Day 1177 | Telemark!

Check out this front page article in our local paper! I have such fond memories of visiting the Telemark Resort while growing up, it makes me smile just thinking someone might bring it back to life. Here's hoping!

Day 1176 | Back to Big Falls

The sun came out for a brief period this morning and we took full advantage by brining Chase and Chris to Big Falls County Park to show off the amazing views (Robbe and I went earlier this summer). Because of the cooler temps, we were just about the only people there and it didn't take the boys long to find the sandy beach and strip down to their undies for some water play time. 

Day 1175 | A Rainy Day

Another cool, rainy day kept us cooped up most of the day. But no one was complaining. The last couple of weeks have been surprisingly busy so a lazy day stuck inside with nowhere to go was pretty much perfect. We did some science experiments, sorted through some of the photos Chase has been taking, squeezed in some housework, watched a movie, and just hung out. It was lovely. 

Day 1174 |A Summer Fire

You might think a summer fire would be a bonfire outside, but we were so chilly and damp after our morning outing to the little zoo near us that a fire was the only way to warm up this afternoon. 60 degrees and rain will do that to you.  

Day 1173 | Tying Shoes

It's not a big deal. It's a HUGE deal. Chase can tie his own shoes!! We've been working on it here and there since we bought his new school shoes a few weeks ago and then yesterday he just did it. I was upstairs after telling him to get his shoes on and when I returned downstairs he managed to tie both of his shoes. Solo. He's such a big guy now. 

Day 1172 | My Coffee Dates

My year of spontaneous coffee dates with my two favorite dudes is coming to an end as Chase starts kindergarten in just a week and a half. Sniffle sniffle. 

Day 1171 | A New Favorite Photo

Every time I look at this photo I smile. It's my new favorite. There's a good chance it'll even end up in a frame on a wall [someday]. I can't handle it. The fun + colorful art?!? The perfect poses with the matching pants?!? Not to mention a real smile from my three year old?!? Crazy! 

Day 1171 | Solar Eclipse

We got our solar eclipse on today. Thanks to the Eau Claire Children's Museum for hosting a hopping block party and my friend's sweet hook up for the nearly-impossible-to-procure glasses. I wouldn't say the boys were as enthusiastic as they should have been but they did seem to enjoy it. When I told Chase he couldn't keep the glasses, his response was, "then what's the point of this anyway?" I think our space-lover and self-proclaimed budding-astronaut *kind of* missed the significance of today.

Day 1170 | Sunday Funday

We had a busy but super fun weekend. We walked or biked almost everywhere we went. I love that. You'll be glad to hear we checked another item off our bucket list: a steam train ride at Carson Park. I don't know why it took us so long to get there. The boys loved it. We're getting so close to finishing our bucket list...and good thing since Chase starts school in two weeks.

Then, after nap, Robbe had a big (HUGE) milestone. He got to go to his first movie! Cars 3 finally came to our downtown theater so we immediately made plans. Robbe had no problem staying interested and even managed to finish his whole bag of popcorn by himself. He was so proud.

2017 EC Summer Bucket List

• Discover 3 new parks - CHECK!
• Take a pony ride at a festival - CHECK!
• Weekend camping trip - CHECK!
• Pick strawberries - CHECK!
• Pick blueberries - CHECK!
• Attend a city or county fair - CHECK!
• Build a tree fort
• Bike a city trail - CHECK!
• Stay up past bedtime - CHECK!
• Visit an animal shelter - CHECK!
• Swim in three different pools - CHECK!
• Play mini golf
• Complete summer reading program at the library - CHECK!
• Ride the mini steam train - CHECK!
• Eat a s'more (Chase has requested one without the marshmallow) - CHECK!
• Attend an Express game - CHECK!
• Visit the Butterfly House - CHECK!

Day 1169 | Caprese Salad

Between the framers market and our garden, I had one amazing lunch. There's not much I enjoy eating more than a fresh + flavorful caprese salad. Yum.  

Day 1168 | Back to School Shopping

Grandma Mary was sweet enough to take the grandkids shopping today. Don't worry, they were sufficiently spoiled and a fun time was had by all. Thanks, mom! 

Day 1167 | Garden Update

Back home with some good naps, unpacking, and four loads of laundry. Our vacation recovery day was actually much better than usual. None of the typical vacation-withdrawal symptoms from the boys. Quite a lovely surprise.

One of the first stops we made this morning was out to our garden to see what's been popping up. I haven't gotten any good photos of our "bounty" of vegetables mostly due to the boys eating everything before we can get our harvest in the house. Today I managed to sneak these two cucumbers, a green pepper, and the remaining handful of cherry tomatoes (they ate the rest) inside to enjoy with lunch. 

We've had a pretty good harvest...at least I think so. Our green bean plants did pretty well for themselves (with the boys constantly snitching them) and our tomato, cucumber, and green pepper plants are still blossoming like crazy. The verdict is still out for our broccoli, carrots, and leeks, but I'm remaining optimistic. I'll keep you posted on the progress but for now enjoy...

Five things that have surprised me about our garden

1. Cucumbers are pokey. You have to wipe off the little pokey nubs before you can actually handle them.
2. Broccoli grows in a surprising way. The veggie comes straight out of the center of the shoot. We weren't sure if our bunnies had killed off our plants but there are definitely broccoli heads peeking out now. See photo.
3. Cucumber plants are crazy impressive. First their little climbing off-shoots are creepily alive and super strong. Then there's the fact that the plant can support these giant vegetables (in comparison to the vines they're going on). See photo.
4. Tomato plants can get huge. Ours hit the top of the roof before the weight of the tomatoes is finally pulling them down. I guess I was supposed to do something to inhibit such tremendous growth. Oh well, live and learn!
5. Bunnies are intense. See note above about broccoli. I rarely see them snooping around our garden boxes but they're definitely making their presence known. They've swiped the low-hanging tomatoes, nibbled back our green bean bushes (which were looking quite full initially), and annihilated our broccoli leaves (by far their favorite). I can only image what they'll do to our carrots if they ever discover them (because bunnies love carrots, obviously).

Day 1166 | Home Again

A bumpy but otherwise successful flight home. I hope the boys manage to sleep in tomorrow!

Day 1165 | Seals!

The big activity of our day was a seal cruise. The boys were real troopers during the 90 minute boat ride around Cape Cod and we saw a ton of seals. Total success!

Day 1164 | Beach Bums

It's been awhile since the boys (or I!) have stuck our toes in the ocean, but we remedied that today! It was the perfect beach outing. The boys really enjoyed the water (for the first time ever) and were total champs when it came to the sand, and sun, and chaos. It helped that Mae was there to lend her vast experience (at 11 months old). 

Of course we had various other adventures including a potato chip factory tour, a stop at a candy store, a yummy Italian dinner (notice a food theme?), and evening stroll through the harbor, etc., but I think we'd all agree that the beach was the best part.  

Day 1163 | Cape Cod

We started the morning by treating the boys to their first continental breakfast (and it was even a decent one!). After that, onto Heritage Gardens in Sandwich, MA, for some leg-stretching, flower-admiring, carousel-riding, and tree-house-climbing (see photo).  

Then into Hyannis for lunch, some quick shopping, and a delicious ice cream treat before making our way to our hotel for some swimming. 

A lovely dinner with some of my favorite people (including my favorite almost one-year-old) and there goes the day. No surprise, we're all wiped. Here's hoping for a good night's sleep so we can do it all over again tomorrow.  

Day 1162 | Traveling Friends

Guess where we are?!? Massachusetts!! My mom, the boys, and I are on our way to visit my friend, Mary Catherine, on Cape Cod. We took advantage of some last-minute motivation to get away.  

The travel day was amazingly easy. The boys are thrilled about the bright blue rental car and they're staying in their first [ever] hotel tonight. Whoop whoop.  

Day 1161 | A Summer Blog Break

Hey all, it's that time of year...I'm yearning for some blog-free summer days. I'll be back soon (most likely this weekend) when there are exciting things to post once again. Don't forget about me. We'll see each other real soon.

In the meantime, check out my latest article for Visit EC. I think you'll recognize the scooting wee ones in one of the photos. :)

Day 1160 | Camping Success

After about ten loads of laundry and a good portion of the day dedicated to cleaning and putting away camping gear, we can definitively say that our first weekend camping trip with the boys was a big success. The weather cooperated, the campground was great, and the boys were troopers. I could have used *a bit* more sleep (sleeping through the bright sun + chatting birds takes some practice), but the morning sleeping bag snuggles with my favorite little ones [pretty much] made up for it. 

Maybe it won't take us four years to work up the motivation to do it again! 

Day 1159 | Camping

We might have debated about it all week, but we finally pulled the trigger and decided to go camping! We made the spontaneous decision last night and managed to snag the second-to-the-last available campsite available for the weekend at Willow River State Park in Hudson. More details to come, but the spoiler is that we're having tons of fun.