A City and River Bike Ride Through Minneapolis

In the mornings Meadow has started going downstairs right away to play instead of coming to our room first.

Brooke caught her in the act.

The other day we went over to Anna's for a playdate. She made muffins and Meadow couldn't stop talking about them. On Friday night Scott made Rhubarb Muffins from our ample supply of frozen rhubarb. Meadow and I shared one for a breakfast appetizer.

Meadow has learned to be quite the puzzle master the past couple of weeks. The only problem is that she wants to play with the same "Maple Town" puzzle. I tried to give her our Wizard of Oz puzzle. She wasn't happy.

I made regular big pancake as well as chocolate. Scott didn't know I was making chocolate and thought I had burnt one of them.

She kept on saying it wasn't done. I thought they were way past done.

We already had plans to go on a bike ride later today. In the meantime we each worked on our own things. I cleaned out some of the lower cabinets. I actually go through every area of our house once a year. Anytime we are looking for something I know exactly where it is.

Meanwhile Meadow played with her tools.

I attempted to cut our new crown molding for our bathroom. This is harder than I thought it was going to be. Remember guys, you should measure twice and probably cut it longer than you need at first.

Around three we biked on down to Venture North to meet up with the NMBAC crew.

It was only in the 40's, but the sun helped a a lot.

Alexis was our fearless leader.

Having only taken a 3 month break from biking this year I don't feel as out of shape. Scott also took our bikes in to be repaired this past week. I finally have breaks that work, they've been off since I got the bike.

Thanks Venture North.

We biked from the bike shop east towards Van White Boulevard and then down to the Cedar Lake Trail.

Then we scooted down the Kenilworth Trail toward the Midtown Greenway.

We took a midway break at Midtown Global Market.

Soon we were back on the greenway.

I rarely bike through South Minneapolis. It was fun going through my old bike routes.

I caught Kendrick snap a few pics of his bike.

Alexis wanted them to that thing that bikers do when taking pictures.

We took another break at the playground in North Loop. I thought it was kind of funny that 5 adults accompanied Meadow.

I told them that they could go off on ahead, but they all insisted.

At the end of the ride it was just Brooke, Meadow, Kendrick, Alexis and I biking back to the Jordan neighborhood.

"We're home!"

Meadow is so informative.

I've started getting in the habit of picking out my work clothes for the week on Sunday.

I think this was my suggestion. She does listen.

It saves me so much time during the week and especially the mornings. I picked out two weeks worth since we are going to Duluth next weekend. That gives me one less thing to do when we come back.

I whipped together hot and crunchy chicken cones while Brooke got ready for the week.. Use rice krispies instead of  corn flakes. You'll thank us.

Meadow was all about this meal.

Before putting the kid to bed we played with Play-doh. Meadow wanted to play with finger paint, but this seemed like a better before-bed activity.