As the World Turns

As the world turns and we wait- wait for our new house (with a never ending continual string of one drama after the next), wait to move, wait to begin a new season of our lives, and wait to see what I'm doing work-wise this school year, we continue to try to stay busy experiencing all the great things available in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota!

There are SO many free concerts at local parks around here- we went to see Bob the Beachcomber at Ojibway Park in Woodbury, Minn. one morning. It was hot and sunny but I had fun hearing the songs even if Sam and Anna weren't in the mood to get up and dance with the majority of the other kids that were there.

What's summer without attending a fair?  We went as a family to the Ramsey County Fair and did the typical fair-type stuff:  kiddie rides and checking out the animals.  Sam and Anna do not seem to have my fear of heights and definitely enjoyed the Ferris Wheel more than I did.

We also trekked out to the other zoo in the area- the Minnesota Zoo- over the weekend.  While we were getting ready to leave, I had an experience that has never happened to me before: a reader/commenter of my blog came up to me and said hello.  Lisa at How Babies Are Really Made was visiting family, happened to be at the zoo at the same time we were and recognized us.  Crazy!

 

 (Anna provided some entertainment at the entrance/exit to the zoo by howling alongside these wolf statues for a few minutes)

The next week we headed over to the International Airport and watched planes take off and land.  Sam and Anna are still excited every time one flies overhead where we are currently staying, even though it happens often so I thought they'd have fun plane spotting at the airport.  I was right, although I wish I had found a spot where we could get out of our vehicle to watch.

 

 

(Playing with our Lowes Build and Grow planes while we waited in between takeoffs)

The temperature continued to rise so we also explored a different free splash pad at a park in St. Anthony, Minn.  It was fun but crowded.  For my two, I think the little splash pad with less people  that is closer to my parents house is a better fit.  But I do think that the real rainbow created under the rainbow water arches is pretty neat!

 

We also headed back north to my in-laws cabin and spent some time swimming in the lake.  Sam and Anna went to the local community parade while we were there this time and received stuffed animals from one float- lucky kids!

 

One beautiful summer day (not too hot but sunny) we checked out a new nature center- Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Lake, Minn.  I had heard it had a wonderful outside area for kids, and once there I was surprised to discover it was even better than I expected.  First we wandered into the expansive garden area and happened upon a Meet the Gardener Activity.  Along with other kids, Sam and Anna helped plant a new bed of garlic for the nature center.  Then we wandered around watering every kind of plant you could imagine belonging in a garden.  Sam and Anna could have stayed in the garden the entire time, but I tore them away to check out the other areas.  There was a great rock climbing area (prefect for younger kids), a log climbing area and a man-made stream made for playing in.  We also went on a hike on one of the nature trails and explored inside the nature center.  There was enough for us to do for an entire day of free fun, even though we went home for lunch and nap.

 

 

We actually went to the library twice this week- on Monday for a puppet show, and Wednesday for the regular storytime.  When we arrived on Wednesday, the storytime actually had a science component and included making paper from recycled paper too.  It was a little over Sam and Anna's heads (although it said it was for ages 2-5), but they had fun anyway.  Plus the community center in the same building had free open gym afterwards so before checking out new books to read we ran around the gym with balls as well!

 

(Making paper) 

Sam and Anna also went to their very first movie at a theatre this week!  I took them to the kids summer series viewing of Oceans.  I thought it would be a good fit for them because they love animals so much and most reviews I read said it was appropriate for three year olds, but that it might not sustain their attention.  I expected to last an hour or so in the seats and then leave when they got squirrelly.  Imagine my surprise when they sat through the entire hour and 40 minute movie!  They did so well sitting quietly.  I think we may actually take them to see Monsters University now since I think they could probably sit through it all too.  Or maybe Planes when it comes out in a few weeks...

And of course we went swimming at Lake Elmo Park Reserve's Swimming Pond a few times too!