Out and about with Bella

On Saturday morning we met up with my neighbors friend Bella and her mom Joanna. We went to the storytime at the library. Bella and I had fun on the way there (we were both in our strollers), saying "hi" to each other and checking out the surroundings. 

To be completely honest I didn't really like the stories the lady was reading. It was way more fun to run out in the other room and having mom and dad follow to try to catch me. Finally at the end the story-lady came up with the good idea to sing "the wheels on the bus goes round and round" and I loved that! I will never say no to an opportunity to sing!

Then we went to Millennium Park. Bella and I had a great time together.

We ran back and fourth across the square at least 10 times and we giggled all the time!

In the evening mom, dad and I walked to Punch Pizza. It was soooo good! I love looking when they make the pizza. You can even see when they put the pizza in the wood oven. Very exiting!

Dad also enjoyed his pizza.

As we were walking home it was already getting dark. Wow, you can sure tell that fall is here since it's not so light in the evenings anymore. The sky was beautiful and I saw a train going over the bridge crossing the river.

Eating pizza

I love pizza! Yummy!

Mom's apple farm basket for United Way

On Thursday night mom stayed up late to bake apple muffins. She was making an Apple Farm basket to donate to the United Way (aid organization) silent auction at her work. There was lots of different foods in the basket, and with the added 3 bags of muffins it seemed to me that whoever bought this basket would get a good deal. 

Mom had also made little mini apple muffins for people at the auction to taste. They came out pretty good looking....

...and they were just my size! I had 3 in one sitting on Friday morning (then mom said they were all gone, but I'm still wondering if that was just a trick to not let me have a fourth one...).

At the applebarn

Today we went to an apple barn. It was a really, really hot day. You would never know it was late September. We were going to meet up with another family there whom we just met. Their little girl's name is Mia, and I was exited to meet her (I had only met her once before).

At the apple farm they had a fun shop where you could buy unusual products from a farm. 

Mom was especially fascinated by the beautiful packaging for the products. The set-up looked like a vintage grocery shop.

So many fun jars with all kinds of interesting contents. I think my aunt Sara would have liked this shop....

We went to take a look at the animals. You were allowed to feed them, but I was very skeptical about it. Safer to hug daddy's leg and just watch...

Mommy showed me that she dared to feed the horse. As if that would have made a big difference. I just didn't want to, that's all.

Then, off to truck and tractor driving. Fun!

So, here is the reason we came in the first place, picking apples! Look at how big they are and how many there are on each tree!

I loved picking apples! I picked off the ground too, even through mom told me to only get the ones off the trees. 

Here are Mia and I. We were good at sharing. I liked playing with her.

After picking apples we were all really tired because it was so hot outside. Mia and I wanted something sweet. I had apple pie and Mia had apple sundae. Yummy!

Here we all are, resting and eating. Then it was time to go home. It had been a great day!

Picture day at Daycare

Tuesday morning, the 15th of Sept: It's picture day at Daycare. I will get my photo taken so I want to look pretty. Mom caught a photo of me on my way to the elevator. Two handbags? Not a problem, I'm really much stronger than I look!

People in the elevator thought I looked cute. I call it successful outfitting. Although the accessories (the bags in this case) are really what made my outfit. Note that I'm also wearing my "sadidi" = sandaler/sandals.

Warm September

On Sunday the 13th of September mom had to go to work. I know her work now and I can say "mom work. I want kiss" before she leaves. So it was up to dad and me to have some fun. We went to Mall of America and I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the Lego store. Just look at the size of Fido's bowl!

Then when mom finally was done with her work we picked her up and went to the Calhoun lake again. The weather was very warm and so was the water. This time we were more prepared with swimsuit and drinks and muffins to eat so we could stay for a good while. 

You can see a lot of strange things when you explore the Minnesota waters. Just look at this unusual fish-boy with a blue bucket on his head. The girl behind him dipping her head in the water is also rather curious looking. Look and learn!

You can also make friends with other little kids and borrow their spades and other fun gadgets. Surely they do not mind, and if they do, mom and dad will return the goods before I even had the chance to try them out properly.

I kept on telling dad to come and play with me in the water and he finally gave in. His clothes got a little wet but that's really not my fault, but rather due to him not planning ahead to bring his swim shorts. Really dad, did you think you would be able to stay out of the water??

Cookies and play

On Thursday night (after I went to bed) mom baked cookies for a bake sale at work. They were going to gather funds for the United Way. Mom documented her cookies in making.

Here they are. Looks pretty good.

All of them had to be packaged in nice little plastic bags. Mom made 26 bags!

Look at the left over cookies to the right. Not that many left (after dad had a few), but they are all mine!

Friday morning...I'm not quite awake yet, but ready for my cookies!

Yesterday morning we went out for breakfast at Egg & I. While we were waiting for the food I played with the vase and the fake flowers. 

Mmm, I had a fruit cup, eggs, fried potatoes, toast and a glass of milk. 

Although it's already the second week of September the weather is really warm this weekend (80 degrees F = 26 degrees C). We went to the Calhoun lake and I played around in the water.

"Plask, plask" (=splash, splash) I said as some of the water got onto my face.

Mom and dad did some shopping during the day while I was sleeping in the afternoon. Then in the evening we went for a walk by the Mississippi river. The sky was gray and dark on one side and sunny on the other. It was strangely beautiful.

I had some raisins to snack on while dad pushed the stroller.

Hmmm, what's going on over there? Oh, it's a dog out for a walk.

The sun was setting as we got back to our place. I said "Elsie gå trappan" (=Elsie walk the stairs). But, alas, we took the elevator since mom and dad were tired after the long walk.

Sunday morning; I'm trying on my new red fall jacket that mom and dad bought yesterday. I said: "I like it!". 

Labor Day weekend Chicago Trip

On a whim we decided to take another road trip to Chicago over the Labor Day weekend. I was game. Just look at me; all strapped in and ready to hit the road!

As the sun set we stopped to eat dinner. When we left the resting area the sun was setting and the sky was beautiful. Mom caught this picture from the window.

Mom was fascinated with the beautiful sky and kept snapping pictures out of the car windows. This one she got out of the rear window. I also thought the colors of the sky looked magical!

We stayed at the Hilton Hotel in Down Town Chicago. They had a beautiful swimming pool and we used it each day we were there. Look at me, I'm swimming!

I loved swimming with mom and dad. I could wave with my arms and paddle with my feet while dad was holding me.

We decided to visit the Museum of Science and Technology. They had so many interesting things to look at. This is a model of Chicago. I loved looking at the trains passing by. 

The arcade cars were so much fun. I think dad enjoyed it almost as much (if not more!) than me.

So many strange things...I didn't quite understand this part, but I sure liked the colors and the movement!

I was exhausted after spending more than 2 hours at the museum. I fell asleep in my stroller and mom and dad went shopping in furniture stores. I think they really entertained themselves.

When I woke up more than 2 hours later I was in a great mood. Peek-a-boo!!....

...Here is Elsie! Mom said: "Elsie sure looks happy". I said: I look HAPPY ! (imitating is my new thing, if I haven't told you that before).

Time for dinner. We went to a great sushi restaurant. The edamame was delicious and I ate almost the whole bowl myself. 

Look at our great meal! The California roll was my favorite (besides the Edamame of course) and I kept on saying; More sussi, please!

Dad took this beautiful photo of down town Chicago from the balcony at the hotel.

Sunday morning breakfast. I loved the restaurant that was called City Diner, but it took a long time for the food to arrive on our table so I started stacking butter boxes while waiting...

Look how cool this place is!

Mom really enjoyed her food too (once it finally arrived)! 

Off to the Chicago Children's museum. I guess I knew a bit about how this kind of museum works given that I'm a veteran at the St. Paul Children's museum already. Catch some fish in a net. No problem!...

....put some balls in a track. That's easy too!

Ahh, finally something new. Excavating dinosaurs!

After some more shopping and an early dinner it was time to head home. It had been a great trip!

Monday morning, Labor Day; I'm invited to Zander's birthday party. He is turning 3. His mom and dad had rented this awesome tent for the kids to bounce around in.

I took advantage of every second!!

Lunch was great. I went for seconds! The kids had a little table all to themselves.

Look how happy Zander is to turn 3! I said "Happy to you!"

I loved the cake too!

Zander got many nice birthday presents. He read all his birthday cards himself (he can already read!!).

Some more play and then it was time for us to take off. What a great day. "Happy to you Zander. See you later!"