Battle Creek Waterworks

It's hotter than blazes here right now. So, what better to do then to head to a pool? Today we tried out Battle Creek Waterworks with our friends, the Yeagers. It's a zero depth entry pool that gets no deeper than 18 inches. An ideal place for me to go alone with the dynamic duo.

It was so strange watching the two Owens go off on their own. Jackie and I really wanted to be on top of them the whole time, but they were much more comfortable in the water if we hung back a bit. Owen Y., who we call Chief, was going under all the waterfalls. Owen L.'s head got wet only by accident. After several trips to the chair to wipe his eyes, he finally relaxed a bit.

During rest time, we went into the sand lot, which is right in the facility. Evan is at a stage where he is fascinated with the consistency of sand.

Owen was walking around telling everyone he was with animal control, something he picked up over a year ago watching the Curious George movie. The older kids, who were the same size as him, thought he was a little strange. I was sitting back watching how it was going to all pan out, but Jackie got defensive of Owen when the boys started to jeer him a bit, and went over to break it up.

Chief didn't seem to care if Owen wanted to play a weird game. He just looked up as if to say, "That's cool, dude," and then continued with his little project. Chief was determined to build a sand castle, but this sand was not wet enough.

A little innovation, teamwork and a trip to the sand lot creek took care of that problem.

Later, some of the big kids from the sand lot were amazed as this little animal control agent made a giant stream of water shoot across the pool.

Como with Lo-Lo

This is my friend Laura, known by nieces, nephews, and children of friends as Lo-Lo. See how happy she is here? She took a week off work to fly up to Minnesota for a family reunion and some quality time with her fairly new boyfriend, Justin. See how happy he is? Unfortunately, the time they had together totaled 16 hours because luck was not on their side and Justin had to work a lot. That is sad. Very, very sad. But here they are happy because it is their last moment together for a few months. So, what did Laura do instead of spending intimate moments and quality time with her boyfriend?

She played nanny to me. At least that's the joke my friend Dawn plays. Laura is a natural care giver. She played hostess in my house this week. She just can't help herself. And when we went to Como, she pushed my stroller, fed Evan sips from her smoothie, took pictures of us having fun on rides, and all the wonderful things any real-life Mary Poppins would do. It was 91 degrees, sunny, and humid, so I was glad for the help.

We met my friend Dawn and her son Alex in Como Town. They have a season pass, so how could you not go and take advantage of all the fun rides? Alex must have shared some of his braveness with Owen because Owen decided it would be a fun idea to try the swings. They giggled and laughed so hard, they decided to do it twice!

Then we decided to try some rides that Evan could do. There were no empty cars on this ride, so we plopped the boys down with this adorable little girl (who we found out is 3, although she was the same size as Evan!) She was very tolerant of Evan grabbing her steering wheel, but did let him know she was the boss. Here he might be doing his mating dance. I think they might be going steady now.

It looks like Alex is saying, "Get out of our way!" He is actually saying, "Too hot!" The black seat of this four wheeler was burning his butt, but it was a four-wheeler and had to be ridden.

Alex and Dawn had to go, so we ate a bite and headed to our favorite new exhibit: Blooming Butterflies. Today's lesson: sex. ed. We saw several sets of butterflies partaking in the act, but these three monarchs drew the biggest crowd. Fun times with butterflies.

We couldn't leave the zoo without illegally riding the giraffes.

I could not have made it through this long hot day without the help of my new and, unfortunately very temporary, nanny, Lo-lo.

Aloha, Laura, until next time!

Peter and The Wolf

Owen loves most books, but he really LOVES the book Peter and The Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. I bought him a copy this past winter after we attended a Children's Orchestra at Orchestra Hall. The book comes with a copy of the CD that narrates the story as you go along. A few weeks ago I got an email from Orchestra Hall advertising another Children's Orchestra show. This time it was Peter and the Wolf. I called Jim's parents to see if they wanted to join us and bought six tickets right away. It was almost sold out!

Owen was so excited to learn the music before we went. Here he is practicing the violin part which represents Peter.

The show started out with several Russian Folk Songs by Lyadov and some pieces from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Suite. I hadn't prepped the boys with this music and Jim and I felt like they were the worst behaved kids in the whole hall, but of course we haven't had much sleep lately and our tolerance is a tad on the low side right now. They were pretty quiet, but they were squirreling around all over. Connie assured me they weren't the worst and she was probably right, but it wasn't very enjoyable until the actors from Theater de la Juene Lune came out.

These actors were amazing. Their costumes were all made from regular household items. The bird's wings were made from blinds, the duck's beak was two giant sponges, the cat's cheeks were made from a wiffle ball cut in half, the wolf's head was a large cardboard box and he rode around on a tiny red bike, the hunter carried two extra "hunters" attached to his shoulders via hockey pads, and the grandfather simply put the end of a mop up to his chin. It was silly and creative. The boys could not take their eyes off the production from start to finish!

Afterwards there was a sea of people by the display put on by the International Wolf Center. It was really interesting and they had a stuffed wolf on display. It was so crowded and somehow I ended up by myself with Evan, so this was the only shot I could muster. Doesn't Evan look scared out of his wits?

I finally escaped the crowd and muscled my way outside to find Jim, Neil, Owen and Connie enjoying refreshing lemonade in Peavey Plaza. I LOVE Peavey Plaza and there's nothing like lemonade on an insanely hot day.

We drank lemonade until our lips puckered and filled our bellies with some strange burgers from a stand called Blue Moon. Then Owen and Evan joined a whole lot of other kids in a romp through the Peavey Plaza fountains.

Helen & Lou

Jim had a brilliant idea this morning to get some donuts at the bakery and head out to Helen and Lou's grave (Jim's father's parents.) Before we left we decided to cut one of Helen's favorite flowers from my garden (Echinacea) and put it in an empty wine bottle (Helen loved wine.) Anna had spent the night for old times sake and Connie and Neil were excited to join us, too. We picked up the traditional Letts family lunch (donuts) and headed out to the cemetery.

As soon as we stepped on the grounds, Evan walked up to this gravestone for a baby and started to pet and babble with these deer. He adored them and his gentle manner was quite touching. I really felt that the parents of the baby would have liked to see that a child enjoyed those fawns.

He was also entranced with this statue of a little girl with a basket. Here he's trying to see what's in her basket. He played with the wind chimes next to the grave of another child. He investigated everything and it was neat to watch him, since he had no fear or understanding of what these trinkets signified.

Here is Helen and Lou's gravestone with the flowers we brought.

Evan sitting down, having an apple with his great-grandparents.

Owen LOVES Anna.
He held her head like this and gazed in her eyes from above for the longest time.

Connie was trying to teach Evan how to bop noses and Evan was trying to share his apple with Connie. Neither of them was successful. Two very determinedly silly souls.

Evan running out of the cemetery, high on sugar and sporting the remains of the donut picnic.

Where else would you go after a donut picnic in a cemetery, but the malt shop?

So long Sol, Hello Bill Marr

This week and weekend has been so busy. It really feels that there has not been a single dull moment. Laura came into town last Thursday, left for the weekend and is back until Tuesday night. While she was gone we went to a "send off" party for our friend Sol, who is going to Mumbai, India to teach for two years!
Sol has lived with Jim's sister since before Owen was born, and is really a part of our family. He even comes to Thanksgiving. We will miss him so much. After the Send Off Party, Anna came over and we all stayed up chatting with our sitter, Jackie, until the wee hours of the morning!

The next morning, we were about to take Anna home, when Jim had a brilliant idea to pick up some donuts at the bakery and head out to the cemetery where his grandparents were buried. Neil and Connie ended up joining us and we made a day of it. It was a beautiful day and I took a ton of pictures, so I'll have to make a separate post.

That night we got to see Anna and Gina again. Anna and her husband, Paul, bought us tickets to Bill Marr at the Orpheum after Jim finally finished their wedding video... 4 years later! Paul ended up being unable to make it, so Gina joined us.

After the show, we walked back to Connie and Neil's to watch the Aquatennial Fireworks with the boys. These are by far the best fireworks in Minneapolis, far exceeding the Fourth of July display.

After a brilliant finale, Neil and Connie took our kids home for us and put them to bed. (Aren't they great?) We needed them to get a good night's sleep because we were going to see Peter and the Wolf at Orchestra Hall the next day (also a separate post.) Jim and I headed over to Anna's and stayed up until the wee hours in the morning for the fourth time this week. Believe me, we are feeling it!

Hanging with Lo-Lo

Our friend Laura is visiting this week from Phoenix. We visited her a little over two years ago when she lived in Honolulu, but Phoenix in August just doesn't have much appeal. Some of you may remember her as the hostess with the mostest from our parties in Eau Claire. Others may remember her from the "Back Street Boys" bachelorette party backstage passes she made for me that ironically almost became useful. Still others may remember the night she visited when I hosted a game night here back in February. Anyway you remember her, she's always fun to be around: full of witty comments that often leave one in stitches. She commands a kitchen and she knows so many useful household tidbits, she should really host her own show.

So, she's here and spent a few days doing what all people who visit us get roped into doing.....

reading to Owen, and Evan joined in to boot. Of course, for Evan to join in, you have to include a version of "I Hide." Notice the number they did on Laura's hair. Seems I was suppose to be finding them, but I was on the phone instead. Nothing like hiding under a faux down comforter in 80 degree weather. Well, that is unless you're from Phoenix. Then it might be a relief.

Later we tried a much more practical form of relief from the heat: swinging!

Visit us again soon, Auntie Lo-Lo!

Owen's First Chemistry Lesson

We always read before bedtime. Jim and I take turns putting the boys to bed. Tonight was my night with Owen. After he has his stories, he sometimes likes you to tell him another story while he gets snuggles and kisses. Other nights he just likes to ask us a kajllion questions about random things that have been on his mind. Often times he blows me away with the complexity of the ideas he understands; like the time when he was two and I explained to him the process by which it becomes night, meaning the Earth turning and the moon reflecting the sun's light. He still occasionally says, "Mom, when the Earth turns and the moon comes out, then will it be dark?" and other associated questions.

Tonight was by far the most amazing conversation I have had with him yet. It all started with him saying:

O: People were alive during the dinosaurs but just not houses and cars.

Me: No, honey, dinosaurs lived billions of years ago. WAY before people or houses or cars, but there may have been sharks, crocodiles and fish then, but I think they were different than they are now.

O: Did the sharks and fish breath water?

Me: Huh? Oh yeah, they breath water through their gills.

O: And the crocodiles breath air.

Me: Yep, like other reptiles.

O: But people can't breath water.

Me: No, we need oxygen (here comes the nerd alert) although.... if you heat water and turn it to steam, you can breath it because it is in a gas form.

O: We can breath gas, like from a car.

Me: Well, it's not good to breath the gas that comes out of the car as exaust because the fumes are dirty and bad for our lungs. That's why we like to drive hybrids, we emit fewer fumes. We need oxygen to breath and water has oxygen in it.

O: Oxygen and hydrogen

(This is something we have talked about while washing our hands. I say H2O is hydrogen and oxygen and he, being the contradicting 3 year old he is, say, "No, oxygen then hydrogen)

Me: Yeah, but it changes when you heat it and it goes into the air (which he has learned from reading Magic School Bus: Wet All Over, so also not terribly new info.)

Long Pause of reflection

Me: Kind of like caterpillars. They start out as a caterpillar and then they change into something else.

O: They turn into butterflies.

Me: Water can change, too, and so, you can kind of breath water, but only when it's a gas. OK?

Long pause with a look of understanding.

O: OK

Then the traditional...

Me: I love you. Goodnight.

O: I love you, too. Goodnight.

Then as I'm leaving the room:

O: But Mama?

Me: Yeah?

O: Scuba divers can breath under water because they have a special tank on their backs.

Me: Yep. OK We'll talk more tomorrow. Goodnight.

O: Night, Mama

Ride 'em Silver, AWAY!

Our day started beautifully at North Dale Rec. Center where we enjoyed the company of friends, good weather, soft sand, and fun toys. We even found out that they have free lunch for kids during the summer months. It's open to the public from noon to 1. Here is a list of other
locations that do the same!

After lunch, Owen transformed into a cowboy and rounded up his mates to join him.

What Lone Ranger is complete without his Tonto?

Fleet Foxes

Lovely Auntie Gina babysat for us Sunday. It's been awhile since we've gone out together. This was a well needed night and it was doubly exciting because Greg was in town. We had tickets to see the Fleet Foxes at The 7th Street Entry at First Ave.. This is our FAVORITE place to see concerts. If you love music and you haven't been there, you MUST go!

Gina decided to come and hang out a little early, so we went out for dinner and drinks at Plums in St. Paul. We met our friends Hawes and Geurkink there, too. They have a great outdoor patio and, despite the look on Hawes's face here as he checks out the bill, the prices are reasonable.

We were totally stoked once we were on our way to the concert and took several road trip pictures... even though the "road trip" was a total of about 10 miles. Random pictures often happen when we get together with Greg.

Once inside, it was dark and dingy and all I wanted to do was stand outside until the Fleet Foxes started. First Avenue is covered in stars with visiting artists' names on them. Greg and I decided to put our arms around Blind Melon. As Jim took the picture, Greg says something about his pits and sends me into a giggle session something like I had at the top of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. I think I need to spend more time with adults.

Several goofy pictures were taken as we enjoyed the beautiful outdoor weather and the dinner drinks took effect.

But this was the best picture. As we stood outside this rather alternative concert hall, we were more than disappointed in all the changes that have happened since our younger years. The mass market, unoriginal, chain businesses surrounding First Avenue is over the top: Target Center, Hard Rock Café, Kerasotes Theater, Coldstone Creamery, etc. And then there is this jerk-off, looming over us with his snide grin, that seems to say, "We're coming for you next." First Ave. has struggled to stay afloat, but there is really no place like it on we support the venue as often as we can.

Inside The 7th Street Entry Fleet Foxes were finally taking the very small stage. Their guitar cases were stacked in the only available corner, by the exit and bathrooms.

Their instruments filled the stage to the point that we wondered where The Foxes would stand. But once they started, the cramped space of this tiny venue could not have been a better setting to see this new and amazing band. Despite the interruptions from the band and cheering crowd on the other side of the wall, these 5 young men pulled off the most amazing and perfectly harmonized set I have seen in a very long time. Their style reminded be of The Jayhawks with the grungy look of Crosby Stills Nash and Young ... well, maybe they were a bit more grungy. And the highlight? Robin Pecknold, the lead singer, sat alone on stage and hauntingly wailed Oliver James.

Hey, Groupie.
NPR Music hits it on the head when they call these guys "humble and stunning." After the concert we hung out to watch them clean up. Jim sent me up to get autographs on Owen and Evan's pictures. Robin was authentically honored and J Tillman, the drummer, who is equally amazing, told me the sweetest story of how close he is with his brother. Apparently they are only 15 months apart.

The fun didn't end with the concert. The night was too beautiful. As we drove our old route home (through NE Mpls, since 35W is still closed down) with the full moon shining on downtown through a scarcely cloudy sky, we had to snap a shot of the always controversial and ever intriguing....

Minneapolis's very own Sex World.

I haven't had this much fun in a very long time.
Thanks for visiting, Greg!

This is how we treat our guests

Jim's best friend, Greg, came up from Chicago on Sunday to go to a concert with us. Although Owen and Evan don't know him very well yet, they quickly warmed up to him.

Here they are introducing him to their favorite game, "I Hide." First, we bury you in pillows or couch cushions. Then we say, "Where's Greg? Is he in the dishwasher? Is he in an airplane? Is he in Bohemia?" etc. Then.....

BOO!
Greg was naturally good at the finale of this game.

Then it was Owen and Evan's turn. They often decide to "hide" together, like this and this. Evan is behind Owen in this picture, so you can't really see him. Plus, he's a really good hider.

When it was time to go, Auntie Gina came over to watch the boys. Owen decided to be a human blanket as a variation of the same game. He loves his aunties very much.

Bosom Cousins

This post is also known as: Butterflies, Monkeys and Firetrucks. OH MY!

Today we had plans to go to Como Zoo with my cousin's wife, Tracy, and their daughter Brenna. They really wanted to get there this summer to see the Blooming Butterfly Exhibit. Owen and Evan both love this exhibit. Owen is fascinated with the way the butterflies' tongues suck pollen out of the flowers like a long straw. Evan is just amazed at the way they flutter all around.

It's never crowded inside this exhibit, even on a day like today when the only parking was about a mile away. While you meander through the flower strewed paths you can also enjoy the wonderful sounds of the carousel in the background.

The butterflies aren't trampled here like they sometimes are at the fair. One even landed on my stomach! When you walk out, a strong fan blows in the doorway to keep the butterflies from escaping, but you still are asked to check yourself before you leave. I asked Evan if there was a butterfly on his head. He then proceeded to put his butterfly identification flyer on his head as we walked out to show me that, yes, there was a butterfly on his head. "Fly? Head?" He carried that flyer around with pride, but as we reached the exit, he voluntarily put it back in the stand to be recycled. WAY TO GO GREEN, EVAN!

Tracy had to run over to the U to get her blood drawn and checked. She is pregnant with their second and due in October! While she was away, we checked out the primates. We always really enjoy the spider monkeys. This one was enjoying some lettuce. The kids thought she might be on a diet.

Lunchtime was over and it was naptime for the gorillas. As we watched this gorilla drift off, I started reciting the lines to Evan's favorite book, Goodnight Gorilla (an adorable board book with very few words & lots of room for characterization.) He looked up at me with glee and said, "Nigh-nigh, rilla." Aaawwe.

Evan has always been a sucker for animals; seriously fascinated with them. I had the two older kids up on these giraffes first and Evan was so crushed, that he started bawling and whipped his sippy on the ground (a typical Evan trademark.) Two minutes later, when he got his turn, his mood took a quick swing towards the sunny side.

Tracy was super quick at the U and was back in about 40 minutes. She parked with her flashers on in a loading zone. Really. How could they give a woman in her condition, on a blazing hot and humid day, a ticket for something like that? We had a delicious lunch of vegetable pasta primavera at the Zoboto Café and headed for Como Town. On our way there, they announced the Sea Lion Show was starting in 15 minutes. It was then that I realized it must almost be 2:00. Although, naptime was upon us, the boys slept until 10:15 this morning and we were doing well (yes, I know I am blessed and am thankful for that everyday.) The show, called Sparky's Coastal Journey, lasted about 15 minutes and was rather difficult to see, but it was our first time seeing a Sparky the Sea Lion show and the adventurous story of Sparky's journey to the artic was amusing. Apparently Sparky is 13 years old!

So, finally we are heading to Como Town for "one ride." I'm standing in line in the blazing heat while Brenna, Tracy, Evan and Owen are all standing under the mist area. The line is not moving. When I finally get to the front, I learn why. The guy selling tickets was incapable of speed, and not just in the Letts way, but the real way. My friend Deb would say, I just met stupid. I hand him a twenty and he has no ones. I give him some ones and he is searching for a marker to mark my twenty. Then he has to turn each bill the correct way, then he counts them, then he measures out the tickets. By the time I was done, I was sure I had turned gray.

We decided that maybe two rides would be OK and were trying to decide which ones. The train is already a given because it's really the only one Evan can go on. But for the big kids, we were thinking of maybe Frog Hopper. We were standing in front of it, trying to persuade them that this would be fun, when the ride stops and I say, "Oh my gosh, is that Owen Y.?" Suddenly, my friend Jackie peeks around the crowd to see who was saying her son's name. It is so great being a part of my Stay At Home Mom group. I have run into three different friends from the group in the past week; two of them today!
Jackie and Owen were just on their way to the train, so they came with us and we all piled into the caboose. Well, everyone except Tracy and Baby L.. They stood by the fence and took pictures. Here I'm telling Evan to wave to Tracy. He said, "Hi Tatee."

While we were on the train, the kids all decided that they wanted to go on Fire Brigade as their other ride. The idea of water was really appealing to all of us.
Evan was too short, so he and I hung out on the sidelines. There was this little sprinkler running in the grass in the shade. I tried to get him to run in it, but the streams were whipping around wildly. He decided to play with his new obsession instead. Pinecones.
Owen and Owen Y. sprayed the hoses while Brenna drove the truck. I think Owen really liked this ride. He has been rather obsessed with firetrucks lately.

Afterwards, the big kids took a go at the sprinkler. Although they had a blast running through it, they were also hesitant about getting too close.

By the time we left, it was 3:30. All kids and adults were hot and exhausted to the point of barely being able to stand. We had a long hike back to the cars. We stopped and picked some blackberries on the way (of course Owen didn't eat one.) Owen and Brenna were lagging behind. When I looked back, I saw this! They had their arms around each other. Owen replenishing himself with water and Brenna with sugar! She has quite the sweet tooth. So cute. Bosom cousins, just like their parents.
Well, maybe we were not always so bosom.

*Brock and I are actually fighting over who gets to hand out this present. The kids use to get to hand out all the presents at our family Christmas and it was a really big treat. As you can see by Brock's face, he was a rough and tough kid. I was giving him my best karate chop.