leap day!

On this lovely leap day I got to visit the Minnesota Orchestra with my class…it was absolutely amazing and humbling to see the talent of the musicians. We also visited the Minneapolis institute of art. Wow! Lastly I hiked to the RF vantage point…another wow moment. 

good Sam in Mountain Lake

Mom is settled in her new place at Good Sam in Mountain Lake. I plan on visiting this weekend. 

grad party set

I made it Facebook official today. Katie's grad party is Saturday, June 8 from 1-4. 

reading hangover

It’s been a while since I couldn’t put a book down while reading! This book kept me turning pages and I consumed it almost entirely this weekend. I'm starting the week a bit short on sleep and I’m ok with it. 

Story of a young army nurse serving in Viet Nam. I’ve always enjoyed history and very rarely learned anything about Viet Nam as the timeline of history lessons in my learning at Butterfield-Odin was cut short and ended in the time shortly after world war 2. I want to learn more. What a tumultuous time in world history. I plan on using this book as a Bunco prize next time I host. 

sweet father and son combo and idea for camping stools

Jenna sent this sweet snap of Hayes and Cody…the photo just melted my heart 

 Today I was doing a little shopping downtown and found this sweet little camping stool that was mended with scrap materials. We have several camping stools at the cabin and maybe I can do a little sewing work 

last of the season

Osten had his final basketball tournament of the season. He scored a total of 8 points, but we just couldn’t quite string together a win in the final day of games. Love to see that boy play! 

practical life

One of the things I love about Montessori is the focus on practical life. We had carrots for snack and the kids peeled them 

new hair

 Kyle visiting Mom with her newly styled hair. 

a maverick

Our lovely Katie Grace is planning to be a generational MSU Maverick! Here is the list of family Mavs I can think of:

Grandma B, Karen, Brad, Ibby, Brent, Kyle, Cory, Molly, Joan, Adam, Erica. 

Shine sweet Beata wherever you may go! 

it passed

Our operating referendum passed! Good day at school and then evening held a Lenten soup supper, confirmation mentoring with a lovely 8th grader whose brother is heading to state wrestling this week and who will be playing a major role in the middle school musical and I dropped in to church choir…I think it would be fun to start singing in a choir again. Beautiful nature walk and also a great visit with Mom on the phone. 

voting for RF Schools

Tuesday was a very long day! Up early to work out, head to the polls to vote for an operating referendum for our school district, teach all about the solar system, parent teacher conferences until 8pm. Fun day but kind of fell into a pile when I got home. Let’s hope the referendum passes

one love

I went to the movie One Love with my friends Marci and Tessa thus evening. Osten was sad he wasn’t able to come along. That reminded me he had a Bob Marley t shirt when we lived in the USVI. He got it in his Easter basket. 

It was a fun movie and I’d love to see it again. 

fingernails

Early this morning Brad, Osten and I traveled to St. James to spend a few hours with grandma. We arrived at 10:30 and stayed until 12:15 when her lunch was delivered. While there, she asked if she could get her fingernails trimmed. It was the one thing she asked for and I forgot to pack my clipped. Osten went to the nurses station to borrow one. The one thing grandma remembered when we got back from our lunch is that Osten clipped her nails. We also delivered some new clothing and played a game of Kings in the Corner. 

We left at about 1:15 because she was very sleepy and we stopped by to see Brent and family on our way home. Great to see them. Molly and I went for a walk and then we dined at Big Dogs in North Mankato. 

I called her this evening and again, she remembered Osten clipping her nails. She also told Kim and Kyle the story too❤️. She loves Osten for helping her out 🥰. 

tournament at Baldwin

The River Falls Wildcats 7th grade B team lost their first two and won their final game of the day. They are now 6-12 in the season. One more tournament next weekend! Brad and I lunches at A & W and shopped for some clothing for Mom at Care and Share downtown Baldwin. I’m currently washing them in preparation for our visit with her tomorrow. 

bunco night!

I hosted a fun and successful Bunco night! Marci, Moni, Melinda, Molly, Michelle, Lindsay, Amanda, Amanda, Dawn, Patsy, Desiree, Erica and I had soup, salad, sandwiches and yummy raspberry crisp.

happy Valentines

I have wonderful people who I love and who love me! 

material girl

 Julie and I went to the Madonna concert on February 13. It was supposed start at 8:30, but started shortly after 10. She and her dancers were incredible entertainers. We had great seats and could see everything! Many of her songs weren’t sung, but she has quite a catalog! It was a memorable evening and I’m so happy we spent the time together.

LXVIII super bowl

We’re watching the Chiefs versus the 49ers. It’s 19-19 in overtime. 

Bruce thinks the first team to score will win.

I think the 49ers will win 

Osten thought the 49ers would win from the season start.  

So the Chiefs won, not bad, but all of us were wrong! Leo Chenel has another Super Bowl ring. I pulled some content from the Milwaukee Journal: 

Chenal made his presence felt, too. He finished with six tackles, including a tackle for loss, and forced a Christian McCaffrey fumble on the first possession that gave the Chiefs the ball at their own 27-yard line. Though Kansas City ultimately punted, a promising first 49ers drive was sunk.

Chenal also tackled 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings for an eight-yard loss in the third quarter and made one of the plays of the night in the fourth, when he blocked an extra point by San Francisco's Jake Moody with 11:22 to go.

great basketball tournament

Osten’s team went 3 for 3 yesterday. Osten scored 13 points and played well all day. That puts some wind in the sails! 

time in Kato with Mom

On Saturday I got the opportunity to head down to Mankato to spend the day with Mom in her hospital room. I also went out to see one of my favorite childhood author’s grave along with some of the characters of her book, one being named Clarence, who was the character Tony. I realized he died as a 27 year old, so young. 

Cousin Erika and I also met for dinner and caught up on our lives.