Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great holiday weekend! The Twins have been on fire and I was yearning for some live baseball, so I went to Friday's game by myself.  That may seem a little strange, but it was actually really nice!  I was able to just relax and enjoy the game.  I tried teaching myself to keep score and got a visit from my friend, Rachel, who was working as an usher.  It was also the first of four Joe Mauer bobblehead games.  His number will be retired in a few weeks (we're going!) and he is being celebrated all season.  I look forward to catching another solo game if it works out.

We had Sunday dinner at my parents with lots of great food, twister rides and freezies.

Esme suprised us all when she easily climbed in to the back of the twister.  She does it with such ease!  Still teaching her how to climb down, but one step at a time.

We had raspberry lemon jello cake for dessert and warmed up by the fire as the sun was setting.

I added to my shirt collection on Monday by making a Twins Bomb Squad shirt.  They are on pace to hit over 300 for the season, which would destroy the record.  HR rate typically declines as the season progresses, but we will take it while we can.

I hope you had a great weekend with family or friends and took some time to remember and honor those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Revival and Pumphouse Creamery

I have been drooling over the Revival menu for years!  This is a local fried chicken restaurant started by award winning chef Thomas Boemer.  We finally got there for date night last week. I ordered the traditional fried chicken and Jimmy tried the Tennessee hot.  We also shared a side of mac and cheese and hush puppies.

The chicken was perfectly cooked, juicy, and seasoned to perfection.  The hush puppies were just as amazing and only $6.00 for a huge plate.  I may go back just for those!

I tracked down some local ice cream for dessert.  Pumphouse Creamery. Their motto is "farm to frozen" using organic dairy to create a large number of rotating flavors. Yum!

Old Toys and New Ones

We've been outside enjoying some warmish weather over the last couple weeks.  The kids found a sled behind the garage that was left out over the winter.  It didn't work as well on the grass.  The power wheels Mustang has made a triumphant return.  Esme is starting to get in to it, which is encouraging Parker.  Jimmy has been waiting years for this!

We also picked up a saucer swing on special at Aldi this week.  Both kids are really enjoying it!  It's going to be a fun summer!

Teacher Appreciation and Spring Sing

I got to some end of school year crafting for myself and a friend.  I made the water bottles below for my friend Shannon and her school's Parent Teacher Association.

 Parker has had the most amazing teacher for the last two years, so I kind of went all out on her gift.  She loves Harry Potter (of which I know nothing), so I used google and some friends to make her a canvas tote filled with lots of goodies.

 We gifted it to her just before Parker's first grade Spring Sing.  It was a longer concert than last year, so he only participated in the last half.  He did so well standing in his place independently with minimal redirection.  

One of the songs they sang was "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."  He usually isn't one to sing along, but we did get it on video at home.

We are so proud of the things he's learning!

Lights, Camera, Action! Employee Appreciation Party

My work's annual employee appreciation party was on Saturday.  Despite my insistence on a Star Wars theme (May the Fourth Be With You), they went with a general Hollywood, red carpet one.

I really wanted to dress up as Han Solo and Chewbacca, but I also know that Jimmy isn't a big fan of costumes.  We compromised this year and just dressed up in general.  I got another use out of my prom dress (woot!) and he had the last minute idea of wearing a tuxedo t-shirt.  Luckily, I have the ability to make one pretty quick.  He's been saying for a whole that he is only going to dress up for weddings and funerals going forward and everything else will just be a t-shirt.  He already has some fun ideas for holidays to come.

 

 Dinner was phenomenal, as always.  Prime rib and fish for the entrees with lots of side choices. Pie, cake, and brownies were all available for dessert.

 There was live entertainment following dinner by some cyr wheel performers.  I don't recall the woman's name, but Nick Hodge was the male performer. They each did a solo, followed by a duet.  It was a very impressive show.

A funny coincidence was that the Buffalo High School prom was happening at the same venue that night.  I found it hilarious since I was wearing my dress from the 2003 BHS prom. At least one person went with Star Wars.  Our national production manager's wife dressed at Princess Leia.  

 He should have ben Han Solo, but opted for Batman.  The groom from a wedding loves Batman, so he went and took pictures with him.

They gave out "Oscars" for awards this year.  I won the honor of dazzling effects, which I was very honored by.

The final whole group activity was a "Survivor" competition.  A representative from each table came to the front and had to complete small tasks retrieving things from the audience.  Due to some amazing assists from my table and our HR manager, Jane, I made it to the final round. This consisted of a foot race...Oh boy.  You can see how it turned out below.

I won, woo hoo! I thought he said you needed to get to the bartender, but then Wes was standing there with his hands out.  Jimmy left to pick up the kids shortly after this, but I hung out and danced until just after 10. Jimmy better have enjoyed the year off, because we are going all out next time!  Thanks for a great evening Discount Steel!

Finally getting some outside time!

We are finally getting some warmer days here and are trying to make the most of them.  French Regional Park (the ropes park) underwent a major re-design over the last couple years.  I blogged about our first trip with Parker here.  He was a little younger than Esme at that time and barely wanted to climb the ropes.  The new park opened late last year and I was excited to check it out.  We went on Friday for family date night. Esme stayed mostly on the smaller structures and slides at first, but eventually ventured on to the larger rope nets. I was impressed when she climbed all the way to the top (with mom close behind).  Parker had a great time exploring the whole park.

 Saturday morning, Esme and I joined our friends, the Caldwells, at the Cystic Fibrosis walk around Bde Mka Ska (aka Lake Calhoun.) They walk for their son, Carter, who was diagnosed shortly after birth.  We met Elsa and Jasmine before trekking around the lake.  Esme was partly shy and partly blinded by the sun and also tried to sit on Jasmine's knee.  It was hilarious!

A perfect day for a walk with friends.