We have been busy, busy, busy running around in Rochester. We've filled up every day with all kinds of fun stuff for the kids (and grown ups!). When you are down by an adult away from home, I highly advise planning a LOT of activities to break up the days. We usually did something like this: breakfast, morning activity, lunch, naps, afternoon activity, dinner and evening activity. We got a LOT in that way!
On Monday we said goodbye to Daddy so he could go back and work the rest of the week. William went with Mama and Grandpa to the Rochester fireworks. Uncle Mike didn't stay for the fireworks.
On Tuesday, we went to Nana to the House of Bounce. It is an indoor inflatable play area. Very much fun - although it was a little hard to keep track of the two kids and take pictures.
Amelia loved the climbing part - although I was surprised to see her show a little fear of the bigger ladders - probably a good thing!
William scaled this climbing wall without any trouble - I was worried he would get scared so high up in the air, so I attempted to follow him. It took me several (read:at least 5) tries to get up there. When I reached the top? William was already behind me climbing up again. So much for him needing my help! William also attempted the biggest, baddest inflatable slide I've ever seen without any prompting from me. I don't have pictures, just video.
After dinner, we attempted to take the kids to yet another local park. When we got there, we found there was an All Comers Track meet going on. In short, the track meet is for anyone who shows up (I tried to find an article to link to without success). There were running races going on for kids of all ages and different field events going on as well. William REALLY wanted to run, but we just couldn't find a race for his age group. He was almost in tears every time a race started and he wasn't able to run. He was able to take a few turns at the long jump. He still wanted to run, but he was happy to have been able to play at all. While we were in line for the long jump, there was an all ages sprint - William and I could have run together*. We were on the verge of a meltdown when it was time to finally check out the park across the street (our original destination). Luckily, there was a huge sand pit with several dump truck toys to distract him away from his despair. I was hugely impressed with the concept and the number people who attended the event. The event organization was really confusing, but we would definitely try to go another evening of running!
On Wednesday, we went to a place called Lark Toys in Kellogg, Minnesota. It is perhaps one of the last family owned/operated toy stores left in the area. It was WONDERFUL. They had a lot of educational type games and toys you wouldn't find in a big chain toy store. I very much enjoyed.
Marbles anyone? I initially thought these were bouncy balls and so I didn't respond when Amelia grabbed as many as she could carry...until she banged the glass marbles against a glass display case. We had to finally leave this area because she would NOT leave the marbles alone!
They also have a hand carved carousel inside the kids got to ride on. I thought William would be interested in riding on a moving (up and down) animal, but he made a beeline for this cart pulled by the ostrich. To humor me, he walked around the carousel once, but in the end decided he wanted to be in the cart.
PS Yes, their shirts do match because I am a nerd. Also, I didn't buy the shirts to be matching. I bought William this shirt in two sizes because I thought it was cute. It just happens the big one now fits William and the smaller one fits Mia.
Amelia blows mama a kiss
They also sold pieces of heaven (fudge). This might be the best fudge I have ever eaten. It was called carmel pecan. I would call it heavenly.
Amelia enjoyed sharing her fudge with Nana (chocolate). Watch your fingers Nana!
After lunch and a nap, Jessica (my BFF from high school) and her daughter Cana came over to play. William and Cana liked to make the cars roll down the wagon handle. Interestingly, William did a great job sharing and being patient with Cana. Much more so than he would have done with Amelia. Somehow this reassures me.
Amelia decided it was time for some hugging. Cana wasn't so sure, but she played along.
More hugs.
I finally distracted both girls with stickers. The stickers were a hit.
After dinner, we played outside with some neighborhood kids. Amelia's favorite toy was this (now) empty bag from the toy store. Originally, it held her new stuffed animal. Clearly, she would have been just as happy with only a new bag from the store.
Although it was fun to peek inside of it.
William got some more practice in on his bike. He was very excited when Grandpa got his bike out to ride too!
Thursday we got to spend some time with Grandpa Heidt in the morning. We read books, played and walked to a small neighborhood park together. After lunch and a nap, the kids were delighted to find this had pulled up in front of Grandma's house:
It didn't stay for long, but both kids were very VERY impressed.
Shortly after the digger drove away, Cana came over again to play in the sprinkler.
These two girls are SO cute!
We squeezed in dinner with Aunt Kaye and then more riding bikes again. No pictures of this - we were having so much fun!
On Friday, we went out to a little zoo/nature center called Oxbow Park with Grandpa Heidt. The kids really enjoyed looking at the animals and running around.
Amelia got bonus points for wearing her "I love Grandpa" shirt. The stroller is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Amelia is really only interested in riding in it if it is moving. If it stops for more than 15 seconds, she is wiggling out of the straps, standing up, and crawling out. Most of the time I don't even bother with it anymore as I usually end up having to carry Amelia AND push the stroller.
Amelia and Grandpa at the zoo
Amelia and William check out the turkeys together. After the zoo, Grandpa treated us to lunch before I took the kids home for their naps.
After the naps, it was time to tire out the kiddos. William had been riding his bike and Amelia was riding on this toy when they had a better idea. This entertained them (and me) for a VERY long time.
The highlight of Friday was Daddy returning to Grandpa and Grandma's house! The kids were pretty excited to see him again. They were also excited when Aunt Megan rolled in for dinner.
A little Saturday morning yoga to wake up - notice William behind the brightly colored pants.
Saturday afternoon we ran through the sprinkler again - this time Megan joined the kids in the water! What a great Auntie!
Amelia liked the coke can better than the sprinkler.
After the sprinkler, William helped shuck the corn. I walked up to take his picture (wearing his 4th of July outfit again) and the following conversation took place:
William:Look Mama! I'm corning!
Mama: Wow! You are a great helper!
W: I am a GREAT corn-er!
Mama: (tries to hide laughter): Yes, yes you are sweetie!
Where did William go?
There he is! Our first success with hide n go seek (unprompted)
The most exciting event (and the reason we stayed for so long in Minnesota) was the arrival of my aunt/uncle from Massachusetts. We don't get to see them every year, so we always try to make it work when they are in town. We've been pretty lucky the last few years!
Amelia is much happier to see Bobby this year!
She showed him the flowers
William showed off his biking skills
Aunt Megan was there to make sure Amelia didn't injure herself on the huge bike she insisted on riding. ( I know you are thinking "Kelly, she is a BABY. Just tell her no or take it away." I say to you: You don't have any idea how DETERMINED this girl is. I'm already choosing my battles.)
Game night Saturday night! Hurray!
Late Sunday morning we got back on the road to come home again. It was a LONG trip, but so much fun! Thanks for putting up with us for so long Grandpa and Grandma!
*Technically I am not running until my heels are better. They are not better. However, this would be an instance where I would run without thinking twice. There are just some occasions that do not get a do over in life. Running with your 3 year old? That would be one of them.
Mama teaching - it's what she does
Sometime she dresses up to tell the story. Not that William listens any better (it was SO interesting for me to see William in a group and how his behavior was different)
Daddy carried Amelia on his back and was the official Photographer. The director of the program loved having a lot of pictures to pick from!
Amelia also got to hang out with the high school helpers when they weren't busy. She LOVED music time!
William has talked someone else into reading him a book!
He listened (sometimes) to stories told by Mama
Tracing the kids shapes outside - William's super creative/fun/wonderful teacher had some pretty interesting shaped students (shape on the above right). The kids LOVED standing up to find themselves as a whale/alligator/monkey. PS She is an art student.
He drew with chalk
He did fun crafts
He ate delicious snacks 
Sang some songs (although, I will admit this is probably the part he liked the least)
William also got to play some games (I don't know what they were doing here..)
Made friends (and did A LOT of running)
Played with water balloons
Conned someone else into reading him a book!
He even got to color his own Tshirt
Mama and Mia on the last night - there wasn't any teaching responsibilities so I was free to enjoy myself!
The kids singing during their final night - William is in the front row, center with blue/green striped shorts
Amelia enjoyed the cookies with dinner on Friday night (we had a cookout at church)
She also enjoyed hanging out with a kiddo her age in the ball pool
William enjoyed the boat races
Sliding down the giant slide
Getting temporary tattoos
He also requested this cool white snake - painted by his very talented VBS teacher!
Those blue eyes! He was so sad when that snake washed off - I finally convinced him it had crawled into his ear to take a nap. Both kids were SO over tired by the end of the week the smallest thing would set them off.
