Curious George

Being that both of our boys dig Curious Bunder (Bunder means 'monkey' in Hindi they never really called him "George" until just recently), we had to take them to see the show live at the Target Center. We went to the 4:30p.m. show on Sunday. The show has a 'chef' theme, so our little Chef Tiger was especially excited! We parked in lot C, away from the crowd and took our time ambling over to the show via sky way. Upon entry, each child was given a chef hat with their ticket. We had excellent seats as I was able to take advantage of the pre-sale tickets.The layout of the main floor was much smaller than imagined, so you didn't need to be "that close" to get a fantastic view. The boys each picked out a souvenir, and we indulged in popcorn. Despite it being a bit LOUD during the second act, overall it was a great show and a fun experience! There were LOTS of jazz hands in this production...so of course, Mommy was thrilled too! Thanks, Curious George Live!

Auntie D

Everyone has that certain friend-- the friend who remembers EVERY significant date. The friend who ALWAYS sends a beautiful card for your birthday or to say they are thinking of you. The friend that though miles separate you, and changes in your life happen...you know when it comes down to it, you remain close... This is Diana. She is a bright light in so many peoples lives! Over the years, I've begun to slack in sending out notes/cards/pics/gifts...part of it is just rearing two boys...but never, ever have I not appreciated Diana for setting the model of how we should all be. A little more thoughtful. Of course, in Diana style, she ALWAYS manages to go over the top! For example, she didn't just send my boys a card, she sent them a big package filled with books and a gift certificate for ice cream. We didn't even realize that something was at our front door until we decided to finally clean up the cob-webs from the front door. WHAT A THRILL it was for the boys to discover something there-- and the thrill only grew when they found out it was for them. THANK YOU, Auntie D...for making the boys feel the love you so packed the package with. Thank you for thinking of them, for making them feel special...and for letting them know that there are people that care for them. So to you...a little video we made this morning... Catch those kisses! xo

JP's BOO BASH!

The boys were super excited to be invited to a BOO BASH hosted by one of their friends at school. It was so cute to hear them both debate over who was "more" of JP's friend on the drive to the party. JP's Mom really out did herself! She made the most adorable mummies, had crafts and treats...everyone had a huantingly good time! Thanks for hosting and inviting us!

Tiger and his best buddy, Charlie. :) He is such a sweet kiddo!


Crossing our fingers that Nishad doesn't put this on his Christmas list!



Race Car Driver meets Goldy locks!

Tigerriffic!

Mr. Tiger is now 3! Born on October 30th, weighing in at 9lbs, 14 oz, his been a joy from the start! His grin, love of song and dance and occasional "expressive dismay" remind me of myself. Like his Mommy, he is a crusader of underdogs, and likes to advocate for those that aren't represented, or haven't found their voice. Like his Daddy, he is smart and so compassionate. Like his big brother, he LOVES a good laugh, thrill ride or tickle. In his own way, he adds an element of tenderness and sheer joy in discovering every day miracles that often leaves us speechless and filled with an abundant amount of love.

Tiger simply LOVES life. He truly lives in the moment and lives it to it's fullest. We are learning from him, and slowly putting into practice his way of life. Often we allow obstacles to keep us from savoring the moments as we just become too busy. This is changing though- partly because of Tiger's daily reminders by the way he lives his life. WE want to live with the amount of wonder and joy that he holds in his heart for every day happenings! This means that while we love our friends, we simply can not see them regularly. With school taking so much of my time, our "family time" is limited. When we do occasionally get a free day, we NEED to soak it up with the kids. We are at our best when we can simply enjoy each others company. Thank you, Tiger, for guiding us along the way!
Tiger designed and created his own birthday cake with a detailed description of how it should look. Ashish and I went to his school (he's now officially in pre-school as 'graduated' from the Toddler Community last Spring) and celebrated his milestone with his friends. He adores his teacher and the assistant. He often tells us how he LOVES his school! He's working on sounds now and is itching to read like his big brother-- all in time. He made mini-pizzas for his entire classroom for his birthday. He was thrilled to go shopping for all the ingredients knowing he would be baking up a storm in the class. For his birthday gift to his classroom, he picked out "Hungry Planet." This is an great book that I think they'll be able to incorporate into their classroom geography section.


Tiger is SO annimated! It doesn't matter if you give him a gift, a hug or show him a grain of rice- He reacts with such delight! He picked to eat dinner at Space Ailiens. He was fine until the aileen made an appearance-- it IS rather scary looking in a freakish way. Of course he polished off his cheese pizza with a birthday sundae after playing in the game room.

Happy Birthday, Tiger! No gift we could ever give you could compare to the gifts you have so freely given us and taught us. We love you!

5 Alarm Birthday!

Nishad requested to have his birthday party at a place we went to this summer- The Minneapolis Fire Hall and Museum. We had so much fun this summer, and being that he has raved about being a fireman since he was 2, it was a dream come true for him. A BIG BOY party with some very BIG TRUCKS...FIRETRUCKS! He had a blast, and we still hear from parents about the party today...Good times!

My beautiful friend and the kids, reeeeved up for a firetruck ride down the streets of Minneapolis!

Another hit at the party that the kids were totally 'fired-up' about!


Nishad's buddy, soaking up all there is to learn at this hands on museum!

"How do you suppose we tackle this fire?"

Nishad and his birthday buddy..."cousin" Emma :) I am SO glad we've maintained being friends though the years. Not only do I love this family, but it has been such a treat to watch the kids grow-up from the day their were born...at the same hospital. God intended for Andrea (Emma's Mommy) and I to meet. This I know!


Tiger was SO excited and happy for his big brother!

"Come Get Fired-up with the Chief!"
Dear sweet Nishad, Happy 5th Birthday!
Many More Dreams to come my Love!

Thanks to all that came!

Waddling to some Fun!

Tiger and I spent some time together waddling around the Twin Cities- looking for some Fall fun! Every year we parade up and down Grand Avenue, going trick or treating, but this year Nishad didn't want to go. He replied, "I don't want to go trick or treating...it's all JUNK that you get." Well, THAT IS what I tell him about candy. It's not JUNK FOOD...It's merely JUNK as it has no nutritional value and therefore it isn't food. I guess he was REALLY listening. While I was EXTREMELY PROUD of this, I was a little sad. It's not like we had to eat the JUNK! We could just have fun being together as a family. Alas, it was a Mommy and Tiger day-- which worked out great because Tiger and I simply don't get to spend enough time together, one-on-one. After a very late lunch on Grand avenue, we headed over to Como Zoo's Halloween Celebration: Zoo Bash! This is always a lot of fun...and it's a fundraiser for the zoo we've come to love and visit so much! There were character penguins this year! Tiger was so excited. One penguin said, "Hey you are my cousin!" So then every time Tiger would see a character penguin or a picture of a penguin in the zoo, he would announce, "There is my cousin!" We even saw some fish...that we thought would be fun to pose with...under the condition that our favorite little penguin didn't eat them! Happy Halloween!!

Time to Make the Donuts!

The Autumn-like weather has me on a baking spree. Yesterday...oatmeal butterscotch cookies. Today...homemade cinnamon-sugar and powdered sugar donuts. This is good though, because I am at least sticking to my new philosophy that I will not purchase any "goodies" in the store. If I really want them bad enough, I must make them. This involves time, thought into what one consumes...and well, full knowledge of what goes into the ingredients. Which, by the way, is a heck of a lot better than all the preservatives and high fructose corn syrup you would get from something purchased in a store.

The magic number of ingredients in these donuts are 9. I'm pretty sure you can find all 9 ingredients in your pantry-- just in case the weather compells you to bake as well. I blended all my ingredients in a food processor (wet ingredients first, then dry). It wasn't difficult or labor intensive.

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 Tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 Tsp. salt
1/2 Tsp. ground nutmeg
1/3 cup milk (I used 2%)
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 eggs
2/3 cup sugar

-vegetable oil to fry donuts (just deep enough to let them float)
-cinnamon-sugar or sifted powdered sugar to coat donuts

After you mix the dough, cover and chill for 2 hours. Then turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut dough with a 2 1/2-inch circle round cutter. Use a 1 1/4-inch cutter to cut the hole for the donut. (I actually improvised and used an "O" cookie cutter that I make "XO" Valentine's Day cookies with.) Fry donuts 2-3 at a time in oil that is 375-degrees, for 2 1/2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels, and coat with cinnamon-sugar or powdered sugar. This makes about 15 donuts and donut holes.

Labor Day Weekend

My favorite 3 people in the entire world!
"This is my friend."

I can never understand why it is that summer tends to fly by so quickly. Then again, Motherhood as taught me that all time-- whether it be July or January...flies. At least from when I gage my children's growth-- they simply grow too quick. With that being said, there IS something about summer'time' in Minnesota. Perhaps, it is because we all know what is in store for us in the the months ahead? So we best embrace the good while the good is here!

When school is in session, we really don't have the flexible time schedule that summer offers. I'll miss waking up and thinking, "What shall I do with the boys today? What adventure awaits us?" I suppose I can still do that, but it will have to wait until 11:40am, as they are in school five days a week... then the rush of lunch, naps, getting dinner prepared, clean-up, daily rituals, bedtime- you get the picture.

This year, we will have two pre-schoolers in the house! Tiger moved up from the Toddler Community and is all grins and giggles about his "big" move up to the Casa. Nishad will be completing his last year of pre-school, and while he will still be in the same classroom with the same teacher the following year-- it will be his "official" Kindergarten year. Each kiddo will spend a total of 4 years in the Casa. We are THRILLED they each are fortunate enough to be in the same classroom and have the same teacher for the duration of their Montessori education. After all, that's part of the Montessori core that we love so much! It allows the teacher to really get to know the student inside out-- and they form a special bond over the years. The next transition for them will occur when it is time to go to 1st grade.

So, what to do if you are 2 and 4, soon to be going back to school? COMO ZOO with a side of COMO TOWN, of course! For the boys...it was exciting and adventurous. For Ashish and I, it was a time to reflect over the last year...all the boys have grown-- the joy they have added to our lives (one can not even begin to measure!!).

This was the 1st time Tiger went on the Swings. He LOVED them! He already named the fish in his new classroom, "BIG FISH," and is looking forward to cleaning the windows on Tuesday in addition to baking blueberry muffins.

Happy, Happy, Happy Nishad! He's looking forward to being the eldest in his class this year, working on moveable alphabet and seeing his friends!

My babies on the swings together for the 1st time.

Turtle Lake & Resort

Sand "Turtling" at Acadia Resort on Turtle Lake

Seven complete days of northern bliss. In a cabin, on a hill overlooking Turtle Lake, just a short few steps to the beach, I understand the draw one feels to live here. On the edge of the Chippewa Forest, 40 minutes from Grand Rapids, this resort is very secluded~ It's also one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Minnesota.

This is one of the Islands on Turtle lake. There are actually little summer houses on it. Beautiful!

Nishad was so happy at the lake. Here he pauses briefly to give me some love.

We lost track of the amount of fish we caught. Seriously! We must have had beginners luck, as this was our first time fishing. Here is one of a few Nishad caught. He even started helping me bait them. Ashish even has a "the fish that got away" story to share. He had a big Northern Pike on his line, but we didn't get the net over to him...and thus, dinner swam away!


Fishing on a boat as opposed to the pier definitely changes ones perspective. It was a lot harder to do on the boat!

Yup, another!

Tiger preferred helping Daddy drive the boat. He especially liked when it went FAST!

He also liked to clean the swimming pier. His Montessori teachers would be so proud! We're also glad we invested in the boys life jackets. While fishing, Tiger fell off the pier backwards. I like to think of it as the day I caught a 38lb fish! He still recounts the story, play-by-play, adding that the fish were trying to nibble at his toes!

Nishad taking us for a spin.

Breakfast in our cabin. The cabin had a full kitchen with all the comforts of home.


The view of the Resort from the boat. It has something for everyone. Nishad even learned how to Kayak by himself! There is a neat history associated with this resort too...a Chicago connection! Al Capone use to stay here on his way to and from Canada. They would pay off the local Sheriff so they could gamble.

We made the mistake of going to a very small town, Big Fork, to get our groceries. We ended up paying $175.00 for 4 days worth! In addition, a few days later, I drove to Grand Rapids and spent about about $75, for better, name brand food. There is a place to eat on site, which we did do one night for $30. They also have a gift store and bait. We also found out that since Nishad is over the age of 3, he was an additional $100 for the week on top of the weekly cabin rental. We thought that was rather steep.

All in all we had a fantastic time! I'm not sure we'll be back here though as there are SO MANY resorts in Minnesota. I think we want to test a few out before we settle on one. The next place we stay will be a bit closer, and they will have more of a variety of shops and places to eat-- perhaps all-inclusive. The owner, a retired air force pilot, and his two adult children, are very nice-- especially Casey, who let use take the boat out which made for a most memorable trip!

Otsego Plays On!

Franfort Park, Otsego's newest park, resides in the River Pointe neighborhood. This was one of the last park plans I was able to participate in while serving as chair on the Otsego Park and Rec. Commission. Commissioner SK (now chair) was the catalyst for making this park a reality. Her dedication, time, fiscal responsibility and ability to think consistently "outside the box" is a big factor of why this park is a reality. I recall the first time I met SK. She and a group of her neighbors came to a meeting. That's not why I recall her though-- that first meeting stands out because she is one of the few people that actually took time to write a thank you note after meeting with us.

Of course, with any project, it's a group effort as many people are involved and some loom in the background, never seen. Thank you City of Otsego, the City Council, Staff and Park and Rec. Commission. In these tough economic times, it's refreshing to see that our children, the health of all residents and preserving land is still a priority.

The boys loved the 5 and under section of the park. They teamed up with a few kids and played "ship" on the equipment.

Bounce, Bounce, Bounce! This was both boys favorite pieces of equipment at the park. Think of it as a pogo stick that stays in place.


One of the tallest slides we've ever encountered, minus the shoot slide at Elm Creek that is no longer there.

There were about 15 kids there and 4 adults while we played (on a 90-degree day!). The majority of them would play and then sit under the park shelter because there are not any mature trees here to provide any shade. That's a pretty good daytime turn-out which indicates that this park really was a need.

Though we are excited about this new park, I feel a bit compelled to be an advocate for "real" play structures. We live in such a plastic society- toys and play structures abound- that when children get outdoors, it's nice for kids to get back to nature, make a real, tangible connection and allow their imagination to take flight. It's one of the reasons why I was so attracted to our children's outdoor environment at their school.

A note about wooden structures: Many park districts and counties are removing wooden structures. Though many of us are bummed about this, it may be for a good reason. Most wood sold for outdoor use in the United States between 1975 and 2003 has been treated with chromated copper arsenate. One of the components of CCA-treated wood, arsenic, is a known human carcinogen. Over time, CCC-treated woods, such as those used in play structures, leaches out of the wood over time. Alternatives for using this wood to build play structures are: Composite Lumber, Plastic Lumber, Metal Constructed Playground Equipment and Naturally Decay-Resistant Wood. *To learn more, click on this link where information was retrieved from.

Summerland with a side of Splash!

Tiger and I have the same taste.
Nishad has already developed a bit of a "lead foot." For him, 16 can't come soon enough. My next campaign is to lobby to raise the driving age to 18. It'll buy me a few years at least. Ha!


Ahoy, Tiger! There are no peddles on these. The attendant simple starts them up and then they are able to steer their boat.


I remember doing this as a kid. The feel of water running in between your fingers...That cool, crisp reminder of living in the moment and enjoying every second.

"The need for speed." Again...18 sounds good.

St. Cloud's Summerland will leave your little ones feeling as though they are on cloud 9! This is one of the few amusement parks that has kiddie cars and kiddie bumper boats for children ages 3-7. It's a small business, and also has miniature golf on site along with an outdoor water slide, batting cages and adult bumper boats and go carts, with an arcade inside the main building. Each kiddie ride is around $3.50 for 5 minutes.

After having some fun at Summerland, cool off at a free Splash Pad! There are three in St Cloud. In near by Waite Park, there is one that was just completed-- a $665,ooo investment for endless giggles and smiles on a hot summer day. A chunk of this capital came from a fund from former Council Member Dan Butkowski who died in a car accident in 2005. He was known for being a family advocate, who hoped the city would have a splash pad installed. A plaque near the splash pad reads, "Thanks to everyone for their support and generosity in keeping Dan's dream alive." I'm sure he knew all along the joy this splash pad would bring to young...and "not-so-young" alike. Rest in Peace, Mr. Butkowski.

JamFest

Nishad found a dinosaur at JamFest!
You guessed it! Firetruck's at JamFest too!

1 big Monster Truck!

Tiger was ready to drive off in this purple pontiac.

Nishad was reeved up about this Camero!

We are out and about supporting local businesses in Otsego at the 1st annual JamFest in Otsego, while Ashish is serving up some brats/dawgs at the local Cub Food (proceeds go to Compass Academy)! Contrary to what some people have asked me, JamFest has nothing to do about jam. :) Perhaps, it is an assumption because we're in the northwest suburbs...and it still is pretty urban here? Yes, we have a dairy farm 2 blocks away from us and drive past corn fields to and fro on a daily basis, but we have all the comforts of home-- really! We also reside in the 8th largest school district in Minnesota. None the less, JamFest, is not about Jam. So, clear your mind of any images you may get of canning with friendly strangers, or Lucy and Ethel rolling up their pants, stomping on grapes in a big barrel.

The Otsego JamFest was sponsored by three businesses in Otsego: Target, Rockwood's and Denny's. We went and had lunch at Denny's and then meandered through the car-show, hosted by Otsego Custom Rod and Custom, checked out the firetrucks, bouncers, pony's and zoo. There are bands scheduled all day (from noon to midnight!). This was such an organized event, that made a Mom with two in tow, pretty stress free. I do hope it becomes an annual thing.

For the record, I do love jam! Especially, raspberry!