Our newest addition!

It was finally time to add to our family. Just before Christmas we adopted a tiny, 10 week old Shitzu and Dachshund mix rescue puppy. She was named Skyy (yes, after the vodka) but I chose Ivy instead.

We surprised Millie with Ivy a day after returning from Iowa, where we had spent Christmas weekend. She was delighted, but it's been a tough transition. I don't know how you moms do it when both kids want something from you at the same time. Millie has been especially needy and tired from being at Spanish Camp all day, so between that and letting Ivy out every hour while she is being potty trained, I am exhausted and a bit stressed but it's been really, really fun. Ivy is adorable, sweet and cuddly. She plays hard and then crashes for hours, preferably while touching some part of you. She has been sleeping through the night with her head on our pillows and has had very few accidents in the house. She walks nicely along side me and seems to be responding very well to simple commands like "no bite!"

We are very excited about Ivy joining our family. I hope she gets to meet all of you soon.

Crazy Kids

I love our crazy kids.

Halloween Week

Evidently, Halloween lasts for at least a week when you have a four year old. The festivities began last weekend with a Halloween themed birthday party, then Zoo Boo, Kowalski's and Byerly's Boo Bashes, Preschool trunk or treat, the yearly pumpkin party at Rumspringa, and finally, the actual Halloween night party and trick or treating. It's was all a blast, but I must admit I woke up this morning relieved to be done with the cupcake costume for a while.

Let the gluttony begin. Cupcakes at B's birthday party.

With princess Eve and prince Graham at preschool. By the way, Eve is five days younger than Millie. I guess I have a shorty.

Drawing faces on lollipop ghosts.

Face painting at Byerly's. 

Pumpkin carving at Coco's farm.

What I was doing while they were busy carving. 

In the hay stacks. 

Some festive mini cupcakes. 

With David at our pre-tricking party. 

The astronaut, the cop, and the cupcake. 

Our motley crew. 

A is for Apples

This year we've managed to squeeze three apple orchard visits into the summer-like fall. Minnetonka Orchard was nice, and had delicious Honey Crisp apples, but we were appalled by their high prices. Pine Tree in White Bear Lake turned out to be a bit of a disappointment since they are not a pick-your-own orchard and there was not much in terms of activities either. But it was a beautiful setting and a lovely day, so it was nice regardless. The three of us went back to our old stand-by, Afton Orchard, last weekend. So did, apparently, most of the state of Minnesota. But even with the crowds, it was so much fun. Hay rides, pumpkin and apple picking, cider pressing demonstrations, cow barrel train rides, a huge playground, and of course llamas, sheep and goats, oh my. Afton definitely offers the most entertainment bang for your five bucks. Plus a luscious fresh pressed cider float makes even the worst of crowds tolerable.

At Minnetonka.

There was a musician there and he had set up an extra guitar and mic for the kids to "join him." He also had a daughter named Millie and had written a song for her, so naturally we bought the CD. 

Creepy pumpkin face painting. 

First faux train ride of the season. Whoot whoot. 

Pine Tree Orchard with Saba and Safta.

Nice bow Saba.

Afton. Black tutu optional. 

Speaking of apples, check out my latest go-to recipe for apple crisp

Yes, I do exist

Usually Mom is relgated to being the camera, which is exactly where I like it. But when a pro like my friend Tom Dunn is around, I can be coaxed into posing with my little Cat in the Hat ballerina.

These pictures were snapped at Grace's 10th birthday party, Cat in the Hat themed, obviously.

Oh, and thanks Tom, for PhotoShopping the dark circles under my eyes and most of my wrinkles. I owe you a tall one.

First day of Preschool

Which was also the last day of summer, was a full, fun day.

First, the obligatory photos on the steps.

And in the cubbies. 

She went from "I've decided to quit preschool," to loving it. Clearly. 

After school, it was time to enjoy the last few moments of heat. Coco and Elliot came over to frolick in the Huth Family Water Park. 

Here are a couple of pics from Sunday's watery fun. First with Eve and Graham at Como Town, then later in the afternoon with Coco and Elliot at our house. 

And finally, I just have to add this picture of our crazy kids at Tilia. Ok, mine's clearly the craziest. 

Last Day

I wrote this long, elaborate post, detailing all the wonderful things we did on our last day at the fair, but then modern technology failed me and I lost everthing.

So, in short, we had a lovely last day, just the three of us and a bunch of baby animals. We saw it all, we smelled it all, we ate it all. And now we count the days until the next fair. Back to reality.

She looked at me! 

Clearly, she has her dad's impeccable sense of style. 

Days five and six

I decided that Millie and I needed the day off from the fair Wednesday. We spent doing the day doing close to nothing, and by Thursday morning we were eager to get back. Even the projected 100 degree plus heat index didn't deter us.

We got to the fair bright and early and had a lovely time with Alissa and crew. We bumped into Sarah, Eve, and Graham, which made the morning that much more fun. By Noon the heat had caught up with us so we bid farewell to the fair for the moment and I took Millie swimming at the Roseville  pool. After Tony got home I went back and met Alissa and Sarah for a girls' night. It was a lovely evening and we indulged in all kinds of yumminess, like sweet corn ice cream and honey lemonade. And the calorie count continues to mount...

Ready!

At the horse barn. Clearly. 

Judging by the look on her face, Millie is going to opt not to nurse. 

When you're two, sheep are freakin' hilarious. 

And when you're four, Sarah is even funnier. 

Once he got sneezed on, Graham was pretty much done with the sheep. 

Farm animals make me so emotional!

Do these feathers make my butt look big? 

Happy fair-goers unite. 

Heritage Square. It wasn't as empty as it looks. 

Onward to the Newspaper Museum! Hurry, before they run out of those cool hats! 

Whew, made it. 

DAY SIX

Day six started once again with Alissa, Zach, and G-Jo, and later we met up with Angela and Grace. After Millie and I got a quick break at home, we returned to the fair with Tony, and met up with Jackie, Dave, Josie, Gus, and Levi. Best night of the fair ever. We had a blast! 

Tiny Al Franken. You tell 'em Al!

Making a boat at the Home Depot Kids Area. She got her own apron to take home. Very cool. 

Grace and Millie showing off their boats. Which, by the way, do float. 

"My first blue ribbon!" for matching words found around the fair to the alphabet card from Alphabet Forest, the single coolest exhibit at the fair. 

Sharkey, what are you doing at the fair? At the Jack F.M. station non-the-less.

Telling secrets. Girls will be girls. 

Vroom vroom. 

Back for dinner. Green Mill pizza, yum. 

Rocking Purple Rain with Daddy and Hello Kitty. 

Hitting the kiddy midway with Levi and Gus. 

The bumper boats are now the only ride Millie will go on. Going through a fearful stage, I guess. 

She bailed half way through the Fun House, even though Gus and Josie went with her. The nice man at the door handed me the tickets back. I'm guessing he sees a lot of terrified four year olds.

I think firemen are supposed to take their jobs more seriously. 

You know your kid is tired when they can fall asleep in the middle of the midway at 9:00 on a Friday night. 

Today we parked cars, which is always a nice excuse to just sit outside and relax with my girl in the cool morning breeze.

Mmmm, fresh fruit. Nice change of pace.