Holiday with my Boys

The eve before returning to the work week is always about reflection and planning. Reflecting on if you got everything accomplished over the weekend that you planned, and planning for how to re-enter work mode. This transition gets even more difficult when it is not a typical weekend.

I've been on holiday with my boys since Wednesday. And due to our original holiday plans not panning out, it was a holiday of busyness, impromptu fun and lots of family time. We started out Tuesday night with a dance party and singalong. Oh. yes. we. did. My boys love to dance, and so we spent hours playing with spotify to find the best music that we could all shake to. Nothing like starting out your weekend with pure bliss and fun.

Wednesday was the Fourth, and so we were able to attend a family event at D's uncle and aunt's home. It was good catching up with everyone. They have a six-month old lab-doodle that the boys were in heaven chasing. Fortunately, the dog was very good with the boys, because they just wanted to spend every minute with him. The conversation was light, the food was good, and the pressure was low-key. I think because it wasn't at D's parents, D didn't feel like we needed to be the last one's to leave, so it gave us additional freedom to make it fit our schedules.

Thursday we decided to go to the Minnesota Zoo. Because we're members, we try to go at least three times a year. It was hard for me to believe that we've been so busy, that this was the first time we've made it this year. It was so unbelievably hot ... so we made sure we packed the boys swimming gear so that they could take advantage of the splash pad at the zoo, too. (But I have to say, I have never appreciated the mist showers they have sporadically placed outside, because K and I completely took advantage of those cooling mists every time we walked by.)

Currently at the zoo, they have a special dinosaur exhibit. You have to pay extra to walk through it ... and I have to admit, the sound of animatronic dinosaurs didn't thrill me ... but my boys are all about the dinosaurs.
Here are two that they were particularly fond of:

The guy above was K's personal favorite, because he would sporadically spit out a big stream of water at you (and there is another one hidden behind the portal that gets you as you walk through.) Seriously, I think K could have spent hours just hanging out by these two dinosaurs. I have to admit, I was impressed with the exhibit ... it was much better than I had anticipated, and the boys LOVED it (so that alone made it worth it.)

Friday, K and I ventured out in search of a black tie dress that I need to get for a wedding at the end of the month. This is seriously stressing me out - either things look too glitzy (aka prom leftovers) or far to matronly. You see, when your on the south end of your mid-thirties, finding something age appropriate is really, really difficult. Alas, the trip was not successful ... K and I enjoyed some together time, but the end goal was not achieved.

Saturday was the only day I didn't spend the majority of the time with my boys ... as I attended the shower for D's cousin (who is the bride at the black tie wedding.) I enjoyed conversing with D's family (and I definitely surveyed the group to find out what other people's dresses looked like!) I also gave D's grandma a ride home after the shower, so I got to have a nice conversation with her, too. (The only downer was that the shower lasted much longer than I had anticipated ... so it pretty much ate up my whole day.)

Today, D had a fantasy football draft, so I decided to take the boys out, so he could have some alone time. We made our way to the St. Paul's Farmers Market. We found some great veggies, an organic granola for K for cereal, some kettle corn (always a must for us) and the first sweet corn of the season. (We happened to get the very last of their supply.) We also met up with my sister and her daughter, which the boys loved. They enjoyed hanging out with their cousin and it was a good way to spend the late morning.

To cap off the weekend, I spent my afternoon taking a turn at making a gourmet cupcake creation. I made a light gluten-free chocolate cupcake with a salted caramel chocolate ganache filling and a caramel frosting. I have so much more appreciation for competitors on the Cupcake Wars. Making the cupcake wasn't too bad ... but seriously ... the whole creation took me at least three hours ... how they create these in their time limits ... amazing.

Now, it's time to unwind, relax and prep for going back to work. I enjoyed spending every day with my boys. K and O are too hilarious and fantastic boys. I am so lucky to be their mom!