Summer Checklist

For the first time this year, we created a summer checklist. It was fun to check off all the fun activities we did, and I really think it helped us to do more of the things we had been wanting to do. This is definitely a tradition we will keep!

5 Months and 4 Days

That is how long I have been home with Max, and during that time we have only spent 4 days apart. Tomorrow I go back to work to start another school year. I’ve been thinking all along that this time it would be easier, but I was wrong. I’m going to miss my little guy dearly. Tina adores Max, and I know he will be in good hands and will still have his big sister with him.

We were able to have lots of fun during our last week home. Our activities included a playdate with some good friends, zoo trips, yoga, state fair, and farmer’s market. Max even ate bananas for dinner this week!

Well here we go… wish me luck!

The Great Minnesota Get Together

Today we all went to the Minnesota State Fair. Addie has been looking forward to this for quite a while now and was very excited! We first made our way through the animal barns and the Miracle of Birth center, then it was on to the rides! Despite the look on her face in all the pictures, she claims she had a blast on the Giant Slide, but it was clear she had a great time in the Kidway. We also brought her and Max to see the snakes and butterflies. Max enjoyed people watching in the bjorn and chilling in his stroller… we are still amazed at how laid back he is! We kept our eating under control, but had to give in to Addie’s two requests: cookies and all you can drink milk!






A few days later I went back to the fair, but this time with "the girls". We had a fun time singing karaoke, going down the giant slide, cruising through Ye Old Mill, and of course... eating. Some of my favorite foods from the night were cheese curds, deep fried pickles with cream cheese, and a twist cone from the dairy building.

5 Months Old!

This monthly photo features Max's newest discovery... his tongue!

BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby)

To yoga that is! I happened upon a Yoga Bonding class when I had Addie and it was easily the best thing that she and I did together. Max and I have now been going to the same class since he was 6 weeks old, but this time at Blooma, and I love it just as much! The class consists of baby yoga, baby massage, and some yoga for Mom’s too. A lot of what we do during the baby yoga time is great for either the digestive track or for calming down. I truly believe that this class has helped me to bond more with both Addie and Max as well as helped all of us cope with the immature digestive tracks that newborns have. Unfortunately, we only have one class left on our pass so we will be done soon. Although the time is probably appropriate since he is now one of the biggest, squirmiest, and loudest babies at the class!

An Official Member

We had Max baptized at St. Joan’s this weekend. He was one of 8 babies receiving the sacrament in a casual setting after mass in the chapel. He wore the same baptismal outfit that Brian wore 33 years ago! Max was very quiet and well behaved and just squirmed a little while having the water poured over his head. After the baptism we had our families over for cake and bbq. Overall, I couldn’t have wished for a nicer day!

Yum!

Tonight Max tried oatmeal for the first time! He seemed a little young to me, but he has been showing us all the readiness signs and Addie wasn't much older when she first tried rice cereal. Well it turned out we read his signs correctly, because he LOVED it! He ate all of the oatmeal we had prepared and knew exactly how to ask for it by opening wide and did a great job of "chewing" it up once it was in his mouth! Way to go, Max!

Villagefest 2011

St. Anthony had their annual Villagefest this weekend. Even though we don't technically live there, it feels like our own community festival. It began on Friday night with a parade down St. Anthony Parkway. We went with our friends, the Vreelands, and the girls had a great time! They both brought home bags of candy that were just as full as their Halloween buckets, along with Mr. Freezes, gift certificates, and toys!









Then on Saturday we attended the carnival at Central Park. Addie had fun playing games and on different inflatables including one that had a slide that was at least 30 feet in the air! We then went to the petting zoo where Addie was able to pet and brush horses, llamas, goats, donkeys, sheep, chickens, bunnies, and a calf! There was also a turkey, geese, and ducks running around but they didn't want to be pet :) We ended the celebration with some time at the splash pad and a LONG nap. We are already excited for the festivities at Villagefest 2012!

Happy Birthday Dada!

Brian was able to take some vacation time this past week which allowed for many birthday events for him! On Saturday night we went on a tour of the Surly brewery which was really cool! We each got to pick 5 beers to taste and while we were tasting the owner told us his story of how Surly came to be. He also walked us through their brewing process and did a little Q & A session.


On Sunday, Brian's actual birthday, we went out to breakfast, grilled some ribs and corn for dinner, and had his favorite - jello birthday cake!


Finally, on Monday we sent both kids to daycare and took our friends, Jake and Debbie's, kayaks out on the chain of lakes. We had a couple of detours on our way from Brownie lake to Calhoun due to some rain and even were forced out of the water for a couple hours due to lightening, but still had a lot of fun!