I Wanna Rock (Rock!)

We spent the weekend at Grandma & Grandpa A's in Wisconsin. We went to a wedding reception, did some shopping, and visited Toad's Great-Grandparents in La Crosse. Toad's favorite part of the trip was getting to spend time with G & G, Auntie L and the big dog Peanut. A highlight of any visit to WI is being able to play with the "guitar" -- here's Toad rocking out on the porch.

We're glad to be home and settling back into our routine. Hammer Guy is on Week Two of his new job. It's long days and hard work and the new schedule will take some getting used to, but he's even more certain that he made the right decision. Now, if I could just get someone to pay me for staying home to write the next Great American YA novel....

This weekend is the Festival of Children's Literature at the Loft Literary Center in Mpls and the Minnesota Book Awards. I'm really looking forward to both.

Happy Un-Birthday

Last Wednesday, Auntie A hosted a Pizza Extravaganza for the two May boys. The CT Cousins were in town, so we took the opportunity to wish Toad and Cousin T a very Happy Un-Birthday! The baseball cupcakes were super cute!

First Field Trip

Toad and I attended his very first Field Trip as a preschooler. SBS went to the Minnesota Zoo on Tuesday. Even though we did not get to ride the bus, Toad had a wonderful time. His favorites were the dolphins that splashed, tigers, the snake skeleton, and the fish. We even got to see a diver feed the fish. He was very loud and wore a blue scuba suit! It was a gorgeous day -- lots of sun, a refreshing breeze, and no bugs! We had a picnic lunch in the sunshine. Toad was thrilled to be a part of the field trip with the teachers and the big kids.

Bok Bok. Thanks, Easter Bunny!

The Easter weekend was full of fun and family. Saturday Toad helped with the final version Bunny Cake and helped dye Easter Eggs, although he tired of it after five eggs. We hosted Easter for my side of the family -- roughly 25 people. The food, wine, beer, and radiant smiles were plentiful and a good time was had by all.

Bunny Cake

Toad helped decorate the practice Bunny Cake on Sunday (we're hosting Easter this year). He loves to help out in the kitchen.

The weather was beautiful and Toad and Hammer Guy got lots of outdoor playtime.

I've been upgraded to 6-hour days and a post-op shoe that I've been wearing around the house. I'll keep wearing the big boot to work.

We're looking forward to having all the family home for Easter -- we'll be celebrating in Wisconsin next weekend.

Hacienda del Sol

No visit to Duluth is complete without huevos rancheros and a visit with M & M at Hacienda.

Once in a Lifetime Thousand-Footer

Okay, so it was only 730 feet.

The Halifax
Wednesday, April 5th
Duluth, Minnesota

Beautiful Day

Imagine this: a tranquil Wednesday morning, 10 a.m. The sun glistens on a vast, still Lake Superior -- there is not even a breeze on this morning. The air is crisp, clean, restorative. We wander alongside the rocky shore on the Lakewalk, greeting early-morning walkers. Everyone is friendly here. A woman wearing pearls wheels her pampered, elderly poodle along in a wheelchair. A woman in a kayak glides along without effort. We are fortunate for such a perfect morning.

Me Gusta La Leche

Last night I read in the Montessori newsletter that Senora Liliana is teaching the kids how to use "me gusta" (I like). Toad really digs his Spanish class, so I asked him, "Can you say "I like milk" in Spanish? He replied (quite loudly), "I LIKE MILK IN SPANISH." He is Funny Pants IV, that's for sure.

Great news: It's official, Hammer Guy has a new job! He gave his notice Monday morning. On the 17th of April, he will start as the Supervisor of Engineering Services at a local utility company. He's thrilled to be taking his career in a new direction. To celebrate, our good friends Mike & Beth took us out Sunday (thanks for babysitting, Aunt J) to Claddagh Irish Pub. The food, the drink, the atmosphere, the company -- all wonderful. Check it out: www.claddaghirishpubs.com

Fly High Duluth

Toad sings. A lot. All the time. When he's not talking, he's singing. One of his current faves is "Fly High Duluth" from SNL. Here's one of many photos we took of him while he belted it out at the dinner table.