Archive | April 2014

Pirates (of a sort), History and Splashing Around

April 14-16

Is there a better way to start a week of school than with a series of drawings thanks to Art for Kids (link on right)? I know I am repetitive but CHECK THEM OUT. Their instructions are wonderful!

They really do work for all ages!

They really do work for all ages!

We also had an Easter story to enjoy.101_6914

With out basic school day out of the way the sunshine called us outside. Time to break out the Big Wheel and bikes and the funky skateboards.101_6916

101_6917101_6915101_6921Ken and his dad tried the recipe I found off Facebook for an adult popsicle called a Dirty Pirate. You can find the recipe HERE thanks to Jackie Fo and Tablespoon.101_6923

Tuesday marked our second trip back to the Minnesota History Center (MHC). This time we had a longer span of time to enjoy and a plan to go to all the places we had not seen on our previous visit. All on our new family pass to the historical places in Minnesota.101_6926

101_6927101_6928There was lots to see and we were able to time our travels around the areas away from the school groups that were also there. I took the twins in for the Tornado demonstration. It was louder and a bit scarier than I thought it would be but they now REALLY know what to do in case of a tornado.101_6930

101_6933We spent the most time in the house that is set up so you can walk through and get a taste of each family that lived in that house from when it was built until more recent time when it was put up in the center.101_6949

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Creepy eyes on these ones!

Creepy eyes on these ones!

The kids especially enjoyed the “backyard”.101_6957

101_6961The afternoon was quiet but Gavin did sneak out to work on his skateboarding skills while Echo worked with some flashcards.101_6983

101_6982With a wonderful field trip under out belt I think everyone was upset to see that winter had snuck back in with more snow!

From this...

From this…

To this in the night!

To this in the night!

With a day indoors we once again attempted our yarn wrapped eggs craft… there HAS to be a trick we don’t know about… our results simply are not right!101_6990

101_6991With Nana and Baba back I was able to join Ken and see all 3 boys in their swimming lessons! So much fun!!! This is Emanuel’s first lessons and the twins’ second. It is so exciting to see them work on this milestone all on their own.101_6997

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From a Bunny to Ducks… Quite the Weekend

April 12-13

Easter is not far in the future and this year we had our official Easter Egg Hunt with the two Schwartz families in what honestly was less than ideal temperatures. Overcast at the house, windy AND overcast at the hunt. We were divided by age so Ken and I sent the boys on their own with proper instructions and he took Echo and I got Trinity. Ken found Renee and Evan right away.101_6873

I found Chris, Nathan and baby Jeffrey (well his covered stroller) and then Matt, Fran and their twins.101_6879

101_6876What a haul! Two of the kids (Zander and Echo) found special eggs that got them little teddies but we did not win any draws. It was cold but it sure was fun! Really the highlight of a Saturday we otherwise enjoyed very quietly.101_6884

101_6881Sunday was a busier day with Sunday School first (I got to go with this time and had a LOVELY chat with the children’s choir director while we waited on the kiddos). After church we got changed and waited on the one kid who did NOT go to Sunday School… Emanuel went with Baba to a hockey game for his Scouts. Funny how things line up all over the place. That did leave Echo at home with Nana while everyone was out and about.101_6892

101_6888After we were returned to a family of 7 it was time to head out to Aunty Judy and Uncle Jim’s. Emanuel had called her earlier in the week asking if she wanted to buy a discount card that he was selling for scouts and she suggested we come visit and he could sell her one in person. Why not? After all our afternoon was free and clear! The draw of ducks, Robbie, a trampoline and a favourite aunt and uncle definitely had the kids on board!101_6895

Ken and Aunty Judy on Puzzle Dragons

Ken and Aunty Judy on Puzzle Dragons

101_6897The boys were all over the trampoline and pretty much dragging Robbie out the back door as we walked in the front. It is quite the wonderful backyard.101_6901

With a lovely late lunch in our tummies…101_6899

And tons of animals to play with…101_6903

Robbie and Uncle Jim even took them out to try the fancy skateboard things that we have sitting here at home (a Christmas gift from the same family).101_6908

What a great weekend! And to top it off, on Saturday I got a surprise package from Canada — a brand new Canadian flag! I had mentioned during winter Olympics that I wish I had had one. A Facebook friend (Cyndi) sent us one to fly on Canada Day!! Thank you soooo much!!!!101_6911

This entry was posted on 28/04/2014, in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

Welcome Home Nana and Baba

April 10-11

Thursday was a rather special day. Family field trip! The first on our Spring/Summer odyssey. We packed everyone up and went downtown to the Mill City Museum. Did you know that Minneapolis was once the Mill Capital of the world? In fact, the one we were in… well the remains of it… was the largest briefly (4 months) until they built a bigger one across the lake. We also learned that the waterfall that ran the mills was gotten from the Native Americans, the flow changed and often even dirtied up. What a history!101_6773

101_6774101_6837101_6838We did have a blast. We came at the perfect time and were able to watch the video and take the elevator tour pretty much alone. Though the elevator scared the crud out of the kids.

Waiting for the movie to start

Waiting for the movie to start

101_6780Ken went all the way to the top of the building and took some amazing pictures.101_6798

101_6803101_6808I think they had the most fun at the water lab… but then who doesn’t when you can play with water and wood.101_6811

101_6813101_6819101_6814Of course, I made sure to stop and take pictures of the kids in their Aunty Holly finery. An early Easter present. She does have some great taste.101_6783

101_6828101_6832101_6833101_6834101_6777The day was breezy but lovely so we spent some more time outside afterwards.101_6839

101_6840Friday was a special half day of school… after all, Nana and Baba came home! So spelling tests and then fun in the sun.101_6845

101_6844Emanuel even helped out with snacks and lunch for his Scout achievement! FRUIT SALAD!!
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We ended the day with a family walk. Just the 7 of us, down the street to the walking path. Maybe not a lot of green but it was a lovely walk. At one point the frogs were so loud that when a friend called Ken he had to walk back the path to hear the call!

It always feels absolutely amazing to have so much family outing time. Healthy Kenny is a FUN Kenny and he is stepping right up and willing to go to these events I line up. So pleased.101_6852

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101_6866Enjoy the picture overflow from our Mill City Museum trip!!! Check out their site HERE.101_6782

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