Scott had a shoot in Stillwater and we decided to tag along. After walking along the river we stopped at Teddy Bear Park.  Then Scott met up with us at Valley Bookseller where they had every Waldo book imaginable.  We got a couple of snacks at Candyland before exploring downtown Stillwater.

2023   2024

Melon for breakfast.   Meadow wanted a red bow for her hair. I used the scrap fabric from our M&M costumes to maker her one.  I kept getting ads for Studio Ghibli night at Pizza Luce. You know we had to go. Meadow got excited and dressed as Kiki right away.  You got to wait, kiddo. The trivia isn't until later. Meadow got a trapeeze bar from Brittany for her birthday. Now both kids love doing tricks on the swingset.  That is when we can get them outside. Also I've never seen our yard so lush with all the rain we've been getting this summer. 

  It's fair season which means a new to us county fair.  I was driving back via the scenic route from Albert Lea earlier in the week when I saw that Waseca County was throwing their "Free Fair" this weekend. Since we were already going to nearby New Ulm, why not make a day of it? You know our first food stop is the lemonade stand, especially on this really hot day. The tanker size was a must.  We now are collecting these giant lemonade contraptions, I guess. It was hot and humid. The lemonade wouldn't last too long. Then it was lunch time.  Of course Meadow just picked sweets.

  This year we came up the night before the 4th. By the next morning it was already parade time.  I was excited for the parade, but feel like we missed out by arriving at the last second. (I'm always making this face when it's sunny. I blame my glasses). No Chelsea this year as she prepares to have a baby. Also I guess everyone is over the matching tie dyed shirts.  Or me since I was taking the picture.

This year for Meadow's birthday she decided she wanted to have a sleepover.  Before her friends arrived we let her open her gifts from us.  Theo got her some figures from her favorite book series, Warriors. I got her a Soot Sprites ramen bowl and Totoro chopsticks. Uncle Colin wished Meadow a happy birthday and I made sure he knew that she got the message. Another gift from me arrived just in time for her birthday. The Studio Ghibli Unofficial Cookbook. We've been watching all of the Studio Ghibli movies on Max. It's kind of her thing this year. After Meadow's friends arrived she opened their gifts.  A Totoro lamp. (Can you guess what Meadow's favorite thing is these days?) And a Apprentice Academy book. Meadow planned the whole night for her and her friends. Including a Pin-the-tail on Jiji game.  Things got pretty crazy. I guess we ought to have told Meadow that the Jiji needs to be a bit bigger. You know we got another Sebastian Joe's ice cream cake.  Birthda