Beyond 100 Parks #115 - Lions Park - Plymouth, MN

Esme was insistant on visiting a park this afternoon.  Then, she fell asleep in the car on the way there and was in no mood to play.

Key Features

While a bit dated, this was a huge park with a little something for everyone.  The fire truck structure was so cute.

I was surprised to see Parker on the top of this climber since he usually doesn't like getting that high.  The best part was all the tunnels and slides on the main structure.

Solid 8 swings for this.  There wasn't any spinning things for Parker and that's a must if you want to get a higher score.

Pumpkin Patch 2023

In late September Parker started talking a lot about "October."  We just thought it was the month, but then he started saying things like "first church, then October" and I knew it was something different.  It wasn't until he showed me this on his iPad that I figured out he wanted to go to the pumpkin patch and corn pit.

We found time on Friday to make a trip to Our favorite spot, Dehn's.  He jumped right in to the corn pit and got to playing!

Esme made it her goal to make a basket from the slide platform.  She gathered up all the balls and carried them up.  You can see if she succeeded in the video at the end.

We love this place because they have more than just a corn pit.

Parker didn't want to leave and had so much fun!  He's also stopped asking for "October" which is nice.

Beyond 100 Parks #114 - Cavelle Park - Brooklyn Park, MN

The Vikings had a 3:25 game today so we made a park visit before it started.  This one didn't seem to have a sign, so I had to photoshop one in.  I am not talented enough to add a shadow, but it looks pretty good.

Key Features

Esme wanted to bring chalk along and drew a hopscotch.

She's also getting pretty good at monkey bars, but these high-low ones were too tricky.

The platform was the best part of this park, but it's definitely dated and seen better days.

This one might have squeaked out 7 swings, but the extra effort to make a sign picture solidified a 6.  Nothing special and we likely won't be back.

Minnesota Twins Wild Card Win!!

Jimmy and I got to attend the Twins first wild card playoff game yesterday and it was quite the afternoon.  The Twins had an unprecedented 0-18 losing streak in the playoffs hanging over our heads.  Something felt different this time.  First of all, the Yankees were long ago eliminated.  They were on the winning end of 13 loses in that streak.

It was an afternoon start so my mom came over to hang out with the kids.

Things started out quick with a two-run homer by Royce Lewis in the bottom of the first inning.

Royce followed up with another home run in the third, but it wasn't needed as the Twins beat the Blue Jays 3-1.  We've now been to a notable game for 3 of 4 major Minnesota sports teams.

I'm backdating this post, so I already know they don't make it past Houston in the divisional round.  But, we won a game, and a series, and didn't get swept in the second round.  There is so much to be positive about looking forward to 2024.  Go Twins!

An Afternoon with Jameson and Jaxxon and Other September Things

Here are a couple other snippets from September.  More trips to Menards, Esme can't get enough of the massage chairs.  We've had a flock of turkeys roaming our neighborhood this fall and Esme wanted her picture with them.

Jimmy taught Esme to play Yahtzee this month.  It's been years since we played, but there is a long history of it being played in Jimmy's family.  With a little help, she beat him in her first game.

College football Saturday!

Esme had a Mario birthday party for Mei Mei, complete with custom made banner.

Finally, we had Jameson and Jaxxon over for an afternoon of fun on Saturday.

They make sure to show me everything I neglected to properly stow away when they visit.

We took a walk to the park and both boys went right to the swings.

Parker found a new way to enjoy the sledding hill with the boys' stroller.  Such a goofy guy!