kinni hikers

Yesterday, K and I got a chance to hike the Kinni. What a wonderful way to spend the day with one of my favorite gals!

grandma's pancakes

This morning, we were outside playing when K said "I think I'll make lunch and make Ryan's pancakes" That is precisely what she did and now she is cleaning up...I love my sweet little daughter!

kitchen science

Elephant toothpaste by KGO! Involved yeast, glitter and hydrogen peroxide...it was FUN!

more daylight!

Its been great to see the lovely sunshine later in the evening, but it's a little more difficult to wrangle the kiddos into bed. Signing out for the nightly wrestling match!

culture fair

K and I went to the Montessori Culture Fair this evening. It was fun to see all of the different cultures that students studied!

frigid temps

The last several days have been in the 30s on our classroom temperature tracking...yikes! I'm glad we haven't planted anything yet.

skating is great exercise!

On Sunday, the two eldest Olson children and their Mom went to the Fun Zone in Woodbury. K and A rollerbladed and I did the rollerskates. I am happy to report we made it out with out any major injury and were feeling just fine on Monday ;).

I did realize what great exercise it is though!

K won the limbo contest...she is a much more flexible person than her Momma :)

the hood

Today, O was playing with his buddy Will for much of the day. K and A were playing with the Meier girls for much of the day. I love beautiful weather and the kids getting a chance to hang out together. Memories that will last for a long long time!

dq

On Friday after school, I had to drive some artwork to Ellsworth for a poster contest. On my way home, the van somehow stopped at DQ and somehow ordered a delicious treat...I love when the van gives me an unexpected surprise!

happy 22nd anniversary C & J!

happy happy anniversary Cory and Joan!

spring is so fantastic

On Thursday after school, O, K and I went for a bike ride around campus. AHHHH.

ready for birthday

O has been talking so much more lately and engaging many people in conversation. Today, we dropped big sister at gymnastics and then headed to the park to play. He was going up to all the kids and talking away and when we left he went to all his new friends and told them goodbye. As we were walking to the van, he asked about his birthday and decided that today should really be his birthday. When we got home, we saw a bunch of our neighbors outside so he immediately got his little bike and scooted off to say hello. He is a hoot!

may flies?

Yesterday afternoon as my wonderful next door neighbor teacher and I were leading gym outdoors, we think we may have seen a may fly flitting past. I don't want to jinx, but I think May weather is just around the corner!

flags

Tonight when I got home from school, K and A were playing a game where you identify flags from around the world. It was so fun to work together to answer the questions. There are also a lot of beautiful flags in our world!

prom 2015

Nephew Thomas went to prom last night with a beautiful date. I hijacked some photos from another site...here goes!

the fever and morning has broken!

On this glorious Saturday morning, the sun is pouring into the window and O continues to slumber. I gave him a kiss on his little forehead and all indications point to a fever free boy...horray!

lets go to the hop

The Olson's made their 7th appearance at the Greenwood Sock Hop. It was just the two girls, but we had a very nice time. Here are some photos:

in front of the fireplace

meeting friend Gracie on the playground

waiting so patiently for Dad to get home so we could go to the hop

sick boy

Poor O has been battling a fever since Wednesday morning. It's hard to see a loved one not feeling well!

gentle rain

On our trip home this evening from Anytime Fitness, Brad and I were washed by a slow and steady mist...we need it to soak in and replenish our water supply. Keep coming wonderful rain!

first yard sign

So it appears that the person we finally supported with a yard sign is the new alderperson for Ward 3 in River Falls. Congratulations Hal Watson!

We weren't able to vote for him, because we live in Ward 2, but we certainly think he's a great representative for our community.

warm and wonderful

We had a warm and wonderful get together with the Blomgren's at Easter on Saturday and Sunday. It was so great to see Mom and Dad, Jenna, Cody, Kurt, Vance, Kaitie, Cory, Joan, Thomas, Evan, Trenton, Kyle, Kim, Kyle, Adam, Kourtney, Liana and Ryan. A got an opportunity to spend the night at Ryan's house too.

Here's a photo of me as I was saying so long to my beautiful Momma. Love you to the moon and back Momma (and Daddy too in the background)

easter 2004

Our first weekend in our new home was Easter 2004. Here is a young A checking out his basket:

homeowners

11 years ago on April 2, we had an appointment at the title company here in River Falls to sign for our house. We were so eager to make our home in the cozy abode. Fast forward to April 3. 2015--we made our final mortgage payment. Feels pretty incredible!

Our house before we bought in March 2004:

our house this past fall:

45?

A kind, brown-eyed. beautiful woman who I call a sister is celebrating her 45th birthday today. Happy Happy Happy birthday, Joan Lee Blomgren

17

Thursday was a tough day, so that is why I didn't post yesterday. It was Ross' 17th birthday. I didn't ask permission, but I'm sure they would understand me re-issuing their posts. I want to remember them forever and for my Mom to see them.

From Vance:
Happy 17th Birthday Brother. I know you wouldn't like all this attention. I've been trying not to let my love for you turn into hate. But to hate WHY you're gone is easy. I hate THAT you're gone. The days aren't getting easier. Love is stronger than hate and I love you. Oh yes I love you. 

From Stu:
Words can not describe how much I miss you. Happy birthday baby brother.


From Jenna:
Happy birthday, Ross. I miss your smile, your laugh, your jokes, your voice, your hugs. I miss you, all the time. You should be here.

From Kelly:
My beautiful baby boy I miss you beyond words. Today is your birthday. Not a day goes by that I don't smile through tears remembering the amazingness of you~I love you

Here are a few of the photos that were pasted of little hims yesterday:

a birthday tribute yesterday to a fabulous kid

and here is a photo that I scanned in today:

Miss you sweet Godson!

april fool!

It was a super busy day today, but I lived to tell. One of my most active students celebrated her birthday, my Zizu students were in the classroom, a teacher from Greenwood who is very interested in Montessori stopped in for an observation, I hosted spanish class in my classroom and the thermometer stretched all the way up to nearly 80 degrees...whew!

international bazaar

Last night our family was invited to the International Bazaar on the UW River Falls campus because I have been hosting two student teachers in my classroom from Zizu University in China this year. It has been a rich cultural experience for our class, but it was pretty spectacular to receive an invitation to eat food from around the world and watch talented college students singing and dancing. O discovered he was born in the Chinese year of the Tiger and thinks that is pretty neat. I am a boar, K is a dog, Brad is a rat and A is snake.

Next time you talk to him you will have to ask him all about it he just told me "Daddy is a dirty rat..." So funny.