Springtime in Minnesota

You can tell those first warm days in Minnesota when EVERYONE is outside. It's still got a little bit of a chill in the air, but everyone is outside. Walking, doing yard work, cleaning, playing - you name it, anything that can be done outside is done outside especially on those first few nice days in the spring.

It's awesome because we don't have bugs yet and it's not one thousand degrees out, or 100% humidity levels, so you can be outside and comfortable. You can be warm but not hot and not worry about getting eaten by mosquitoes the size of my uncles Dachshund.

So this past weekend, we joined the bandwagon and spent as much time outside as possible.

March hasn't been a great month for me. I have been working through some medical stuff and then finally this past week was home ill with a high fever and strep throat for a few days. That knocked me out once again. But let's hope this is all behind us (and that I didn't get anyone in my family sick unknowingly). So there have been a few weekends where mommy has been laid up and not up for playing outside. That seemed to be the hardest for the kiddos - But that is leaving with the tides of March (or so I hope...)

Saturday was cooler and overcast most of the day, so we bundled up and headed outside. We had our first fire of the season in the backyard and of course had to make s'mores. The kids found that if they climbed up into the tree house on our swing set that the dog couldn't get up there

Even though he tried to, the slide proved too slippery for him to master....yet at least.

We had to install a fence around our vegetable garden as Jake has found this is an awesome place to play, dig and do other unmentionables, so we put up a fence to keep his mischievous paws out.

Then Sunday was much warmer. The sun was out and we hit two playgrounds in the area plus our own backyard.

Andrew was up first from his nap well he actually didn't nap today for some odd reason, so he was up within the hour wanting to go outside again. And hey, who could resist? So we headed out back for more playtime and he had to show off his skills on the glider and monkey bars.




So here's to many more warm, sunny spring days ahead. Full of smiles and good health!

Jake update

Many have been asking how our puppy Jake has been doing.

Well, he's grown!

He's getting a little bit better with not being naughty all the time.

He starts 'puppy school' in two weeks (not that we're counting).

And he's still pretty well loved......well most of the time.....when he's not trying to eat our shoes or well, eat us...

I guess we'll keep him.....for now.
;)

Area Flooding

This past weekend, we went downtown Shakopee to play at the playground at Huber Park. It's an awesome playground adjacent to some great bike and walking trails that follow the Minnesota River Valley.
What I had forgotten about (not sure why I forgot)....was the spring flooding this year has had a great impact on many communities, including Shakopee.

The main road to travel from Shakopee over to Chanhassen/Eden Prairie - highway 101 is closed because it is underwater. This picture was taken Saturday and the waters have slowly been getting higher and will do so for the next few days. The waters are expected to crest on Wednesday of this week.


And the park which usually has a very nice scenic view of the river is now almost completely under water. The current is incredible. The city has obviously blocked off access to a great deal of the park and the police department has been making regular rounds to make sure looky-loos don't get too close.

It's something pretty amazing to see in person. The power of water - especially at this stage.

Our house is probably in one of the highest points in town, so we are safe from the rising waters, thankfully. It has however impacted our travels greatly. Now the closest way to cross the river is via 169 which is a haul from our place.

We did enjoy our time at the playground and another benefit is that this was a great opportunity to talk with the kids about nature and being able to see what can happen first hand. Real-life classroom style!

Kindergarten

Cailin will be starting kindergarten in the fall - I just can't believe it. So this past week we had our Kindergarten orientation.

We got to tour the school, tour the three kindergarten classrooms AND take a bus ride on a school bus. Big Fun! Cailin has been on a school bus before, but this was Andrew's first ride. He was a bit nervous, but then exited the bus saying it was his favorite part!


The principal was responsible for giving the school tours. He split the whole group into three smaller groups, so that we did each event in phases so the groups weren't too large. We had the school tour with the principal last (or second to last just before the milk and cookies) and it was kind of a funny moment, because I caught a small glimpse of what my child will be like in school. At the first stop, the principal had a small group of the soon-to-be kindergarten kids up front with him, with the parents following behind. So the principal told the kids, "why don't you kids be up front here with me so you can be sure to see and hear everything I say..." and then by the last stop, my sweet, assertive daughter announces as we arrive "Ok, kids - all kids up front so you can be sure to hear and see well!!!" I felt every parent turn towards me and laugh...Yup, that's my kid!! My little rule-follower. She'll be such a good little student!! Of course that is happening at the same moment as my son turning to me and saying "MOM, I WANT MILK AND COOKIES NOW PLEASE!!!!". So you can see the difference between my two kids??? I'd like to think I was like Cailin in school, well maybe a good combination of both her and Andrew? hmmmm

The kids finished up the evening with cookies and milk in the cafeteria.

Is it Spring Yet??

That's what Andrew keeps asking. Think he has spring fever??

(In case you can't tell, he has his water shoes on, his knee pads and biking helmet as well as his most favorite shorts from last year....)

The weather has been really nice the last two weeks. We've had days in the 50s and 60s (for those of you not living here in the frozen tundra...) That's downright balmy for us!

We've spent a lot of time in the backyard playing (those pictures coming soon) and even having our first campfire and s'mores!!

MIA

Yes, I will admit it. I have been Missing in Action (MIA). Things have been a little busy around here and I have been under the weather a bit.

But NOW all is good again! I am feeling back to myself and ready to be back on the computer chronicling our lives.

Sorry for the delay, but we have been busy, so we're excited to share!!

:)

The Big "Jump"

I bet you’re wondering what the heck I’m talking about. Anyone inside the family has some knowledge about this "event".

My mom (God love her) is a little crazy. And I say that with the utmost respect of course. She is a wonderful, intelligent, loving and caring woman. So about a month ago, I didn’t really know what to think when she told us that she had signed up to jump into the Mississippi River the last weekend in February. I couldn't’t believe it. I asked her if she meant in Louisiana where it’s warm. She said “Nope, In Wabasha, MN”.

Hmmmmmm

Well, we found out that it was a fundraiser for the group home she works part-time with – Great River Homes. They work with adults with developmental disabilities and in partnership with Grumpy Old Men Days in Wabasha, they have the “Grumpy Plunge” as a fundraiser.

So mom collected donations and yes, she got several and made the big jump this past weekend.

The weather was downright balmy for the last weekend in February, now maybe not ‘balmy’ for jumping into the Mississippi River or anything, but it was very well-attended and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Cailin and I made the trip down to cheer her on – for moral support, since I was not doing any jumping into the Mississippi River anytime soon (yes I am chicken).

You can see Cailin sitting in the snow (all in pink) waiting for the jumpers to arrive. Plus all the fans that arrived to observe the big jump. There was an Emcee who was narrating the entire event and introducing the jumpers as they arrived.


The view up the river - notice the ICE on the side. Brrrrrrrrrrrr


There were two 'rescue divers' in the water to help any jumpers that might need assistance. I noticed there was quite a current, so hopefully no one was going to float away. I thought this picture was funny, because the two nice gentlemen had just climbed in and they were 'clearing the ice' from the jump site. WOW! No thanks!


Then there was this GUY - yes a guy, he was one of the top fundraisers in this event. He sure looked cute!


Mom dressed as a clown and jumped with two co-workers from the group home (also dressed as clowns). She's dressed in the red and white striped outfit. Here's Mom with her grandaughter Cailin.

Then getting ready to jump.


Mom asked for a countdown and

In they went.


She wore those nice clown shoes. Turns out those don't do well in water. So Mom needed some help climbing out from the two nice rescue diver guys.


It was a really fun time. She also is vying for the dubious title of "Oldest Jumper" but hasn't heard for sure if it's her or not. Gotta be proud about that! That's the stuff of legends.

Mom has already said out loud "I think I might do that again next year"

Really????

Cailin and her pets

Cailin loooooovvvves her animals. She loves to hold them, snuggle them and anything else they will allow.

Mac, our HUGE white cat is a little weary of the kids. He isn't super fond of their loudness, their quick movements or them always wanting to touch him. He's perfectly happy being a lazy bum on the bed most of the day.

He has grown to 'tolerate' Cailin's presence though, which I never thought would happen. She has charmed herself right into his world as well. She is really good and gentle with him. She never hurts him and lets him go when he complains. She's just persistent about trying to convert him to like her more.

Now we see this happen quite a bit.


Amazing.


Although I'm not sure if he really likes it yet. But he better get used to it.