The Pink Stripes Are Gone!!

Yeah!! I did it!
Stripping the wallpaper and painting Jenna's room have been on my to-do list for several summers, and it's been one of those projects that I just couldn't get going on, probably because I knew that once I started, I'd be in that room for days (if not weeks). I was determined to get at it this summer, though, since Jenna moved out and started college 10 years ago, and it was almost 20 years ago that my good friend, Sally, helped me put up the paper. I finally pulled at one little corner behind the door to see how hard it would be to get the wallpaper off, and when it came off in a whole strip, I couldn't stop! Long overdue!!!

Peeling the paper was the fun part.

It came off in huge sheets, leaving the paper backing behind.

Then came the work. I went through 2 bottles of CHOMP, and countless spray bottles of water as I wet down the paper and scraped and scraped and scraped some more.
I tried to get Maddox to help me one day, but all he would do was take my picture. Thanks, kid! After I finally got the paper off, it took several scrubbings with TSP to get all the sticky goo off the walls. That was even more work than scraping the backing! Finally, I was ready to go shopping for a new quilt set, find a paint color ("platinum" from ACE Hardware), and slap a few coats of paint on those fresh, clean walls!


Quite a transformation! I wanted to use my Alaskan prints over the bed, so that's where I started with the color scheme. I also had to make the valance for the window. It's hard to tell from the picture, but there is aqua in the quilt, so I wanted to pick that up in the valance. Check this big project off my summer list!!
(Jenna and Chuck are still in mourning for the pink stripes.)

4th of July Weekend

July 3rd:

Chuck and Andy set off early Sunday morning for some fishing on Lake Pepin. They headed to Lake City, where they picked up some bait and launched the boat. Boat traffic was really heavy, and Chuck is now vowing to never again go fishing on a holiday weekend! Although plenty of fish were showing up on the screen, they didn't get a single bite. Jenna and I joined them with Charlie in the early afternoon. We had to stop on the way to pick up a life jacket for Charlie. He'll be needing it lots more when we go up to the lake for a week in August!

He loved the wind in his face as we scooted around the lake.

He was not quite so impressed with the sunscreen on his face!

Andy and Chuck tried to do a little more fishing, but no luck once again.

Charlie was entertained with a few toys as we baked in the hot sun.

He got to cool off in the whale pool when we got back home!

July 4th:

We watched the CF parade in the morning , relaxed a bit in the afternoon, and then headed up to St. Paul. We decided we wanted to watch the fireworks in the "big city" for a change, and since Chuck had heard about an offer at Kincaid's for $8.00 burger and beers, we thought we'd check it out. What a good deal! We also found a great outdoor patio and happy hour at Wild Tymes (cheap appetizers and $2.00 drinks - can't beat it!), so we were glad we went early!

We had lots of time to hang out after dinner, first in Mears Park and then on the Science Museum patio.

We staked out our spot for the fire works, and then...

listened to music and did some people-watching - much more interesting and diverse than in Cannon Falls!

Finally, the show began, and it was awesome!

I'm afraid my camera doesn't do a very good job of capturing fireworks (probably because I can't hold it still enough - I think I need a tripod), but trust me when I say that it was a GREAT display and very loud with the sound bouncing off the downtown buildings.

I'm always a little sad when we reach the 4th of July because that means summer is almost half over, and the rest of my break always seems to go by sooooo fast! I also realize I don't have much time left for all my summer projects - time to get busy!!

Maddox and Charlie

It's summertime, and since I am fortunate to have the summer off and my kids don't, I have been helping out by doing some occasional child-care for Maddox and Charlie, sometimes one at a time, and sometimes together. They really keep me hopping! I usually have my camera with me, and I can't resist snapping pictures, so here goes:

I've taken Maddox to private swimming lessons in Apple Valley.

He's a little fish!


He can float, too!

He loves to play video games when we're hanging out, but the teacher in me encourages other activities, too. His comment when I try to play the Wii: "You look like an old girl playing Wii." Ya think??

Maddox is playing soccer in a 4-6 year old league, and we've discovered that watching pre-schoolers play soccer is a real hoot! We cheer for Maddox when the ball just accidentally bounces off his shin pads!

He's playing defense here. Can you tell?

Hmmmm, naptime?

Flirting with the goalie?

Yeah, Maddox!

These pictures were taken at his very first game. He's doing much better now that he's an experienced player with 3 games under his belt!!

Charlie has had several "overnights" at our house , and he loves playing with all of the toys we have around. These beads are leftover from Jenna's baby days, and she used to put them on her head and wear them just like this!

These stacking cups are also from the "olden days." Sometimes it pays to hang on to things forever!

I think he's giving his ball a ride in the stroller.

His own toys are much more sophisticated, like this "noise-toy" puzzle. There's actually a button under each shape that makes the sound of the vehicle when you put the piece in the right place.

He also loves to play with my phone - looks like he's texting!

My friend Kathy brought her little grandson, Grayson, over to Jenna's to play one afternoon, and the boys had so much fun! Charlie was pretty good about sharing until Grayson really wanted one of his favorite toys.

Charlie was also into giving big hugs, and Grayson wasn't too sure about all that affection.

I can't imagine having twins. Two one-year olds in the same room was almost more than two grandmas could handle! We hardly had time for our coffee!

They did share a few good books for a few minutes!

We've had the whale pool out a few times this summer, and Charlie finally had a chance to try it out.

He loved the "blow spout."

Charlie has also discovered the computer. He loves to watch stories on You Tube, and his favorite is "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" (he asks for "boom boom").

Another fun activity is wearing my glasses.

They fit a little better on Maddox, but still look pretty silly.

I spent a whole morning a few weeks ago disturbing Jenna's entire neighborhood with the noise from the air pump as I tried to get this pool inflated. It took over two hours!

I waited until Jenna got home to let the boys go in for the first time - they thought the slide was pretty cool, and so did Crosby.

We took Charlie along to watch soccer one night, and he became the center of attention on the sidelines. Several of my former students are big sisters to some of Maddox's teammates, so the big sisters took over the job of Charlie-watching.

I paid them each a quarter at the end of the game, and they were so impressed! Their first baby-sitting money!

Last week, I had to prepare for a funeral, a wedding, and Sunday services while Charlie was at our house, so guess who got to go along to church with me? He thought those organ pedals were pretty neat!

I ended up turning off the pedals completely and just let him crawl around while I played the manuals. I wish someone had been around to get a picture of that!

I got done with all of my music prep in record time!

Maddox is very tech savvy. Jenna has a new I-Pad for her classroom, and I think he's showing her a few tricks!

Nothing beats a good book, though. Maddox is a really good helper with Charlie, and he does a great job "reading" stories to him.

I'm afraid summer is going by way too fast! It's so much fun having the chance to watch these two little guys grow and change!

Father's Day

After much debate about what to do for Father's Day this year, we ended up at the Green Mill Restaurant on Hennepin Ave., near Kyle's apartment, for their "Man Brunch." Jenna, Andy, and Charlie were in Pittsburgh celebrating with Andy's family, so it was just me and the guys.

Chuck and his boys.

Hmmmm, who will win?



Maddox gave it his all, but he finally gave up. Give him another year or two.

Ahhhh...
After brunch, we headed to the Stone Arch Bridge Art Festival, just across the river from downtown Minneapolis.

Maddox was pretty interested in the falls, and seemed to understand when Corey explained how the lock and dam works. All that water power ran all the mills and provided electricity for the city of Minneapolis 100 years ago.

My new favorite picture of father and son!

The Stone Arch bridge, Guthrie Theater, and Mill City Museum.

St. Anthony Falls

Downtown skyline

We hung out with Corey and Maddox for awhile, listening to music and people-watching, then checked out a few of the artists before heading back to Cannon Falls. It was a very relaxing afternoon, spent with some of my favorite people!