First day of school 2017

With the calendar moving into September, we've had the "unofficial" start of fall....the beginning of school. Labor day weekend came and went (insert tears!), and the kiddos all started a new journey in their school careers. We now have 3 pick ups and 3 drop offs each and every day (insert more tears!). We're working over-time here folks and wishing with all our might that we could hire an afternoon nanny to manage the chaos from 2:30-4:30pm! Wishful thinking. 

With the new year, brought Regan to a new school. She entered middle school and left the familiar faces of elementary school behind. Sixth grade has all sorts of adventures waiting for her and she was eager to get started. Few nerves and no tears (on her part...I may have shed a few as I dropped her off on that first day). 

Sidney continues in her elementary school, this year with a homeroom teacher above all the rest. We hit the jackpot again by scoring the same 3rd grade teacher that Regan had. We adore her and cannot wait to hear all about Sidney's 3rd grade stories. 

Lincoln, although is in the same school, moved up to the big kid preschool room. He was hesitant, but excited, for his new journey and surprisingly, let me leave without crying and outstretched arms! I was shocked. My baby is growing up and I'm so glad he feels secure in his school, because it sure makes me feel far less guilty leaving him! 

Here's to a new school year! 

Gymnastics meet 2017

Sidney has been practicing hard each and every week in her gymnastics summer program. She's been working on a front handspring on the floor, independent handstands on the beam and some hip circles and other things I don't even know the words for on the bars! She's thriving and we're so proud of her. At the end of the season, she was able to participate in their meet where she placed FIRST in the all-around! This was her goal and she was unbelievably excited to be standing on top of that podium. This meet was sandwiched between an early morning gym session, an all-afternoon play/swim date and then the Twins late night game. I was worried she would be over-tired or unfocused, but she did an amazing job. 

I loved listening to the commentary from both Regan and Ryan throughout the meet; neither who have had the opportunity to watch her over the summer. Ryan kept saying "I didn't know she could do that!" and Regan said on 2 occasions "she's really good! And I'm not just saying that because she's my sister!". Man alive was that pretty amazing. Click HERE to watch the video that Regan took of her on the bars. 

Congratulations Sidney! We are so proud of you and can't wait to see what's in store next for you! 

Friends for life

Our kiddos are lucky enough to have established some pretty deep friendships starting out at just a few months of age. Sidney went to what I call "diaper day" school with a couple of good ones: Madeline and Natalie. And those 3 are what I hope to be "friends for life". Even with a pretty big move for Madeline, they haven't lost touch and when she comes back to town, it's a must to get them together again. I just love that they can pick up right where they left off! 

And while those three make new memories, these two little ones create trouble and have a lot of laughs too!  

Zoo fun

Ryan's office holds a yearly family friendly outing each summer. Once again, this year they took us back to the MN Zoo for a day of fun. We saw the new kangaroo exhibit, rode camels and explored the butterflies. Lincoln was lucky enough to have his face painted earlier in the morning (at a totally unrelated event but it worked out great for him!) as a tiger! 

Love making these memories as a family. 

Camp week

For many years now, Regan has embarked on a week of camp songs, s'mores, lake swimming and making new friendships (ok, by now she is also enjoying the old friendships too!). This year, she convinced Sidney to join her and let's just say, those two had more fun in that 1 week doing all things camp related. This isn't a "sports practice" type camp. Nope, this is the true deal. 

They even spend a hot summer night in a tent!! 

Although apprehensive at first, knowing not one other kid who was going to camp, Sidney cannot wait to return! I am so proud of her (and thankful for Regan's brave lead) as she took the leap and signed up for the full camp experience. She made some great friends and had the time of her life. 

So proud of our girls, and secretly super happy that they get their "sleeping in a tent" fix so that I don't have to climb into one for a restless night! 

Summer fun: family style

I'm only moderately embarrassed by the number of pictures on my iPhone. But what's worse, is that I am keeping all of these great moments locked up on my phone! Life has just been so full for us that I'm having a hard time finding a quiet moment to share our memories and photos. But here we go....

A few weeks back, I took a week off from work to spend gallivanting around this wonderful metropolis, having a grand time with the kiddos.We saw some things new, experienced some things old but most importantly, made memories to last a lifetime. I love making the most of our days! 

We spent some time on the renovated Old Cedar Avenue bridge, a place that only Lincoln and I had visited last fall during the grand opening. Turns out, it makes a great location for some great pictures. 

And because it feels a bit like a hidden gem, it's a nice open spot for Regan to race along on her hoover board. Talk about perfect location! 

I get so happy when my kiddos oblige and let me take photo after photo without complaining (too much). 

I was blessed with a visit from my BFF and her adorable kiddos, sadly this was the only photo I took! I'm going to say we were simply too wrapped up in conversation to think about taking photos. 

The kids ask every summer if we can rent bikes at Minihaha Falls. We adore the falls in any season, but in summer they rent out bikes for a whole family. Let's just say Regan and I got worked that morning as we pedaled around the falls :) 

We had some time before the rental place opened so we hiked down to the bottom of the falls and around one of my most favorite places in the middle of the city. 

We're finally at a point in life where I don't have to carry a small (or big!) child up those stairs. I'm both happy and sad about that fact....

It was H.O.T. that morning and we got a workout! But we got many laughs as well! Lincoln refused to sit up front with Sidney, thinking he could instead "drive". Thankfully Regan's steering wheel didn't actually control anything; but when he hopped on her lap to "drive", it rendered her virtually useless to pedal. Yea that didn't last very long as I tried to move that thing on my own. I may have also driven us into a few tree branches which created belly laughs for all of us. Oh, and Sidney is a little long to be sitting up front and we had to enlist the help of some passer-bys to help free her from her perch! 

I think I've mentioned before that we used to take the girls to Como Park/Zoo several times every year. And by the time Lincoln came along, they were over the excitement of that place and it often feels like I'm dragging them along. However, Como opens up their ride/amusement park in the summer and our kids still enjoy going on rides (Ryan included  though he had to work). I'm so happy the girls take a break from the sole roller coaster for a few kiddie rides with their little bro. 

Helps that we added a few friends to the mix at Como. Each girl had a buddy join us and it meant I had an adult to chat the day away! 

And it worked out well that everyone wanted to take a ride break and walk around the zoo, checking out all the lazy animals, many of who were taking their afternoon nap. Boo :( 

Of course, there was plenty of time spent swimming in the backyard, on one of (what feels like) 100 inflatables. Seriously, we are busting at the seams with inflatable toys around here! Our pool shed is filled to the max and they keep wanting to add more! 

Summer is never complete without a trip to Wild Rumpus bookstore. Even if we don't purchase anything, the experience alone is one to write about. It reminds me of the family-owned book store in the movie "You've Got Mail'....

only better. 

Because Wild Rumpus has animals. Cats, tarantulas, chickens, all roaming free around the place! Yes, it's incredible!
And this picture below is in the bathroom mirror. When the lights are off, it glows a real fish tank. Turn the lights on, and you're staring at your reflection in the mirror. 

The kids (and adults!) just love it! 

Lincoln's balance bike abilities have soared this summer. He's so good and really fun to watch. Toss in a little commentary from me: "not so fast!", "be careful!", "watch out!" and you've got yourself some entertainment too. (Click HERE for a short video). He brought the bike around the nearby lake when we went for a walk, errr, I ended up running along side him. He's that good!

 I took this photo of Regan because I have the same photo of her as a little girl. And I just can't believe how grown up she is already. 

7 years ago already....how did that happen?!

We had an incredible 10 days together; memories to last a lifetime. These 3 are our entire world and I'm so happy to find new adventures with them!