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Wild Playdate

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The two J’s visited “the country” (aka our house) to party like an animal. After all, it was JH’s birthday (albeit about a month prior!). We made binoculars, went on a safari hunt, created yummy (corn fructose lathered) animal choo–choo’s, had lunch and played in the pool! The boys slept very well after we big the J’s a farewell. Nishad never likes to say goodbye…especially, to his buddy. I assured him that next Friday, we’ll be visiting “the big city” (aka the J’s house) for another wild time!

JH has been such a blessing in my life…she’s such a girls girl! She’s wonderful! Who needs coffee when they have a friend like JH?

4th of July

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My Dad called and Nishad picked up the phone and he responded, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” YES! Happy Birthday, America! We celebrated with a bonfire, s’mores, pool action and a BBQ. Life is good! Ashish and I also knocked off a lot off our “to do” list. There’s always tomorrow! 🙂

Time-out

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In previous years we would spend a week in Bemidji, a week in Duluth and a weekend stay in Saint Paul for the summer. However, this year we decided to skip the road trips and enjoy the only nice season Minnesota really has to offer- summer! Now is not the time to “go away” but instead, soak in as much of the benefits of having a wonderful backyard. In turn, we’ll save Ashish’s weeks of vaca time to make a b-line for warmth during the winter months (preferably January!). That’s when we all really need a vacation!

The plan was to just enjoy the kiddos last summer without being enrolled in school (Nishad starts his second year of preschool and Tiger will join him, across the hall, in the toddler community this Autumn!). Exciting times for the boys- and for me, as I will have three hours for me in the mornings. Whether it’s going back to school to venture down a different career path into ‘communication studies’ (which coincides with the non-verbal art form of photography and much of the PR I’ve already experienced in addition to my love of writing) or even an exercise class. This will be the first time in almost 4 years that I will have this special time, once again.

…However, I booked us a little getaway. We, as a family, really needed to get away from the stress of things back home. I went from having pneumonia in May (Mother’s Day) to finding out, the last day I was on meds, that my sister passed away. I was in Chicago for the wake and funeral, which all took a toll on me and now I’m still dealing with issues that my sister didn’t take care of. On top of it all, my Dad shared with me that he has a brain tumor. SO. It was time to just take a break- and remember what is really important and value all that is so precious in life.

We headed off to Duluth and stayed at a different place this year; The Edgewater Waterpark and Resort. The kids enjoyed the waterpark, but honestly, I would have rather paid more money and stayed at the Inn on Lake Superior. Being right in the midst of Canal Park is lovely and the hotel is well kept up, has a great staff and so many extra perks that make being a guest memorable. The Edgewater was the loudest hotel we’ve ever stayed at, the rooms weren’t that great and the waterpark was rather dark. However, we were together- that’s really what mattered!

While visiting Canal Park I was interviewed by the local news station about “What it means to me to be American.” Pretty fun! Nishad wasn’t phased at all…he just kept chomping away on his sammy as Mom chatted on and on! 🙂

We headed back home in time for the 4th– with a big “TO-DO” list! Isn’t it always when you own your own house? It’s good to have a house…so I won’t complain.

Zoo Days

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We had a fantastic time with the D’s today hangin’ at Como Zoo and Conservatory! We were even able to get some family pics in- we’re such productive families! It was a joy to watch E and Nishad ride the rides together. They are growing at such a similar rate- it’s so much fun to witness.

It was literally a “zoo” there today! We even had an unfortunate experience while leaving. We put the kids in a car and started to load our stuff when all of a sudden, a man on a cell phone started talking about how he was going to “save this space.” Well, another man in a car that had been waiting all the while we were loading the kids, stroller, etc. approached him and said, “I’m sorry, Sir. What did you say?” The man quickly went on about “THIS” space was saved and no one else can have it. I thought, “Is he serious?” Apparently so! I quickly told Ashish, let’s get out of here (which would also help the guy so his wife can pull in the spot) as who knows what would happen. Then, Ashish told me that the guy (saving the spot) called the other guy a terrorist! He said, “So now I’m a terrorist because we were waiting for this spot?” AMAZING! Such ignorance among us.

Bebee Lake

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With everything that we’ve gone through, we needed a mental day to just “be.” The boys were first through the entire ordeal of me being in the ER, having pneumonia, and now the passing of my sister. Before I headed off to Chicago, we decided to take a day and spend some good, quality time together…at Bebee Lake. The boys had so much fun playing in the water and building sand castles. Ashish and I, for the first time in a long time, soaked in the joys of parenting and being parents. We are so blessed.