latest lit #11.

 

I just finished this book last week. It is about survival of the fittest; raw and dark. It's post-apocaliptic, which is always interesting to me. I would recommend this book because the author is very talented and this story reminds me of how fortunate we are to live at this time. It will make you want to count every last blessing you have. It is also a fast read, which makes it easier to zip over the sad parts. This book has been made into a movie starring Vigo Mortinson who is a fabulous actor. I am going to choose not to watch it though because it is probably very graphic.  

new favorite app!

My cousin told me about an app she was really into called "1SE", which stands for "one second everyday". I totally love it and am now showing you all my first 1SE video! What it can do is take videos from each day, cut a one-second clip from that video, save them, then at the end of the month/week it compiles those seconds into one video. On the days you forget to record something, you can use a photo in that one second's place. So fun! Here is my video from July. I finally figured out how to upload it onto the blog. You might want to watch it more than once; it goes by fast! Enjoy!

we art minneapolis.

Yesterday morning was gloomy and drizzly, but we were itching to get out of the house. So we had an outing at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. I really like this place and the kids do too. I am a big fan of art in general, even though I have a hard time understanding modern art. We packed a little picnic lunch and went exploring.

 "it's so big."

 the kids loved checking out all of the sculptures. they had to touch all of them.

 or sit in them.

 beautiful flowers this year.

 lunch break.

 such a stud!

 the large glass fish was their favorite part. they loved the water and the green house.

 can you see the face?

we love art!

latest lit #10.

 

This is a GOOD book! I've been excited to write about this one and I plan on watching the movie this week. 

Pope Joan takes place in the 9th century. Women were forbidden to learn how to read or write then, but Joan has different plans. She is much smarter then most of the boys her age. She learns Latin and Greek. In order to advance her studies further, Joan poses as a male monk to get into the abbey. There she is able to spread her wings and make quite the impression on everyone there. She then moves on to Rome to study at the Vatican. No one knows her secret. To make things even more complicated, she is in love!

I'm not going to tell you anything else, except that you won't be able to put it down, and you will wonder if this story is really true.

There is evidence of a female pope in the 9th century, but the Catholic church denies it and there is a rumor that all records of her papacy were destroyed. So interesting!  

enjoying this season.

We have been having a great summer. The kids are especially having a blast. Playing, swimming climbing all day long! The weather has been perfect and I am savoring every drop. I can't believe there is only about a month left of summer break. Eek! We'll be going to the apple orchard before you know it.
Here are some fun things we regularly do during the season:
exploring the lakes.

The kids love walking around the lakes around here and checking out the docks. We love doing this in the late afternoon/evenings.

playgrounds.

Ethnie's favorite.

stillwater.
Our favorite city to visit in the summer. We always love walking along the river, window shopping, playing at Teddy Bear Park, and getting something to eat. 

the boardwalk is completely flooded this year. :(

by bud :)

really want to try this on our next date night!

and this.

a must stop.

playdates.

Emmett with his new friend Carter at Choo Choo Bob's.

always fun with Ella.

pools/splash pads.

I have to admit, after our vacation up north and getting swimmers itch, we haven't been swimming in a lake since. I feel paranoid! I probably shouldn't, but have you ever had swimmers itch?? YIKES.

ready to go in!

and other things!

 taken at the north st. paul car show. we always go with Matt's parents.

playing at home with the power wheel.

time with my girl.

I try to have some quality one-on-one time with our children once a month, especially with Ethnie. Sometimes this is challenging, but I feel it is greatly important to spend quality time alone with the kids doing an activity of some kind.
On Saturday, I took Ethnie to Canterbury Park to watch some horse races. I knew she would love it. It was her first time there and she couldn't stop raving about it! Horses are her FAVORITE. Once in a great while I think about moving to a place in the country just so we could have the property to own a horse. Then I remember how much of a city girl I am and completely change my mind. Regardless, I love seeing the look on Ethnie's face when she watches horses. Pure happiness!

quite a sight!

MN made out of flowers.

 excited to watch some races!
busy day at the track.

as close as you can get!

 

 

Saturday was known as Extreme Race Day, where they also have exotic animal races, like camel, ostrich, and zebra! It was highly entertaining. We were not able to make it in time to watch the camel race, but saw the other two.

the ostrich race was so crowded that I wasn't able to take any pictures of them running on the track. so the monitor was the next best thing.

Zebras! The one farthest to the left is actually a 'zonkey'; half zebra half donkey. He won!

zonkey pulling ahead!

so fun

charging for the finish line

best part of her day

We had such a great day together. I hope y'all had a great weekend too!