Winston's World

Kathy and I don't remember Veda & Adele being quite as active as Winston, but they also didn't have the luxury of a fenced in back yard to roam freely.  In either case, Winston's World (aka - the back yard) is full of fun every day.  From mowing the lawn, wading in the water table, to digging mulch and watering the yard...every day is a full of energy (oh yeah, and don't forget the sunscreen!)

Face Painting at Edina Arts Fair

Making Good Use of the Backyard

 Veda in the shade reading a book on her iPad.

 Veda reading books on the second level of the play structure.

Reading books to Winston

Veda and Winston have started to get really close.  He likes to give her hugs a lot and once in a while tried to sit on her lap and have her read him a book.  It's good practice for Veda as she is just starting to read (not that Winston would know if she is making it up or not).

Cool Glasses like Uncle Ryan

This is from a couple weeks back when Uncle Ryan was in town.  Winston was diggin his new shades (and the blue thing is one of veda's headbands - can't have enough accessories)...

Trips to MSP Zoo

The zoo trips have been pretty frequent this summer as Mpls has a really great zoo.  We took the bait on the up charge for the Dinosaur exhibit and it turned out to be pretty cool.  Veda especially loved it. Some day Winston will get to run free with the girls at the zoo, but for now, we have enough trouble keeping track of two kids running around amongst the crowds.

Pony Rides in Clear Lake

One down fall of raising kids in the city is that 'farm animals' are typically only found in zoos (at least that's what our kids think).  Never the less, they absolutely love every opportunity they get to interact with animals of all kinds (especially ponies).

Happy Happy Birthday Nana!

Sorry we couldn't celebrate with you yesterday but thrilled we get 4 days with you this week. The girls can't wait to throw you a party! xoxo

Wet n' Wild

There are a couple neighborhood parks within walking distance of our place that have free wading pools. This has been handy as it gives our babysitter an easy activity with the girls in the mornings. Yay summer!

First Day of School

I took this when I came to pick Winston up from his first day of school at Fraser last month. He is slowly adjusting but you wouldn't know from the dramatics at drop off time. At least his eyes aren't red and puffy when we pick him up now.

I Dig Reading

While Veda was in Iowa City with Nana and Bull she participated in the public library's summer reading program. She was thrilled to get her worksheet and return to claim her prizes throughout her stay. I'm thrilled that Nana is her private tutor;)

Solo Mission

 Children's Museum with her new friend Joe.

 Happy to keep Bull company while playing games on his computer.

 Playing in the fountain downtown IC.

 

 Milking cows at the IC Farmers Market

A special brunch with Nana and Bull at Iowa River Power Company.

 

Veda got to spend an entire week alone with Nana and Bull in Iowa City. She attended vacation bible school at St. Andrews just like I did when I was little. Everyday was an adventure. When she and Nana weren't out having fun she was keeping Bull company while he was laid up in bed with his broken foot.

Nature Walk?

Todd took Veda on her first golf outing last weekend. It was a three par course and they walked it. After the 4th hole she decided she was tired... until Todd told her it was a nature walk and then she loved the next 5 holes. Predictable.

Minneapolis Parks

I can not tell you how awesome the parks are here. They are everywhere and they are clean and have something for everyone. I can't wait until the wading pools open. Almost every neighborhood park has its own wading pool and there are at least three within walking distance of our house.

Update: So two days after writing this post Todd showed me a USA Today poll that just came out ranking Minneapolis as having the best parks system in the US. I knew it couldn't just be me. This place rocks!

Cookout!

It's hard to believe we went from 4 inches of snow on May 3rd to blazing hot May afternoons a week later. Our backyard gets hot hot hot. Here the girls are with their friends Will and Amelia.

Tiny People

These two have started playing together. At least for a few minutes before someone gets hurt - usually Winston. They actually got into the basket on their own and they were pretty proud of themselves.

Kindergarten Round-up

Veda and I spent a morning at her new school. I filled out paperwork for an hour while Veda got to ride on a school bus and play with her new classmates. Wasn't our first choice of schools in the Minneapolis lottery system but I think we are going to like it here.

Filthy Mess

We've been doing a lot of projects in the yard. I finally gave up on trying to keep Winston out of the mud. He has probably eaten a full pound of dirt in the last day or two. Judging by the color of his diapers it must be packed with Iron.

See ya Fraser

Veda had her last day of preschool on Friday and we celebrated with her class at a picnic. These are her friends Hadley and Elsie. She started a marathon of summer camps today. First up - Fairytale Camp and they explored Jack and the Bean Stalk.

 

Soccer Stars!

Veda's last day with her buddies Will and Ava. The coach had the parents play against the kids and it got a little competitive;)

Front row seats

You never know what excitement you might find just walking down the street. The kids would have sat here all day.

Lovin' Aunt Kel

Veda loves her Aunt Kel. She is constantly telling me about the secret girls weekends that she and Kel are going to have in Madison. They are going to "get their nails done and snuggle" - but she told me not to tell anyone.

Catchin' Dinner

Thanks to the girls (and Papi;) we have brought home fish last few visits to the lake. Todd tried a new batter using pancake mix and lager - awesome! We had some of the best fish tacos I've ever had this week.

Bowling!

We were looking for a little rainy day fun when we were at the lake last week. Turns out 3 is not too young to bowl. Even the 16 month old knocked down more pins than Mom;)

Potty Trained!

We finally got her potty trained at Age 3. The week of her third birthday she just decided she was ready and her she is showing off ALL her new princess underwear from Didi.

Dr. Sayre!

Ryan's graduation was yesterday and it was pretty amazing to witness. I think it's pretty obvious we are incredibly proud of him. He has spent YEARS reading and writing and talking about stuff I can't begin to understand. Seriously - I went to a presentation he did once on campus and he asked me what I thought afterwards... I couldn't understand a single sentence that came out of his mouth and here I was in a room full of Yalies who were entranced by every word.

For those of you who don't know he graduated with a PhD in Anthropology. His thesis was related to disaster preparedness in Japan - although I don't remember the exact title - and you wouldn't understand it anyway;)

Cheers to you Ry and all of your friends!