Family getaway

I started this post about a month ago so now seems about the right time to finish it!  In July, we + grandparents headed up to Lutsen for a longer weekend.  It happened to be one of the hottest weekends of the summer but it was, of course, a wee bit cooler in the North Country. The weather made pool time all the better for Boden and the frigid temps of the lower level of the condo a little more bearable.

Sloan loved all the running around she got to do every day--look at her smile!

 

This picture was at the start of the Eagle Mountain trail.  We've been up it numerous times and it's always a good hike with great views.

This year, Boden did his first hike ever with us--he was totally reluctant to go along, preferring to stay back at the condo with Papa and Nana, but at some point during the hike he said "this is way better than I thought it was going to be!" Victory!  Of course I was terrified for his safety at every overlook, but he did great. After our hike, we took Boden to our favorite maple syrup purveyor and stocked up on a year's supply.

Boden even went on a hike with his Papa to Temperance River state park--they came back with some good stories of their adventure together.  

Todd and Boden did the Alpine slide.  I was scared of the slide and Todd was scared of taking Boden on the chairlift, so we flipped for it and he "won" the "opportunity" to go.  I think they applied the brake liberally and had a good run.

On one of our hikes we saw some very fresh bear and baby bear tracks--not a good combo!  We didn't see those two, but we did come across a quick glimpse of a momma moose and her calf plus a covey of grouse that day.

And her's our parting shot with Lutsen mountain in the background!

Hello, sun!

After the longest, coldest winter of my recent memory, a vacation in Marco Island was a welcome respite for the whole family.  The drive from Orlando was long and made longer by traffic delays, a nursing baby, and potty stops, but pulling up to our rental was an amazing sight--let the relaxation begin! Thus far, Todd and I have run every day, and Boden has been either in the pool or at the beach.  August has been doing his best to go with the flow, but even with a sun hat and a beach umbrella, the sunny beach scene seems a little too bright for him--since this is the most sun and warmth he's seen and felt in his entire life, it's bound to take some adjusting.  For the rest of us, though, the sun, humidity, and heat, was just what the doctor ordered! 

( yes, I'm wearing Boden's sunglasses--hoping I left mine in the truck during all the hubbub at the airport in MN during our drop-off).

August in the front pack--my arms weren't long enough to get us both in. the picture.

Todd relaxing.

August in short sleeves, in his car seat, without a blanket or cover--first time since his birth and it looks like he's enjoying the not so cold world!

It's not really a small world after all

Part of our vacation this year included a detour to Disney World.  We figured Boden was at a good age to enjoy it and August was young enough to be portable and go with the flow.  Since we were only going for one day, we focused on the Magic Kingdom and tried to get our money's worth.  Boden and Todd went on most of the rides together while August and I sat on benches or toodled over to Starbucks where the wait was equal to the wait at Space Mountain!!  But, hey, there WAS a Starbucks at Disney World so I wasn't complaining. 

After Boden got a little uneasy on Space Mountain and the Lilo and Stitch ride, we looked for lower key rides/entertainment and found a few that the whole family could go on like the Jungle Cruise and the train ride.  Boden had to do a lot of walking and requested several times to leave and go back to the hotel (no way, Jose) but we kept him moving.  He seemed to like seeing the Disney characters best and probably would have really enjoyed the evening parade and fireworks, but after August and I hit up the nursing "parlor" at the on-site child care center (you can't get more family friendly than that!) it was time to head out so we could make it back to the hotel before a melt down.  Boden had such a tiring day he fell asleep on the bus back (mission accomplished!) but rallied at the hotel to consume an entire kid's pizza.

Todd and Boden on the Dumbo ride.

August and I enjoying the Jungle Cruise

Selfie of Todd and August.  They were waiting for me and Boden to get off the Pirates of the Caribbean ride 

Boden asleep on the bus back to the hotel--peace and quiet at last :)--for a few moments, anyway.

Family field trip

A Year with Frog and Toad was being performed at the Old Log Theatre so I thought it would be fun for Boden to go with his cousin, grandma, and uncle.  I would have loved to have gone, too, since I remember the stories of Frog and Toad from my childhood and I do love the theatre, but at 4 weeks old, August is still quite unpredictable.  So we stayed home and I waited for everyone to tell me about it.  Boden continues to have about a 20-25 min attention threshold after which he asks when "it" will be over and starts to lose interest but he made it through and I continue to get bits of info about the play from him so he must have been paying attention.  If I ask directly about it, though, he says "I don't remember" which is unbelievable because he remembers nearly everything.  But, if I'm patient, he'll bring it up and say some little tidbit of memory from the play that he found amusing or boring--eventually, I'll be able to piece together the whole thing.  Thank goodness my mom provided some reliable details for me.

Welcome home, August!

August is almost 48 hours old as I write this--most of which have been exhausting for Todd, me and of course August.  Sheesh, coming into the world takes a lot of energy!

But we're so happy to be home and are going to try to settle in and figure out the 4 of us can all work.  We nearly forgot about Boden's swimming lessons tonight--nearly.  So I think we're goings to be able to get our poop in a group.

Pics:

August's first pic--a very fresh egg

Boden's card to his little brother

Leaving the hospital

Chilling at home--sleeping when he should be awake

We got spirit, yes we do!

This December and Holiday season was so much fun because Boden had so much holiday spirit:  Santa, being good, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, the Grinch, the Advent calendar, presents, the Elf on the Shelf--all of it! 

Early in the month, Todd and I went to Southern Utah for a short weekend hiking trip in Snow Canyon State Park and Zion National Park.  We LOVED it and I'm already planning for my/our (sorry, hon, I'm willing to go with or without you!) next escape.  It was a bit chilly while we were there, but the hikes warmed us up plenty--I couldn't imagine doing it in 80 degree heat (or warmer).

Enjoying Serenity and an Exhilarating Uphill Climb

While we were off gallavanting in another time zone, Boden spent a couple days with his grandparents, thoroughly enjoying being the center of attention from what we were told :)

Boden was also introduced to his own personal elf this year--Sammy.  Our little Elf on the Shelf came to live with us the first week of December to help keep an eye on Boden's behavior and report naughtiness and good deeds back to the Jolly One each night.  Amazingly, this did seem to help keep him on the "nice" side sometimes.  I considiered keeping Sammy around year-round--for those boys that Santa wants to keep a real close eye on.  But, he went back with Santa on Christmas Eve and is vacationing in Aruba until it's time to start working on next year's Christmas inventory.  I'm sure Sammy will be back around Thanksgiving.

We loaded up the trusty family sleigh and headed to my mom's to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family.  Boden always has a good time checking the chicken coop for eggs with my mom.  Unfortunately, it was very cold out while we were there, so we didn't get as much outside time as we like.  His behavior was less than savory, but I've learned that keeping boys indoors and cooped up goes against their nature. Just like animals, free range children are well-exercised and have a better temperament.

Off to the Chicken Coop with Grandma

But, we did get a chance to get a sleigh ride in with Molly and Dolly again this year.  They were feeling a little feisty so Boden didn't get a chance to take the reins, but he still had fun.

On board with Grandma, Mom, Uncle, and Cousins

While the cold weather put a nip in my running plan for the weekend, I did get a chance to slip away one afternoon and meet with one of my high school friends at a coffee shop in town.  While I would have liked for our kids to play together, it was great to have some 100% one-on-one friend time! We were talking and talking and then noticed that the place got incredibly quiet, other than our voices--turning off their music was the subtle sign to "please leave" :)  I do regret I didn't get our pic together!! 

We got home on Christmas Eve afternoon and Boden had time to set out cookies and carrots for Santa along with his first handwritten note (so cute!).  The note won't last, but I was glad to get a picture for posterity.

First handwritten bribery note to Santa

With all the travel and fun of the previous days, we thought Boden would have slept in on Christmas morning.  But, we should have known--if it's not a school day, but is up before 7.  For someone who can't quite tell time, yet, he has an amazing inherent ability to distinguish between school vs non-school days.  Todd and I had set up a rocket ship from Santa the night before and were excited for him to come down and see it.  He played with it until Nana, Papa and Uncle J came later in the morning when we could open the rest of his gifts.  It was a great time and so fun to see his genuine excitement over everything--so sweet.  Boden continues to ask what day it is so he can check the Advent calendar for his treat and why we only have one day of Christmas.  He's got so much holiday spirit, he wants even more Christmas :)




Okay, everyone but Doug and Susie, make a silly face!



August Field Trips

This month, the cooler evenings made me panic and I began to feel summer slipping away, so we tried to leech everything out of the remaining bright and sunny days with a few field trips peppered throughout the month.  Boden is so much fun to hang out with right now and so interested in learning new things, that it's really great to be with him and enjoy his boyish silliness.  The one thing that does make me a little crazy, though, is the "are we there, yet?" question that starts shortly after we pull out of our driveway!!

MN Landscape Arboretum

 The Arboretum has an awesome exhibit in their child learning center area this year.  It's all about embracing outdoor play and using things like sticks, water, trees, pinecones and such to cultivate imaginary play and adventure.  We spent hours there the other day having a GREAT time.  Todd's hoping to create something like the pipe system in the above picture and put a similar structure in our yard so Boden can do lots of "work" with drains and water. 

Cheerios Dig at General Mills Company Picnic

 This is Boden's second year in the Cheerios dig--he was successful this year in retrieving a few Big G cereal logoed toys.  His friend Henry is right next to him in the red shirt.  Henry's mom and I had a good laugh listening to the boys and their silly conversaions--"Are you riding the bus? Yea.  Do you want to sit next to me?  Yea, that would be so cool.  That is cool.  Mom, he's going to sit next to me on the bus." and then lots of boyish giggling.  The company picnic also had a petting zoo, a bouncy castle, ice cream sandwiches, and a gymnastics course, but the best thing was riding the bus to and from the parking lot.

Boden and Henry enjoying some treats at the zoo

Boden taking on the dinosaur at the zoo

We went to the MN Zoo with Henry, his mom, and his little brother.  The two pre-schoolers kept us running and our main goal was to get to the dinorsaur exhibit before the wheels fell off the cart.  En route we saw the penguins, monkeys, bears, see otters, tigers, buffalo and such and then made our way through a prehistoric path littered with dinosaur scenes.  After the dinosaur walk, we went to the playground area, where Jill and I took turns keeping an eye on the wild pre-schoolers or standing in the shade with Jill's 4 month old son. 

We also went to the Uptown Art Fair earlier this month--one of my most favorite "things to do" in the Cities in the summer and, because Boden was so awesome, we also added in the Loring Park Art Fair which is the same day, where we had lunch from a food truck.  We considered making our way to the Powderhorn Art Fair, too, but didn't want to press our luck!  Next year, we may try for the Art Fair trifecta, but this year, I was content to have hit two and have such a great time meandering through the crowds (last year, Boden was hella crazy and kept jumping out of his stroller to run into artist tents--I was sure we'd be paying thousands in broken art pieces!).  Summer ain't over and we're considering heading to the State Fair--Lord help us!

Can You Keep A Secret?

If you're 3 1/2 years old, I'm going to say "no".  Boden was entrusted with helping his dad pick up my birthday gift a few weeks ago.  He was very clear that he wasn't going to let on what it was because it was a surprise, which I thought he understood:  "Mom, I can't tell you what your surprise is."  Clear, right? 

Well, maybe he meant he couldn't tell me what it was if I asked because after picking out my gift and taking it to his dad's office for safekeeping, he came home and was talking to about their day.  He said something  to his dad like "We can't tell mommy about her bike, right?"...while I was 3 feet away.  I tried to let this go claiming I heard "surprise" not "bike" (but was jazzed I was probably getting a bike!).  Later on, we were all sitting down talking and, out of the blue, Boden said "Gosh, it sure was busy at the bike store!".  Todd's face was priceless as he then tried to explain why they were at the bike store and making up something about me getting bike "accessories" for my birthday (unlikely).  To Boden's credit, his dad never told him he couldn't talk about where they had been that day.

Anyway, after two days of Boden dropping the obvious and Todd reminding him that we don't talk about Mommy's surprise, it was finally my birthday.  Boden and Todd retrieved it from the office while I waited at home with my biking shorts, helmet, and shoes on, ready for a ride.

Vacation re-cap

Vacation is over (boo!) and we're home.  All in all, Boden's first vacation was full of lots of firsts and it turns out he's an excellent traveler.  I asked him what the best part about vacation was, but couldn't get an answer...so that must mean it was all pretty great.  I hope down the road he remembers some of it!

This will be a picture heavy post--we did our best to document Boden's first big trip!  (I was going to say "out of state" but I guess he's been to North Dakota, so better correct myself.)  



Airport with mom and Ammi

  By the time we got to the airport and thru security for our 10:15 flight I was exhausted and thinking a nap sounded wonderful.  The three kids in tow did not agree--I don't think anyone slept on the flight.

Boden in the cockpit of the plane

Todd introduced Boden to the pilot and Boden asked him if he knew the way to Florida--luckily, he did.  And he let Boden check out the cockpit.


Digging holes at the "biggest ocean ever"!

  Boden loved the beach --it was like he found his purpose:  he was made to dig.  The house we rented had some beach toys and I had brought two of his trucks.  This meager supply was enough to keep him busy "at the jobsite" for hours.  I didn't think we'd get him in the ocean, but he eventually went in with Todd for a short dip to cool off...then went back to digging. 


At the jobsite with his co-worker



Dad + Bodie at the Beach

We saw tons of dolphins from the beach swimming not too far out --it was probably the same three or four but they were active and would breach regularly in between pelicans and jet skiers--beautiful.

In the ocean for the 1st time 



On the lookout for 'gators and eagles

 Every time we've been on Marco Island, we've make a trek to the Fakahatchee nature preserve in hopes of seeing nesting bald eagles and alligators (technically, I don't think the alligators are "nesting" but they were doing whatever it is alligators do).  We've never struck out, but this time was close.  We saw a mama 'gator and her 4+ babies right away at the entrance along with some big blue (?) crabs (no worries, they weren't swimming together, just in close proximity) and several cotton mouth snakes (ick).  We thought this was a good omen for spotting lots of alligators at the end of the boardwalk...but no luck--we just ended up with sweaty backs from the hot hike and a couple mosquito bites.

mama alligator with a couple of her youngins

Happy Browns + 1 at the end of the boardwalk

  We spent most of our days on the lanai of the place we were renting.  Boden became a little fish while we were there which gives us hope that his swimming skills will advance this summer with a little more practice. The house was on a causeway and we saw dolphins and manatees (and heard them at night) right from the lanai. 

Will not wake up--must nap

 On one of the days, I headed to the outlet mall with Kris and Petra for a little shopping and the dads and the little bitty ones hung out.  Without the car, they popped the kids in the burleys and biked them across town for a lunch outing.  After several days with no nap and LOTS of activity, Boden literally passed out for a few hours.  Todd could not wake him--of course, this led to a 10 o'clock bedtime later that evening...sigh, never timed right.

Nap in the burley

making fun out of whatever he could find

on the lanai with mom

everyone in the hot tub!

Pooped out on the plane home

The plane ride home was apparently less exciting or Boden just couldn't hang on any longer!  He fell asleep before take off and woke up about an hour before we landed.  We were all a little beat so it was good he got a chance to sleep.  

Time to Put Away the Skis

This is as close as Boden got to skiing this year--maybe next year!

Boden and Dad waiting for Sloan to swim back to the boat.

Boden is an excellent tuber--an ability innate to most kids

Summer is over...well, at least the boat is pulled and we are prepared for summer to be over despite the warm, warm Fall!  Boden didn't make it up on skis behind the boat (but did plenty of lawn skiing) so maybe next year he'll be ready for the real thing!  I, on the other hand, did get up on skis for the first time in my thirty plus years.  I had never tried before and assumed I would hate it, but as it turns out, I found it to be quite fun...so next year, looks like we will both be perfecting our ski skills.

Dad's Day--just smile, please

Doug, just look at me and smile.

Doug, really? Just keep smiling.  I'll click as soon as Boden looks good.



Doug!  OMG.

 Who would have thought that the hardest person to manage during the dad's day photo would be the 72 year old...not the 2 year old?!  Sheesh :)  We all had a good laugh over that!