Tree loss

Orange Streak Roller Coaster

Sevi's favorite ride at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America is the Orange Streak. I also really enjoy it, but especially at this time in Sevi's height when he is still in the height range that require's a chaperone to ride for free with him. I first learned of this chaperone trick with Soren, who also loves roller coasters like his mama. I figure I have maybe one more year to "ride the rails" for free before Sevi grows up, and 

I suppose I should too.

Swim Lessons @ Foss Swim School

Soren 

Sevi

Easter 2014

After last years Easter Hunt melt down I wasn't sure I was up for another re-cap of 2013. I was able to use the debacle story from 2013 and the threat of even IF the Easter Bunny would stop by in my favor to ensure good behavior. (If Santa only knew the competition he has for upholding good behavior!) Soren even decided to write an apology note to the Easter Bunny in hopes he would stop at our house. With half the gusto I would have normally put into a hunt, I dug out the crumpled up clues from 2012 with the hopes that the clues had long been forgotten and created the hunt. It was a much more pleasant affair this year. Soren enjoyed reading the clues and our only struggle was holding Soren back to ensure Sevi could find a clue or two. This year the bunny delivered monogrammed bags with a few treats. We then spent the rest of the day at Aunt Lori's home for the annual Lewandowski party and hunt.

Easter Bunny Visit

Soren's note to the Easter Bunny. 

Clue #1.

Sevi finding a clue.

Finding the Easter Bags.

Playmobile, garden gnomes and jelly beans. Hippity and Hoppity are the boys' stuffed bunnies that sit on the table to say "Hi" to the Easter Bunny and receive the first egg clue.

Sevi gathering his eggs at Aunt Lori's.

Adding to his collection. 

The egg bounty.

Minneapolis Recycle Run

Two of Soren's favorite things are to run fast and be competitive. All school year long we would get updates on who was the fastest in his class, (according to Soren, it was usually him). So we signed him up for a 1 mile race at Lake Harriet. I don't think he anticipated how much he would have to work, especially trying to keep up with 12 year olds. Needless to say he did not come in first and said he felt sick at the end. Sevi on the other hand bopped along as content as could be getting to run next to his papa.

And he is off! (Soren in the green striped hat.)

Randy and Sevi heading to the finish.

At the finish line.

Inner City Tennis

We discovered this wonderful tennis program called Inner City Tennis that offers free tennis clinics every Saturday for an hour and a half from January-April. For the 5 and under you rotate through a variety of obstacle courses. The 6-12 year old's practice tennis skills and games on half courts. It is a true treasure of a find, all run by volunteers that are a joy to be around. The boys really loved it and I look forward to many years of this winter haven of an activity.

Sevi running the obstacle course.

Sevi and his friend Griffin with their Team #1 sign.

Soren hitting balls.

Spring Break - Iowa

The boys and I spent a quick weekend away in Cedar Falls, Iowa during spring break to visit Laura, John and Lila. They are in the process of moving to California, so we were happy to catch them while they were still only one state away. The kids had a great time together on hikes and visiting a local dairy farm.

Sevi, Lila and Soren on a hike at a local nature reserve.

Soren and Lila sleeping together

On the wagon at Hansen's Dairy Farm

Soren with a live Kangaroo at the Hansen Farm

Soren with the goats

Soren and Sevi with the Heifers

Hanging with Big Sis Liz

Maple Tree Sap Collecting

This Spring we have been to three nature centers during their maple tree taping season. We were so inspired that we bought our own kit to tap our backyard silver maple. Our huge tree has only produced about 2 cups so far. Today though at Westwood Hills Nature Center the boys were able to collect the sap from their abundantly producing trees. Unfortunately we can't add it to our meager 2 cups but now they understand the process better. 

Sevi carrying the collection bucket at Westwood Hills Nature Center in Saint Louis Park.

Tasting the overflowing sap.

Sevi collecting the sap.

Checking our tapped Maple

New City Talent Show

Today was the talent show that New City Charter School puts on every year. Soren went back and forth about whether or not to play his violin, then to our surprise went for it. Randy and I were so proud of him, knowing fully well that we would NEVER have done that at his age. Not only did Soren get up on stage and play wonderfully, but he selected two songs that he has never played before in public (Lightly Row and Row, Row, Row Your Boat), let alone to his largest crowd ever that was full of his peers. His music teacher Ms Sarah accompanied him on piano and the artwork behind him on stage is from his 1st/2nd grade class that represents the quilts from Gee's bend.

Sledding

With the bitter cold winter we had it was tough to get out and sled. We did get out one fine warm day here in March and hit our favorite sledding hill at Town and Country Golf Club. We ran into our good friend Paul and his family and joined them on a toboggan ride. 

Sunday Comics

Our Sneaky Foodie

Sevi seems to have started some sneaky food habits lately. In the past month I have found items of food in various unexpected locations in the house. I wouldn't mind if it was healthy food, but he found Halloween candy and had a pile hidden behind a door, a ginger snap cookie was behind a plant and this morning I caught him on the floor hidden beside the stove with his fancy ice cream dish filled with ice cream at 6:15AM!!!!

Soren's forst tooth extraction

Soren was a champ today with his first tooth extraction. It was a broken and decayed baby tooth but he turned down gas and went with only the Novocain. Due to bacteria the dentist keeps the tooth but allowed us to take a pic to send as proof to the tooth fairy.

2014 Art Shanty's

This year the Art Shanty's were out in White Bear Lake. The boys really enjoyed all the crazy themed Shanty's and activities and we love supporting MN artists. 

  

The boys in the Music Shanty created by our good friends Paul, Jeff and Tan.

               Soren trying out Curling. 

        Randy trying out the skate bike. 

             The big polar bear bike. 

 

Randy and Soren powering the polar bear bike. 

Happy Valentines Day!

It appears that the boys and I have started a valentine tradition, as we are now on year two of doing valentine hearts tree bombing. It really is a fun project to do that brings smiles to all involved.

   Valentine Prep #1: Painting the canvas. 

      Valentine Prep #2: Cut out Hearts. 

       Valentine Prep #3: The Delivery

City of Lakes Minne-Loppet

The boys have really taken a liking to cross country skiing this winter. Today they competed in their first ski race at Lake Calhoun on a 1.5K course. Sevi was a trooper and kept up at a fast clip while Soren whizzed along. They ended the race with medals, hot chocolate and cookies.

         Soren at the start of the race. 

   Soren and Sevi about half way through.

           Sevi nearing the finish line. 

          Soren crossing the finish line. 

       On the podium with their medals.