Summer Fun 2013

Como Pool

 This summer is going way too fast!  Here is some of what we've been up to.  Swimming at Como Pool was a blast.  I won't attempt this without a second adult.  We went as family and had a great time.  The Lazy River was our favorite.    I am determined to get back one more time before the end of summer.

Preschool Playgroup (Thompson Park)

Charlotte's preschool playgroup has been rather active, even though preschool itself ended in May.  Here are a bunch of them all crammed on a tire swing together.  We also went to Minnehaha Falls with this group.

Playing tourist with my sister at Lake Harriet

Brynn came to visit from NYC.  Notice I did not say 'come home.'  When I caught her looking at Minnesota themed Christmas ornaments at the streetcar museum, I knew her center had shifted; she is a New Yorker now.  Nonetheless, we enjoyed the lakes, a trip to Zumbrota to visit our Grandparents and take in the Goodhue County Fair, and the Almli Family Picnic.

 

Out with butterfly nets at Dodge Nature Center

Here are Charlotte and Solomon out catching butterflies (and all manner of other insects) as part of a evening nature center class.   Below is Solomon with one of his first finds--a grasshopper I think.  All creepy crawlies were freed by the end of the night.  

Everyone pitched in to get Solomon a joint birthday gift this year--a computer!  But, as Charles was in charge of it, it was not just any computer, but a build-it-yourself computer.  Here they are working on it together.  A happy project, now all complete.  (There may be a more in-depth blog on this later).  

Building a computer together--Solomon's 12th birthday gift

Strawberry picking with friends

Our older kids' playgroup kicked off the summer with strawberry picking. June really doesn't seem all that long ago... except that now it is late August.  At least we still have strawberries in the freezer.

Enjoying Aunt Marianne's gifts from her trip to China

Marianne went to China earlier this year and brought back gifts for all.  Charlotte was enthralled with her parasol from China.  She barely put it down for days.  We got a good visit in with many Midwinters over the 4th of July.  More on that in another post.    

Nova soldering with Dad

Nova got a soldering kit for her birthday and has been waiting for good weather to get started (turns out the best way to do 'well ventilated' without a hood is outside).  As you can see, they are concentrating pretty hard.  It paid off--soldering success.  

Charlotte and Charles enjoying 4th of July Fireworks.

Fireworks were perfect this year, and Charlotte the perfect age to be completely in awe.  Not sure if you can see, but she is snuggled up to her Dad on the right hand side of the frame.

Well, much much more than this has gone on, but it is a snapshot.  Perhaps I'll get one more of these bonanza posts up before the season is out.  Hope you are all having a beautiful summer!