lester river morning

Tracy and Owen had beautiful weather to meet friends at Lester Park this week.

Exploring one of the hiking trails.



Surveying the river for good rock-throwing opportunities.

spring concert 2009

Tracy, Tony, and Owen had the pleasure of attending Logan's spring concert. The first graders performed four songs:

1) Engine, Engine #9 / I've Been Working on the Railroad (Logan played a drum and sang)
2) Mr. Rabbit
3) Kairu no Uta (Frog's Song)
4) You're a Grand Old Flag

A photo of the big show (Logan is in the center of the back row).

creations

Logan tends to be the first one to awaken in our household and has learned to amuse himself in the mornings for a bit before serving as our alarm clock. Last week, he began work on a diorama that has kept him busy for several mornings now. He describes it as a winter scene of a house (with attached garage) nestled against the mountains. A man is looking out of the window from his living room with curtains, carpet, lamp, and a 3-D chair that actually sticks out from the wall.

Creation #1
Name: Logan's Diorama
Material: Mixed media

Creation #2
Name: Sporting Yacht
Material: K'NEX

owen's irish mail

The last time we were in Rochester, Grandpa David was secretly working on an unknown birthday present for young mister Owen. Although his birthday was a few weeks ago, the mysterious package was recently delivered and definitely worth the wait. Based on a design on the Sears Craftsman website, Grandpa built Owen his own Irish mail.

Owen unwraps the new vehicle...



...jumps on the bubble wrap while the final pieces are assembled...



...and goes for a test drive in the garage.

remembrance

This is one of our favorite photos of my mom--walking with Logan at the cottage in Wisconsin, with Toivio scouting up ahead.

tracy's birthday 2009

Spending time with my family, soaking up the long awaited sunshine, and savoring a special treat equals a great way to celebrate my birthday.

they like to bike

We have officially entered bicycle season. Owen learned to ride (with training wheels) and proudly displayed his new found skills on the Osaugie Trail.



Logan graduated to a larger bike this year and was last seen wearing out the asphalt in front of our house.

planting time

Last February the boys sprouted bean and avocado plants. After sitting in tiny pots on our kitchen table for months, the plants have been transferred to bigger pots and will eventually move outside to the deck.

Owen prepares the new pot...



...shakes the old dirt out of the roots...



...and waters the plant in its new home.

logan's big day

Although Logan's birthday is still weeks away, one of his presents was to a spend a day in Minneapolis with mom and attend a play at the Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis. They attended a matinee performance of Ramona Quimby.

Logan in the lobby of the theater.

A view of the stage as seen from the second balcony.



After the play they went to the Mall of America to eat at the Rainforest Cafe (they sat in the Gorilla Room). They also visited Legoland and the amusement park.

Logan liked driving the remote controlled bumper trucks...

...riding on the carousel...



...and being attacked by sharks.

budding photographer

Owen received a digital camera for his birthday and he loves it. After one day he had already taken over 500 photos.



The camera also features a few simple video games. His favorite is a version of concentration where you match up the pairs of cards. He already navigates through the menus as if he's owned the camera for years.

crafty pants

If you can get your mom to cut cool stencils out of freezer paper,



then you can add fabric paint,



wait patiently until it dries,



and become the proud owner of the most super awesome, one-of-a-kind tighty whities, sure to inspire even the most diehard diaper wearer to try the potty.

owen turns three

Happy Birthday Owen! Our youngest boy turned three today. Mama worked during the morning but then the whole family had all afternoon to enjoy the special day.

Owen woke up, donned his birthday crown, and started the day by listening to big brother Logan read some books.



Owen opens his first present. A fish-shaped bank handpainted by Logan at The Pottery Burn.



Enjoying the beautiful weather up in the playhouse.



Owen opens up a pile of Magic School Bus books which just happen to be his favorite.



The birthday boy got to pick out tonight's dinner. He chose homemade cheese pizza and green beans. After talking about a chocolate cake for the last month, Owen looked in a cookbook a few days ago and picked out this flowerpot dessert for his birthday treat. The pots are filled with strawberry ice cream, oreo cookie "dirt" with gummi worms, and frosted butter cookie flowers. Thanks Mom!!

quantum flyer

The beautiful spring weather gave us a great opportunity to try out Logan's Quantum Flyer. Everyone took turns launching it amidst a sea of giggles. Owen volunteered to be the official fetcher (except for when it landed in the street or in the trees).

The all-important launch...



...the flight...



...the landing?!?

may day 2009

While we were making dinner tonight, Logan decided to use the downstairs art table for a spur of the moment, top secret project. A short while later he reappeared with May Day presents for his favorite parents - a decorative basket for mom and a glitter sign for dad.