Minnesota State Fair 2015

Tory's birthday always falls during the Minnesota State Fair, and I thought it'd be a fun way to celebrate by visiting on her actual birthday this year. Tory's fourth birthday happened on a Sunday and since we'd be driving past the east side of the Twin Cities on our way home from the cabin anyway, it seemed to make perfect logistical sense.

Of course, on the day of her actual birthday, Tory was exhausted from a weekend of non-stop birthday partying. Classic example of me trying to shove too much excitement into one day which inevitably ends with a child meltdown. Andi and I hemmed and hawed over going, but finally decided to go for it last minute when the kids fell asleep on the car ride home to the Cities. We pulled up to the State Fair around dinnertime -- perfect timing to stuff our faces full of fried foods.

For the record, we always park directly across the street from the fairgrounds in someone's yard. It costs an arm and a leg (typically $20 or so) which seems absurd for a few hours of parking, but it's well worth it not to battle transportation or a long walk back to our car when the kids hit their breaking point.

We walked into the fair around 6:00pm, and found the streets surprisingly empty for a weekend evening. The air temperature was perfect (low 80's) as the sun began to go down. I'm so glad we visited the fair this day vs. later in the week when temperatures proved much hotter and more humid!

Our main fair objectives were to find some good food to eat, visit some of the kid exhibits, and to leave before the kids reached lost their minds from exhaustion. Andi and I were both a little uneducated when it came to "new foods at the fair" this year, or "new exhibits." We just walked along and stopped by whatever found our fancy.

First food stop was for a Pronto Pup which, I have to say, doesn't stretch as far as it did in the days of just Andi and I. By the time Andi fed some to our famished kids, he and I only got a bite or two for ourselves. Aden, particularly, was a big fan of this fair food item.

Next, we stumbled upon the Nickelodeon booth and saw the Little Charmers characters there for a meet & greet. Tory wasn't sure what to think about seeing some of her favorite television characters up close in person. She didn't want to wait in line to have her picture taken with them, and sort of stared off into space until we eventually walked away. Then, for the next 30 minutes or so, she repeated in a trance... "They were bigger than I expected them to be!" I think she couldn't quite believe her eyes.

We stopped by the Alphabet Forest to spell our names in laminated letters. Taking Aden out of the stroller to play at the other stations seemed like too much of a gamble, so we continued onward.

The Little Farm Hands exhibit is a must-do for the kids, so we stopped by there next. Aden was OBSESSED with the kid's tractors and ran around the place like a toddler maniac. Tory took things much more seriously and collected each item from the farm stations, then carefully planted vegetables in the pretend garden.

Aden started to get restless after we left the farm, so we set out for some roasted corn on the cob. Give Aden a cob of corn this summer and he'd sit quietly for at least 30 minutes gnawing on it. We didn't see the infamous corn roaster anywhere nearby, so Andi stopped by a random bbq food stand and bought one. He split the ear in half and gave each kid a piece. 

By this time in the evening, the sun was already starting to go down and I knew our time at the fair was limited. We passed by the kiddie mid-way and Tory started to beg to go on some rides. I really wanted needed some deep-fried pickles -- a Minnesota State Fair must for me -- but I put aside my own desires for those of my kids' when we saw the Butterfly Habitat.

The kids love the butterfly habitat at the Lincoln Children's Zoo, and I knew they'd like this one, too. Except, instead of the beautiful, lush gardens like at the zoo, the fair set-up was akin to a sweaty tent filled with hundreds of people and lots of poor, trampled butterflies. Luckily, Tory didn't seem to notice the dead insects spread around the floor.    

We were running low on daylight, and it was clear we'd have time to do one more thing. Tory chirped away about going on some rides and I still hadn't had my fried pickles. I was truly hungry by this point since I'd only eaten a nibble of a Pronto Pup right after we arrived. I think I might be the only person to ever attend the fair and actually LEAVE hungry! 

Like the good mom I am, I decided to make my daughter's day and skip the pickle stand (which was on the other side of the fairgrounds) so Tory could ride the ferris wheel. It was her birthday, after all. I stopped by the closest stand nearby to buy some french fries and Andi got some cheese curds. We gobbled them up and headed over to the mid-way.

The ferris wheel glowed against the dimming night's sky, and she was sure that was the ride for her. Andi and I agreed he'd ride with Tory while I waited on the ground with Aden and the stroller. It seemed to spin on forever -- both Andi and I agreed later. Andi said to Tory as they rotated up and around for the sixth time or so, "I think they probably let us go a few more times around since it's your birthday." Tory responded flatly, "I don't think so, Dad. That's how many times it goes around." She told him. Humph.

I think we could've stayed at the fair for a few more hours as we never even made it over to the farm animals, any of the business vendors, or to my beloved fried pickles. Once nighttime fell, Andi and I decided it best to head home to avoid ending our day with kiddie meltdowns. Next year, maybe we'll make a whole day of visiting the fair ... it sure was a lot of fun.   

35/52: A Weekly Photo Series

Not very "weekly" ... I'm getting behind on these! I'm taking photos (which, I suppose, is the project's purpose anyway) but I'm having a hard time getting to the computer to blog about them. Anyway ...

When I was little, my parent's bed was the safest place I knew. If I was sick, or tired or wanted to veg out, I'd snuggle into their blankets and pillows, and feel instantly relaxed. Thinking about it now transports me right back to being seven years old again.

I suspect it's the same for Tory because our bed is her favorite place to hang out, too. Last week as I hurried around the master bedroom readying our bags for the cabin, Tory laid in our bed watching a cartoon. I couldn't help myself; I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my camera and snapped a picture of Tory curled up with her favorite stuffed toy.

This, to me, is the picture of an idyllic childhood: innocent; safe; loved.

Letters to Aden: 21 Months

Twenty-one months, little boy! It's a good thing we're closing in on the big T-W-O because I'm having a hard time keeping up with these updates. I'm using pictures to help jog my memory about your developments because I was terrible at keeping notes last month and you've already changed so much since the 19th of August. Anyway, I digress.

Can a mom have too many pictures of her kid in a life jacket? I swear I have this same photo a thousand different ways and if that doesn't sum up how perfect of a summer it's been, I don't know what does. Cheeks smooched up against the padding; soggy graham cracker smeared somewhere down the side; I love it!

You've thoroughly enjoyed our time at the lake cabin this summer. You love the water and aren't afraid to swim, splash and play. We laugh because our lake lot gradually deepens into the water (sort of like a zero-entry pool) and our cabin is located in a bay where there's hardly any waves. You can walk out about 10 feet or so on your own (with your life jacket on, of course, and an adult within arm's reach) before losing your footing on the ground. Then, the buoyancy of the life jacket softly moves you to a back float on the water's surface and you'll patiently float there until someone assists you upright again. You never cry, never seem alarmed; just... "Hey guys! When you have a second, could someone give me a hand?"

Best. Summer. Ever. So much fun in the sun.

We've also spent lots of time at the playground this summer and I'm amazed how far you've come physically in a few short months. It wasn't long ago you were knee-walking from Point A to Point B, and now you run and climb on the equipment. At our neighborhood park specifically, you follow Tory around and do all the things she does without any fear or trepidation. Monkey see, monkey do; you use your feet to walk up the slide from the bottom and ride along the merry-go-round with all the big kids.

Speaking of photographs I can't get enough of, more snapshots of those crazy curls. 

Daddy took you for your first jet ski ride this month, and afterwards your hair stood straight up in the air from the wind whipping through it. You loved it, though, you little thrill-seeker!

You're all about "things that go" these days -- cars, trucks, airplanes and the Ranger UTV at the cabin. If there's a steering wheel, you're there in an instant making "vroom vroom" sounds. Daddy let you ride along on the riding lawn mower one day this month, and you quietly sat on his lap the entire time. You were in seventh heaven behind the wheel. 

You're also somewhat of a book-nut, and will patiently sit in the rocking chair listening to storybook after storybook. Some of your favorites right now are Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, Humpty Dumpty and Other Nursery Rhymes and Wheels On The Bus (a musical book). I was really shocked the other day when you started to recite Brown Bear along as I read it to you -- something I remember Tory doing, but not until she was much older. I suppose that's one benefit of being a second child: more exposure to things early on. 

It's not all books, all the time, around here. You're also quite obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Elmo (though not necessarily Sesame Street). For some reason this month, you started waking up at 5:00am and Mickey was the only thing that'd hold your attention long enough for me to snuggle up beside you and try to sneak a few more winks of sleep.

I forgot the way "terrible two's" begin well before a toddler actually turns two. This month, you've started throwing yourself on the ground when something doesn't go your way, or simply whining to be held all the dang time. As a parent, it's frustrating not being able to reason with you over something so trivial when I can now do that with Tory. Strangely, one thing that snaps you right out of a tantrum and holds your attention for quite some time is an ear of corn. It's safe to say, you've had quite a few of those this month!

Hot dogs, breakfast sausages and cereal are other new "favorite foods." You still won't eat ground beef or pulled pork, most breads, or eggs. You also seem less sensitive when it comes to dairy products, though we haven't exactly introduced milk or cheese into your diet. You've eaten some regular butter and small bites of Tory's yogurt with no issue.

We're closing in on Two, Aden Bear, and you're becoming more of a little boy every day. Though, no matter how big you grow, you'll always be my baby boy. Here's to another month of memories!

XOXO,
Mom

Tory's 4th Birthday

Tory turned four years old over the weekend, and we celebrated with not one - but TWO! - birthday parties for our special girl.

The festivities started Thursday with a princess-themed party for Tory and her friends. This was Tory's biggest birthday wish; she couldn't wait to have her school friends over to our house to celebrate. My goal was to keep things low-key, so I took Tory to the party aisle at Target a few weeks ago and let her pick out all the princess party decor her heart desired. I also let Tory invite four friends to her party and she chose Sophie, Eloise, Abigail and Mya from her ECFE preschool class. (Actually, she wanted to invite the entire class but I wasn't about to have 13 four-year-olds in my house!)

The girls played dress-up and decorated foam crowns at the party, then ate lunch together. For food, I served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into the shape of princess crowns with carrots & hummus, string cheese and apple juice.

I bought princess-themed cupcakes from the grocery store bakery and gave all the girls princess bags filled with Dollar Spot party favors. It was seriously the most effortless birthday party I've ever hosted. I'm not sure why I kill myself over unique themes and handmade decorations when character parties are SO EASY. *Note to future self*

The best part, of course, is that Tory was delighted and I later heard her little girlfriends had a fantastic time at the party as well.

Saturday, we hosted a second birthday party at the lake for our family and cabin friends. Tory's birthday usually coincides with Labor Day weekend so it always made sense to host her party at the cabin when my Nebraska family came to visit. Labor Day (and the long holiday weekend that accompanies it) falls a week later this year, so my Nebraska family wasn't able to make the drive up to Wisconsin, but Andi's parents and sister were, along with our cabin friends Joe & Lisa, Oscar & Deanna, Krista & Josh, and our friends Val & Brionn who are renting a cabin on the lake this summer.

Andi's sister Lindsay gave Tory an adorable watermelon dress earlier this summer, and it gave me the inspiration to throw a pink & green watermelon BBQ for her birthday party.

Tory and I handmade party invitations from pink and green construction paper in a method I wouldn't recommend to anyone. It took SEVERAL afternoon rest times and lots of patience, cutting and glueing to assemble invitations I wasn't very pleased with in the end. Tory and I also made watermelon banners like these for the party and they turned out really cute. I'm now realizing I never snapped a picture of them hanging up at her party.

We served pulled pork sandwiches, corn on the cob, watermelon slices, chips & dip, pink lemonade and pink and green cupcakes. By far the SIMPLEST party menu I've done, and everything was a big hit!

Tory, sandwiched between her favorite cabin friends, Linden and Hannah

Buddy's FAVORITE food this summer is corn on the cob!

The kids helped Tory open birthday presents, and then everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to the birthday girl. 

Tory had such a fabulous few days celebrating her birthday, she was actually pretty wiped out on her actual date of birth. Andi's parents hung around the cabin with us on Sunday and Tory spent most of her real birthday laying low and playing (toy) hospital with Grandma Janie. 

Andi and I decided to take the kids to the Minnesota State Fair on the drive home from the cabin Sunday afternoon since it was on the way home (sort of), so Tory ended her 4th birthday at the Great Minnesota Get Together. We only stayed for a few hours, but long enough to eat a few fried things on a stick, and grant Tory's wish of riding on the ferris wheel.

Happiest of birthdays to our favorite girl. FOUR is going to be a great year!

Canadian Fly-Out Fishing Trip: Day 4 (& Video Montage)

Friday, August 21

Wrapping up the recap of Andi and I's Canadian fly-out fishing adventure...

I woke up sometime around 6:30am, heard rain falling outside the window, and though to myself "Nope!" I'd had enough of the rain on this vacation, thank you very much. At the same time, I heard Joe and Lisa up and moving around in the cabin, presumably readying themselves for fishing, and again thought to myself "Double-nope!" Andi was still snoozing soundly in his neighboring bunk bed, so I rolled over and fell back asleep. Later, we both emerged from our sleeping bags around 8:30am.

Fortunately by the time we woke up at 8:30am, the rain had cleared and the sun was shining. Joe and Lisa were gone fishing, so Andi and I decided to make ourselves a small breakfast before hitting the lake ourselves. Andi made us each peanut butter and jelly toast using the ancient stove-top toaster in the cabin and split a banana he'd stashed in his bag from home. After three days without, it sure tasted great to eat a piece of fresh fruit!

Once on the water, Andi and I drove the boat to the same place we'd had success fishing the morning prior. We drifted the shoreline and jigged for walleyes at first, and then decided to park our boat on shore across the bay. This gave us a change of scenery and the chance to get up and move around. Andi wanted to fish this way our entire trip, but it was difficult finding a place to pull our boat up on shore amidst the dense woods around Lake Jeanette. This particular flat rock cliff we did find proved to be the perfect place to sit and bobber fish for walleyes in the sun.

The sun was (finally!) shining and temperatures in the low 70's. Andi and I started to strip off layers of clothing -- rain gear, sweatshirts and coats -- and let the warm sun find our skin. We ran out of bait minnows around lunchtime and decided it'd be a good time to head back to the cabin for lunch. We spotted Joe and Lisa on the boat ride back and they told us to go ahead and eat lunch without them, so Andi and I headed back to base camp to fix something for ourselves.

Andi cleaned our fresh catch while I hopped in the shower for the first time since Tuesday. With only solar power and heated water via propane tank, I was forced to let my hair dry au natural. One of the perks about vacationing in the wilderness is that appearances aren't top priority, I suppose.

Lisa, Andi and I sunned ourselves and chatted on the lakeside deck while Joe took another one of his afternoon power naps. Mid-afternoon, Andi and I split off from Joe and Lisa again and decided to head back over to the Sesikanage River flowage that connects Lake Jeanette to Betty Lake. Joe told us he saw all kinds of wildlife on the river in past years, and I was determined to see a moose, caribou, or bear during our time in Canada.

It was too weedy on the river to fish, so Andi and I just cruised along and enjoyed the view. The sun shined brightly and felt so good after two days of cold, wind and rain. I think it was the first time our entire trip when kicking back with an ice cold Labalt Blue sounded appealing.

We made it about half-way down the river until it was too rocky to proceed. We never did see any animals - bummer! Andi turned the boat around and then we trolled along the shores of Lake Jeanette. Tunes played in the background and we relaxed without a care in the world. THE BEST.

Suddenly, my fishing pole nearly bent in half as a fish took hold. Reeeeeeeeel! the line screeched as it violently pulled away from our boat. I yanked my pole out of the rod holder and used all my might to reel in the fish. I could tell by the strength of the pull on the line it was a big one, and it took over 20 minutes to finally get the fish into the boat. When Andi and I finally laid eyes on the beast, we couldn't believe it -- a 36" Northern Pike!

For reference, Tory is 38" inches tall at 4 years old so it's easy to see -- that's some fish!

After we safely released the fish back into the water, I literally shook from the rush of adrenaline to my system. It was exhilarating to catch a fish like that; to feel its weight and girth up close. I was also happy to watch it swim away from our boat unharmed, and anxious for someone else fishing on Lake Jeanette to have the same experience. These were Andi and I' lucky fishing lures this trip, as obnoxious as they may seem. The silver one was mine and the Northern Pike went absolutely nuts for it.

Andi and I continued to troll for Northerns afterwards, but never caught anything as large as the 36" monster. Eventually, we ran into Joe and Lisa fishing for walleyes closer to the cabin and chatted with them for a bit before concluding our last evening on Lake Jeanette in our favorite fishing spot on the lake. Andi and I conveniently ran out of minnows just as the sun began to set. It's hard to believe the four of us used 60 dozen minnows in our three days of fishing!

This sunset view from our cabin's dock perfectly summed up our trip -- sometimes rainy and windy and sometimes sunny and warm, but always breathtakingly beautiful. 

And, here's a video montage from our three days fishing on Lake Jeanette.

Several people have asked me since our trip if I'd return to KaBeeLo Lodge and my answer is 'Absolutely.' Andi and I had an amazing time fishing in Ontario and we can't wait to take the kids back with us someday when they're older. More than the fishing and close-to-nature experiences, I appreciated the complete isolation from technological influences and the outside world. I can't remember the last time Andi and I talked that much - laughed that much, really - and it felt amazing. I wasn't sure what to expect when we signed up for a fly-out fishing adventure but now that I know the details, I can't wait to experience it again.