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Long Summer Days

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I'm having a hard time believing it's going to be August next week.  August?  When did that happen??  It seems like this summer has flown by, but I don't feel like we've done a ton of really fun things.  It feels like it's been a lot of...work.  Lots and lots of work for both Scott and me this year.  And not nearly enough fun!  I can't believe we haven't even gone swimming with Ava yet!

Ok, enough of that.  Time for a change!

Yesterday, Ava and I helped celebrate her friend Kelsi's 5th birthday.  Kelsi's mom (Amy) and I have been friends for 12 years, so it's been fun having girls so close together in age.  Kelsi's party was at the Edinborough Play Park in Edina, which is an indoor park with a monster piece of playground equipment, plus a swimming pool, and a huge room where kids can run and work out their endless supply of energy.  It's a pretty cool place!

The kids played for about an hour, then settled down for BLUE Brave-themed cupcakes, and a quick present opening...and then back to playing!  It's a great idea for a party, and fun for both the kids and the parents.

Hanging out in the toddler area...this is the last year for that, Ava!  Next year, you're too old!



What's up the tree?


She circled this trunk so many times, it made ME dizzy!


Wheeling around the big room!



Time for treats!  (Kelsi, the birthday girl, is the one looking right at the camera)


Kelsi's little sister, Kourtney


Brett was having some issues lighting the #5 candle!


The blue-tongued girl (Sydney) next to Ava made me laugh!


It's like she was wearing blue lipstick...


Gift opening time! Lots of cool things for Kelsi!


After we finished up with the birthday party, Ava spent the remainder of the day and evening with Grandma Deb and Grandpa Whitey.  They went to a fun car show in Farmington, and it sounds like Ava got her face painted...with a pretty butterfly!

Scott and I took advantage of the free night and went on a date.  We had dinner in Woodbury, and then went to a few local bars.  We ended the night at a bar on the Mississippi River, overlooking a marina.  It was really low-key, which was the perfect end for a busy day.

Ava came back home this morning, and couldn't wait to watch Fireman Sam on my iPad.  I found myself humming the Fireman Sam song this afternoon, and have decided I need a break from our "hero next door!"


She loved her Ring Pop (thanks, Kelsi!)  (And look at those pretty earrings!)


Scott smoked a full turkey today, and we had an excellent family dinner.  Everyone is now in bed, and it's somewhat quiet. :)  I'm getting ready to read for a bit, and will be enjoying the solitude.  We both have busy weeks coming up, and I'm already cringing at the thought of all of my meetings I have - I think for tomorrow, I'm already scheduled in FOUR hours of meetings.  When can I get my work done?  Sigh.  Oh well, this too shall pass! 

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