S took the big three on the sky ride while I pushed a napping H in the stroller. We always tell the kids when they beg for fair rides that we have to do all the free fun stuff first, but this is our one exception. =)
So long fair, see ya next year!
Friday, August 23, 2013
state fair 2013...
A big family tradition for us is going to the MN State Fair! While I almost don't want to admit that we went yesterday on opening day because it means summer is almost through, how can I not share the fair fun?! We were there from 10:30am until 7:30pm - a long day, but the kids did great and we all had so much fun.
In the Horticulture building, the kids were so excited (us too!) to run into our friend, Mrs. G, from church! She was helping at the the arboretum exhibit - the kids got free passes by spinning the prize wheel so we will look forward to visiting there soon!
The animal barns are a big favorite, and the horse barn had a new hands on area where the kids were able to practice riding a horse among other activities.
Another church friend!!! Sara was showing her bunny, Harry! She won 5th in herdsmanship for how her rabbit is taken care of, and is looking forward to the main judging on Saturday. (running into 2 people we know is a first for us at the fair!)
S took the big three on the sky ride while I pushed a napping H in the stroller. We always tell the kids when they beg for fair rides that we have to do all the free fun stuff first, but this is our one exception. =)
Frozen Banana on a stick for a snack? Why yes, thank you! We love all the fair food and besides this treat we had wild rice burgers and corn dogs, waffle fries, cheese curds, applesauce from the horticulture building, a strawberry smoothie, chocolate milk... (yes, fair food is expensive for 1, let alone 6, but we shared most everything so everyone could taste and enjoy)
Of course we went through Little Farm Hands too. G was pretty sad that she is taller than 4 chickens now. No more pedal tractor rides for her!
This was H's first year that he could really do everything at Little Farm Hands by himself and he had the best time. What 21 month old boy wouldn't love carrying around a bucket and putting stuff in it while walking around a mini farm?
S always takes a photo with me in it to make sure you know that I went to the fair...
...along with him and the kids...and about 106,000 other people! It was beautiful weather for the day!
We decided to stay a little longer, so that meant eating more! A big bucket of French Fries and strawberry sundaes from the Dairy Goodness Bar was the perfect supper.
Oh and it was Dairy Goodness!
After supper we went to the Coliseum and watched the Horse Jumping competition. We caught just a bit of it a couple years ago and the kids really liked it so we thought we would try it again, and the kids loved it. H made us all giggle by saying "BEEP" in perfect pitch with the judges timer after it went off for each horse, and also by saying "Horse!" "Jup!" and "nayyyyy" the whole hour.
S took the big three on the sky ride while I pushed a napping H in the stroller. We always tell the kids when they beg for fair rides that we have to do all the free fun stuff first, but this is our one exception. =)
Thursday, July 4, 2013
happy fourth...
"our popcorn is knee-high, Boppa!" (our green beans are NOT, replanted today)
(2nd annual 4th of July picnic at the DY's)
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
fun (VBS!) friday, 6.14.13...
The first week after school was out we went right into VBS at our church. I was a little disappointed that we didn't have a break between them, but actually it worked great because the kids were still used to getting up and getting ready to get out the door so mornings went very smoothly all week. I took my camera along for Friday so we could share the fun that we had!
I helped in the nursery all week, so I got to hang out with my favorite little dude! (Good thing too as he has been super clingy lately and even with me in the same room he would fuss if I was more than 2 feet away or if I was holding anyone else, sheesh!)
Music is one of the kids' favorite parts of VBS, and we took the littles up each day to listen to and help with the singing. (No lie, H has "Praise Ye the Lord, Hallelujah" down pat!)
All three big kids had a blast singing and are constantly singing the songs at home too.
Another favorite part of VBS is recreation. Soccer, Kickball, Water Games, Marshmallow Relays and Capture the Flag were some of the fun. We even got the littles out with the parachute on Friday!
There was one injury though. G made a valiant leap to grab someone during Capture the Flag and landed on the asphalt - major road rash.
Crafts! Another favorite led by their favorite Anoka auntie! (yes, I realize I have said everything is a favorite so far, but it is VBS and really everything IS a favorite for my bunch!) These duct tape t-shirt bags were awesome. The braided hiking bracelets, books, and campfire were also awesome. W said Auntie C and crafts were "AWESOME!" everyday.
Not pictured but also a favorite were snacks - seriously we have suberb snack ladies who set up a special room for the teachers and helpers to have breaks and enjoy goodies in and they also give the kids some pretty great snacks too. My favorite was the individual bags of kettle-corn and glasses of chocolate milk. (Yeah, this teacher asked for the kids' snack that day!)
The best part of VBS on Fridays is seeing the program at the end. We got to hear from all the fun characters that have been sharing the theme and gospel with the kids all week. ("they are SO funny Momma!") Their theme this year was "Upward Bound" and had a lot of fun camping and hiking elements to it.
H wasn't too sure about everyone in costume up front, but he was happy that his "Ka-ta" snuck back to sit by him for a bit. =)
All the kids singing their songs and reciting their memory verses.
Yay! With everything finished it was time for ice cream sandwiches and a picnic on the lawn!
Everyone packed their own lunches and spread out.
cuties...
After clean-up it was time to head home. Now our church is 25 minutes away so it was quite a bit to drive every single day. The kids were troopers and kept themselves entertained with books, music, and this gem: "whenever you go under a bridge close your eyes hold your breath swim and do the chicken dance!" (I made them re-create this for me.)
We would eat lunch in the car everyday (except fun friday!) on the way home and H would fall asleep. When we got home the big kids had down time watching "Fetch with Ruff Ruffman". Here H had just woken up and asked for "Blues Clues" (he does the hand motions and everything!), so he got a bit of down time of his own while the big kids played in the backyard.
And of COURSE they would have to ask at 4pm "What are we doing for fun friday?!" Are you serious?! So I threw in popsicles for good measure. It was a fun week for VBS and definitely a fun friday.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
fun friday 6.28.13...
(I know I have a few of these to catch up on! soon, hopefully, soon!)
Last week was supposed to be a "slow" week with no plans, but then we had a dear lady from church pass away on Tuesday. This was hard for our whole church family. And S is a deacon and I am one of our Ladies' Circle leaders, so it was a very busy week helping our church prepare for the funeral on Saturday and the funeral lunch afterwards. The kids really stepped up and were very good all week enduring a bazillion phone calls and meeting and errands. Come Friday you could tell they had had it and although there were many things on the list to do yet, I needed to stop for the morning otherwise we would all go crazy. But what to do for fun Friday? Thankfully, Mrs. VA called earlier in the week and asked if G could come over and play at their house for the morning...
Then I asked the boys what they wanted to do and both W & C wanted friends over, "BOYS, momma!" I called their friends from church and they were free and happy to come over to play
It was just what everyone needed: G had some time away with her best friend from school, the boys had fun doing boy stuff with boys, B & I had a nice chat and walk around the yard looking at the blooming roses, and mac'n'cheese for lunch and brownies makes everyone happy. We are blessed to have such good friends!
Last week was supposed to be a "slow" week with no plans, but then we had a dear lady from church pass away on Tuesday. This was hard for our whole church family. And S is a deacon and I am one of our Ladies' Circle leaders, so it was a very busy week helping our church prepare for the funeral on Saturday and the funeral lunch afterwards. The kids really stepped up and were very good all week enduring a bazillion phone calls and meeting and errands. Come Friday you could tell they had had it and although there were many things on the list to do yet, I needed to stop for the morning otherwise we would all go crazy. But what to do for fun Friday? Thankfully, Mrs. VA called earlier in the week and asked if G could come over and play at their house for the morning...
...so G went to K's house and had a blast playing with her school friend!
Then I asked the boys what they wanted to do and both W & C wanted friends over, "BOYS, momma!" I called their friends from church and they were free and happy to come over to play
(and since their lovely mom came with too, I got to have a friend over as well! =)
And oh, did those boys play,
...and play,
...and play,
and play!
It was just what everyone needed: G had some time away with her best friend from school, the boys had fun doing boy stuff with boys, B & I had a nice chat and walk around the yard looking at the blooming roses, and mac'n'cheese for lunch and brownies makes everyone happy. We are blessed to have such good friends!
Monday, July 1, 2013
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