Cirque Du Laundry

Last night Andy and I went to see the Cirque Du Soleil show Saltimbanco at the Target Center with our friends Kari & Lonny. We had a nice dinner and some drinks downtown at Zelo and then headed to the show. WE LOVE IT! We have see Cirque several times, both here and in Vegas, but our friends were Cirque virgins so it was fun to get their opinions and take on the show. I do have to say, sadly, that it was our least favorite show we have seen, but spectacular none the less. Two funny things, ok, a lot of funny things happened, but I will only share 2... I ran into a dance parent after having a few drinks - never a good time. She seemed to be in a similar state of wine induced happiness, which I was thankful for. I also had to shove my camera down my pants to get it after being turned away at the door with it. Let's just say that my pants were none too big and that there were several moments where I couldn't breath and I looked like I had an alien baby in my tummy.

Group Self-Portrait in the Elevator

Not my best shot, I know, but it really captures the evening....

Today we did LAUNDRY LAUNDRY LAUNDRY. I always get so overwhelmed with clothes when the seasons change. I feel like between washing summer stuff to get it put away and washing new fall stuff, that I am up to my eyeballs in laundry. I am officially done. Bins are in the basement and all new clothes are washed and ready to be worn. Let's hope there is no more super hot weather because I am NOT digging in those bins - they are ancient history.

The girls on one of the bins I loaded up today...

Today we also met my mom and dad for dinner at The Texas Roadhouse. It was super good and they did not disappoint with their cheesy theme song and line dancing that my kids love.

All in all a great weekend and a busy week ahead! I have decided that getting my kids and all their stuff ready for us to be gone is harder then packing for myself......

Ride 'Em Cowgirl

So on Wednesdays, while Julia is at preschool, Maria and I get to hang out and I really like it. I feel like she spends a lot of time getting toted to Julia's activities and it is nice to spend some time with just her. Today we played with her pony that she got for her birthday. Notice that she actually doesn't sit on the pony - she stands - and finds it all to be quite hilarious. I know I shouldn't, but I secretly love it too. She is a crazy little dare devil and has some serious stinker in her. I am sure someday I will regret saying this, but keep it up my little cowgirl. Mommy loves you, spunk and all!

Riding her Pony, Maria style. Who needs to be their feet on the floor when they can stand on it instead?

This is her, I know I shouldn't be doing this but aren't I cute, face!

Corn Crazy!

We had a super fun weekend with super nice weather. Friday night was soccer. Julia did mildly better then last week. She lacks focus and I am alright with that. So she will never be Beckham, who cares?

Saturday we went to Stillwater for the day to celebrate our friend Robynn's birthday. The guys went golfing and the girls went shopping. It was so much fun! I found some cute stuff and wasn't pushing a stroller or stopping to change diapers. Sheer bliss... We ended the night with dinner at Stone's. Good food, good drinks, and good friends. We couldn't ask for a better evening...

Some pre-dinner drinks at Nacho Mama's

The gang at Stone's

Sunday we went to one of our favorite fall places. Sever's Corn Maze! They have a ton of fun things to do. Giant slide, pony rides, petting zoo, hay rides, and the piece de resistance, the giant corn pool! We weren't but a few minutes into the actual maze when I heard some grumblings from Julia about the potty so we decided to abort mission before we were lost in there with no potty for miles. Oh, well. We have yet to finish the maze, maybe next year! Both girls loved the petting zoo (they are actually NOT allowed to pet in the petting zoo - only look. GROSS!!) and the corn pool. Maria tried to make dinner out of it a few times (again, GROSS!!) but she eventually got really into it and was crawling around army style while Julia was leaping in with giggles of glee.... I would highly recommend it for you locals.

Here is the website http://www.severscornmaze.com/

Cutie #1 in the Corn

Cutie #2 in the Corn

Yippppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeee!

This is fun!

Happy Birthday Robynn!

Top Ten Reasons to Celebrate Robynn's Birthday

10. She introduced me to Benihana.

9. She knows the words to every song ever played on the radio. I am constantly in awe of this hidden talent.

8. She will tell me if something doesn't look great when I try it on and when I have a booger on my nose.

7. She has very similar, weird eating preferences to myself. We are two peas in a pod at a restaurant. (With the exception of mushrooms....)

6. My kids and husband REALLY like her. (And by husband I don't mean in any creepy way - just the she's fun and I like to spend time with her way....)

5. She is one of my "go to" girls for advice.

4. We move at the same pace. She waits for me and I wait for her because we seem to move slower then everyone else.

3. We have a lot of fun when we are together. Whether we are at the park down the street or on an island in Greece, it is always filled with fun and laughs.

2. I know if I need something, she will be there and visa versa.

1. She knows me really well and still wants to be one of my best friends. I count this as a major blessing!

Happy Birthday Robynn! Thanks for being such a great friend!

Shots Suck

Maria had her 15 month check up today. All is well. I, on the other hand, am not. I am thinking about starting a business where a kind, caring individual comes to the doctor with you, and then when it is time for shots, you leave the room and they stay and then the second it is over they rush your child, screaming & crying & turning purple, into your loving, waiting arms. I always feel like such a liar, looking into my children's eyes, saying it's going to be ok, when in reality Barbarian the Nurse is about to poke their little thighs several times with very large needles. I feel like I can no longer be a participant in this deception, nor do I want to associated with it. Having the pregnancies I had, I am very aware that there is NOTHING ok about thighs and very large needles. They say it is worse for mom then for child, and I am sure there is some truth to that. When I (or Andy) was injecting myself every day while preggo, I only cried one time when we hit a particularity tender spot. I have, however, cried EVERY time one of my children has gotten shots. It is utter torture for me. I may need to start sending Andy because I am pretty sure my shot witnessing days are done. My heart can take it no more...

Maria's poor little legs!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...

TODAY WAS BEAUTIFUL! Just a gorgeous Fall day! A few more days like today and I would be a very happy woman. Julia had preschool this morning and I think we are finally getting in a groove with our new school year schedule. Julia has done great at daycare the day and a half that she goes every week, and is also really liking preschool. Maria had an o.k. 2 days at daycare - not wonderful but an improvement. I am really enjoy our one-on-one time Wednesday while Jules is at school. I finished my second week of work (I will lose count at some point, I promise.) and it is going really well. Business is crazy - I have more students then I have time allotted so I need to do some rearranging. Annoying, but a good problem to have. So, over all, all is well at the Hansell Household. We have a lot of fun things coming up the next couple of weekends and the countdown to our big trip (European cruise!) is officially on!

Here's a few pictures from our trip to the park today...

Notice Maria's mini-ponytail! Yippppee!

Julia thought it was quite entertaining to drop her shoe and make her mom get it.

Look What I Got!

Andy's Aunt Karen, who is one of the nicest people I know, made me this shawl. Yes, you heard correct. She made it. Just for me. Holy cow! I AM IN LOVE WITH IT! So after you look at the picture of it you will see that she is not only a nice person, but a talented one to boot. I am so thrilled and honored to have a "Karen Original" I can hardly stand it. She made it for me to wear to my sister-in-law Kelly's wedding in January, but as a total added bonus for me, she finished it in time for me to take it on our big trip in a couple weeks. A heartfelt thank you to Karen and no, she does not take orders. Sorry ladies.

This photo does not do the beauty of the shawl justice, but after long day on my feet, the thought of modeling this was more then I could take.

Close up shot. Yes, I am not lying, she made this, with her own two talented hands.

It's Raining, It's Pouring.....

No picture to post this weekend because it was raining and gross out and we basically chilled out at home. Maybe just what the doctor ordered. Here is a quick rundown....

Top Five Fantastic Weekend Highlights:
5. Spending some quality family time at home
4. Everything was 20% off at one of my favorite kid's stores, The Gumdrop Tree
3. Andy ran a 20 mile race a survived to tell about it.
2. Taking my niece Molly to breakfast with us after church
1. Tie between dinner at Pittsburgh Blue with Andy's family and a movie & drinks with the girls

Top Five CRAP-tastic Weekend Highlights:
5. Rain and cold weather
4. Julia has a cold
3. Andy running a race while I did nothing to improve my own physical fitness, again.
2. The freaking Vikings lost, again
1. Soccer pictures at 9 am on a Saturday in the freezing drizzle. Thanks. What a great idea.

Not-So-Super Soccer Star

So Julia has been playing soccer, and I use the term "playing" very loosely. Her favorite part of soccer is seeing her cousin Molly and all her little friends, and the water breaks. She is also a fan of kicking the ball (Julia translation: pick the grass and see how high she can throw it) and running after the ball (Julia translation: use the sideline cones for a song and dance routine) and listening to the coach (Julia translation: run the opposite direction he tells her to). Needless to say, not the best money we have spent, but she is having fun and that is what you are supposed to do when you are three, right?

Kendall, Molly & Julia

Notice all the other kids in the background actually playing soccer...

A highly anticipated water break

Heading back for a huddle

They are pretty cute, aren't they! If only my butt would fit on one of those balls...

We went for pizza after soccer with all our neighborhood buddies and caused quite a ruckus. Scared a family right out of the room we were in. Note to self: when I am older and my kids are grown, do not forget what it is like to have rambunctious children. Try to look back fondly and think, I was there once too. DO NOT turn into a crabby old lady.

Preschool Here She Comes!

Julia started preschool today. She was SO excited! We went last week for a little orientation thing and she has been asking when she gets to go back ever since. Her teachers seem really nice and today she got to be the "Weather Helper" which thrilled her beyond belief. (If only she got so excited about being the "pick up after yourself helper" and the "put your clothes in the hamper helper"!) I think it is going to be a great year there. I just can't believe how fast she is growing up. I spent the time she was there with Maria. We went shopping and had some one-on-one time, which was nice after the whole daycare situation this week. Here are a few pictures of my BIG PRESCHOOLER!

Her backpack is only slightly smaller then she is....

Outside school

She's a lefty - just like her dad and great grandpa

Julia with Mrs. Fusenig and Mrs. Tich

Parker is a Kindergartener!

Here is my amazingly adorable nephew Parker on his first day of school last week. I promised to post a picture and I finally got one from my sister. I still am in shock and denial that our family's first baby is going to school. He is going to do awesome!

Parker the Kindergartner & Baby Parker

This Is What Maria Thinks of Going to Daycare....

Yes, I know, she only goes 2 days a week, but she is having trouble and it makes me soooooooo sad. I know it's the first week and it will get better, but knowing she is there and unhappy is really hard. They are done now until Monday so that is good, but I have a feeling next week is going to be even tougher. And, yes, as you can tell from the picture I took tonight, she has learned to pick her nose. We are so proud.

Julia's newest thing is baking. How great for my waist line... We have made brownies and cupcakes over the last couple of days and hopefully won't be making anything else for a few days, at least. She likes to dump the stuff in and stir and she is actually pretty good at it. I made a bigger mess tonight with the cupcakes then she did!

My Little Baker

Week one of work for me is done - many, many more to go....

Benihana Heaven

We closed out this week with a trip to Benihana for dinner with my parents and my sister's family. I LOVE Benihana and so do my kids. It was super fun and super yummy and a great way to end what can only be described as a crazy week. (Dance and soccer and gymnastics, Oh My! Preschool and Sunday School and Daycare Transition Days, Oh My!)

Grandma & Grandpa with all the grandkids

Parker & Maria

Julia & Molly

I am going back to work tomorrow until May. I have mixed emotions. Part of me is ready to be doing something out of the house, contributing financially, and being in charge of something other then sippy cups and dirty diapers. (I know, I know, and 2 beautiful children who I know I am LUCKY to be in charge of, but some days it gets old....) The other part of me is going to miss them like crazy and I am sure in a few weeks I will be ready to be done working. The grass is always greener, right? I count my blessing though, 2 days a week at I job I usually really enjoy and then home with the girls the rest of the week is not a bad gig. So tap shoes and tutus, parent phone calls and tired feet, here I come!

Un-BEAR-able Fun!

Today we spent the day in Stillwater with some friends. It's this cute little town along the river that has lots of fun shops and restaurants, etc. We had the kids with so we didn't do any shopping but we did have a nice lunch outside along the river. Then we went to the Teddy Bear Park for the first time and had so much fun! It was a toddler's mom dream...fake grass that is neither dirty or wet and can not be pulled out and eaten, spongy floor around all play equipment to break falls, lots of benches for parent butts, and a host of really cool and creative climbers and slides, including a boat, a train, a spider web, and a tree house. They even have replicas of the surrounding bluffs that are kid sized for climbing and jumping from. And then, the cherry on top, is a bunch of really cute teddy bear sculptures that make for some really cute pictures. Both girls had a blast and I am certain we will be back soon!

What can I say? A cute kid with a cute bear...

Ditto

Mastering the Spider Web

Climbing in the train wheels

Peeking out the train window

Dancing Queen

Julia started her second year of dance tonight with MUCH excitement! She is now in the preschool class and has the same teachers, Miss Kara and Miss Taylor, so she is very excited about that. Over half the class was together last year so a lot of familiar faces and buddies, including her friend Kendall. There are some fun moms that I have gotten to know just from sitting in the lobby with them an hour a week all last year so that is nice for me. I am amazed at how much she likes it. I thought for sure she would hate it because I wanted her to love it so badly. So far so good. Next year Maria can start too!

I KNOW THESE ARE TERRIBLE PICTURES! SHE WOULD NOT STAND STILL!!!!!

Check out her sweet moves though...maybe she doesn't need lessons? Just Kidding! By the looks of it she may need to go twice a week or something....Again, kidding. I love the faces she makes.
Hope everyone dances on through the rest of the week!

Two Firsts

Today two major things happened. Okay one VERY major and another more fun then major, but both firsts none the less.

MY NEPHEW PARKER STARTED KINDERGARTEN! What? I called him last night to tell him good luck and it was all I could do to keep it together. I can't even imagine what my sister went through. What a bitter sweet moment for her. I still remember the day he was born and how I was in Chicago and it almost killed me not to be there. I never thought the day would come that he would get on a bus and head off to school. As strange as it is, I know 2 things for sure - he is going to do so awesome and that his aunt and uncle are VERY proud of him.

**Photos will go here as soon as I get one from my sister - you will have to check back to see the little stud muffin on his first day**

In other first news today, MARIA GOT HER 1st HAIRCUT! She was starting to get quite an impressive mullet in the back. That combined with the not so impressive growth on top made for what Andy calls "Ben Franklin" hair. Needless to say we needed to put an end to that sooner rather then later. She did really well. Julia went first so I think that helped some. Maria got a little antsy after sitting there for a couple minutes, but over all a painless experience for her and me.

Stony Lake

Every Labor Day we spend some time at my sister and brother-in-laws amazing cabin in Park Rapids on Stony Lake. It is just beautiful and a highlight of the summer. We had awesome weather, my girls loved spending time with their cousins Parker and Molly, and grandma and grandpa were even there. We were all the lucky beneficiaries of my dad's mad BBQ skills and my mom's talent with the fixings. (Ribs and steaks and potatoes, oh my!) My mom, sister and I even made a DEPOSIT at Northern Lights Casino. It was super fun and we can't wait to get up there again. Thanks Missy & John!

A little Relaxing....

Maria wasn't to sure about all the water...
Sleeping Beauties
Bath Time!
Lots of giggles!