Day 2

Today we went back into the madness that is the State Fair with Mame and David in tow. It was crazy busy but we still had a lovely day. We took our time and stopped for breaks in the shade so the kids could run in circles and burn off the sugar a bit. And as promised, we did venture into the sheep barn. We also saw the bunnies, which were cute and puffy and inexplicably huge. It's important to note here that, evidentially, an irrational fear of mutant crowned chickens in cages placed too close together is hereditary. Millie's reaction to these birds: "No, no....no no. Let's go back to the bunnies." I hate the crazy chickens too, so we turned right around and went back to the nice giant bunnies.

In the food department, I only got one item during the day but it was amazing: a strawberry rhubarb sundae in the dairy building. Tart and sweet and oh so creamy. Millie preferred the free samples of BBQ beef. Strange girl.

Mr. and Ms. Minnesota State Fair.




Good sharing David.


It's not the state fair until you walk around in a Pronto Pup crown.


Getting her I Heart Lamb tattoo. Seriously.


Showing off loot.

First Day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together

The gorgeous weather brought out the crowds on the first day of the State Fair, but it was worth snaking our way through the masses with three giant strollers.

Today's damage: Ice coffee at Farmer's Union, beignets at Ragin' Cajun, taco from El Sol, and of course, my beloved zeppoles (little balls of fried dough, injected with sweet cream and topped with a healthy sprinkling of powdered sugar, which, yes, as Anna pointed out, is a lot like beignets, but whose counting).

Since we only made it to the horse barn today, the sheep will most certainly be on the menu...I mean, agenda for tomorrow. Also on the to-do list for Day Two, the dairy building for malts and a picture of Millie next to Michael Jackson's head carved out of butter. Delish.

For now, here are some pics:

Ready Freddie.


We are through the front gates! Whoo hoo! Tracy, Gwen (yes, she's in there) and Millie.


On the Merry-Go-Round that scared the bejesus out of her last year. This year she was all, "Weeee! Look at me Isla (Alissa) I on the mewie-go-round!" That's Alissa behind us, totally not exerting herself so close to her due date.


And finally, brushing on that powdered sugar off her teeth before bed.

Babies babies everywhere

Millie is in baby heaven. First, a great lunch/shopping date with Baby Gwen (and her mommy), then today we finally got to meet little Miss Greta. Were our kids ever that tiny? So precious!

Gwenie:
OK, all together now: Awwwwwwww.


If Millie looks confused, it's because she was never this calm when she was that little.

Greta:
Despite of what it may look like, Greta is ok, just very relaxed.

Millie's report to Daddy tonight: "I sat on the couch (acting this all out) and hold tiny Greta (holds out her hands as if holding a baby about the size of a large orange), at the same time!"

Don't get any ideas.

A Change in Perspective

Finally, our little peanut is big enough to face forward in her car seat. Dad promised her a big surprise when she got into the car, so after the initial "that's it? This is your big surprise?" reaction, she seemed pretty pleased with the new view. Now I get a running commentary of when each light turns. "Stop Mama, the light is red!" "Oh, it's green now."

Hmmm, not sure at first.

Well, ok, this is kinda cool.

I a big girl!

Millie and David

A trip to the Farmer's Market: $12 dollars

Black Bear Cafe for ice coffee: $3 dollars

A quiet moment on a rock with your future husband: Priceless

And now, for your weekend update...

The weekend started with a bang, literally, as we woke up to pouring rain, despite anything Sven the Weather Munchkin promised. But when the sun came out we went for a walk around the State Fair Grounds. It's so exciting to see the place come together, Pronto Pup and Lemonade carts all lined up and squeeky clean. Millie enjoyed running around the empty grounds and meeting the various statues, including Mighty Midway Thrillasaures.

Millie, meet Lucy.


We took advantage of the empty fair grounds to enjoy a relaxing moment in the log swing, which is normally occupied by either two very large people wearing Green Bay Packers T-shirts, or by six elderly men wearing suspenders and black socks.

I have to mention here that Saturday I got to go out on a rare girls' night out. My friends Marnie and Kim invited me to join them for a Circus Juventas show. It was amazing. Topped by dinner at Mango Thai and dessert at Cafe Latte, it was a perfect evening. Thanks guys, I so needed that.

Sunday, it was off to the zoo, Como Town, and the merry-go-round. The usual route.


We ran into Sophie and her family at the Sparky the Seal show. After a ride on the merry-go-round, the girls broke into a dance. Happy girls.




And did I mention? The State Fair is coming!!!

Another weekend comes and goes

Even though we are all still fighting nasty colds, we managed to have a lovely weekend. It started out with a day at the Washington County Fair where Millie and I joined Tony's family to watch our two nephews show their cattle. Sounds like my kind of thing doesn't it? Surprisingly, it was fun. Millie really enjoyed seeing her grandparents and cousins. Of course her favorite part was the goats. She was in heaven. (I would have said "hog heaven" but we skipped the swine barn in favor of the Malt Shack.)

Sadly, I have no pictures of the fair. Just think huge bulls pooping right in front of you as you sit in the second row of bleachers and you'll get the right visual.

Saturday is a blur. There was some playing, some napping, and burgers on the grill.

Sunday we met friends at Edina Grill for breakfast, then spent the morning at Lake Harriet chatting with the ducks and riding the trolley (approximately a 3.7 minute ride). In the evening we had a birthday dinner for Saba at Tryg's.

At Lake Harriet Bandshell.

Millie with the birthday boy.

And now, another Monday. Sigh.