RIP Big Tex

 

Glad we saw him one last time before he went up in flames.  :(

Night and Day Gals

They may be as different as night and day.  They may not even look like sisters, let alone twin sisters,  but our little gals don't seem to mind at all.  They play, fight, cry, giggle, scream, and plot together.  But most of all, they love each other like sisters who are the best of friends. 

 

 

 

 

Happy Cake!

Sometimes you crave birthday cake, even when there isn't a birthday to celebrate, so we just call it HAPPY CAKE!  It really all started on Saturday when I took the kids to the Tubes to play for a little while before lunch.  When we arrived, there was a party for an adorable little munchkin celebrating her first birthday in the alcove.  My kiddos were happily playing in their own little world, not a bit bothered by the birthday party, until, that is, it was time for cake.  Marin chimed in when the guests sang the birthday song, even clapping at the end.  Liam and Ellery briefly gazed longingly at the sweet slices being passed around to the guests, but continued climbing and sliding.  But, Marin, in true Marin-fashion, immediately escaped the maze of tubes and centered herself amongst the party crowd.  I quickly grabbed her hand, told her that we were not there for the birthday, just to play, so no cake for Marin.  "Ahhh," she said sadly with hurt eyes.  She didn't understand why she couldn't have a piece, too, but she was easily distracted when I suggested we all go outside to run around on the playground before going home. 

Since Saturday, she's been carrying around a plastic birthday cake, which she calls "happy cake" and pretends to blow out the candles.  It makes this mama a little sad that she was so disappointed about not getting a piece of that cake, so last night I found myself baking a cake and making frosting with lots of sugar, butter, and cream.  Tonight, to everyone's delight, but especially Marin's, we had happy cake for dessert.

 

Smile

Big Tex, Corndogs, Rides, and Hives

 

We, along with a gazillion other crazies adventure-seekers, decided that today would be the perfect day to explore the land of fried-on-a-stick delicacies, gigantic talking cowboys, and an endless midway exploding with cheap stuffed animals .  Our first stop was (surprise, surprise) baseball related.  Liam and Jon both had a chance to win bragging rights about their fast pitch.

Soon after arriving, Marin broke out into hives all over her body.  Although she felt perfectly fine, she just may be allergic to Big Tex. 

 Speaking of Big Tex, there he is!

Of course, our dinner consisted of fried foods, namely Fletcher's Corn Dogs.  Looks like Ellery is about to strike!

One of our favorite stops each year is the Little Hands on the Farm exhibit.  Nothing like putting your kids to work at an early age.  Someone needs to know how to work on a farm around here, right?!?

 And, of course, we couldn't leave without a trip down the midway to find the perfect ride.

 So long, Big Tex, for another year.  Next year, we'll probably make it a weekday, but we'll definitely be back!

Outdoor Fun

Despite the threat of brewing storms, the kids couldn't get enough outdoor fun today!

Big Pile of Leaves

What was the #1 thing Liam wanted to do in Minnesota? 

"JUMP IN A PILE OF LEAVES."

So Liam and his Great-Uncle David stacked them high,

And in he jumped over and over and over and over again!







Weekend in the MN

Minnesota Hotdish, morning coffee with Uncle Patrick, ice-cream treats with the boys, sticky caramel apples, watching Willy Wonka with Grandma, Liam's first haircut from someone who's not Daddy, rides at the Mall of America, and plane trips home.  Here's an iPhone-camera-take of our weekend in the MN...