Go, Go, Goers!

Another fun week is in the books!  I had a great week at work...it was very productive, which always makes the weekends more enjoyable (no worries about working on the weekend!) Plus, my company brought in the Gin Blossoms for a private show on Thursday...what a great time that was!  I was able to meet the lead singer, hang out with some friends, and even go out to a bar/restaurant afterwards.  It was so busy!  And then I remembered that on Thursday nights when we're home with the kids, other people are still going out.  It's a little glimpse of the world that happens, when kids are not a factor. (Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change anything in my life!!) Last Sunday, Scott, Ava, and I went to The Little Mermaid musical at a local high school. The cast, crew and musicians did a great job bringing the classic story to life. It was really nice to have some one-on-one time with Ava. A big thanks for Grandma Karen for staying with G while we were out (granted, it

Hot! It was insanely hot this week. Like melt the minute you step outside, stick to the car seat, instant sweat in your eyes HOT. But, hey, it's not snowing, so I won't complain. Ava thought it would be easier to beat the heat by losing a few more teeth...numbers 6 and 7 popped out about a week ago. She has one more wiggly tooth in the front, but now I can pack apples in her lunch again! As usual, the generous Tooth Fairy left her a golden dollar for #6, but after some sassy comments she heard from Ava, she decided a quarter was in order for #7. Ava then decided that perhaps she is grateful for the gold coins, after all... Grandma Karen and I tackled the task of taking G to get his haircut. Usually it's non-stop screaming and crying...but this time, it was different. There was a hint of tears, but he actually giggled when the lady used the big, fluffy brush to wipe off the hair. Grandma Karen talked non-stop the entire time, trying to distract him, and it worked!  W

Ava, Grandma Karen and I had a great end to the weekend last Sunday.  We took a little adventure to Black: Coffee and Waffles, which is a small little place by the U which serves...waffles!  I chose to have a savory waffle, Grandma Karen chose a fruit and granola waffle, and Ava chose to build her own with cinnamon, caramel, whipped cream, and marshmallows.  Sweeeeeet! It was neat going someplace we hadn't been before, plus it gives Ava exposure to more than just her suburban life.  She needs that.  We then went and played at a local park, and Ava made a few new friends.  It was perfect weather to sit on a bench and catch up with my mom!  After 30 min or so, we rounded up Ava and headed off to the Wild Rumpus bookstore in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis (by Lake Harriet.)  We saw lots and lots of animals there (cats, chinchillas, rats, ferrets, birds) but no chickens!  Bummer!  It took forever to get Ava to narrow down her choice to a book (I started to implemen

Work continued on the retaining wall last Monday...the weather was perfect, and Scott decided it was best just to get the job done, even though he was tired from working hard both days of the holiday weekend already.  Scott and my dad got all of the rock laid down, and then we took a trip to Gerten's to pick out the plants.  Any time I had been to Gerten's, I had stayed inside, or focused on the annuals...but this time, we ventured into the perennials.  We had a rough idea of what we wanted before we bought the plants, but it did change a few times while we were there...and I love the end result!  I have an extra soft spot in my heart for my ornamental lilac tree...now all we need is a spot for a magnolia tree somewhere, and my landscaping wishes will have come true! So pretty in the backseat of our truck! I was trying to keep the kids entertained, and out of the way, while Scott and my dad worked.  Bubbles are always a hit! G had fun trying to squish the bubbles

I realized that I skipped a chunk of pictures that I wanted to share...things were super busy last weekend, so we'll blame my lapse of memory on that! The focus was so much on Ava's party, that I neglected to share the family birthday photos, too. Two weeks ago, we invited all of the grandparents over for a wonderful dinner of smoked prime rib (and other yummy sides), and then topped it off with a raspberry mojito birthday cake for the newly minted eight-year-old. We like to experiment with different birthday cake flavors for her birthday, and this one was MUCH better than the watermelon cake from last year (gross-gross-gross!)      Saying cheese with Grandpa Doug! G and I took a break from the present pics to take some selfies ;) Even his cars made an appearance! Super excited to be receiving an aquascope! And no birthday is complete without something from American Girl - this time is was a pizza party set - awesome! We have also been