Mid Summer Festival: Fun While it Lasts

Sunday was the Mid Summer Festival hosted by the local Scandinavian organizations.  It was fun to have our Norwegian Grandparents in town for the festivities. This years' event was even bigger and better than previous ones with a full stage for the musical talent and flag ceremony.

Sadly, Miss M who is by the far the most "Norwegian" (and the most German and English) was unable to attend because she had a babysitting job lined up. Miss M loves all things multicultural and has learned the most of her heritage.   Thankfully, she was content to hear second hand from us and see the photos.

Miss A was thrilled that she was asked to pass out flowers for the Memorial Remembrance for the Norwegian Tragedy last summer and for the May Day Pole that they hosted for the opening ceremony. While she was a little shy asking if people wanted a flower, once Dad was her partner and he did all the talking, it got easier.   Miss A loved the Trolls and was psyched to see the Vikings fight.
 
Too bad our summer drought ended just before the party really started.  Really, it had been weeks since the last rainstorm and right as they started the flag procession and May Pole Raising, the heavens opened up.  We braved it out for a little while but when it appeared that the rain was not going to let up we called it an event.
 
The evening wasn't totally a bust, however, since we did end up going out for Pizza at one of our favorite family run pizza parlors.  It might not have been very Norwegian of us, but according to both Mr C and Miss A it was scrumdeliicious!

Spring Weekend: Same Song Different Verse

Once we find something we like or a restaurant we enjoy, we tend to go back over and over again. Call us traditionalists. Knowing that P's parents enjoy Mexican food and claim that you can't get any good Tex Mex in Chicagoland, we knew we'd have to take them to our new "fav" cantina!

The fact that the weather was fabulous and we had a few hours to kill before the big fundraiser at C's school, we decided we should go to the Art Museum Saturday morning and then go out for lunch on the patio again.  It was perfect.

While the art museum was crowded, we took in the outdoor exhibits and open space. Miss A played a game of chase with her father, Miss M strolled among the art taking in the beauty, and Mr C tried out his new cell phone ( his mother might have washed his previous one!) and we all couldn't believe it was still only March.

It was a perfect Saturday afternoon.  We had a fabulous lunch, enjoyed the conversation and just soaked up the rays on the patio.  I think that Mr C is trying to figure out how he could get a condo at the complex and see not only the sights of downtown from his bedroom, but order Catina takeout every night for dinner.  Maybe this will be our trump card to get our son to stay in our hometown after college.

Family Vacation: Going Seperate Ways

We were on a family vacation of sorts last week.  I say it loosely as we all went out of town, but we didn't really spend any of our time together.  Yes, we all still get along.  It just worked out for the girls to spend some quality time with grandparents while Mr C had some male bonding with his uncle while P and I went to a business meeting a few hours away.

Before you think I was at an exotic location soaking up the sunshine on a beach, you might as well know we were in a small town in Indiana. Great quality time spent in the car and over dinner at night, but too bad it couldn't have included a few sunsets with an ocean view.

We did have some great family bonding time before we left including having the kids learn how to make homemade ice cream the old fashioned way by hand cranking it out.  Who knew you could have a workout at the same time you are creating an ice cream taste treat.  Thank goodness we had our new muscle man around to finish the job.  Even if his sister did grab the paddle first for tasting!

My kids had a fabulous vacation.  The girls made memories that will last a lifetime; picking blueberries, making cookies wearing new aprons, and of course a few trips to the pool.  Miss A to keep her streak alive even made a hole in one at mini golf.  Miss M points out that even though she missed an ace, she won the round. 

The girls had some great stories about "birds" living at the pond, the perfect way to feed the hungry fish and how much ice cream they had.  According to Miss A, it's not a trip to visit B & B without a walk around the neighborhood to find golf balls. Grandparent spoiling is the best. 

Mr C had a great time sans sisters and was thrilled to show his aunt and uncle what life with a teenage boy is like.  I think they might have been shocked with the amount of food he can consume and how quickly he can get ready in the morning.  According to C, we've missed out on some of the best parts of Chicago, a park with a fantastic walking trail and canoeing down a quiet river. 

He even got to cross an item off his bucket list by eating a Chicago Dog on Navy Pier. What could be better? Guess you could say that walking around downtown Chi Town with some natives gives you access to great museums, people watching, and train rides.  A perfect adventure for this boy.

All in all, it was a perfect family vacation; memories with those we love, quiet time to read and knit for the mother, long conversations in the front seat, and lots of laughter in the car.

We Know How to Have Fun

Miss A models one of her Birthday Dresses from Bestemor right before we head off in the minivan back home. There were tears following this moment. All three were wondering when the next time we'd see the Grands would be!

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There is an old wives, tale that says that after three days relatives and fish both begin to smell. We've either been blessed to have a poor sense of smell or some really great relatives because our annual trek to see the "grands" in Chicago resulted in nothing, but pleasant memories and senses filled homemade yummies and sunscreen.

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Bestemor only tried to have the grandkids killed once on the trip. Her good friend volunteered to take the kids on a golf cart ride to the nearby Ice Cream Parlor and drove at record speeds. According to Mr. C, she had the golf cart up to 22 miles an hour and Miss M is sure that her stomach is still reeling from the "cookies" they did in the circle. Miss A, of course, ever the daredevil was just thrilled to get to sit in the backseat with the big kids and feed the ducks at the lake. Oh, and the ice cream was "yummy" especially when eaten just minutes before dinnertime.

Backseat buckle specifically for grandkids-reaches all the way across.

We celebrated an early birthday.
Miss A will turn 6 in just a few short weeks. Cupcakes and Presents.

Dedicated a whole day to the letter "P" just like Sesame Street with Putt Putt, Park outings and Pool time. Dad even used to Pink Golf Ball to Golf! Go P.

Look who got a Hole in One on the first hole! She had another on the 3rd hole and was thrilled that she beat us all with the "highest score" for the day. Guess she still needs to work on her math skills or at least golf scoring. She was the only player that day in our group to get a hole in one though.

Dad and his "pink" ball. What a sport

Mr. C explains to the "girls" how to putt via the "pool method"

Pool Time. Miss A was thrilled to show off her Jellyfish and Starfish strokes to Bestefar.

There was a fabulous new park in the city. Miss M catching some shade.

The next day we Split up Girls/Boys and had makeovers and shopping trips or a visit to see tanks and ammo. You guess which group did which. Big Girl Cousins Really Rock!!

Boys and War Museums.

Miss M and Miss A got makeovers, fancy hair styles and got to try on their cousins "fancy dresses" A real treat and what a great memory. The pictures are too cute. Thanks L2.

Mom finally got to see the famous Wheaton Popcorn Shop and walk back in time with candy treats including Chuckles. Miss A made a hit with a wedding party and got their take home prize, a personalized pom pom, just for being cute.

Candy, Popcorn and a quaint small town, what more could you ask for in America?

Miss A was thrilled to have this Pom Pom... to add to her dress up collection.

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There were water balloon fights in the midst of Bestemor's Garden and tears upon leaving.

These girls look so innocent and sweet, but with water balloons in their hands they are deadly. Poor Mr. C still has some marks from their perfect aim. Don't fear Mr. C is quick and feisty too!

The Car Trip went much quicker with the License Plate Game. 36 States; not bad for never leaving the middle of the country. We were really only missing those "east coast small states" as Mr. C said and a few of those "southern states so far from Chicago they've probably never heard of Deep Dish Pizza."

Photographic Proof that Learning never ends, even on vacation!

Thanks to the Iowa Welcome Center, Mr. C can now identify Soybeans growing in a field. It is the one on the right. Not that he was confused by the huge corn rows in the past, but at least he won't think the "bean" fields are something he might find in his stir fry at a Chinese Restaurant! Who says kids don't learn anything all summer long!

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We even stopped at the Oasis (Gas Station) for Fun! We live where the roads are free, the taxes are just high rather than the roads fees are high and the gas stations are "up high."

All in all just what the doctor ordered for a summer vacation; sunshine, great company, fun memories and rest.

Granparents Visit and Fun is Had By All

Spring Break was capped off by a visit from the Grandparents. After a very long winter...very long and cold and snowy winter...it was nice to see their friendly faces again.

We had our traditional Norwegian Meatballs the first night for dinner, but we "spiced" things up a bit with lunch the next day at a family owned Mexican Restaurant followed by shopping for Mexican Pottery. Lets just say Miss A and I will be going back to the Hispanic Neighborhood soon with an empty trunk so we can bring some some great new outdoor pots for our **flourishing gardens**. (Remember I'm still taking suggestions on what to plant-feel free to jump in)

There was also plenty of time for knitting lessons with Bestemor, playing Guess Who with Bestefar, and swimming at the hotel pool. Mr C. got to celebrate his birthday one more time because once or twice is never enough when you are 13. We had time for afternoon coffee/hot chocolate and loved giving Bestemor her new Garden Scooter. We expect her to become very hip around her neighborhood. (while resting her hips)

Miss M working on her Knitting while Bestemor looks on; Miss A wearing Bestemor's Scarf-amazingly it made it back in the suitcase for her trip home; Mr C. with his new Crank Flashlight from LL Bean-no batteries needed. He thinks it will be perfect as a nightlight this summer at Boy Scout Camp- it will stay on until it runs out of juice.

Miss A finally gets to be in the water for real, no fear of water in the ear anymore. Swimming lessons aren't far behind us now!!

Bestemor even helped Mom with some curtain ideas for the "new" family room and kitchen. Now we just need to pick out the paint! Hint Hint Honey. Love to have a fresh set of eyes to look at our project in process.

Mr. C then had a weekend trip planned to Church Camp. He loved it. It was hilarious to hear him comment on the difference between Church Camp and camping with the Boy Scouts. I think he believes that Christians are use to amenities and, as he said, "luxury accommodations." He had a great time and, while he was sad to miss out on the grands visit, it was a great weekend for him and his faith journey.

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I think Christians are a alot like Girl Scout Leaders!! At least this GS leader. Bring on the inside toilets and cabins with bunk beds and AC.

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It was a great final weekend of March and a perfect end to Spring Break Round #1.