4th of July Weekend

Well, it is nearly the 1st of August and I am a month behind in my picture posting/blogging so you'll have to bear with me while we do some catch up :) Tonight's blog will be about our 4th of July weekend, up north in the Brainerd/Crosby area. The kids had a blast and encountered many 'firsts' and the stories that Joshua tells about our time up north are priceless!! Here's a recap of our holiday weekend

Both kids went fishing! This was Madelynn's FIRST time FISHING too :) However, she wasn't too interested in holding a pole above water (she'd rather drop the pole INTO the water) but was VERY fascinated by the worms

and the fish

Joshua, on the other hand, thought fishing was the greatest thing ever (I have to agree that it is one of my favorite up north things to do too!) and he was catching fish left and right! The bobber barely had time to float on the surface of the water and he had a bite.

Both kids got to go on a boat ride (Madelynn's FIRST BOAT RIDE, Joshua's 2nd-EVER!) while Auntie Molly and Mommy went tubing behind. It was a blast for all of us. Joshua giggled and laughed the whole time, and Moo enjoyed the ride-cried when we had to get out of the boat-but seems unsure at times while out on the water.

Both kids also go to SHARE a FIRST as we headed out to the RAVE-a floating trampoline-equipped with their life jackets of course!! Here are some photos as we headed out into the deep :)

Joshua got to play with his FIRST sparkler AND stay up late enough for it to be dark and set off some fireworks-however both kids were sound asleep the night of the 4th and have yet to experience real fireworks in the nighttime sky...here are some sparkler pics

Joshua and Madelynn also got to ride on the gulf cart, taking turns driving with Auntie Molly-another FIRST for Madelynn :)

And last but not least, the HIGHLIGHT of the weekend, the kids got to ride in their FIRST PARADE!! Joshua was SO excited that he was going to be able to "throw candy at people" and he did an amazing job!!! Madelynn lasted the entire ride, on the back of a Scorpion Snowmobile, the entire parade-well as long as I was shoveling water and candy into her, and it was a great time. Being as both Dan and I were IN the parade, we didn't have many pics to share, but here are a few that were taken (and we have received)

So there you have it, our 4th of July weekend in a nutshell! If you have the chance to talk to Joshua about being in a parade or going fishing at great grandma/great grandpa's house you should ask him about it-he'll talk your ear off and he tells the BEST fish tales-he's learned already!!

Maple Grove Community Center

My kids are getting to the age of true exploration and are learning that branching out on their own is ok-sometimes. I love it, yet hate it. It is nice that the kids are not hanging on me every moment, yet giving them the freedom scares me, especially at the playground. Madelyn knows no fear. She will climb up high and walk right off the edge, yet Joshua is cautious asking for permission before he climbs, jumps or ventures off. Both of their characteristics are bittersweet.

Recently we went to the Maple Grove Community Center's outdoor playground and let the kids roam a bit. It is hard to just sit back and watch still, though I do long for those days. Before long Moo was off running off playing and attempting to eat and throw the little rocks

And then finding the slides

But it wasn't long before Dan had to rescue her from dropping off the equipment in one of her daredevil moves...lol

And then there is Joshua, my sweet boy!

But it wasn't long before he found his courage!!

And before we headed back home, the kids discovered the drinking fountain. It was the highlight of our time at the Community Center. Both kids were completely soaked by the time we left for home...it was so cute!!

So...there you have it, out most recent trip to the park! I hope the pictures make you smile!!

Kelley Farm

So, once again, I have neglected my blog and it actually makes me sad when I do a while without blogging. I love to write and often times I don't have enough mins to write what I want to say OR I don't have enough time to clear my head and write...but nonetheless I am here now and ready to do a month of catch up :)

A friend and I, along with my 2 kids and her daughter, went to a place close by called the Oliver H Kelley Farm recently and the kids had a complete blast!!! The farm is set in the 1860's and shows what MN farm life was like. The kids got to participate in chores around the farm, as well as exploring at their own free will...it was AWESOME! I can't wait to go again...here is a step into our day at the Kelley Farm!

Joshua and Savannah anxious to get to the farm so they ran off ahead...

Moo followed...

Here are some of the chores the kids had to 'take care of':

Moo's job was to sort the beans...something kids her age would do

Joshua got to spread lard on the pan for baking

Then the kids had to pump some water to bring to the field and the kitchen-this was their favorite thing to do

Next they headed out to the field to use pit forks to load hay into the wagon

The kids had a blast, but their favorite thing (aside from the water pump) was exploring and checking out all the animals!!

After we checked out the chickens, yaks, cows, pigs and sheep the kids found some kittens in the barn and BOTH my kids were in heaven!!

And after we left, the kids were OUT...

What a GREAT day we had with Shelley and Savannah. We can't wait to go back again, next time bringing the dads along!!!