Bedtime

True confession -- tonight, I needed my children to be in bed and away. Will was super dad and let me hide in my office with a glass of wine and a piece of dark chocolate as he tended to Abby and Daniel. I actually locked the door! It was that bad!

But as the dog scratched at my door whining, I realized that hiding was not an option, so I emerged and found sweet children and husband/dad preparing for bed. Even the dog looked peaceful!

A gentle end to the day.

Our Champion

Yesterday Will and his tennis team won their Section championships and will represent USTA Northern (Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and part of Wisconsin) at the 2011 National Championships. It was a rather exciting end to the three day tournament with the team championship coming down to Will's doubles match that went into a third-set match tiebreaker!

Abby LOVES Tennis

This is Abby captivated by Will's championship doubles match at sectionals.



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Location:4th St SE,Minneapolis,United States

Engelhardt Camp

Grandma and Grandpa Engelhardt promised Abby she could stay at their house for one week this summer -- we refer to it as Engelhardt Camp! Abby has been so excited and was more than pleased to start camp today!

Like with her other summer camps, she received a t-shirt!

We had a nice day in Decorah (and a CRAZY delicious lunch that Grandma Engelhardt made). We could tell Abby was getting antsy for us to leave. She finally came up to me and said, "When are you going to leave? I want some time alone with Grandma and Grandpa!"

We took the subtle hint and drove home. As Will, Daniel and I were pulling into our garage, Grandma Engelhardt called to share the following Abby story. We laughed and laughed!

     Grandma: "Abby go brush your hair before we go to Mabes for pizza."

     Abby: "I'm only allowed to brush my hair once a day!"

Milk Truck

Daniel loves milk trucks. We regularly watch a video on YouTube of a milk truck in Scotland. But today Daniel got to see the real thing at Grandpa and Grandma Engelhardt's neighbor's farm!



Needless to say, Daniel was enchanted!

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Location:Clay Hill Road, Decorah,United States

Saturday Morning Library Visit

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Location:Civic Center Dr SE,Rochester,United States

Itasca State Park

We spent a long weekend at Itasca State Park with Noni and The G-Dad. Abby loved walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

And Daniel loved hiking and collecting flowers!

A Visit from Southern Californian Family

Great Aunt Carol and Cousin Heather came to visit Abby and Daniel (oh, and to see the other Stotts, too!). We had a wonderful visit, and we really think they should come back to visit whenever they want!

Four Grandparents/Two Grandchildren

Abby participated in a two-week theatre camp that culminated with a final performance on August 6th. All four grandparents attended the play. Grandma and Grandpa Engelhardt brought Abby a gorgeous bouquet in celebration of her convincing performance as a goose. After the play, we all went out for delicious Greek food!

Daniel's Super Jumbo Jet Third BIrthday Party

So, I'm a bit late in posting photos from Daniel's birthday (mid-June), but it was a cute party, so I figure better late than never! So, here goes...

I mailed the plane ticket party invitations in map envelopes with an airplane on the back.

As guests arrived...

...they were greeted by the pilot and chief flight attendant.

The passengers checked the baggage they brought.

Grandma and Grandpa Engelhardt's bag (an apple tree) was not allowed on the plane, so had to remain outside.

The terminal and plane had helpful signs to guide the passengers.

The chief flight attendant took drink orders.

And served the passengers.

Guests were served on fine first class china.

The pilot opened his gifts (this one sent by Noni and Granddad from California).

As always, Will made the birthday cake. Daniel chose vanilla cake with chocolate frosting.

At the end of the flight, the flight attendants (Abby and her friend Jade) helped the passengers at baggage claim.

Each passenger was given a goody bag that included a handmade airplane-shaped soap made by Abby and in-flight snacks -- pretzels and Daniel's personal favorite, cashews!

A Birthday Salon Visit

Abby turned eight today and is celebrating with a trip to the salon. Her nails are painted, her hair cut, and she's now getting styled!!





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Location:Little Dudes and Divas Salon

It Wasssssss a Party!

Abby turns 8 on Wednesday. Today was her party with friends. She wanted to have a snake-themed party, so we had the party at a local nature center.

Abby and I spent a lot of time planning and working on this party. We made a lot of things for the goody boxes.

 We made boa bath bubbles, recycled cobra crayons, field notesss books, and ssssewing kits. We felted snakes, but didn't manage to make enough for everyone, so we purchased wood snakes at the nature center for each box.

Personally, I think the sssewing kits were pretty darn cool! I made the bags and embroidered "My SSSewing Kit" labels. I made snake needle holders and ironed on a snake outline for the kids to stitch. We found snake scissors and included a needle threader and embroidery thread.

Abby made recycled cobra crayons.

And we packaged it all together for the goody box for each child.

A naturalist at the center gave a 30-minute presentation and the children had the opportunity to touch snakes and have a "snake necklace." Abby was delighted to sport a Fox Snake Necklace.

(And I was too!)

The girls enjoyed making snake faces!

And I somehow managed to get a group shot!

Abby and I decided on a cupcake snake "cake." I think it turned out pretty cool!

The children SSSSipped milk or water.

Abby decided to ask her guests not to bring gifts, but rather to make a donation to the nature center or  the World Wildlife Fund.

Yeah Snakes!!!!!

Swimmer of the Month

Abby was named swimmer of the month on her swim team, so got a coupon for free ice cream.











And lucky Daniel got to celebrate too!

Location:Cold Stone Creamery

Saki, Saki, Saki

Tonight we met Will's cousin Dave (from Georgia) for dinner. We ate at a Japanese restaurant where the chef provided quite a show at our very own hibachi table (like Benihana, but not Benihana). Abby was fascinated by the knife tossing, but Daniel was completely captivated by the Saki song that the chefs sang around the restaurant as they poured Saki into diner's mouths.

It didn't take long before Daniel was singing the Saki, Saki song at the top of his lungs. He received quite a bit of attention and admiration for his love of song. Unfortunately, our three-year-old now knows a drinking game! Great!

Damn vs. Dam

So, I'm not much for swearing, and I definitely do not swear in front of my children. But this morning Daniel was driving me CRAZY and Abby was not helping matters. He wanted a shark book and Abby didn't seem to want him to have it. I ignored them for awhile, but then couldn't take it any longer. I slipped and said, "Abby, give him the damn book!"

Daniel immediately said, "Yeah, give me the damn book!"

Abby and I burst out laughing. I explained to both Abby and Daniel that I'd used a bad word and that they should not use that word. Abby being Abby, she immediately launched into an explanation of why "dam" is not a bad word and that she uses it all the time and should be allowed to continue to use it. I agreed that when referencing a structure built to hold water back, it was fine to say it.

She then wanted to know why it was a bad word, and I was stumped. I could not come up with a plausible explanation of why damn is a bad word.

Any help would be appreciated.

Look Who Woke Up THREE!!!!

Jedi Knights

Abby's friend Sam is moving to Boston for a year. Abby and Sam wanted to have one last play date before Sam leaves. They are both fierce Jedi knights. Unfortunately, my geraniums lost the battle!