End of summer

Practicing for Halloween. 

Last weekend on the Como Merry-go-round.

Hello monkey. 

At the park with Coco and Drovi. 

At least Elliot listens to directions. 

Besties. 

Does this look comfortable to you? 

More from the orchard

A few pics from Tony's phone from Sunday's trip to the orchard.

Concrete pets, a genius idea!

I love giant pumpkins, they make me look thinner. 

Good Apple Hunting

This weekend we went to Apple Jack's Orchard in Delano. Apparently, this was not an original idea, the place was packed. But it was still wonderful. They have so much going on there: Cow barrel rides, pony rides, a mini zoo, a corn maze, tractor rides, apple cannons, pumpkin patches, raspberry picking, hay stacks to climb, live music, a restaurant, bakery, gift shop, and a playground. Apples, however, not so much.

Due to an early spring frost, most local orchards are experiencing an apple shortage. No kidding. There were four, count 'em, four trees with apples on them. They were Liberty apples, which are delicious and teeny tiny, perfect for little hands. No apple pie this year, but we have a bag full of snacking apples for Millie.

The day was perfect, sunny and cool in the morning, then really warming up later in the day. We picked several lovely pumpkins and just enough raspberries for Millie to snack on in the huge complimentary wagon we were pulling. It just so happened that very day was the Giant Pumpkin Weigh In! And giant they were. Lunch was cider brats at a lovely picnic area by the river. And there is even a train going by every once in a while. Put some suspenders on Tony and it was a Norman Rockwell painting.

The very popular cow ride. We based our choice of orchards on whether or not they had one of these. I am thinking of building one in the back yard.

The annual "Millie takes a bite out of a fresh picked apple" photo. Isn't it exciting?

Millie and her vote for best giant pumpkin.

Neither of them really gets how to do this, do they?

The perfect pumpkin, now showing on our front porch.

She chose a heart and rainbow image for her face. My little girly-girl.

Evidentially, when Moms are on a diet, they tend to buy their children cookies as big as their heads. Frosting on a chocolate chip cookie? Why the heck not.

Millie's first pony ride. Nerve wrecking for all involved.

I LOVE your hair!

All Aboard!

Today was the quintessential Autumn day, bright and crisp, like a fresh-picked apple. Zach and his family invited us to join them for a train ride in Osceola, Wisconsin. The drive there is beautiful. After a stop for coffee and a walk by some sweet little waterfalls, we boarded the Marine on the St. Croix train. I think Millie's favorite part was handing over her ticket to the fancy schmancy conductor. She sat without breathing with her hands cupped in her lap while he punched four punches (don't know why) into her ticket. The rest of the time she bounced off the walls, except when she was mauling her future husband.

Look! Look!



Love bugs.






Getting ready to board.

Dress up and more

Random late summer moments.

Dressing up at Coco's.







So excited about  my garage sale finds: a Littlest Pet Shop set and a plastic crown.



Mmmm, Grand Ole's Creamery.

First day of preschool- Part Deux

There she goes!



She cheered up moments later...



When she got to show off her cubby.



She went right in, put her little name tag on the board, grabbed a book and sat on the mat. No problems. She is on the right, Eve is in gray.



This little guy, on the other hand...



Then all of us parents lingered in the hall wondering what to do next. The teacher is not the best communicator, but I think it will be fine.

First day of preschool

Our little girl, all grown up. Sort of.

Last day (sigh)

Heading out bright and early for breakfast with the neighbors.

Mmmm, The Lunch Box. Gee Nancy, what is so funny?

Reading the morning paper.

She needed some "pwayvicy".

Mpls. mayor, the lovely R.T. Rybak. Cheer up Millie, he promised he'll run for governor again.

Watching a video on recycling in the Eco Building. Riveting.

Strawberry yogurt. See, the fair CAN be healthy. She had two bites and moved on to ice cream...but I tried!