Pirates and a party
Visiting the Real Pirates exhibit at the Science Museum
Celebrating (outside) with a volcano cake, family & friends
Tag: friends
I’m 29 again!
Today began with the sound of the boys running and giggling downstairs as I laid in my nice warm bed upstairs. Jake is off all week, so we were able to have breakfast as a family before heading out on an adventure. I had been telling the boys we were doing something fun for my birthday and they were anxious to hear what I had planned. We loaded into the truck and headed to Ft. Snelling. As we drove south, we saw the light rail trains going up and down the track. We told the kids we were going to take the train downtown. After purchasing tickets, we waited for the next train to arrive. Once on board, we played musical seats until we found a place to sit & hold on to the stroller. As we rode along, the boys enjoyed looking out the windows & watching the buildings pass by.
We unloaded downtown and walked briskly to our destination…Macy’s. Once there, we found the elevator bank and headed up to the 8th floor. The 3 littles were famished, so they gobbled down cereal bars before heading in to see what A Day in the Life of an Elf looks like. We visited the display on the perfect day…no lines & people were casually strolling through. We didn’t feel pressured to rush and weren’t bumped around by strangers.
When given the choice between visiting Santa and going to lunch, the boys chose the later. They’ve gotta be the only two kids I know who would rather eat than share their Christmas wish lists with Old St. Nick. So off we went to find something to eat. (Well, with a brief stop at my old office on the way. It was fun to see some of my old co-workers from my years working downtown.) We ended up at D’Amico for lunch and afterward I grabbed a peppermint mocha from Caribou before we departed from downtown.
On our way back home, we made a brief stop at Minnehaha Falls. The weather warmed up to about 50 degrees today. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day at the end of November. The boys and I looked down at the falls and then made our way down a snowy staircase to take a look at them from below. We snapped a few photos and then headed back to the truck.
Later in the evening, we hosted a group of family & friends for cake & ice cream. My friend, Michelle, made the most amazing pumpkin torte! Only one word to describe it – YUM!
To top off the night, my parents surprised me by showing up to join in the celebration. They had been out of town and we didn’t expect them back until tomorrow. But as it turns out, they kept their early return home a secret so they could wish me happy birthday in person. It made my night!
Today was such a fun day; I think I might turn 29 again next year. 🙂
It’s not goodbye
We said “bon voyage” to our friends, Brad & Libby, and their kids tonight. After 8 years of living just a couple of miles south of us, we’ll be increasing the distance between our homes by several hundred.
My first 5K
I ran my first 5K this morning – complete with fire, cargo nets, hay bales, tires, hurdles, water slide, & lots of mud! What a great time with Lisa, Ben, Tim, Alex, Stacie, Jess, Brandon & Jake!
Anyone who knows me knows that I am definitely not a runner. In fact, I really despise it. However, when combined with obstacles & a great team, how can you not enjoy a race like this?!? Go Commando! Looking forward to racing again next year!
Happy 5th birthday, Nolan!
Dear Nolan,
Wow, 5 years! I can’t believe how fast time has gone. I suppose I may say that with each passing year, but it’s the truth every time. You have grown so much this year I can hardly believe it. You continue to grow in confidence and compassion and are such a funny and loving young boy. I am amazed at how much you absorb throughout the day and am grateful to be able to experience life through your eyes. I am so thankful to be your mother.
Today we began the day in the best way possible, thanking God for the gift of you at mass. When word got out afterward that it was your birthday, you proudly told people that you were now 5! And you held up your fingers to prove it 🙂 We stopped to pick up donuts (which has become a bit of a Sunday tradition) and a cappuccino (for me) and brought them home to share. Then I got started with frosting your cake. This year, I asked if you wanted a caterpillar cake (like the one we saw in a magazine) and you said yes. While I was frosting the cake, Daddy went to the garage to get your present ready. The look on your face when you saw your new red bike in the garage pure joy! Lincoln helped you check out every detail of it and you hopped on to check out the size. I think you have a great summer in store!
Our family & friends arrived around 2:30 for cake and ice cream. After singing to you, we dug in to the tasty caterpillar and then you went outside with Lincoln and our friend, I. A little while later, you asked if everyone could come outside to watch you open your presents. You did a great job sharing your new things. Your uncles helped you break in your new bat, glove & baseball and you also played a round of croquet with Nana.
I pray you always share that wonderful smile and welcoming personality with the world. Your Daddy & I love you very much and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you this coming year.
XOXO
Mommy
Happy 3rd birthday Lincoln!
Dear Lincoln,
I thought I’d write you a recap letter detailing today’s events. I can’t believe you are 3 years old today. As I sit here typing, I’m looking at a picture of you and your big brother when he visited us in the hospital after your birth. You look so tiny! Yet, I can see in your eyes, it’s you! You have become such a fun, independent, inquisitive & loving boy. I thank God for the gift you are in my life!
The day started off much like it did on the Easter Sunday you were born – we woke up to wet, heavy snow. You, Nolan & I had breakfast in our pj’s and gobbled up purple waffles – your request. After getting dressed, we had planned on going to the Children’s Museum, but the snow and slop made the roads extra messy (and dangerous,) so we decided to save that adventure for another day. You didn’t seem to mind since you had a chance to play with a few of the birthday presents you opened in the morning.
For lunch, you asked for “Taco Bells,” so you and Daddy (who took the day off from work) picked up tacos and nachos for us. After lunch, you, Nolan & Daddy went to pick up your cake – Buzz Lightyear was what you asked for this year. I briefly considered making your cake again this year, but decided to let the ladies at the bakery make it for you this go-around. You fell asleep in the car on the way home, so Daddy laid you down for a birthday nap – probably a good idea since you ended up being up past your bed time yet again tonight.
Our family and friends came over for cake and ice cream at about 6:30. We sang “Happy Birthday” to you and your eyes just beamed! I think you enjoyed being the center of attention today 🙂 After cake, you politely asked if you could open your presents, and had so much fun doing so. You received many wonderful, sweet well-wishes & gifts from your grandparents, aunts, uncles & friends.
You are loved by so many wonderful people, Lincoln. Never forget that. And in the words of your great-grandma Fran, God loves you, and so do I!
XOXO
Mommy
A little time with Mommy
Today, Nolan was asked to go to a classmate’s house to have lunch and play after school. That left me with only 2 kids for a good portion of the day. (Good thing, because I battled a migraine for most of the time he was gone. But I digress…)
We took a meal over to a family who recently had a baby and then perused the aisles of Sam’s Club – always a rousing good time. Then, because he was such a trooper, I told Lincoln we could go out to lunch. We ate at Panera and then grabbed dessert to eat at home. In the time it took me to unload the groceries from the truck, Lincoln made his way to the dining room table, opened his M&M cookie, devoured it, and threw away his trash. Amazing what he’s able to do on his own when sweets are involved. 🙂
When I eventually had a few minutes to snack on the cinnamon roll I brought home, he was kind enough to “help” me eat it. I was able to snap a picture of the two of us using the camera in my phone. Not the greatest quality, but it captured a sweet moment I was able to share with my favorite almost 3 year old.
Run, boys, run!
Little Miss Ingrid and I went to a friend’s house tonight for a “ladies night.” Just a little out of the house time with my favorite little girl, friends & conversation. While we were there, Jake took the boys to the gym to run. Yes, all 3 of them ran on the track…for a bit. Apparently it was quite a sight and many who were also working out got a chuckle out of it. It’s amazing the boys survived because they were incredibly distracted by all of the action and machines that are located in the center of the track. Jake said that when they finished their 2nd lap, Lincoln requested that he and Nolan go to the childcare room so Jake could get his workout in on the treadmill. Two laps was enough for him. Not bad for little legs like theirs! And when they got home, they crashed! Yes! This may be what we need to do to tire them out until they can resume their (almost) all-day adventures outside when the weather is warmer.
“My girls”
Lincoln, Ingrid & I spent the morning with friends of ours and their kids. It was a reunion of sorts of the mom’s group bible study I was a part of last year. When we picked up Nolan after our get-together, he asked Lincoln who he played with at the gathering. Lincoln replied nonchalantly, “With my girls.” Too cute!
Making muffins
A couple of preschool moms have been picking up and/or dropping Nolan off from preschool while we get adjusted to things at home. I am so thankful for their generosity – it has made my life SO much easier these first few days at home alone with the kids. Today, while Nolan was at school, Lincoln and I made muffins. After putting them in the oven, he watched them to make sure they baked correctly.
Ingrid was pretty tired again, so she slept through the whole process. 🙂
