I cannot believe how much you can pile into one weekend if you are motivated by gorgeous weather and apple fritters.

Saturday: Walk to the fair grounds for a dog show, horse show, and kid's clothing sale. Plus an evening trip to the playground with dad.

Sunday: Afton Apple Orchard for some apple picking, raspberry picking, three hay rides, one cow barrel ride, lots of hay pile jumping, petting zoo, and a visit to the playground, all before lunch (where said apple fritters came into play.)

She could watch horses all day. She doesn't even notice the odor, but I do. Whew.


Actually, yes, this is my first rodeo.

Horses make Millie happy.


Sunday at the orchard:

A donkey!!!

Donkey, meet my daddy.


Cow ride, all by herself.




Hay ride. Doesn't she look impressed?


That's apple number three, but who's counting.

Apples also make her happy.


One giant sugar rush, coming right up.


Showing off her catch of the day.

More words of wisdom

"I getting bigger. I almost there."

Aren't we all, sister.

Rainy day playdate

Rainy days bring on the creative spirits, or so I hear. Today we spent the afternoon at Angie's finger painting and making a general mess of her basement.

The infamous "Coco Face"

Millie and Elliot collaborating.

Millie loves her "brother" Baby Elliot.

Whew. Being a creative genius is tiring. Time for Elmo.

...And speaks...

In the car this morning, the following exchange with my 12, I mean, 2 year old, took place.

Mom: Millie, don't put that in your mouth or I'll have to take it away from you.

Millie (putting up her tiny hand): Just drive.

Millie Speaks

"Mommy, there's two doggies. A little one and a big one. The little one is cute, but the big one is cool."

Bath and Bed

These are not great shots but I swear these girls did not stop moving.

Swimming in the tub.

More story time with Angie.

We didn't get any pictures of the cute guest house, or the amazing country breakfast we were served, or the ride around the farm where Millie got to pet the horses and pick apples, so you'll have to trust me, it was glorious.

Back to reality. Sigh.

Sailing, takes me away...

This weekend we met Angie, Jorg, and kids for a sail on Lake Pepin. Lacking any real wind, we just hung out on the water and relaxed. It was hot and being on the water finally felt like summer, in September. What a wonderful, wonderful way to spend a day.




Millie takes her job at the helm very seriously.




Snacks.


Story time with Angie.


And more snacks.



More later...

Withdrawal

I read somewhere that it can be harmful to your health to stop addictive behaviors too abruptly. So in order to avoid a sudden and possibly deadly drop in blood sugars, Millie and I made cupcakes to celebrate our friend's Lucy's first day of Kindergarten.

Tomorrow we'll deep fry our dinner salads, or maybe I'll add some bacon grease to her baba.

Last Day

Sniff sniff.

Watching Marcoux Corner with Anna.


Millie petting a horse, much to her mother's horror.


Telling all about petting the horse.


All this State Fair stuff is old news. Millie would rather play with my calculator.


Sharing a beef stick with daddy.


Beef makes Millie happy.


Going for a ride in a bee with a cute little boy. Life is good.


Yet another merry-go-round ride.


Empty streets on the state fair grounds.



Oh how we'll miss you Strawberry Rhubarb Sundaes, Deep Fried Pickles, and $6.00 lemonades. How many days till August 26, 2010?

Day 4

What can be more fun than watching the dog show with Saba?




My little fearless peanut on the swings. They go really fast, in my opinion.




Oh goody, another drummer in the family. Every mother's dream.




Off on a trolly ride with Saba and Uncle Tal.


Millie has recently developed a bizarre obsession with bees. She somehow remembered that they were in the Agriculture building, so we had to make a second visit.


Enjoying a mariachi band with Saba and Safta.


Alright, we need a fair break.

From the mouths of babes...

Millie saw the picture of her and Al Franken. She said, "Oh, that's me in my stowar (stroller). Who's that?!"

Good call Anna.