feelin hot hot hot

Summer in the tropics is upon us. It is steamy HOT. The Wiest girls came home with us today after school because their Mom and sister went SCUBA diving and wouldn't be back to pick up the girls on time. Anyway, the girls were just laying around the house sweating so Kathryn leant the girls bathing suits and all was well with the world. Cool and refreshing times in the pool...an excellent cure for sweaty 6 & 7 year olds.

handprint shirts

Our class worked diligently last week on completing our handprint shirts and today, we debuted their wear on campus.  I wish Isa could have been with us for this day, but we did get some final photos of sweet C who will be flying to Wisconsin tomorrow.

in her pinky nail

In Haley's pinky nail is the width and breadth of my artistic ability.  This is the the artwork she whipped up on Saturday night for our Kindergarten Cook Book:

neighborhood beach

Hapenny beach is a mere 1 1/2 miles from our house.  I have ran down to the beach and back on many occasions.  Our family finally visited the beach there yesterday.  Why didn't we visit earlier?  Fun, popular and lovely beach.  I hope we get off our touches to go again in the near future.

beach bunny Kathryn running into the surf

beach body Anders mugging for the camera

sandcastle time is limited with the destroyer about to wreck havoc

O not a fan of the rashguard to help defend from UV exposure

Osten's last day at the stone house

my heart is sad.  Osten has ended his career at the Stonehouse Preschool.  Lovely, quiet, place for a little boy to be a little boy and very homelike.  Thank you to everyone who loved our little Osten.  He grew so much from that love.

slow down

Last night, Brad and I went to a slow down dinner at the Ridge to Reef Sustainable farm.  Haley took care of our kiddos while we drove into the rainforest and enjoyed an incredible meal of six courses made with farm fresh ingredients from the farm

1. plantain canape with yogurt, kimchee and a sauted leaf
2. roasted pumpkin soup with coconut milk and toasted pumpkin seeds
3. crepe with eggplant and tomatoes
4. fresh green salad with tomatoes and dressing
5. freshly caught tilapia with roasted plantains
6. banana bread with cherry sauce

After the delicious dinner, there was a bonfire and fire dancers.

One of the many pieces of St. Croix that we will miss.

lovely pond on the property

intoxicating flowers--beautiful fragarance

my favorite course

tied for 2nd with all the others

rockin' bonfire

little piece of heaven

This afternoon, we dropped Anders off at his buddy, Hunter's house for a sleepover.

We then drove up to Mt. Victory Camp to pick up Kathryn and her friends Rory and Charlie as we are hosting a girls sleepover. Rox, Pat and their family moved into Mt. Victory about a week ago and it is like a little piece of heaven. We had some rum drinks and then Bruce W. came and opened some coconuts for us and we drank some rum in coconut water...WOW.

Bruce opening a coconut for Brad--Pat and Rox in the background

Brad drinking coconut water and rum

the girls climbing a tree

Osten eyeing Jordan's motorcycle

But what surpassed the yummy tastes of rum and coconut was the magical scenery and tranquil vibe of the place. The absolute perfect place for this dynamic and wonderful family to spend their last days in St. Croix. Thank so much for sharing the moments with us!

4th grade fabulous Friday field trip

Today, I was able to take a discretionary day and accompany my wonderful son, Anders on a field trip with his 4th grade class to Buck Island.

As always, it was a perfect day in St. Croix and I got to hang with Pat Ramsdell, Shannon Tonin, Jenny Wiest and other parents of 4th graders at Good Hope.

We got to see dolphins frolicking in the water and got some good snorkeling time. Thank you to Jean and Haley for being so incredible and to Mrs. Mault for coordinating it all!

fabulous fieldtrip

Our class had a super fun field trip to Hotel on the Cay (pronounced key).  14 chaperones and 13 kids enjoyed a day of sun and sand, starfish, barjacks, conch, crabs and more sun.  Kathryn and I were a little crispy after a day in the sun.

with his birthday cake

Here is a photo of little O with his birthday cake last night and his brand new 2 shirt.  He was overwhelmed by the singing and had a little fit on the floor, but he ate his cake and icecream quite nicely.

2

Happy 2nd birthday Osten John Olson!

Two years ago, Osten was scheduled to be born.  Brad and I were to leave for the Hudson Hospital from our home at 5:30am.  Check in to be prepped for a c-section with surgery scheduled at 7am. 

Osten decided to let me know he was ready to come at about 9:30pm.  I went to bed and awoke at about 1:30am and took a shower.  I then woke Brad to let him know we should write Mom & Dad Blomgren a note and head to the hospital as we needed to check in early. 

We arrived at the hospital and were checked into our room.  The nurse called Dr. Young and asked if we wanted to try to have Osten naturally and we said "no"--we wanted the surgical team to come in early.  At about 4:30am, I was ready to go and at 5:17am 8 pound 1 ounce Osten was born.

We didn't know if he would be an Osten John, a Norah Vivian or an Emma Elizabeth, but we were thrilled when this sweet little boy was born.

Thank you Osten for being such a light and joy in our lives.  We love you.

first shampoo...loved the warm water on his head and the sound of the soothing water

brother Anders and sister Kathryn meeting newest member of the family

Anders was under the weather, but so excited to meet his baby brother--Kathryn was a little mother, so sweet

wear gloves

When clearing grass in the bush, you should wear gloves.  Last January, yes nearly five months ago, I was gathering grass for our guinea pig and a large piece of grass inserted itself into my thumb.  It has been bothering me on and off and little slivers have been coming out since the incident.  Yesterday, a very large sliver worked itself out and I documented in photo form.

I'm hoping this is the last of the slivers and that I can have a "normal" thumb again.  I also hope I have learned my lesson and this doesn't happen again in the future!

mother's day gifts

Anders and Kathryn worked hard to make lovely Mother's Day gifts and cards.  Here are what they sent.  The cards were very touching and sweet.  I will cherish them for many years to come.

Kathryn's handprint/poem/photo and WOW MOM card

Anders' coursage and card

text from Anders' card--Dear Mom, My Mom is fun, loving and nice.  She does not yell at me.  She plays games with me.  She is the only mom in the world that I want!  Love Anders

inside of Kathryn's card--Mom, I love you because you teach me to write words!  Love, Kathryn

sugar mill/cane bay photo session

Here are a couple of photos from our photo session with Haley last Saturday evening.  She is so great to take them.

and the rain came down

Tonight we are experiencing an intermittent rainstorm. I know it's part of living in a tropical climate, but it's pretty incredible. This is the first time ever that the temp here is lower than River Falls. I hope there isnt bad weather back home.

2 years ago...

Newly 9 year old Anders sporting his bacon of the month club t-shirt from Grandpa Bud

Mommy daughter love

Kathryn and her cool Jacob's Ladder Preschool shirt

Anders, Brad and Kathryn walking along the Kinnikinnic after tending garden at the community garden plot

2 years ago

• Kathryn was wrapping up her first year of school at Jacob's Ladder Preschool in River Falls
• Osten was not yet born--but due to be born on May 28
• Anders was was a 2nd grader at Greenwood Elementary in River Falls
• Karen was quite large with baby Osten due to be born in less than 2 weeks
• Brad was working in his basement office, starting three gardens and eagerly awaiting of the arrival of the fifth member of our family