Back to School

My kids have been back to school since July 28. They attend a "year round" school. The early start back kind of stinks but I love the breaks during the school year. We take photos on the first day of the school year and on that last. They change so much! (M is in third grade this year and K is in first grade)

My Three

My most favorite kids in the whole world. We had fun this summer. I miss my big kids while they are at school already. That's most of my heart walking in front of me.

Two Butterflies

We are members at the Minnesota Zoo and one of the things we love to see is the butterfly garden during the summer. One of the rules there is that you can't touch the butterflies. At Nickelodeon Universe there was a temporary butterfly garden. Strangers gave us some passes that they'd bought and chosen not to use...so we went in. They told us we could touch the butterflies. The kids thought it was great but I was sad to see how many butterflies were dead...probably because people were too rough with them. I think this was a one time thing for us. The kids held the butterflies this time. I don't think there will be a next time though!

Time on the Water

My husband is an avid fisherman. He doesn't have time to fish as much as he'd like to anymore, but he's teaching his kids to fish as well. I see many hours of fishing in their futures, together.

Oceans of Fun

My family has a membership at the Minnesota Zoo. We visit at least 4 times a year if not more. My kids always love the tropical fish. I admit I do too. It's so calming to watch the fish swimming together.

Stormy Weather

This has been a summer of very stormy weather for us in Southern Minnesota. I love a good storm, but some of them have been a little too scary even for me.

She Sells...

What better occupation for kids than looking for shells? My kids do it for hours when we're on vacation.

Abandoned but Adored

Summer is Nearing an End

I just love this photo of a simple sparkler firework. Summer.

Irony

If you can't see them, they are several little spiders cheerfully spinning a web off an OFF! can and a citronella candle.

One of my favorite things

It's simple, I know. A covered cake plate. Would you believe it took five years to choose just the right one and obtain it?

As I grew into an adult, I found myself drawn to classic things. Flowers in vases. Photographs of family on the walls. The one thing I always imagined, something I had never seen in real home but only in magazines, was a covered cake plate. I wanted to have a pretty way to display whatever goodies were in the house. I wanted goodies to always be there to eat in moderation.

My mother gave this plate to me two years ago for Christmas. It's always on the table. This week it's displaying the cupcakes that are leftover from the baby's first birthday celebration. Who knows what it will hold when they are gone?

I'm One

She's seems to have survived the first year and is thriving. Thank goodness.

The Best Part of Life

A week of vacation "up north" with extended family. One of the highlights of my year every year since we started. We actually made it through the week this year without any injuries!

Necessity in Summer

I went with my oldest daughter to get mani-pedis before our vacation this year. The pretty nails didn't last long, but we had fun getting them done.

To be part of two worlds

On July 4th this year, our family was in Brazil. Our baby daughter's first trip to her other home country. July 4th was always a big holiday for my family growing up. So we were torn. How do we celebrate the biggest national holiday of the year when we are in another country, one that our family is equally connected to?

The Brazilian side of our family solved the solution by throwing a July 4th barbecue that could not be beat. Everyone worn red, white, and blue, played American music and danced, and we even put up fireworks in the evening.

And lest you think this was merely a kind gesture, Brazil lost their quarter-final game in the World Cup just two days before. Though the wound from that loss was still raw, our family jumped in head-first to celebrate our nuclear family's heritage. What they did was nothing short of sacrificial. It made us realize that our daughter can grow up and be part of two completely different worlds, just as long as she has a supportive family on both sides of the equator.

Rites of Childhood in Summer

What's better than catching fireflies while wearing your pajamas? Nothing, that's what.

When You're That Cute, Cute Clothes Make You Irresistible

I took my 3 kids to the public pool by myself. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I am proud of myself for not sitting at home and not doing things just because I have 3 kids and think things might be hard to manage. My kids are great kids. I'm lucky to be their mom.

Even Small Tornados Are Scary

In June our city was hit by a small F1 tornado. It tore a path about 1 mile long through a NW neighborhood, a golf course and the North Menards store. The aftermath was scary to see and I'm happy to report that no one was killed or injured during the storm.

The Great Wall

If you're ever in Austin, Minnesota it's a requirement to stop by the Spam Museum. There is no charge to get in, but you'll probably want to get some souvenirs before you leave.

In The Driver's Seat

We visit the MN Zoo several times a year. The kids always like to hop up on the John Deere tractor at the farm in the summer time and pretend to take it for a spin. Of course the water sprayers on the trails help cool things off as well!