Do you like queso?

Why yes, yes I do like cheese.

Post holiday reflections

This is pretty much how I felt all weekend...

I don't know if it was the cloudy weather or just a need to do nothing, but all weekend I'd get to the point where I could almost nap and then be sucked back into the world of the living. Not true. Your Dad let me take a nap during an opportune time for him to finish up his landscaping work in the backyard. I needed the "me" time! Let me turn my brain off, please!

Tonight I was starting to feel a little more normal, a little more bright eyed and alert. A little like this...

Yesterday we played in the yard, even had the kiddie pools out. 1.5 of them. The .5 because ring #2 of the inflatable pool is kaput, but no matter. At the end of the day I told Zoe we had to dump the water out. She kept telling me that would make her sad.  But given that all afternoon she kept saying "I'm having a FUN day", I guess it might make me sad too to see my pool go away.

instilling bad eating habits

But oh so good.

One lump, or two?

So Sunday evening I says to your Dad, I says, "I'm going to go spend some quality time with my camera".  He hears me. He rustles you up and asks if you want to watch a movie. Of course. Yes. I'm at my computer in the bedroom, the door is open so I can hear the movie start, I hear you settle down. A little chitter chatter at the previews/etc. Normal.

I get going at downloading/cropping/etc some pictures and get a bunch of blog posts up (see below). I get so far along with this that I start to feel like something is wrong. It's that eerie "I have too much time to myself" feeling. You're still quiet, which isn't unusual when you're watching a movie that interests you. But I figure I better go see what's happening.

I go down the hall and see this to my right.

"oh, Daddy's sleep-..."

And then I turn to the left and see why it was so quiet.

Hazelnut flavored coffee creamer.

By the handful.

Yes, we're awesome parents.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

fo you

De plane! De Plane!

Not a good weekend for Blaine Aviation Days (rain, rain and then more rain...oh and lets throw in some wind and maybe a tornado in the area). But it's close to home, it's free and we got nothing to lose by checking it out. After a picnic in the back of the minivan (I was thinking of you, Annie!), we headed into the hanger where 15-18 planes were protected from the elements (and so were we!).

I realized I know nothing about planes. And now I know next to nothing. At a mail plane a volunteer (or owner perhaps) called us over like a carnival barker and gave us some information. I did not know some planes were wrapped in a canvas like cloth instead of aluminum. Actually I just better stop there because I'm already wading into territory I don't know about. Except it's true. And you don't want to let one of these planes sit out in a hail storm.

But you might want to stop for some pictures.

Ms Z wasn't too impressed "I want to go that-a-way!"

 Roman wanted to go that a-way too. This one reminded me of Luigi from Cars. Hmm, I've said that before (the car show). Perhaps it's just the yellow paint!

The rain DID let up for awhile, so we were able to go outside, where Dad stole the camera.

 And I made him take some of the 3 of us to prove that I really did exist in your life.

 Not a clue.

By the way this is one place where a 12 year old kid can boss you around. They had some volunteers and this kid was taking his job seriously when he told us to move to the side of the runway because a plane was going to be trolleyed thru. Yeah, about 5 minutes later at about 3 mph. It was kind of funny (when I realized the power trip this kid was enjoying).

 And this little guy....just your size.

  Airplane noises, everyone!

Oh, Miss Zo. You were looking so cute in your embroidered capri jeans and pink flouncy shirt.

Why did Ro have to show and rain on your parade?

Playing catch up on a few weeks worth of photos...After getting so much rain lately I really am liking the bright sun showing in these pictures. Come back, sun!

And back to Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater, this time with Dad. (Last year we went with Grandpa Jon)
Who knew it would take him to lure you into climbing in the giant spider web?

And what fun climbing up the rocks (let's pretend we're someplace else...)

And filtering sand thru your fingers.  There's a home movie of me doing this exact thing at a Minneapolis park when I was about 3 or 4.  I distinctly remember that day. I continue to wonder what you're going to remember. Not so sure we've hit an event yet...

Sand, sand. Becoming one with the sand. Might as well lay in it, eh?

Yes, we're awesome parents

The boy falls in the window well and what's the first thing we do?

Grab the camera. I was in the house, but Dad tells me he wish he had it ready faster. Your feet were straight up in the air.  And to be fair, if there had been any sign of distress, sadness or "oh horsehockey"-ness, the camera probably wouldn't have been the first reaction. I mean you DID get yourself out of that pickle pretty fast and move on your way.

She ain't lion.

Friday night Dad put on the Disney version of Robin Hood. I'd never seen it, and I can still say I have never seen it. About 5 minutes in I realized my eyes were burning from staring at a computer screen all day, so I shut my eyes and listened. Zoe cuddled up to me, the thumb went in the mouth. Relaxed. Pretty soon I hear "The Mwaion Mwis wike Mwee". Huh? Then your Dad laughed and answered "the lion is like you?". And this is what I saw.

Yep. We're at the "get your thumb out of your mouth, I can't understand you" stage. Not that I really care at this point (pick your battles). And funny that she is able to see the similarities..

for the birds

So now the clock seems to have found a way of spinning faster yet. Or life has just gotten that more exciting. Or...well I don't know. You two are some active kiddos, and for that I am thankful (especially as I sit and have a clear moment to even attempt to write this out!)
We've had some dreary weather lately, and when the opportunity arises to get out and take advantage of sunshine, we do it.
The other weekend we probably took on too much. I was anxious to get out there and go garage sale-ing. There is a thrill in finding a 'treasure'. That treasure can be a 25 cent book or a $15 tripod (yeah, $15 is the high limit). So we away we went...Which is okay until someone gets squirmy. Sometimes even a picnic lunch doesn't remedy that, but...
Off to a Raptor Release at a Twin Cities park. We made it there, but we were late and missed the release. Imagine that! Us, late?!  Thankfully not all birds were released, so we had some to view.

 Zoe was most interested in the horse being displayed by the park patrol.

 Dad wanted to capture the birds.

 Wow, the Muppets really nailed it with Sam the Eagle. Yes, this is where my mind wanders when I see nature's majestic creation.

Roman commissioned Dad to fill out his casual outdoor portfolio.

Zoe tired more quickly of the birds than Roman, so I took her over to the 'exhibit' space that had a few activities. Coloring was fun. Interestingly enough they had a table where you could decorate your own rock (or 20) with markers. Right up Zo's alley.

You two also had the chance to measure your wingspan and build a nest.

Exploration! So much to see and do.
There was a massive playground at this section of the park, but we took the bus shuttle back to our car (that ride in an of itself was exciting for you) and went to a smaller, more manageable play structure.

p.s. if this post is incoherant in any way, blame it on 1) my tired brain and 2) my attempt to write first, apply photos later. Either and both. Amen.