it out thoroughly before we loaded our belongings. This is known as the "little" move because the "big" move still awaits us. Once Brian's contract ends in November we'll move the rest of the household belongings, but this move consisted of the boys and my "stuff."

The move went quite smoothly. The truck was a perfect fit for our stuff. We were loaded and on the road by 10:30 a.m. We reached Eagan by 4:30 p.m. and finished unloading sometime around 6:30 p.m. Whew, what a day! This is an adjustment for all of us  - the boys, me, my mom and brother. Brian's is facing his own adjustment at "home" in Machesney Park. He's got a big house full of empty rooms to adjust to.

The lower level is being finished, but is about a week away from completion still, so for now, the toys have found their home in the middle of the living room. It works...for now.

I am so thankful to my mom for allowing us to live here, for making space for us and so many other accomodations.

Edward's Apple Orchard 2010

I found out that Edward's was opening a week early this year, just in time for us to visit on the Friday before we moved! We went out in the morning with my friend Tracey and two of her kids, Addison and Aron.

The weather was perfect - just a touch of crisp fall air!

As usual, the kids had fun playing on the tractors and play train, truck and pirate ship in the play yard.

Each of the boys obligingly posed for a "how much have you grown since last year" photo.

We sat in the warm sunshine and enjoyed a glass of cold apple cider and a warm apple cider donut. Mmm, delicious!

After our snack, the kids rode the ponies. Dylan rode Coco and Brody rode Vinnie. With the amount of time Brody spends touching himself, I found it hysterical that his horse was the one letting it all hang out so to speak.

We managed to get a group shot of Tracey, the kids and me. It was a bit hurried, as the kids were barely cooperating!

We have very good memories of Edward's. Over the last 8 years (yes, can you believe we were in Rockford for 8 years?!) we've visited each fall at least one time. I know there are places like this in the Twin Cities too, but we'll always have our fun memories of Edward's.