Minnetonka Orchards 2012

2011

On a quiet, cold Friday night we ventured out to Minnetonka Orchards for a visit with the animals, to drink some hot apple cider and gather pumpkins and apples. First stop was a check in to see how LJ had grown since last year's visit. Obviously you'll notice it was easier to get the picture last year than this year.
Then we visited with the animals, drank apple cider and LJ entertained the employees with his never ending chatter and discussion over his new found "hockey stick."

2012

We tried again for some pictures in the pumpkin patch, but the hockey stick was far more entertaining then mama. 

Such a fun fall time outing!  JLO wonders if LJ will be above the "3" next year! We'll see...

2011

2012

Happy 21 Months, LJ!

21 cool facts about LJ on his 21st month birthday!

1. He calls Grandma "Nuggle." We think it came from Snuggle Grandma. And Grandpa "Pa"
2. He talks non-stop.
3. He repeats everything we say. Sadly, everything.
4. He loves his woof, woof, doggie, bear, and blankie.
5. When he runs, he flaps his left arm like a little wing.
6. He's a little dude--still rocking 12 month old clothes.
7. He smiles with his most beautiful eyes.
8. He loves to play with his cousins and frequently calls them on the phone.
9. He loves hats. Any kind of hats, but especially daddy's hats.
10. When he sees football, he'll either say "touch down" or "Go Pack Go."
11. Every night as part of our bedtime routine he thinks Joe goes out to the "fishing boat."
12. He gives the best hugs and kisses and says, "I love you mama."
13. One afternoon he looked at me, put on his shoes and said, "I walk to Nuggle's house."
14. He calls frogs and music Um Uhs.
15. He loves to read books to us.
16. He loves standing in the door at night waiting for "daddy's truck" to come home from work.
17. He appreciates any time he can sit on our laps and look at pictures of "Lancey" on our phones.
18. He loves the big red fury monster known as Elmo. A lot.
19. His favorite food is pizza. And beans.
20. He sleeps from 8:00pm-8:00am. I know--we are so spoiled.

21. He is, by far, the best part of our lives. We love him so, so, so much! 

Part-time Teacher, Part-time Stay at Home Mom

It's one o'clock in the afternoon--LJ is napping, I'm in my yoga pants and Rachael Ray is whipping up some goodie for her Mini Muffin Tin Week. And did I mention that I've already worked out and taught four sections of high school English? Hi. Welcome to my new life. And I love it. 

It's a story much too long to rehash here, but the ultimate result is that I decided to be a part-time teacher and part-time stay-at-home mom for this school year. It was a hard and easy decision. It was hard because I have worked my you-know-what off for the last ten years carefully crafting a career I am successful at and very proud of. I find that only other teachers understand the personal pride in calling oneself a teacher. It was an easy decision because I know it  was right for my family. 

The week that everything came to a climax, I swear, this song by Philip Phillips was on the radio every time I was in the car. Normally, that would annoy me, but this particular week, I needed to hear the same song--this song--over and over again. It was the lines, "settle down, it'll all be clear. Don't pay no mind to the demons they fill you with fear" that really got to me. 

So I'm holding on as this new school year starts--this pretty unfamiliar road for me-- and loving every new pit stop, stoplight, yield sign and green light.



Home by Phillip Phillips

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Valen Family Vacation

Valen Family Vacation in Hayward, Wisconsin--in numbers

One great idea (back in January).
Two toddlers on completely opposite sleeping schedules.
Three people who had to help get SVO's foot unstuck from a plastic lawn chair (seriously). 
Four adorable kids who loved swimming in the pool and just being together.
Five kayak trips along the shores of the Chippewa Flowage.
Six fishing trips in Uncle Joah's boat.
Seven nights of LJ not wanting to go to bed--at all.
Eight pages read of a book. Yep, just eight.
Nine years of marriage celebrated by AMV & MEV
Ten(th)--the day we celebrated Grandma's birthday with cake for dinner. Yep, just cake.

The beginning of the week....

and the end of the week!

Hand, Foot, & Mouth Picnic....

After a fun-filled weekend of swimming and playtime at parks, LJ came down with the Hand, Foot, Mouth virus. He was only punky (with a high fever) for one night, but had a rash all over his body that made him look like a 13 year old kid with really bad acne. It's a highly contiguous virus, so we were house bound for the week. As it won't surprise anyone who knows me well, this is horrible news to hear out of a doctor's mouth during a beautiful summer week. Not even Target? Nope, irresponsible parenting I heard my mom whisper in my head.  Ugh. By the fourth day of house arrest, we had to do something!  So we packed up some goodies, a blanket and our sunglasses for a picnic with daddy over his lunch hour. We enjoyed the field trip and fresh air and even did some walking down by the water. 

This is how we spend our days. . .

LJ and I have a very busy schedule this summer. Soccer class, swimming lessons, play dates, backyard swimming time with Grandma, parks, walks and lots of time at the MGCC pool. We heart summer!

Thank You Grandma Trip!

In a very last minute decision, I decided to take my mom to Chicago for a girls weekend as a thank you for watching LJ all school year. In an even more last minute decision, one of my BFFs and her mom decided to join us. We have traveled together before and the fun and laughter starts the second we're in the car for the airport and doesn't end until we're hugging good-bye in our driveways. This trip was no exception!

We had a beautiful stay at the Palmer House Hilton and enjoyed many fun activities ( yoga at Millennium Park, kayaking down the Chicago River (I only yelled at my mom once during this adventure!), seeing Million Dollar Quartet, relaxing at Oak Street Beach, sight seeing on a double decker bus--both day and night, drinks at  the top of the John Hancock Building-it took Deb awhile to realize that we were 96 floors up!--and, of course, a little bit of shopping on Michigan Ave!) We also ate. A lot. It's hard not to when there are really  so many yummy things to try. Like pizza at Lou Malnati's (my gf pizza's crust was made out of sausage), cupcakes at Sprinkles, brunch at Sweet Water Tavern & Grille , tapas at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba and dessert at Grand Lux Cafe.

Thank you Deb for taking care of our little squirmy worm all year and helping him grow up so smart! And thank you for such an unforgettable girl weekend together in Chicago!