Day #1 of the MN State Fair

Yesterday we took our first of many trips to the MN State Fair. Sophia was so excited to go. We started off the day by having cookies for breakfast. They were delicious.

After we went to the Miracle of Birth Barn to see the baby animals. Sophia got to pet a baby chick, a lamb, and a baby piggy.

We walked around and saw many sights and had some wonderful food. We listened to the University of Minnesota Marching Band too. They were excellent. Sophia was quite the trooper.

She also got to go on a ride which was I think the highlight of her day. Here is a picture from our as she called it "bee ride".


All in all it was a fantastic day! I can't wait to go again tomorrow.

Last week of mommy time

This has been our last week of summer vacation. Sophia and I have spent some wonderful time together this week. It has been her choice of daily activities. On Monday, she chose to go to the beach. So we met cousin Abby and Auntie Sarah at Lake Elmo. We played on the huge playground and then ate some lunch. After lunch we went over to the beach and played for several hours in the sand and water. Sophia met a little girl named Anna that was also 2 and they had the greatest time chasing each other in the water.

Tuesday, it was raining outside so we headed to the Mall of America. Sophia just loves to shop. We got a couple of things for back to school and went to the rides. By the time we left the mall, it was sunny outside. So we headed home and went to the park.

On Wednesday, the sun was back so we headed to Stillwater for ice cream and the Teddy Bear Park. We ended up running into our neighbors at the park so Sophia was able to play with Lauren. I had a great time chatting with Janelle about running while the girls played in the sand and on the slides. Sophia again made another friend named Brennan who was 3. He was just a doll!

Today, we had Peyton and Gavin over to play. The kids played outside in the sprinklers. They had so much fun running through and bathing in the sun.

After the kids left, Sophia played a bit more with the neighbor girls. We had freezes and played on the swingset.

Tomorrow we are off to the State Fair! Sophia has been talking about it all week long. I can barely wait to see her go crazy with the food and the rides. Plenty more pictures to come from our first of many trips to the fair tomorrow!

A weekends of firsts

Sophia has been dry now for 3 whole days in her big girl panties. We still have been putting a pull-up on her at night, but are very proud of her. She gets to go and pick out a movie tomorrow because of her success.

Along with being dry for three days, Sophia attended her very first friend birthday party today. It was a princess theme and so all of the girls dressed up in formal attire. It was pretty adorable. They made crowns, got manicures, played toys, had princess pizza lunch, and then enjoyed princess crown cookies.

All of the girls together

Tonight we got together with our neighbors. The girls watched a movie in the tent and then had smores together. Sophia did a great job of roasting her marshmallow and eating her smore.

Sophia roasting her marshmallow

Yummy smores!

Tomorrow we will probably hang outside and enjoy another beautiful day! In the evening, I'm sure we will be over at the neighbors again so the girls can hang out. What a wonderful weekend.

Baby Dolls

Peyton came over to play with Sophia yesterday and brought with her all of her baby dolls, strollers, and even a pack and play. Sophia just adores everything. We have done nothing but play dolls for the past two days. We will have to give them back this weekend, so I'm sure she will be sad.

The rain has changed our plans for the past two days giving us much more time at home. Instead of the zoo we played dolls and made cookies. Today we were going to go and see the firetrucks, but they also cancelled them due to the rain. Oh well, the dolls are great fun!

Tomorrow I'm hoping for at least no rain. We are going over to a neighbors to make cookies and then later in the evening watching the Vikes game with our neighbor friends and all of the girls. Hopefully they win!

Teddy Bear Park and BBQ with the neighbors

Today we went spent the day at the Teddy Bear Park with Sophia's cousin Abby and Auntie Sarah. The girls had a great time playing in the sand, going down the slides, and playing the music chimes. Sophia's favorite was the treehouse slide. Abby's favorite was the steering wheel and learning how to do the slides by herself.

The girls playing in the sand

Making music with the chimes

Hanging on the boat

After the park, we ran some errands and then we had our neighbors over tonight for a bbq. It was so fun to have the kids hanging out and eating together. We had a fantastic dinner of chicken brats, corn on the cob, and salads. We skipped the smores for tonight as we're planning on getting together with them on Friday and Saturday. Friday for the football games and Saturday for girls night and camping in the tent. More pictures will come!

The girls all eating dinner together

When we finished eating all of the kids were outside and playing. It was such a great night. It was late and time to come in. I'm sure Sophia will be tired with a short nap today and a bedtime of 9 tonight. Tomorrow we're heading to the zoo. Happy Wednesday!

Sneak Peek of the Fair

Today we went to drop off my scrapbooking pages that I entered into the State Fair. It was Sophia's sneak peek of the fair. Once we got there and I started pointing things out as we drove a bit, she didn't want to leave. Of course when we checked in everyone was oohing and aahing at her. It's so adorable how cute she gets when people compliment her.

Here she is in front of the Pronto Pup stand. I told her when we come back in a couple of weeks she could have one. She was totally thrilled!

Busy Weekend

We had another busy weekend and I can hardly believe that August is quickly coming to a close. On Friday, Sophia had her very first trip to the Cup and Cone in White Bear Lake. We met our friends Christy and Ella and walked around the lake a bit. We didn't go too far as it was extremely hot and were planning on going to the Farmer's Market. I got some wonderful green beans and Christy bought some flowers. After purchasing our wonderful treats, we needed a treat for our tummies. We headed to get some lunch from Cup and Cone. Sophia just adored her cherry slushy. I wanted her to have ice cream, but it was so hot that with mine melting quickly I knew it would be a total disaster if she had any.

Sophia's first Cup and Cone slush

After we finished up our lunches, we walked back toward Christy's house. The weather was getting hot and it was about time for us to head back home.

Ella and Sophia braving the heat

Upon arriving back to our house, Sophia wanted to go swimming so we headed up to the pool. We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon our 5th in a row of being in the water. I swear she is going to grow gills! It was getting late and Sophia was already up an hour past her normal nap time so we came back home and she went down for a nap. Friday evening, Hal was at his Fantasy Football Draft so Sophia and I did some errands and hung out at home.

Saturday we spent the day preparing for friends and neighbors to come over for a turkey fry. We were all very excited to see everyone and hoped the weather would hold out. During the day Hal did some errands and then we all went to the park. Sophia is getting so brave. She did the climbing wall practically all by herself. Around 5 everyone came over. We had a great time eating and chatting with friends.

Sophia eating her first bite of deep fried turkey

Today we woke up to what we had heard was going to be a rainy day, but were fooled when the sun was peaking through the clouds. We spent the morning returning chairs and tables to neighbors and played outside. It was such a great family day. We all colored outside and then Hal flew the kite with Sophia.
Then we decided to take a big walk. After the walk, we stopped at the park. It started to look like rain, so we headed home for lunch. We ate lunch and then played toys and read some books. Sophia went down for a nap. Hal watched some golf and part of a movie while I went to work out. I came home and we started getting dinner ready. Hal grilled chicken and we ate the green beans that I got from the Farmer's Market. Dinner was delicious.

We got the dishes cleaned up and went outside to chat with the neighbors. We planned a bbq with them for Tuesday so I'm sure I will have pictures and a good story to post. Who knows what will happen with 4 little girls under the age of 6. Should be a good time!

Tomorrow Sophia and I are headed to the Y and the library. We are also going to take my scrapbook pages to the State Fair. Wish me luck. Maybe this will be the year that I actually win a ribbon.

Play dates and Pools Galore!

Sophia and I have been spending our week at the pool. I am totally loving this hot, hot, weather. On Monday, we spent time up at the pool and then Sophia got ready for her last night of the summer session of dance. She was thrilled to see her friend Peyton. At the end of the class, she got a stamp and a ribbon. She was awfully tired from the day so the picture wasn't her finest moment.

Tuesday, we went over to spend the day at my parents swimming in their pool. Sophia just loves the pool!

Sophia floated in the big chairs with Papa and Nana. She also played in her little pool with all of her toys. It was another beautiful day.

Today, we spent yet another day at the pool. This morning we went to the final showing of the Puppet Wagon for the summer with Rana and Peyton. After the show, we took the girls to the Y with us so the mommies could get a workout in. Then we parted ways for the second time of the day to have lunch and rest a bit. Sophia and I went and got paint to finish up Sophia's new big girl room. It looks fantastic. Pictures to come! We had some lunch and then met Peyton and Rana at the pool. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out just the girls.

Bathing beauties taking a snack break

Sunning on the towel together

Tonight Sophia came to the Y and spent one of the last evenings playing with Ms. Katherine and Ms. Amanda in Kidstuff. Ms. Katherine is leaving next week to head back to college in Mankato. Sophia is very sad and we can't wait to surprise both of them with cookies next week. They have been a huge part of her summer! Tomorrow I'm sure we will head to the pool. Not sure what the evening will hold for us. Luckily tonight we got to the grocery store. Yippee now we have some real food in our house. Can't wait to try my new recipes.

Growing Up

While I was away in Chicago last weekend Sophia went through a major growing spurt in her feet! I could hardly believe that in the short time I was gone she basically outgrew all of her shoes. It was quite the sight to try and cram her shoes on her feet and see her toes right at the ends.

Later this week we decided it was time for some new shoes. I wish I had a video camera that I could always carry with me, because watching her in the shoe store was the funniest thing ever. She is a total mommy's girl as she just LOVES shoes!! She wanted to try on every single pair.

We finally found two pair of shoes that fit just great and were quite cute too. I am still in awe that they make Nike Shox for little kids! Ha!

Posing in pair #1 of new shoes Nike Shox (yep of course they're pink)

Pair #2 Fancy princess shoes that are silver and pink glitter that light up

Princess Tea Party

Today we had a Princess Tea Party with Peyton and Rana. It was so much fun! To start the party we had tea at the little table. The girls fed several different friends too.

After feeding friends, we put water in the tea set. It didn't last very long though. It was pretty darn cute to watch the girls with their tea.


After having tea we made princess crowns out of construction paper. The girls decorated their crown with crayons, stickers, and glitter. They turned out adorable.


Then the girls had a princess lunch complete with peanut butter sandwiches cut into the shape of princess crowns.

After lunch the girls watched Cinderella and had their fingernails painted. This was the first time that Sophia has had her fingernails painted and she did fantastic. I was so shocked that she didn't mess them up.

All in all, it was the best party ever! The girls had a great time and so did their hip mommies!

Sophia's new dresses from Grandma Jayne

Grandma Jayne made Sophia two new adorable dresses. Sophia just loves them as she likes to twirl and spin in them. It is so funny to see how much she enjoys dresses.

This first dress has kitties and doggies on it along with bones and paw prints. She also made it reversible!

The second dress has little apple prints on it. It is equally as adorable as the first!

We love that Grandma Jayne can sew. She has made some of the cutest things ever for Sophia and we are extremely grateful for that!

This week will be a busy one. Sophia and I spent the day at the Y and the swimming pool. Tonight Grandma Jayne joined us for dance. Tomorrow we will find something to keep us busy along with Wednesday. Then Thursday Hal leaves and I have an open house at school.