Summertime!

I took some much-needed time off last week! First, I spent a few days at Carol's cabin on Lake Zumbro, an annual June tradition. We have lots of memories of putting around the lake on the pontoon boat. I'll have to admit, Carol's driving skills have improved immensely over the years!

Look, Ma - no hands! She isn't even watching where she's going!

We really lucked out with the weather. Rain was predicted for both days, but we only had sprinkles Wednesday evening.



It's always fun catching up on families and events from the past year, and of course, there's always some "teacher talk," even though I'm the only one not retired! Hmmmmm...
Jo just finished cleaning out her classroom the day before, after 38 years, so she was feeling really free. Sandy, Jo, and I all started teaching the same year - way back in 1971!



Sandy passed on the boat ride on Thursday and opted for some embroidery instead.

Good food and wine are always on the agenda, too, and this year was no exception. Delicious! We ended Thursday evening with a fire and some smores, although the wood was too wet to burn - we roasted our marshmallows over burning paper!

I got home Friday morning in time to wash a few clothes and then repack my suitcase for a long weekend/business roadtrip to Winnipeg with Chuck. We left late Friday afternoon and drove as far as Grand Forks, ND, and then drove the rest of the way Saturday morning. We were able to check in early to our hotel, and then we started exploring the city. We were surprised that it was still hot and humid 500 miles north of here.

This walking bridge spans the Red River as it winds it's way through Winnipeg. Saturday night, we ate at the restaurant 1/2 way across the bridge (in the center of the picture). We had some very interesting views of boats going under us as we ate!

After dinner, we went to an outdoor concert celebrating Aboriginal Days in Winnipeg. The concert was at an amphitheater at The Forks, a huge market place full of shops and restaurants at the juncture of the Red River and the Assiniboine River near downtown. The music and native dancing was great!

On Sunday morning, we were among the first arrivals at the Museum of Manitoba in downtown Winnipeg. We toured many interesting galleries, and learned a lot about Canadian history. One of the guides suggested we go to Fort Garry, a living history fort just north of the city, so we got directions and headed north. The fort was headquarters for the Hudson Bay Co., and the governor who lived there was in charge of all the outposts from Manitoba to the Pacific Ocean. Imagine trying to keep track of that large a territory with no e-mail or internet!

The fort was the center for fur trade for all of Canada.

All supplies for the fort came south from Hudson Bay, through Lake Winnipeg, and then down the Red River in wooden boats similar to this (although in better shape).

Aboriginals lived outside the walls of the fort.

The walls certainly weren't high enough to protect anything! The building on the right was the company store, with all supplies shipped in from England. The 3rd floor was full of hundreds of fur pelts.

This was known as the Big House, where up to four important families lived, along with many servants.

Of course, anytime we are in an historical site in the Midwest, I am on the lookout for George Catlin paintings, and even though we were in Canada, I wasn't disappointed! This picture was hanging in one of the museum information buildings.

My only purchase was at the Manitoba Museum. I'm a sucker for cute t-shirts! The saying on this one is "Canadian Polar Bear in Snow Storm."

Chuck met with one of his suppliers on Monday morning, while I hung out in the shops back at The Forks. We started for home at about 2:00 pm, and arrived home around 10:30 - long drive!!

Since we were gone over Father's Day, we got together with all of the kids on Wednesday night at Mall of America. We were also celebrating Andy's 26th birthday. Somehow, I missed getting a picture of Chuck with his kids, but...

Happy late birthday, Andy!

Back to Florida

After spending the whole school year with us, Phebe returned to Florida last week. We flew down on Monday morning, and I returned alone Monday evening. It has been so much fun for us to have had this year to establish a bond with Phebe, watch her grow and change, and see her develop into a delightful young lady! It was especially fun for me to help her learn to read! However, we also learned from experience that there's a reason we have our kids in our 20s and 30s!

What a sweet smile!

We had family and friends over on Sunday to say goodbye to our "little tornado." Here's Phebe with her neighborhood buddies, Anna and Adam. Anna is on her knees - they are actually like stairsteps. The kids played so well together this winter and spring!

Our guests even brought presents! It was great for Phebe to get new activities to keep us busy on the long plane ride. Thanks, everyone!

Jenna and Andy brought their new puppy, Crosby, for us all to meet. They also brought their baby gate so he stayed in the mud room. He is so cute!

Phebe and Maddox had fun playing Littlest Pet Shop one last time. I watched Maddox one day this week, and he kept asking, "Where's Phebe? Where are her toys?" Grandma wasn't quite as much fun to play with as Phebe was!

Kyle and Corey and their goofy kids.

At the airport.

Waiting to get on the plane. It was a little rainy on Monday morning, but the rain stopped by the time we took off.

Phebe discovered the barf bag on the plane, and couldn't resist a little pretending. She was a great passenger and kept me very entertained the whole way!

Looking out the window. Her comment as we approached the airport in Orlando: "The trees aren't like in Minnesota!"

Finally, back with Mom. Both Kate and Phebe have been waiting a long time for this reunion!

So....our house is much quieter now (and it stays clean a lot longer), and our nest is once again empty, but we really miss Phebe's smile and laughter and crazy comments ("Grandpa, you're weird" was one of her favorites). Guess we'll have to make a trip to Florida one of these days!

Be happy, Phebe, and we'll see you again soon!

Kindergarten Programs

Phebe was involved in several "end-of-the-year" programs, and since I'm right at school with her, I got to go to them all, even the dress rehearsals. I just switched my prep-time around so I was free during the performance time, or I brought my kids with - they loved seeing the kindergarteners perform, and so did I!

It's tough getting everyone lined up on risers! This is the dress rehearsal for the regular K class music program (two classes together). Phebe is in the bright pink shirt in the 2nd row.

For the actual performance, the kids all wore their kindergarten t-shirts. So cute!


"March of the Wee Americans"

Phebe got to introduce one of the songs.

The Cannon Kids Kindergarten program was a few days later.

Here's the "Numbers Rhumba."

Phebe's favorite song was "Tooty Tot."

She didn't want my 1st graders to watch her because it's so silly, but I'd say she really got into it!

What fun!

"Good-bye"

They look so sad!

Good job, Phebe! You did great!

Phebe, the Tiger

Cannon Falls First Thursday Fun Fest has begun again! We went downtown last night to check out the street vendors, food booths, kiddie games, wacky hair, the Community Band, and ... best of all ... Bozie the Clown! He started painting kid's faces at 4:00, and he was still going strong at 8:00. He does such a fantastic job, and takes so much time with each kid, that the wait is over an hour for one of his creations. Phebe didn't have the patience to wait in line in September and May, but she was determined last night. Fortunately, the band was playing during her wait, so while she stood in line, I relaxed at a picnic table and listened to some good music.

Finally, the wait was over! She chose a tiger, and Bozie began.

All done! Isn't that amazing?

We didn't get home until after 8:00, so she posed for a few pictures and then went up to get ready for bed. I just couldn't make her take a bath and wash all that off after her long wait.


When she came downstairs, she had put on her Halloween cat costume, and the transformation was complete!

Pretty cute, huh?

She finally got to bed, and she really thought she would be able to lie on her back all night long. Guess what? Didn't happen. When I woke her in the morning, she had black facepaint all over her hands from rubbing her eyes, and her whole face was totally smudged. I should have gotten a picture of that! Good thing her pillow case is dark purple.

Off to the bath tub!