Gunnar's Spring Recital

Gunnar participated in his Spring Piano Recital today. We were extremely proud of how composed he was and how well he did. Hopefully I'll be able to upload the video I took with my digital camera here so you can see his accomplishments for yourself! After the recital, Gunnar was also adorned with multiple awards for all that he has done this past year, including participating in Guild, participating in Contest, consistently practicing, and participating in any of the other activities that Mrs. Kiffmeyer had organized. It was an outstanding 1st year at the piano! Great work Gunnar!!

Orn and Hans hit St. John's Arboretum

Today Orn took some time off to go on a field trip with Hans's 1st grade class. He was to meet them out at the arboretum at St. John's University in Collegeville. Unfortunately, the directions that were sent home from the school were not quite accurate, so he ended up driving around a bit before getting there. Kids manage to make things all okay because as soon as Hans saw Orn come walking up, he bounded out from his class and came over to greet his dad with a, "Dad, I'm so glad you're here!" As Orn told me later, it just made him melt. They had a wonderful time exploring the arboretum together...maybe I can get Orn to add to this with some commentary to go with the pictures he took!

Gunnar's 1st Masterpiece!

About a month ago I was completing the typical after school task - unloading the boys backpacks - when I came across a watercolor, folded in half and crammed in Gunnar's backpack along with everything else. I thought it was an amazing piece and so went out this past weekend and found a mat and frame for it. Fortunately, with a little bit of tugging and some scotch tape I was able to stretch it across the mat before placing it in the frame. It now hangs proudly above Gunnar's bed in his sailing themed bedroom!

Mother's Day

Today is/was Mothers Day! As has been the case since the boys arrived on the scene I started getting peppered with questions starting late last week concerning what I wanted to do on Mothers Day - starting of course with breakfast! I made my request, but this year opted to have breakfast in the kitchen...I've learned over the years that Mother's Day breakfast in bed is not limited to me in this household! The boys came in as soon as they each woke up and showered me with the kinds of gifts that truly make Mother's Day special - I enjoyed the handmade cards and gifts AND the iPod Nano running band (to hold my iPod when I go out for a walk or run) that Orn gave me as well. My mom was getting over a nasty flu bug, so we just stayed up here in St. Cloud and had a very pleasant day. The boys spent the better part of the morning building forts in the basement (see two pictures they took from in their forts). After lunch we all went to the Great Theatre here in town and saw High School Musical 2. And later in the afternoon, I enjoyed one of my favorite activities - taking the boys over to the park and hitting them grounders and pitching to them. They are both very excited about the upcoming baseball season...as am I!! :) The day was capped off with a perfect grilled salmon feast served up by Orn. What a day!

More Mudroom Shots

I think I can finally report that the mudroom is completed. I'm sure there are other things I will do over time, but at this point it is 100% functional. What had been left to be completed was the inside of the closet (hanging bar, shelves, etc.) and the steps from the back door down to the back yard. Pete finished the steps yesterday - they look gorgeous!

As for the closet, I have asked husbands of friends of mine for help far too many times, so about a week ago I went over to Home Depot and bought myself a power drill. After practicing once on a board in the garage, I set to work on installing a Rubermaid Closet! I am proud to display the finished product! Considering I had to use a stud sensor, a level, multiple drill bits, anchors, and assorted other tools, I am very proud of my first project with the drill. I LOVE MY DRILL. Now I'm ready to attack and organize our garage! At this point, I'm a lady on the loose with a power drill - just stay out of my way, or you may get hurt! :)

I also built a set of shelves to use as a dumping ground for my purse, sunglasses, suntan lotion, mosquito repellent, and other necessities. It is located under the mirror as we head out to the garage. Love that too. In addition I pulled out a sheet that I had an artist paint while I was in Benin. I had it framed over some wood (now that I have my drill I could do the job myself...too late now). It now hangs at the far end of the room over the cat's feeding area. Mom gave me the fish frames complete with pictures of the boys out on a lake in Wisconsin. I still have plans to put up the boys names in letters we received from Orn's Aunt in Denmark after each of the boys arrived on this earth...maybe I'll get to that yet this weekend too!

MS WALK 2009

Today was the MS Walk! What a glorious day to be out walking in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. As usual I went down to the cities to walk the Twin Cities route (the route up here in St. Cloud is very dull). Thanks to all who supported my efforts - I was able to raise $850 this year! My friend Tracy joined me for the walk as she has done for the past 3 years. What fun it was this year with a beautiful sunny morning and temperatures in the low 60's. The walk starts and ends at Minnehaha Falls in south Minneapolis, with the 6.5 mile route going along the Mississippi River towards downtown Minneapolis and back along the other side of the river. This year there were far more people than in previous years, so we kept bumping up against large groups of people. We tend to walk faster than most, so we simply maneuvered around people and continued the walk. In previous years, I've been known to tease Tracy for the number of bathroom stops she has had to make. Ironically, this year that was not the case, however, I still managed to get a picture of Tracy as she exited a porta-potty. I'm not sure why her first comment upon seeing me with camera in hand was, "You know, I hate you." I'm sure she was kidding! :) When we finished the walk we enjoyed a piece of pizza and then cruised on back to Tracy's house.

Biking in Quarry Park!

Today was a wonderful spring day here in Central Minnesota! The boys and I took Orn over to our favorite biking park (our favorite cross country skiing park in the winter) - Quarry Park. We did the outer loop on our bikes, with many stops here and there to check out the various quarrys. What fun! At one of the quarry's there is a dock with ladders so people can easily get in and out of the quarry, and thus swim in the quarry. I think we'll have to plan on a picnic lunch and swim afternoon there sometime this summer. Of course, Hans said there is no way he's swimming in the quarry..."But Mom, it's 116 feet deep, I could drown!" I responded with one of my better parenting statements, "Oh for goodness sake Hans, you could drown in 4 feet of water." I wonder if he'll get in the pool at the country club this summer?!

Happy May Day!

As I blog this the boys are outside planting May Day baskets at all the neighbors houses! Most of the people on our cul-de-sac have kids of varying ages and ever since we moved here (almost 4 years ago now!), the kids go crazy on May Day. I left the university early today in order to stop and pick up candy so that the boys could make their version of May Day baskets for all the other kids on the street. They've been out running around like little spies, attempting to sneak up on the front door and leave the May Day basket without being seen. What a fun tradition!! :)