Twin Cities 5K

While many other (and shall I say more skilled) runners were preparing for the Twin Cities Marathon this past weekend - I was running the Twin Cities 5K!  I had a great time bonding with some fellow Blue Cross employees and trying to win the corporate challenge.  The results won't be in for a couple of weeks, but keep your fingers crossed!  In order to have a corporate team, you need two things:  A few really fast people, and some extra bodies.  

For this event - I was a body.  I am new to this whole running thing, so speed really isn't an adjective I use to describe my style.  

Our whole family is getting over a horrible cold, so my lungs were not in the best shape on Saturday morning.  And as you can see from the pictures - it was also pretty cold and wet.  I was hoping to finish in under 30 minutes ... but alas ... I came in at 30:14.  Not bad, considering the circumstances.  

It was fun.  The women in the picture all started off together, but in the last mile we split up and finished at our own pace.  Looking forward to doing it again next year ... and beating my time!  I would love to say that I would beat the guys too, but their times were insane.  Gerry (back row far left) finished in under 19 minutes!  Are you kidding?  He is a machine!  My buddy Marlo (middle dark shirt) came in around 22 minutes, and Dean (back row on the right) at like 21.  I don't know how they do it.  Time to up my speed on the treadmill!

Goggles

I just had to share the pictures off to the right.  The kids recently showed an interest in goggles when we were swimming at the YMCA.  So ... like any good mother ... I got them some.  I thought they could use them for swimming lessons, or for playing the pool.  

However, tonight I was treated to a show of what goggles can do in the bathtub!  The black and white photos don't even do them justice.  Amy's are pink, and Matthew's are blue.  I think they are hooked!  They had their faces in the water so much I could hardly get them clean!  

They don't really get the concept of being able to see underwater, but I think they love not having to wipe their eyes when they get done blowing bubbles.  Amy's picture is extra funny, because she is doing her usual "float" in the tub.  She literally lays with her head on the bottom of the tub with her ears underwater for several minutes at a time.  She is such a fish!

The pictures were just too funny not to share.  Enjoy!

"Gooder"

As inappropriate as this story may seem, I feel the need to share it.  For just a one moment, I want all of you to experience what it is like to live with Matthew.  He is such a bright, and strong-willed little boy.  While I know this combination will serve him well in life, it certainly makes parenting him a challenge.  

Lately, we have had many conversations with him about choices.  Life is all about choices, and when you make bad ones (as all little boys do), there are consequences.  

We are trying to get him to understand (in 4-year old terms) that he is his own person, and that he doesn't have to make the same (read BAD) choices that his friends at daycare tend to make. 

With kids, you never really know what sinks in and what doesn't.  I am going to gather from the exchange below that at least some of what we say actually makes its way into his thick skull.  

Here is three minutes of our ride home tonight: 

Matthew:  "Mommy, what do I smell?"

Me:  "I don't know, I don't smell anything."

Matthew:  "It smells like someone tooted."

Me:  "Well ... did you toot?"

Matthew:  "No!"

Me:  "Maybe Amy did, but I don't smell anything."

Matthew (with growing frustration):  "WELL ... I do smell it!  And if I smell it, then it is there!"

Me:  "Ok, I am just telling you that I don't smell anything."

Matthew:  "Well, that is because my smell is gooder than yours!"

Me:  "I think the word you are looking for is better.  My sense of smell is better than yours."

Matthew:  "NO!  The word is GOODER!"

Me:  "No, the word is better"

Matthew:  "NO!  If I want to say gooder I can.  It is my choice.  If I want to make that choice I can.  If you want your choice to be better - that is fine - but my choice is to say gooder."

Me:  "You're right.  It is your choice to say gooder.  It is my choice to say better."

Enough said.  I liked that he thought through his argument and was so passionate about it.  In a different state of mind, I may have driven off the road, but for tonight - it was good banter.  Goodnight my little Matthew.  I love you.

Lynhurst at Lake Harriet

Last night we decided to try something new with the kids - outdoor music at the Lake Harriet band shell.  It was great.  I wish we would have done it more this summer!  

A local band called Lynhurst was playing.  I had seen a promo for them on a Saturday morning news program.  They were really good.  A group of siblings that grew up together in south Minneapolis.  I thought it was only appropriate that we go and support the neighborhood talent!  

So ... after naptime ... we packed up a picnic dinner and enjoyed a wonderful evening in the park.  The kids loved the live music.  Matthew was clapping along to all of the songs (it doesn't matter that nobody else was clapping when you are 4).  Arik took him right up by the stage a couple of times.  As you can see from the pictures - he was mesmerized!  I think we might have a future musician on our hands.  

What a great way to end the summer!

State Fair 2009

It is that time of year again - time to walk around with thousands of other Minnesotans and eat ourselves silly.  It is time for the State Fair!

As usual, we got out there early with the kids.  Our first stop was at Tom Thumb donuts where we got our usual bag of sugary goodness.  In order to survive the next few hours, we knew those tasty treats could only go with one thing - COFFEE!

After our initial gluttony, we took off to find the giant slide.  If you go there early enough, the lines are minimal.  Arik took Matthew down first.  He loved it.  They took a video of the entire experience on the Flip.  If any of you are connected to Arik on Facebook, he posted it there yesterday.  Go out watch it.  It is pretty funny.  

Next up - Amers.  We didn't know how she would do, but the daredevil wasn't about to leave without her turn.  She looked completely terrified as they came sliding down, but she talked about it for the rest of the day.  I guess she liked it.  

After the slide, we purchased our second tasty treat - Sweet Martha's Cookies!  We tried hard to explain to the kids that the only place you get to eat cookies in the morning is at the Fair.  Such a special day!  I could have made 12 dozen for what it cost us to purchase the smallest cup, but it was well worth it.  

Next up - Machinery Hill.  This is one of Matthew's favorites.  He loves to climb on all of the tractors and pretend he is driving them.  Who would have thought a bunch of parked tractors could create so much fun?  

Then it was on to the Little Farm Hands exhibit.  This is a really cute place that gets the kids dressed up in aprons, and walks them through a day in the life on the farm.  They loved it.  Just about everything is fake, but they still think it is cool.  

Right outside of the farm was the Kemps station (shocking, I know!).  Both kids got a little cow tattoo that continue to reside on their little arms.  Amy was quick to tell me at bath time that, "no wash off a cow Mommy!"

After a pronto pup, we took a quick break to rehydrate everyone and take off for the sky ride.  The kids LOVED that!  We got off at the other side of the Fair and were able to walk through the horse barn, the cow barn, and the Miracle of Birth exhibit with all of the baby animals.  It was really crowded down there, but still fun for the kids.  

After some french fries, we grabbed an ice cream cone and headed home for naps.  After 4 hours at the Fair, everyone was pretty hot and tired.  

Let's hope our arteries have recovered by the time we head back next year!

The Hanson's take on Siren, WI

We can't seem to get enough of Wisconsin lately!  A few weeks ago we headed to Black River Falls for a family picnic, and this past weekend we headed up to Siren for the second annual "Hanson Family Getaway."  

A big thank you goes out to the Fratzke's for letting us rent your fabulous lake home again this summer.  It is the perfect little place for us to escape to for a few days.  It isn't too far from the city (so the kids don't go completely nuts in the car), and the setting couldn't be better.  It is so peaceful and beautiful.  

We spent most of four days taking turns entertaining the kids, walking around the lake, playing in the sand, reading, and just enjoying our time re-connecting with nature.  It is so great to just sit and listen to nothing.  I couldn't get over how quiet it is up there!  We are so used to the constant airplane traffic and other noises of the city.  It is so fun to just get away from it all.  

Now ... back to reality.  The laundry is done, the car is cleaned out, and I officially head back to work tomorrow.  I hope everyone enjoyed their summer.  The chilly weather is telling me that Fall is near!

Arik's 37th Birthday - Part 2

For some reason, 2009 was the year of 3 day birthday celebrations for both Arik and I.  For those that are loyal followers - you already saw my post about the Black Sheep pizza and dessert at Cafe Maude.  What I have yet to write about are the additional celebrations that took place on Sunday and Monday (Arik's actual birthday)!  

On Sunday evening, Arik's parents had us over for a BBQ.  Since they were handling all of dinner, I offered to bring the traditional chocolate cake.  It is hard to live up to Diane's perfection of this cake - but I followed the recipe and it came out all right!

As you can see from the pictures, it was a blast.  The kids ate themselves silly with cake and ice cream.  It was a very fun night.  

The next day, Arik and Aaron took the day off to golf in Lake City, MN.  I don't know much about golf, but the pictures looked good, and they said they had a great time.  

It took many years of convincing, but I think I finally have Arik hooked on the whole taking your birthday off from work idea.  Everybody needs a "day of me" every now and then.  Happy Birthday Arik!