Mini-Makers

Over the past decade, catalyzed by increasingly accessible and expansive technology, the "Makers Movement" has been gaining steam (think "crafting", Jetsons-style).  The Maker Faire, a worldwide event started in the Bay Area in 2006 is the biggest, most interactive, family-friendly "show and tell" of invention and creativity for this community... and it finally came to MN!

E & S explored, literally, every single booth, and loved playing with robots, watching lasers and 3D printers, launching hacky sacks with catapults, making superballs, working the drill press, drawing under microscopes, crafting animated animals, jamming on a turntable, making connected devices (DIY Internet of Things), metal-working... and even riding a mechanical bull!

T-Ball

E & S played spring ball for Glen Lake this year.  

Both girls made great contact with the ball throughout the season, and have been dialing in their throws.  And, perhaps the biggest accomplishment, by season-end, we finally got S to wear her glove!

Fracture

A slip of the foot while trying to execute a "Perfect 10" jump from the back of our loft couch to the ceiling fan led to a awkward landing... and ultimately two broken bones (radius and ulna) and a late night trip to the ER.

Poor E was so incredibly brave and calm during the examination, IV placement and treatment... and has been such a trooper in her navigation of life as a temporary lefty (the purple & pink cast was quite the spirit uplifter, BTW).  I wish I could say the same for Mom and Dad!

Climb Time

Back for a second time this year E & S were again fearless, both routinely climbing their way to the top of several (upstairs) runs at Vertical Endeavors.  Rose even experimented a bit with bouldering (harness-free climbing).

Summer Hours!

GMI's greatest perk, by a mile, is "Summer Hours" (half-day Fridays Memorial Day to Labor Day).  Linds & I celebrated the first one of the season with a few beers and a 1:1 Trivial Pursuit battle at Dangerous Man... eventually convincing La to cut out early to join us for a round.  

Carondelet Classic

'Tommy Time' (or whatever our name was) was back back for more in 2015 after getting swept and bounced by noon in last year's Carondelet Classic basketball tournament.  And, we even had (two, bribed) fans this year.

There weren't many teams older, slower or more likely to question a referee's call than we were... but worked our bigs, set picks and hip-checked our way to a consolation bracket championship this time around.

Holy Angels, we're coming for you next year...

I Like School

The WHS class of 2027, or the 1/8 that attend E's elementary school, that is, celebrated the end of the school year with a musical performance called "I Like School".

E, usually more reserved on stage, belted out lyrics and nailed her lines when introducing one of the songs.

Can't believe you're about to be a 1st grader, Evs!

Explorers

One of my favorite things about our new home is the miniature forrest/wetland we've got in our backyard.  And it's one of the girls' favorites too... as they love exploring, looking for flowers, bugs, tracks, and other wildlife (with Griff always at their side).  Sometimes they're even do it fully dressed.

So far this spring they've caught frogs, toads, snakes and turtles... and spotted (and tried to feed) geese, ducks, cranes (or some other kind of long legged, long necked bird), pheasants, turkeys and deer.

*Said E, giggling, when returning back from chasing the family of geese in pic #2, "the momma kept saying 'shhhhhh' to me!".

My little pony

Sawyer's school hosted a Spring Festival with carnival rides, midway arts, crafts... and pony rides!  Here's E with 'Simba'...

Tiny Dancer

Forgot the camera (#@&%!), so no on-stage pics under the bright lights... but thankfully the paparazzi captured the star of the show as she boarded her "limo" prior to her very first dance recital.

Minnehaha

A gorgeous spring weekend inspired a trip to the Big City for a day of riding along the (Minnehaha) Creek, hiking by the Falls, swimming (for Big G) at the Dog Park, and tearing into Po'Boys, oysters and calamari at Sea Salt.  

So fun to see E enjoying the trails (on bike), learning the rules of the road and leading us for (a few) miles through city.  

Mother's Day

After a little negotiating ("but she just had her birthday... and Valentine's day"), I was finally able to convince the girls that we should really get something special for L for Mother's day... and after even more negotiating, I was finally able to get them to agree on something.  A little color on our front stoop.

E & S loved picking out the pots, flowers and planting the goods.  And, Linds loved gift.  (All three seem to think magic fairies water the things, though!)

El Segundo

Less travel in 2015 with a change in my role at GMI means less family sacrifice... but also, fewer opportunities to see the world on the company dime!  In my first trip of 2015, I spent a few days in El Segundo, CA (on the outskirts of LA).  

While there, I spent 90% of my time in an office park, but split that last 10% drinking Margaritas with the team to close out my evenings and running barefoot along the Pacific to/from this pier (the Manhattan Beach Pier) to jumpstart my mornings.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Two MN Zoo traditions... Nana zipping up to the Metro for her favorite season of the year (Farm Babies).  And, our two monkeys acting not-terribly-evolved while watching the primates play, seconds after walking through the zoo's main entrance.

Field Trip

E's kindergarten class took a field trip to the Gale Woods Farm to experience the life of a farmer first-hand.  E's buddy in pic #2 is her KL BFF, Annalise.