spring break

It was spring break around here this week, although it didn't really feel like it since our week wasn't much different than normal. We still had piano lessons and swimming on Monday (although both girls each had a private lesson for swimming since so many kids were gone for break). We still had gymnastics on Wednesday (except only 3 of 6 kids were there and we didn't have lunch/play with H&M afterwards because they are off on a sun-filled vacation).

The girls didn't, however, have preschool on Tuesday or Thursday so we did do a few different things on those days. After hitting the gym Tuesday morning, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed to the MOA. This was the only poor choice on my part as everyone else in Minnesota decided to go there as well. I thought I was being smart by combining a trip to IKEA for returns with discounted rides at MOA for Toddler Tuesday, but we ended up leaving before using all of our ride points because the crowds were out of control. Note to self: never go to MOA in March.

Thursday was a much more successful day. We visited the Minneapolis Institute of Arts with Katie and had a blast. 

The girls have been dying to see a real Monet painting ever since Nana and Papa brought them a book about Monet from their trip to Paris last fall. Katie loves art and knows a lot so she was pointing out some great stuff to the girls and they were very engrossed.

We were both impressed with Little Pie, because she pointed out a painting that she thought was Monet. While it wasn't, it was so similar, Katie and I were at first mistaken too. She really has the eye!

Of course, the girls were a tad disappointed that the Monet painting we did find, was not the famous Water Lilies, but they were impressed nonetheless.

Claude Monet: Grainstack, Sun in the Mist

Admiration. Little Pie didn't put her map of the museum down.

Claude Monet: The Seashore at Sainte-Adresse

The girls also have a book about Edgar Degas. They aren't as into him since the story is about him being kind of a grumpy old man. But they were still interested in finding a painting of his. We didn't find a dancer painting like they had hoped, but we did find a portrait.

OK, so they actually set off the alarm when they got too close to the Degas, but the guard nearby was super nice about it. Little Bird on the other hand was mortified and wanted to leave and go home immediately. It took a while, but she finally got over it.

We had a super yummy fun lunch with Katie at French Meadow Bakery afterwards (because we were all about the French). And what do you suppose the girls wanted to do when they got home?

Paint of course...

Katie's favorite Van Gogh which we had seen at the museum.

We were all super excited because Rob had Friday off. We started off going to a really great family Good Friday service at church. It was interactive so the girls were quite engaged. There was also a reading of The Giving Tree (which is one of the girls' favorite books) and Pastor Peter "played" the tree. The girls were quite excited to see the reenactment.

After church we (along with many other people apparently) got some pancakes at the Original Pancake House. We had originally planned to go the Bell Museum for the afternoon but Rob was not feeling that great and the girls were yawning like crazy. Instead we went home to relax.

We are all super anxious for the snow to melt and for the weather to be warm. While it was fairly nice today, it's going to be cold for Easter and the beginning of next week. Why won't this winter ever end?

hans, part zwei

Last October, Little Pie got to bring home the class "pet", Hans, to care for for a week. Little Bird was quite upset that it wasn't her turn (or her responsibility) to have him for the week. She was so anxious about it being her turn next, and for weeks and weeks following Hans' return to school, she agonized over whether she would be the one to bring him home next.

Each week she was so disappointed, but she also became less emotional about not being the chosen one. Even though you could see her confidence falling, she kept reassuring herself she would one day have him in her possession.

That day finally came. She was the last student in the class to take him home. Yes, the girl that probably wanted him the most, was the last to have him. Lesson in life? 

When I picked her up from class, she could hardly contain her excitement. The minute we got home, she wanted me to start taking pictures of them together. The following is the entry I put in Hans' journal.

On Thursday, March 14, I got to go home with Sophie N.  I’ve actually been to her house before when her sister, Evie took care of me back in October. It was fun to be back and I realized I hadn’t forgotten my way around their house!

Sophie is very sweet and always looking out for my best interests. She was always making sure I was wrapped in a cozy blanket because it was really cold out and she never forgot to include me in anything she was doing.

We snuggled on her bed and read lots of books. My favorite was a book called Greyfriar’s Bobby which is about the most famous dog in Scotland. It’s a special book because Sophie’s daddy brought it home from a work trip to Scotland. Sophie reminded me that I was a famous dog because I had my own book too.

I got to ride in their car a lot and visited all of the places that Sophie usually goes during the week. We went to Target, swimming lessons, piano lessons and gymnastics. I even got to go to church school with her. We past right by Karing Kingdom on our way to church school and waved at our fun classroom. I also got to watch Sophie get all dressed up in her favorite Belle princess dress and go to a special party with her daddy and her sister. It was sure fun to see her so excited!

I had a really great time at Sophie’s house and I will miss all her snuggles, but I’m really excited to meet my new friend and go on some new adventures.

Your friend,

Hans

The night before she was to return Hans to school, Little Bird went to bed with him one more time. As we tucked her in we talked about how much fun it was to have had him at our house again. She broke into sobs and practically begged us to not make her bring him back. She said she loved him so much and that he was the only puppy that knew how to give her kisses. Rob and I both had tears in our eyes seeing her so brokenhearted about little Hans. We talked about how Hans will be going home with one of her teachers next and that she had so many other puppies at home that she needed to take care of. She eventually calmed down and the next morning she was ready to return Hans.

She also decided that she would bring her puppy, Liesel, to school for Sharing Circle. After she shared her pup with the class, she found out that one of her teachers has a REAL dog named Liesel at her house. She was so excited to tell me and now Liesel is her new best friend at home.

spring? yeah, right

It's the first day of spring, but you wouldn't know it around here. By the feel of it, it should say January on the calendar. It's been rough to remain trapped inside. Everyone is feeling antsy to get out and feel warmth on our faces, but it doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon. The weirdest part is to have all this extra sunlight, but no extra warmth.

                     Little Pie: Mom, isn't the snow beautiful.

                     Me: Sure, but I'm actually kind of tired of the snow. I'd love to see grass now.

                     Little Bird: But Mom, winter lasts a really long time in Minnesota.

                     Me (with a maybe a tinge of a whine in my voice): I know, but I still wish it was spring.

                     Little Pie: Mom, don't sound like a little kid!

We attempted a scooter ride on Saturday afternoon since the sidewalks were actually quite clear, but we came inside after 10 minutes. I really didn't think it was that cold, but we could hardly stand the biting wind. I checked the windchill when we finally came inside, and sure enough it was around 0.

Neither of the girls were too happy to have to come inside.

Prior to the scooter event, we attempted another cabin fever cure. Real bowling! Rob had never seen the girls in real bowling action, so he was pretty excited to check it out. My favorite part is the little bowling shoes.

Everyone was super excited to throw strike after strike just like they do in Wii bowling.

But, the girls were actually pretty bummed their scores weren't as high as they are on the Wii. 

We still had a great time and it was a great activity to fill the cold day.

---

On Friday night, Rob took the girls to a Daddy/Daughter dance/party at the community center. The girls were so excited to have their daddy take them somewhere special that was just for them. No Moms allowed! It was a princess theme so the girls dressed in their favorite princess; Belle for Little Bird because her dress is yellow and Cinderella for Little Pie because she heard she was going to be in charge of the party. 

Rob said the party was very well organized (it had to be if there were going to be a bunch of dads around!). The girls met up with their friend Ms. M. and did some crafts, played a game, got their pictures taken with their daddy and the princesses.

  They had a blast and talked my ear off about it the next day.

Hopefully spring will show up soon but I have a feeling we will be wearing winter coats and possibly boots with Easter dresses this year. Egg hunts have been postponed until warmer weather comes in and the snow is gone. So, around June...

happy birthday to you...

Little Pie learned a new song today. Just in time for Nana's birthday!

This morning at her lesson, she asked her teacher to show her how to play Happy Birthday since it was Nana's birthday. We worked on it for 20 minutes at home before I pulled out the camera and recorded this perfect piece in one shot.

We are so proud of her!

arizona 2013

We have a couple of lucky girls. We just got back from our FIFTH family trip to Arizona. We had a marvelous time; so much so that there were four grumpy people in the car to the airport.

We started our vacation a little bit earlier than planned. Of course a snow storm was expected the morning we were to leave and while we are only 40 minutes from the airport, we knew that with rush hour and snow, it could take us 2 or more hours to get there. To avoid the headache of trying to decide when to leave (and not having to leave at the crack of dawn), we stayed in a hotel by the airport the night before our flight. The girls thought it was the coolest thing in the world (I've even heard them, since we've gotten home, taking their babies on a trip and leaving early to stay at a hotel by the airport!). 

We paired off into travel buddies (Rob and Little Bird, Me and Little Pie) and hung out in the gate area playing Tic Tac Toe on the airport iPads, waiting impatiently to get out of winter. The girls are excellent travelers and kept themselves busy with their sticker books for the entire flight. Little Pie still gets a bit nervous on take off (or blast off as she says) and landing, but she is OK once she snuggles a bit closer. 

After getting our rental car, we headed to Gramma and Grandpa's for the first half of our trip.

Gramma and Grandpa's Arizona

We arrived around dinner time, so while we unpacked and got settled, Gramma and Grandpa went to grab some pizza. But suddenly the doorbell rang. It was Nana and Papa and Uncle Drew! Since we hadn't seen them in so long they came by to grab some hugs from the girls and join us for dinner. It was so fun to have the whole crew together. 

The next day while Rob and I got pedicures (yes Rob!) the girls zoomed around Sun City in the golf cart with Gramma and Grandpa. Supposedly there was a visit to the DQ as well! The girls LOVE riding in the little car and on this trip they seemed to think that they are actually driving it.

The afternoon was spent at our first spring training game. We met Nana, Papa and Uncle Drew at Salt River Fields for the first spring training game; Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies. The girls have only been to one Twins game and have recently been to many basketball games so they were getting a little confused about what was going on. (there is no halftime, foul ball is not the same as a foul, the score doesn't change much or quickly, etc.). They asked Papa a million questions and after awhile were starting to understand the game fairly well. We sat in the outfield on the most GLORIOUS afternoon with a warm sun and a cool breeze. The game was quite long so we left after THREE hours but we couldn't have had a better time.

After the game we headed to Gramma's for a quick swim and some grilled fajitas. Yum!

Sunday turned out to be the worst day weather-wise. The winds picked up to 20 mph and it was only about 55 degrees. Of course that is the day Papa, Grandpa, Rob and I were to golf. The men all did well despite the conditions, but I had a really hard time (it was the clubs! j/k). I couldn't believe I was in AZ and wearing five layers and still unable to get warm. We all suffered some windburn when finished. Rob was just really happy to finally be on the course.

I'm wearing five layers, Rob is wearing shorts.

Meanwhile, the girls were hunkered down with Gramma, Nana and Uncle Drew at Gramma's house. Apparently there was a lot of card playing, resting and reading going on. The girls were likely oblivious to the poor weather conditions.

Grandpa had to leave to head back to MN on Monday morning so the girls had to get some snuggles in before he left.

We had a calm day on Monday and while Rob and I got some massages and hot tub time, the girls played and played and played with their toys at Gramma's. When we returned all rested and relaxed, the four ladies went to get their nails painted while Rob got his haircut (Gramma was quite impressed with how well the girls sat while getting their nails done. No smudges!). We had a fun lunch out and then some quiet relaxing time in the comfy furniture on the patio soaking in the sun.

Nana and Papa's Arizona 

As the week progressed, the weather got nicer. Every day was warmer than the previous, so when we arrived at Nana's we went straight for the pool. (Rob and Papa went straight for the golf course). It would be the first of our four visits to the pool and the girls literally jumped right in.

The girls have no fear and all fun when it comes to swimming. I can't believe how much they have improved over the year. Little Bird swam half the length of the pool by herself!

For the remainder of our days in AZ, we started each morning with a hike, came back for lunch and then went to the pool (Rob and Papa went golfing one more time). It was a great routine to have and it kept us out in the sun to replenish all the vitamin D that we have been missing.

Wednesday morning Rob, Papa, and I hiked with Brenda and Eric at Elephant mountain. It was a three and half hour hike, so while we were gone, Nana and Uncle Drew took the girls to a park and then on a hike of their own.

Our Elephant Mountain hike.

The girls' hike.

Nana taught the girls how (and why) to make a cairn and how to look for other signs marking the trail.

Please note: all photos from the girls' hike provided by Nana.

On Thursday morning Rob and I hiked Black Mountain. It's basically a straight up climb and this year we set our best time of 43 minutes up and 41 minutes down. Love the view from the top!

 

Rob and Papa golfed again in the afternoon while the girls and I went swimming with Uncle Drew. We also had a chance to do a little shopping in Cave Creek where I picked up some yummy salsa and meat rub and the shop I like to go to when I'm there. The girls had fun running around Frontier Town.

 

 Our last hike was Friday at Tom's Thumb near Brenda's house. The girls went to the park with Nana and Uncle Drew and then met us at Brenda's house after we were done with our hike.

We relaxed in the sun on the patio and enjoyed a BBQ lunch.

After some sun and rest, we went back to Nana's for one last swim. We had a quiet night; watching the sun go behind the mountain one last time.

Thankfully, we didn't have an early flight the next day so we took our time packing up and the girls got some more game time in with Uncle Drew.

It was not easy to say goodbye. We had too much fun and were definitely spoiled. These two girls are a couple of lucky girls that get to go on vacation every year to a beautiful place, spend a ton of quality time with BOTH sets of grandparents and learn and explore new and different things. We are already looking forward to next year!