After a long work week, we kicked off last weekend by heading down to the lake. We visited the Rose Garden and Lakewalk. Sophia brought her roller blades and Sebastian brought his longboard.
Movies in the Park was just getting started when we were leaving. Someday we will have to stay and watch a movie in the park. Instead we made our way back to our car having already enjoyed the wonderful evening. It was a beautiful night for a walk in the park.
Earlier this month, Sebastian and Sophia spent a weekend with my Mom. They took some time with Grandma to visit and see a slice of her life out in the country. We brought the kids out on a Friday and ended up having dinner together and then walked to my sister’s house just down the road. We made s’mores around the campfire for dessert. My Mom has never had a s’more before and decided to try one for the first time. Chocolate usually gives her headaches, but she enjoyed the first one so much, she ate a second one. Luckily, she didn’t end up with a migraine the next day.
Before the evening was over, my sister gave Sebastian a lesson on how to drive her four-wheeler. He did a great job and drove slowly around for twenty minutes, taking corners, backing up and practicing proper driving techniques.
The kids were headed to bed when Mike and I left for the evening after 11:00 p.m. A late night for the kids, but they were able to sleep in the next morning. Grandma made them a family favorite – homemade waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. After breakfast they helped Grandma bake homemade bread. Sebastian and Sophia got up too late to help Grandma make the dough, but they helped with kneading and putting it into the loaf pans. They enjoyed some of the bread fresh out of the oven and brought three loaves home with them. Yum!
Next, Grandma taught Sophia about cutting material for sewing. They put together pieces to make a quilted pillow. She showed her how to use the sewing machine and Sophia got to push the foot pedal, while Grandma and Sophia together held on and turned the fabric. The pillow looks super cute and Sophia now has it on her bed.
My Mom always brings fresh bouquets to her small church each week for mass. Her church service is later in the day on Saturday, so they picked flowers in the afternoon. She made the arrangements and put them in vases. I think she enjoyed bringing the kids to church with her. They also picked up an elderly friend who she often gives rides to. After church, they dropped off the bouquets at the nursing home for the residents. What a great experience for the kids.
Sunday came around and it was already time for us to pick them up. We got there in the early afternoon. It was a beautiful day so we spent a good amount of time outside. We even went on a trek into the field and woods.
Daphne and Sebastian enjoyed running through the fields. I’ve never seen Daphne so happy.
The kids checked out the BIG bales.
We headed into the woods and saw signs of animals.
We saw the big white pine that was there since I was a kid.
We headed out into the cow pasture which is now a bit overgrown without the animals there anymore. We found an old deer stand.
We cut across the swamp.
We found a small creature.
We saw lots of bugs and insects.
We made it back from the walk and checked out some of my Mom’s flowers.
Before we left the farm and all of the wonderful nature, we took a photo of the kids with Grandma.
It is an experience that they will remember for a lifetime.
A high school friend of my mine was in town recently. Her Dad was having surgery and she came to be here with him. She and her children were spending a number of days in Minnesota to visit family and friends. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding, but moved away after college. We hadn’t kept in touch much until after her daughter was born. After reconnecting, I found out that she also has a daughter named Sophia that was born the same year as my Sophia. Exactly three months to the day before my Sophia.
The girls had only met once when they were very small. In fact, neither Sophia nor Sebastian remembered meeting before. We got together on a beautiful evening at Playfront Park. The kids played on the playground and ran around. Then Mike and Sebastian started up a touch football game. All of the kids teamed up and had a great time. They even took in a random kid or two that happened to be in the park. After they finished the game, we walked over to Bayfront Festival Park and along the lakewalk so that her kids could see the largest freshwater lake in the world.
They even saw a few boats heading in and out under the Aerial Lift Bridge including this sailboat.
Then they started skipping rocks which turned into throwing rocks in the water.
Even my friend’s youngest son sprinkled in some pebbles to see the splash they made.
Then the girls found a big rock…
…and watched it splash into the water.
Next they headed for the big stage at Bayfront. Maybe they wanted to pretend to be rock stars.
It was getting dark and was way past the kids’ bedtimes when we left.
I sure wish they lived closer. So does Sophia. 🙂
M. Sullivan Photography 