lake city

Earlier in August we met up with Rory's folks for a day in Lake City. This summer has been a change of pace for two big reasons... #1: Alden. A little baby will slow you down a bit. And #2: Animals. We can't really go anywhere overnight without a whole lot of details to be passed off to someone else. So I am trying to work within the parameters of a day. Where can we go and what can we do for a day of vacation that will have us back home by 7. Lake City is one of those places.

Alden and I were, in fact, on this trip, but I don't have any pictures of us! Ha! But aren't these darling of the others? My kids are getting so big and it catches me off guard. Like every day.

We played at the playground and ate incredible donuts. And most hilariously, we took a picture (that must be on Rory's phone) while eating the donuts and gathered on one side of the picnic table. Which lifted the other side of the picnic table high into the air. Somehow we didn't tip completely on our backs, but it was so close. And slow motion. We laughed hard after the fact. Then we went out for lunch and then got on the Pearl of the Lake, a big paddle boat that takes you around Lake Pepin for 2 hours. It was an unusual fallish day for early August and windy on the boat. But it was nice to be on the water. I'd say we would love LOVED it if it was a one hour boat ride. ;)

Then we went to Redwing for ice cream and walked around a bit. It was a great day and as always, I can't wait to get back to that big water.

quick! before church!

Sunday morning we all ended up wearing some sort of blue in our outfit and I wanted a picture of me and the kids before we loaded in the minivan. So we got all lined up, but then Richard the chicken came walking by and Hattie doesn't really like chickens after our big grey rooster charged at her when she unknowingly cornered him into the raspberries. So Richard came walking by and Hattie started to panic and these are the best pictures Rory captured of that morning. In the end, they are pretty much more true and honest  of my time with my kids than all four kids and me smiling at the camera. 

grandma's gladiolas

My mom arranged gladiolas for competition again this year at the State Fair in the horticultural building. I used to do this with her before I started having kids...and one day I hope to join back in. Largely for the fair food and the excuse to get to be at the fair for two days. But also because I love the creativity you get to tap into as you play with beautiful flowers. 

After the Flower Show, my mom will bring many of her arrangements home, take them apart (the bottom flowers on the glads are often dead) and then make new arrangements to give away. But even better, she brings all the supplies for her grandkids to make their own arrangements. 

Ivar made his in a dump truck, so I think that's why Elsie made hers in a wagon... But they loved playing with the oasis (the green foam that you stick flowers in, filled with water to keep them alive) and were very, very proud of their gorgeous creations. 

And Alden was just happy to see grandma and tell her all about his day.

a hug from Hattie

"you look great. and no one is going to remember you."

This week is Jesse James Days. Actually, it's THE DEFEAT of Jesse James Days, since you wouldn't want to glorify the bad guy. Last night was Townie Night, where all of the food vendors open for the evening and the weekend begins.

I asked Ivar on Wednesday if he wanted to do the Tractor Peddle. I think that's what it's called. The thing where the kids peddle a little tractor that has a weighted wagon and see how far they can get. The kids who get the farthest get a trophy. Everyone get a can of pop. We have watched this event the last two years and I thought he might want to participate this year. He said, "I think I'd be too embarrassed having all those people watch me."

So I told him about how I spent way too much of my childhood caring way too much about what other people thought. But that when I became an adult, I realized that no adults cared if I did or didn't do something. Adults are actually cheering on every kid just for trying. My concern about what others would think was all in my head. I said to Ivar, "the funny thing about the tractor peddle is that no one is going to remember you. Think about it. Do you remember a single kid who did the tractor peddle from the last few years that we watched? I don't remember anyone! Except that one kid who cried so hard because he got nervous and I felt terrible for him. So as long as you don't cry, and you just try it, you'll get your pop and can be proud that you were brave and tried it."

He decided to do it. And was nervous all afternoon before we left. He went up to put on a clean shirt and had trouble picking which one because as he said, "I want to look nice but I don't want to be remembered."

So he chose a blue shirt and his favorite black shorts and wore his new tennis shoes and john deere hat. As we went downstairs I told him, "you look great. and no one is going to remember you."

He did great. He peddled hard and it was heavy. His pull put him right in the middle of the pack of 6 year olds. He got his Dr. Pepper that we let him drink at 7pm. He was proud and I was more proud. And guess what? I will remember him. And how fun it was to watch him be brave.