It’s a beautiful time of year in the Midwest. The leaves are changing color. The evenings are crisp and cool. We need to enjoy it while it lasts because winter is just around the corner. Here’s a slice of Northern Minnesota from the past week.
Growing up in rural Minnesota, life was simple. Too simple I thought at the time. Summers were spent working on the farm, making hay, helping with the garden. As a kid, I didn’t appreciate the simple life. Going back and visiting my Mom this past weekend made me realize that growing up out in the country was actually pretty cool. We learned how things grow, we saw calves being born, chickens hatching and tadpoles turn into frogs. We harvested peas, beans, carrots and more than a dozen other vegetables from the garden. We picked apples and plums in the fall from our trees. We cut wood for the stove to keep the house warm in the winter. These are the kinds of thing I want my kids to see, understand and appreciate. I know a quick weekend with Grandma won’t do all of this, but it’s a start.
Happy birthday Sophia! Here are nine words to describe you on your 9th birthday.
We hope you enjoyed your day…
Our family to do list for the day.
Your day began with a breakfast of a “bad” cereal (Peanut Butter Captain Crunch) and an omelet prepared especially for you by Dad. We spent the morning outside coloring, playing games and opening presents. We hope you like your new Nook. You can thank your brother for setting everything up for you. Just call him the Sullivan I.T. guy.
A couple of your neighborhood friends came over to hang out with you during the early part of the afternoon. Later we went to a local animal shelter for your birthday party. You and your friends played games. The first game was who could drink the most water out of their dog dish. You came in third.
Then you held a hedgehog.
You met some cats and dogs.
There was time spent playing with kittens, dog agility, a birthday song, some birthday brownies and lots of birthday wishes.
After you said goodbye to the animals and your friends, we went home for more birthday wishes and some birthday cake. You requested the same cake I made for Nana’s birthday.
We ended the evening checking out your new Nook, playing your new used piano and enjoying some family time.
Happy Birthday Sophia!
xxooxxoo
~Mom, Dad & Sebastian
M. Sullivan Photography 