We headed up to Minneapolis on Thursday morning and we were already on the road by 6:30 in the morning. Aside from some horrendous rainstorms we made it there in a good time and were able to join dad for a quick lunch downtown.
After lunch we decided to head back to dad's house and grab a quick nap in order to prepare for our trip to IKEA and the Mall of America. Dad's dog, Cassie, has been having some um....how shall I put this..."intestinal" issues so she has been quarantined to the kitchen. As the kids got ready for a nap Dustin let the dog out and left her blocked in the kitchen...thanks to a baby gate.
We all went to sleep and after a good nap woke up...to stench. Yeah, she hopped the gate and had relieved herself SEVERAL times. I immediately called dad so that he could hear my dry heaving. Hehehehe. Dustin went and surveyed the damage. It was bad. I believe six in all.
Dustin and I were arguing about who should clean it all up. Josh, all dramatic, waves his hands up and down and says, "Guys. Do you think your kids should clean this up? Your daughter, Lauren?" OMG. We about died. He is so funny.
We didn't make it to IKEA but we did make it to the mall and Josh got to ride on a ton of rides so the day wasn't a complete loss!
Friday morning we got up and headed to the Science Museum of Minnesota. They had an exhibit for Star Wars and Josh and I couldn't pass up an opportunity to see some actual Star Wars memorabilia.
The first level was all about shipping, the Mississippi River and nature. Josh got to attempt driving a virtual barge.
He started out nice and strong and then quickly grounded the barge. They had slices of trees that were 300+ years old and ancient hunting tools. Dustin and I found it very interesting.
Then we headed to the Star Wars exhibit. I am not quite sure why I like Star Wars. It's my geeky side, I guess. I cannot stand Star Trek or anything Sci-Fi...except for Star Wars. Admittedly, I am not sure why most people who like Star Wars are freaks. And let me tell you...there were plenty in attendance that day. This is one of the parts of my life that Dustin got with the package deal.
Lauren was a good girl throughout the museum. She sat quietly in her stroller and watched all the people crowd around. Periodically, we would let her out so she could strech her legs...and then she found the stuffed lion.
I heard her scream, "KI-KI!!! KI-KI!!" (This would be Lauren very excited to see a kitty.) We laughed so hard. I felt bad pulling her away from it because it was honestly the only part of the tour she enjoyed. But after 45 people walked by and looked at Lauren like she must have been raised in the wild to think that an animal that large was a kitty, I had to make her leave.
Then the dinosaurs. Dustin and I just stared at the bones and marveled at the size of these things. I cannot imagine them once roaming the earth. They were huge!!
Then Friday afternoon we ran to IKEA, of course, and by dinner time we were off to Duluth.
Duluth had a huge Maritime Festival and by the time we got checked in to the hotel and brought our things up to the room the fireworks were just beginning. Lauren thought they were the coolest things ever and would clap and squeal randomly.
By the time they were over it was almost 10:00 and we were all wiped. One bad night's sleep later and we were up and out the door by 6:30 in the morning. We took the kids down to the pier and walked around while it was quiet and not crowded.
We went and had breakfast and then Dustin headed back down to the pier with the kids. I went up to take a nap (growing a human is hard work).
Dad and I rejoined them just in time to watch a huge ship come through.
I don't care how many times you watch it happen...it is the COOLEST to watch the bridge go up and down like an elevator. Add to that the sheer size of these vessels and it's one of the neatest experiences. Josh was in awe!
Lauren had more fun chasing after the seagulls than paying attention to anything in the water. That girl has no fear.
We didn't do much other than eat, shop and walk. We had such a nice time and the weather was gorgeous. Dustin is set to move there any day. He said as soon as he finds a job we're moving! We'll see, although, I would admit I'd love to live there as well.
It went so fast and before we knew it we were back home. We had such a great time with dad and Thomas...just wish it lasted a bit longer.
Baby update:
Your baby is now 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean. New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. His arms have lengthened, too, and his hands are now flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart. His knee joints have formed, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways.
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