Connor loves Halloween

My godson and nephew, Connor, does his best lawn gnome (and Dad) impression ever.

To the Zoo!

We go to two zoos - one that's good for kids and one that's good for animals. Yesterday we spent the morning at the Minnesota Zoo (good for animals) but it reminded me that I should post the pictures from two weeks ago when we went to the Como Zoo (good for kids).

This was the first time we'd been to the zoo since Finn got into his Lion phase - I thought he head was going to spin off his body between the tigers and the lions. Oh My.

MJ Eats Breakfast...

Well, actually she's been eating dinner, but the boys keep saying she's eating breakfast because she only eats cereal...It's only been a week, and so far she seems less than impressed with Rice cereal, but frankly who can blame her. She is also a moving queen, she's not crawling but on a smooth surface she can really get around...why does it have to go this fast...

As you read earlier this week, James took the boys up north and MJ and I had some bonding time, which was really wonderful on lots of levels. I enjoyed a slower, simpler pace and got to be very self indulgent which included getting coffee from Caribou and grocery shopping at Lunds. Paula entertained me for most of the weekend, and as always, she is a salve for the soul - I've said it before (and I'll say it again) I don't know what I'd do if we hadn't discovered each other those few short years ago.

The boys returned and the house was slightly cleaner, but the mom was very happy and rested and I got the best hug from Seamus - I thought he might not let go. Finn was a little cranky after the car ride - and he was totally starved - but shortly after he got a snack he sat himself down with MJ and talked to her about lord only knows what. He held her for a bit and then just laid on the floor with her singing, chatting and giggling. Oh the trouble they're going to get into together...

Well, the site won't let me post pictures...so more later...

Closing the Lake

Dad took the boys up to the cabin this weekend to pull out docks, store boats, burn stuff, clean up, and have some fun. In the past, Anne has always come with us - so we threw in some wife-cuddling. This year, I convinced her to stay behind with MJ and enjoy the weekend - I thought she'd enjoy some quiet(er) time and I thought the boys would have fun up north.

I then began to strategize about our weekend - The testosterone production needed to successfully close the lake can be accomplished by any of the following examples - not limited to the list below.
1) Sleeping on top of the bedcovers - so Dad doesn't have to do laundry
2) Brushing your teeth with soda (sometimes referred to as 'pop' by silly people)
3) Eating chocolate cake for breakfast ("Dad is great; he gives us chocolate cake!")
4) Wallowing in your own filth - by any one or all of the following -
a) don't change your clothes
b) don't submerge in water for 3 days+
c) Commando options - largely due to an oversight in dad-packing
5) Cigar smoking
6) Staying up too late
7) Swimming in water 58 degrees or below
8) Burning anything that isn't nailed down

We were really only able to accomplish #1, #6, #7, and #8.
#2 - Finn's major meltdown of the weekend was because I wasn't supplying toothbrush and paste quick enough - so this didn't work out.
#3 - When I tried to convince the boys they wanted pizza for breakfast - they begged for oatmeal. WHAT?
#4 - The hot tub (at 108 degrees) served as both cleanser and cooker
#5 - actually, cigars kinda make me sick - but Chris and Eric participated...I'm pretty sure 2nd-hand smoke counts

Regardless, I call it a success. At least a few rules were broken, 4 boats/2 docks/2 rafts all out of the water, no one was hurt, and we had some laughs.

Finally those capitalist pigs will pay for their crimes, eh? Eh comrades? Eh?

Comrade Seamus and Chairman Finn hang with their cousin Connor. (would he be Cuba in this analogy?)

Irish Baby DMC

MJ's got a mean beatbox and she lives to play
Maura's tough as nails and cute as bunnies
Anna leads the rhymes - rules the house by day
This is the rap of the little Irish honeys



Hopefully the Irish will pull out a win this weekend. Regardless, the Irish Honeys will be cheering them on.

Thanks to our wonderful friends Brian and Melissa for a great time over the brutal loss that was the Michigan State game. They were fantastic hosts, gave warm hugs and pancakes, and they made the 'Bend feel like home again. They also provided the pic of the three girls 'dropping mad rhymes' - per Melissa. We miss you guys!