The Plastic Fantastic Camera

How To Eat An Ice Cream Cone 101

Open Eye Theatre Puppet Show

Friday night we took in an urban puppet extravaganza - The Adventures of Little Grandpa, as part of the Open Eye Theatre summer driveway tour. Soren loved the set and puppets, the live accordian player and meeting the puppets up close after the performance.

Going Fishing

Muncie reunion

This past weekend was filled with constant entertainment by having Soren's dear friends Nora and Klara visiting. Soren would follow Klara and Klara would follow Nora, so their was a steady stream of pattering feet throughout the house. Soren had his first exposure to fishing and his favorite, strawberry picking (but mostly eating).

Potty Party

There is nothing like having an older role model when it comes to potty training. Soren was able to kick his potty usage into high gear with Nora and Klara willing to demonstrate and entertain (here they are eating their wooden fruit) during the pee-pee parties held in the bathroom. Of course we had our misses too, hence this years upgrade from diapers to panties drying on the clothes line.

Summer + Dirt = True Toddler Living

Cleaning out the pot lid drawer.

Enough with the Daddy, Here's Momma

Daddy Dress Up

Soren and I have been at the cottage for the last two weeks. Randy comes up on the weekends, then leaves behind an article of clothing for Soren to play "dress up like daddy" in.

Whose your Daddy?

Opinions run 50/50 as to who Soren looks like. When I am out and about alone with Soren, folks say he looks like me. Same goes for when Randy is out with Soren. I though take one look at our cutie-pie and see all the visual qualities that made me fall in love with his daddy. Check out how they even scrunch their faces the same, and don't forget those lips! Now is that not a daddy's boy or what?!

4th of July Celebrations

At last years July 4th celebrations in Pequot Lakes Soren was in the baby crawl race. With him being such a late walker, we almost thought he just may qualify for the baby crawl race again this year. Instead, he participated in the Kiddie Parade. We decided to go with the vintage look, complete with bow tie, so he could ride his Radio Flyer push bike. The bike only lasted for about 200 feet along with his straight tie and tucked in shirt.


Waiting at the start of the parade and not wanting to wear the hat.


The willing parader, with a hand from daddy.


Checking out the competition.


Kissing his participant medal.

Storytime

One of our favorite summertime evening adventures is to load up the Burley and bike along the Greenway to Lake Calhoun, play at the beach and park, then eat dinner outdoors at Tin Fish. Tin Fish also sponsors the local bookstore "Auntie Em's" storytime Monday's at 10:30am. Soren just happened to be in the prime location for the storytime last Monday. I highly recommend this summertime activity - just be prepared to fight for the best seat in the house.

Boys, Boys, Boys

Believe it or not, but the little fella on the right is 6 months younger then Soren. Happy Upcoming 1st Birthday Mason!



Randy has a nickname for our dear friends Laura, Rob and their three boys: Laura and the Boys. I guess with the overpowering testosterone flying around their house he feels she deserves the first billing (sorry Rob). They are also the ones who coined our nickname: Randrea. We had the pleasure of taking in a wonderful evening recently filled with BBQ'd quesadilla's, fish and chicken sausages while all the boys big and small let their testosterone run wild.

Fish Head

With the high temps and humidity in Minneapolis, Soren has been hitting the pavement with his shades and fish on route to the local wading pool.

NYC Video Footage

Our first day in the big city brought a daytime temp of 100 degrees. The rest of the visit hovered in the 90's - so we sought out water park relief as often as we could to cool off the little guy. The breeze from the passing subway trains often brought momentary relief and a chance for Soren to practice one of his favorite signs - train.

Little Man in the City

Riding the Staten Island Ferry with Miss Liberty waving by.




Rumor has it that developers are moving in on Coney Island. It is a location well worn and rough around the edges. The Cyclone wooden roller coaster rocks even if you have to shell out $8 for the 3 minute ride. Soren enjoyed the beach and posed with his tough guy look.


Riding the carousel in Central Park pretending he is the horse.


Exploring the city with his trusty guide - Uncle Chris.


Passed out on the 6 train.




Spending Fathers Day on the roof top of the Met with the Jeff Koons sculptures. When Soren learned that the colorful scribble sculpture behind him was named Coloring Book, he gave his honest toddler critique:

Heck, I could do that

.

Mr. Mini-Apple heads to the Big Apple

We are off to NYC! See you in a week.

Mommy and Me Shadow Play

It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

Before the rain, hail and tornado warnings crashed our BBQ, you couldn't have asked for a better evening. Regardless of having to pull out the weather radio and dash indoors for the strawberry rhubarb crisp, we hosted a wonderful BBQ filled with our new neighborhood friends. Yet just another reason we love the Longfellow Neighborhood.