resting on the weekend

Memorial Day weekend is here! I was starting to come down with a little cold, but was able to sleep in until 9:30am. I was able to sleep about 9:30pm last night. 12 hours of sleep was just what the doctor ordered.

So far today, we got the boat lift in and the big boat into the lake. Now, we are getting corn ready to boil, ribs on the grill and the kids are running around playing outside.

good call

Our class was supposed to go on an outdoor field trip on Friday and we rescheduled to an indoor trip to the Hudson Theatre to watch The Jungle Book. It was a great call--there were some super scary parts, but the kids did a good job of knowing when it was getting too intense. It ended up being a great call because the rain fell plentifully.

crossing the bridge

On Thursday, our school started a new tradition called Crossing the Bridge. O participated and felt really great at crossing the bridge from Children's House to Lower Elementary.

O, Morgan and Claire at the Bridge Ceremony

honored

A received his acceptance into the Wisconsin Middle School Honors choir. The letter said that over 1,200 applied and 300 were accepted. Way to go ACO! We are looking forward to your performance as a bass October 28-29, 2016 in Madison!

By the way, if you are scheduling out this far, his confirmation date is scheduled for Sunday, November 13 at Ezekiel Lutheran. We will have a little celebration either at church or at our home.

allergies?

I'm hoping what I have right now (the sneezes as big as my Momma's), the itchy, watery eyes and the dripping nose is due to allergies as opposed to a cold. Several of my students have the same symptoms...I'm hoping its a coincidence!

working on the porch

It is the season to do report cards and to enter data from standardized tests I've given this spring. It is especially interesting being able to sit on the porch and enter the information. I'm hearing our neighbor John's bird and our neighbor Mark weed whipping.

birthday party for O!

We celebrated with Wil, Andrew, Lily, Anders, Katie, Osten, Mark, Maggie, Betty, Bud, Bruce, Brad, Karen, Ibby, Joe, Dehlia and Henry at the Giggle Factory it was fun and the kids played really hard. Happy 6th birthday friend!

miler

Little miss Olson aged 10 just raced her way to 2nd overall girl at Greenwood and 1st overall girl in her grade in the Shurman Shuffle--the one mile race at Greenwood Fun and Fitness day.

Her time 6:22. She is getting so quick, I will never catch up to her again!

remembering Ross

Ross Isaac would have graduated high school on the night that his big brother, Stuart was commissioned. His class honored him last night at their ceremony. Here is commentary from my faithful and strong brother Kurt:

As a father, there are certain days that stand out in time as extra special. Days that mark us in time and help mark our path. Today was a day such as that for me. Early this morning we left to watch Stuart get commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corp. I watched my father give him his "first salute". Many members of our family were there to witness and participate, which I am so thankful for. I was able to make it home in time to watch Ross's classmates graduate from high school. The class very thoughtfully presented me with a diploma, white rose and memory box with a gown, cap and tassels. Caring, kindness and thoughtfulness marked my path today.

and he's 6

Oh sweet son, OJO--wishing you a delightful year of growing and fun as you turn the magical age of 6. We love you infinity and beyond.

Here he is with his buddies Coulter and Jose at their field trip to the MN Zoo yesterday.

commissioned

Yesterday Brad and I attended the commissioning ceremony for our dear nephew Stuart Martin Blomgren as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps at the University of Minnesota campus. It was a perfect day and we enjoyed spending time with family--Mom and Dad Blomgren, Kurt, Jenna, Cody, Vance, Kaitie, Stuart, Kyeanna, Kelly, Freeman, Marian, Terri, Darla, Darla's son, Kyeanna's parents and her grandparents.

Dad was the first person to salute the newly commissioned officer.

Congratulations, Stuart and we are very proud of your hard work and dedication.

birthday party

Little O has a friend named Coulter who just celebrated his birthday yesterday. I took the two younger kids to the party--which was Star Wars themed after our family photo session.

Here are a couple of sweet photos from the evening: and you can get a preview of our clothes from our family photo session

family photos

On Wednesday, our family took portraits with Laurie at Picture Perfect Studios here in River Falls. I had bid for and won a portrait package at our school silent auction. She was really great with the kids and we took some fun outdoor photos in the dry run right behind her house. We tried re-creating a picture Brad and I took with our 15 year old when we lived in Idaho.

I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

lovely librarians

On Tuesday, two of our classes visited the River Falls Public Library on a walking field trip. It was outstanding. We got a tour of the library, did a fun silly face craft, and heard a magical story teller do a read aloud. The kids were in stitches and the walk was really unbelievably gorgeous.

We live in a supportive and well-educated community.

choir concert

MMS 7th and 8th grade choir concert tonight! That is the last time we will get to see ACO on stage at MMS...bitter sweet. Build me Up Buttercup was my personal favorite. Now the stage will be ripe for KGO in 2018 when she enters 6th grade.

absolutely gorgeous day

Days like this really take my breath away with their sheer beauty. The sun, the temperature (61 degrees) is about perfect. Thank you God for our beautiful world.

last race of the series

not sure of the times, but O ran his last quarter mile, K ran her last mile (she was awarded a trophy for third female runner in the 4-5 grade class) and I ran a mile on the last day. I finished well behind my daughter's time, but 9:17 isn't terrible. It was wonderful to hear my students current and former cheering me on...and it was pretty wonderful to hear my children's sweet voices in the crowd ;)


Fitness is invigorating!

meeting up with Momma and Dad

On Saturday morning, we rose early, picked up K at her friends' house and drove to Mankato to meet Blomgren grandparents. Our mission was to shop and find just the right outfit for Stuart's wedding. I ended buying a new dress for myself along with some fancy dress shoes. O got new duds and so did Brad and A. I also wanted to get ready for our family pictures on Wednesday so picked out a nice little dress for KGO II.

On our way home, we stopped at Red Lobster--I had a gift card from a student. O ordered crab legs...it's a good thing to try--he didn't really like. I got to eat his left overs and it was a lot cheaper on the kids menu ;).

It was wonderful seeing Mom and Dad and spending some time in Mankato. I cherish these times together.

mommy son date

On Friday night, our five year old and I had some quality time together as Dad and big brother were in the BWCA on their annual fishing trip. Sister was at a sleepover. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and then went to Avengers Civil War. We had a great time together.

selfie with my sweeties

This selfie is over a year old, but I love seeing my little sweeties as we went out to celebrate our then 14 year old's birthday.

commissioning bound

Our nephew Stuart is being commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Marines. He has invited Brad and I to attend next Friday morning. I have found a sub and am on my way to see Stuie receive his commission. Very exciting.

heading to a concert

Tonight, we are headed to the 8th grade band concert. Our euphonium player will be coming in from a track meet and we are hoping that he will have everything together to be able to perform. Life is busy and I'm hoping he will be able to keep up the pace...so far so good!

grey again

The long string of sunny days gave way to a grey one...it's good to have grey days too.

prom 2 for Liana Marie

In calling Mom today for Mother's Day, I was reminded that Liana attended the St. James prom with a friend I grew up with's son. Anyway, she was able to wear the dress that she had originally ordered online. It was a beautiful blue color and she looks fantastic (from the post I found online).

Liana is 3rd in line

Mom also shared that she visited with my friend, Joanna when she attended Steve Wentzlaff's funeral this past week. I was thrilled to hear that Joanna was doing so well and that she has survived breast cancer...life goes very quickly and its amazing that a girl who was the center of my world in elementary and jr. high has battled cancer without my knowledge. There are many wonderful people we meet in this world, it would be really amazing if we could keep in touch with them all.

action city

On Saturday, our 15 year old invited a friend to Action City--our family went along with a friend of our 10 year old's. We played video games, mini-golf, climbed a climbing wall, hit balls in a batting cage and played laser tag for about 5 hours.

It was a blast, but I fell right asleep when we arrived back in River Falls.

he's 15

For the past 24 hours, I have been asking Brad "do you know what we were doing 15 years ago right now?". It all started at Barnes and Noble and ended at OSF Hospital in Bloomington, Illinois. Our lives were forever changed for the MUCH BETTER! We loved meeting you then and are in love with the human being you are today. Thank you for enriching our lives, ACO. I'm looking forward to many more special years together.

sweet newborn

actor with his Grandparents after his performance in the Seussical

new Legos

with his Star Wars cupcake cake

6 characters in search of an author

On Wednesday night, our soon to be 15 year and I went to the Park Square Theater to start his birthday celebration. We saw the play, Six Characters in Search of An Author. Very interesting and well done. I was astounded how the deep themes were easily dissected by our acting son...he's a THINKER!

i love you because...

Just a fun backdrop and project that my students made for Mother's Day. This little boy is finishing his third year in my class. I will miss him dearly.

baseball practice

Soon to be 15 year old just scooted off to baseball practice. Our 10 year old just went to watch her friend, Lilly practice softball and our soon to be 6 year old is getting some grade A attention from Mom and Dad. So great!

high school activities meeting

Tonight, our soon to be 15 year old and I went to the high school activities meeting at River Falls High School...doesn't seem possible that in Fall 2016 he will be entering his Freshman year at RFHS. I got to sit near my friend, Sarah. It was a nice introduction to all us newbies ;)

lawnmower started

Today is day one of lawn mowing season at the Olson household. It's pretty amazing how tall the grasses and weeds have gotten in just the past week.