Two generations of amazing mamas with their latest handiwork.
All posts by Andrew
First Ice Cream Truck of 2014
A lovely, warm, Saturday evening, clouds looming with impending rain, the chimes of the ice cream truck arrived at the perfect moment.
(Griffin notes that this wasn’t really the first ice cream truck of 2014; it was the first one where we bought ice cream. )
Poor Turtles!
When Sarah told Griffin that she was eating a “Turtle Bar,” he frowned and asked,
“Is there really a turtle in there??”
(He’s convinced that we are bent on the destruction of turtles; see our recent post about Spicy Turtle Blood.)
May Day Parade
An annual tradition, we joined friends near Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis for the 40th annual May Day Parade. It’s an incredible production every year. The pictures below illustrate some of the contrasts and creativity that characterize the parade. Click to view a larger slideshow.
Before the official parade began. Flaming punk ferris wheel and skating a half-pipe in a cage…
Big section on bees
The hive
A section focused on the tiny side of life.
A rotting log.
A beetle.
Amazing costume
Al Franken ran by just before the canoe guy, but I missed my shot.
Spicy Turtle Blood
We’re a Sriracha family normally, but last night we broke out the regular chili oil thinking it might go better with the delicious Tom Ka Gai that Sarah made (it didn’t).
Griffin reached for the unfamiliar bottle, took one look at the label, and exclaimed,
“What is this?
Spicy turtle blood???”
Maggie’s 2nd Birthday
Maggie’s birthday, just a few days after Griffin’s rescheduled party, was a lower key affair, but fun for all of us. It began with some presents in the morning before Andrew went to school. Then a pancake breakfast with Caroline and Griffin. Then, by Maggie’s request, an expedition to Adventure Peak. After Andrew got home, we all headed over to the Highland Grill for dinner. Finally, a cake perfectly sized for a two-year-old.
Sleepy two-year-old.
I try! I try!
I like it!
Great new books from Caroline — best read together in a box, of course.
Special pancake breakfast with Caroline and Griffin
Birthday dinner at the Highland Grill
Sans cookie
Maggie and Daddy
Happy Birthday to Maggie!
Yay!
I know what to do now…
Blow out the candle!
Eating cake
Happy brother, angling for more cake.
Happy girl
Sarah and Maggie
Cream
At French Meadow this morning Sarah asked for some cream with her coffee. When the cream arrived, Maggie turned around and patted her rear, saying, “Butt!” We were confused. She pointed at the cream, and again patted her tush, “On my butt.”
She thought it was diaper cream!
Bath Snorkel
I’m a little bit close…
I’m a little bit close to being very close to being ready!
— Griffin
Griffin’s 5th Birthday
It’s been a rather extended celebration this year. We began on Griffin’s actual birthday, April 8, with cinnamon rolls for breakfast and family presents at dinner. Then he was honored at both of his preschools.
Then Sarah baked a spectacular cake for his party on Saturday, but the kids both woke up with pink eye and we had to cancel the party! (Noooooo! But we ate the cake, which made it ok.) We rescheduled the party for the following weekend and this time everything worked out, including an even more magnificent cake. (Six layer rainbow cake with all natural ingredients? No problem.) And grandma and grandpa presented a new bike. Woohoo!
Click on the pics for larger versions.
A new, bigger bike!
It has a kickstand.
It has a hand brake.
It is awesome.
Sarah’s masterpiece.
I want it. Now.
Hug for the birthday boy.
Happy guest.
More happy guests!
Everyone is singing for me!
Big breath!
Five candles.
First slice.
Six all-natural layers of joy (no food coloring!)
Hard work
Yummy!
What has Griffin learned? Birthdays last for three weeks and include numerous celebrations, multiple cakes, magic bunnies that hide eggs, lots of chocolate, and special trips to the ice cream shop (those last tidbits were for Easter and my birthday, but the distinctions may not mean much to him). We’re setting ourselves up for success here. 🙂