Train Bell 2011

Last week we made our trek to the Brainerd Lakes Area for our stay at the Train Bell Resort.  We had a beautiful trip up on Monday and the kids were even able to get some swimming in.  They have a wonderful swim beach that is super shallow so the kids aren't forced to stay within 5 feet of land.  While there the kids spent a lot of time playing outside with Luke on his scooter and Kenna on the playground and in the sand.  In the evenings the kids enjoyed  movies nights and the dance party. During the day they were able to sneak in at the end of the minnow races and take a ride on the Train Bell Train.  On Tuesday, Mike made a trip to a nearby town with his mom, her husband and his daughter for some antique shopping.  Then Wednesday morning we returned for the kids to play on the community's wonderful playground and climb on a statue of a giant serpent.  Late Wednesday night we returned home.  Friday morning the kids met with their teacher to be evaluated for their reading levels and it was confirmed that Kenna will be in a program called reading recovery to help her get up to pace with her peers.  Friday afternoon the class lists went up.  Out of 23 children, they only have one other kid in their class from last year.   I'm sad that they will be missing some of their friends, BUT there is always recess and the opportunity to make SO many new fiends.  We then ended the week with a shopping trip for new tennis shoes. 

We now find ourselves a week from the start of school.  Luke had an eye check up today and his vision continues to become stronger in his left eye.  Tomorrow we'll be shopping for a couple of back to school outfits because ya gotta have that one new outfit for the first day of school.  Wednesday afternoon is their open house.  This is where they get to take their supplies to school and find their desks and lockers and I get to write checks for things like lunch and yearbooks.

As sad as I am that my kiddos will be entering first grade and school all day for the first time, I look forward to getting back in a routine and seeing them grow and learn.

August already?

I can't believe that it is August already and that 4 weeks from now McKenna and Lucas will be snoozing away after finishing their first day of first grade, but we'll get to that later.

This month started of on a sad note. Mike's Uncle Terry past away at the age of 53 after suffering brain damage due to a sudden cardiac arrest while on vacation with his wife a three sons.  The was a great man and will be missed.

Saturday,  I spent the day making a checkerboard cake.  I have owned the pans for years and just finally decided to utilize them.  I even made my own butter cream.  A first for me.

Sunday, the kids and I spent 4 hours at the zoo with my friend Tammy and her son.  We all live such busy lives that it's hard to find time to get together.  It was great getting to spend some time catching up and watching our kids together.

The past few days have been spent catching up on some housework and trying to get the kids motivated to clean their playroom and bedroom. 

Three weeks left in this month and I'm sure we'll find a way to fill them.  We have trip to Brainerd planned to spend a few days with Mike's step-family.  It's a yearly trip that Mike, Kenna and I missed last year due to Mike's shoulder surgery.  Then we meet the kids' first grade teacher, Mrs Tam, so she can do some testing to evaluate where their reading abilities are.  The last day of the month will bring us to their open house at school.

Normally people get sad when their child enters kindergarten.  I didn't.  I think it was because they were only in school half day and they didn't ride that bus.  This year my babies are truly off to school ... all day, every day and on the bus.  But that's more of a different month.

June and July came and went!

WOW!  June and July have come and gone! June was spent with plenty of time outside as some pretty hot days.  The end of the month we headed for our annual trip to ND.  It was a wonderful trip.  We made the drive out at night and the kids and I slept most of the way.  A little more than half way there we hit some pretty heavy rain.  Wouldn't know know it?  Right in the middle of a pretty good shower off flew the driver's side wind shield wiper,  We did stop at a rest stop to try to switch the other one over, but it was about 3 in the morning and neither of us could figure out how to get the good one off.  By that time the rain had let up and we said forget it.  Things were good from there on until we got about 40 miles from my parents' house and hit fog with almost zero visibility.  Do you think we stopped at the next gas station to buy wipers.  OF COURSE NOT.  Instead we cranked the heat and Mike drove looking out my side of the wind shield.  Needless to say, we made it there in one piece.

Shortly after arrival (10 minutes)  Mike headed for bed.  He was whipped.  I, on the other hand, had some breakfast and then headed off to the county fair parade and county fair with my kids, my mom, my sister, her kids, my cousin and her husband and daughter.  It was SO much fun to watch the kids (ages 2 - 6) bond.

The next two days were spent hanging with my immediate family, as well at my cousin's family, my dad's sister and her husband, my dad's brother and my Grandma.  I love that we were all able to be there to spend that time.  Unfortunately, my dad's side of my family is pretty spread around the country and VERY RARELY are about to get together at the same time.

In that time, we also celebrated Mike's 34th birthday.  The kids loved helping their aunt to decorate the cupcakes for his big day.

The next couple of days were pretty chill.  We did make it up to Lake Sakakawea  and the Garrison Dam.  We couldn't miss out on seeing the lake at historic levels and the spillway letting out water for the first time ever.  It was amazing to see that much water moving that fast!  After that I got to try out my Dad's new mower.  First time I've mowed lawn in over 10 years!

The weekend before the 4th of July, the made it out to Lake Sakakawea for a second time.  Except this time we took Grandpa's boat and went for a ride.  The kids loved it! That evening we had our own mini firework show at the farm.  Mike was like a little kids.  Growing up in MN, he never really got to shoot fireworks so my dad let him have free reign and sat back and enjoyed the show after years of put it on himself.  Since this year the 4th fell on a Monday, Hazen held their firework show on the 3rd.

We headed back to MN the morning of the 5th.  On the way, we stopped to see two large animals.  The giant Holstein in New Salem, ND and the giant Bison in Jamestown, ND.

The next 3 1/2 weeks as Kenna attended summer school and we spent a lot of time just trying to stay cool and temps hit record highs.