Como Visit

Cabin Fever + Twins off of school = Actually Go Somewhere day

Actually Go Somewhere day + Toddler Thursday = Family fun at Como!

Como Zoo and Conservatory's weekly Thursday activity is geared toward toddlers, but I brought one toddler and four non-toddlers. Yet everyone still had fun.

Ta da, bell pepper stamps.

Sorting colored apples.

Examining different kinds of seeds.

We took a stroll around the conservatory as well. The hall with the flowers is always my favorite.

Wren was around, too, but remember, the photographer was wearing her. Sorry, baby.

Watching the koi.

And our visit ended dramatically with a major blowout, Wren screeching on the changing table and Grey adding his own epic cries to the bathroom noise. It was all fun up until then...

American Swedish Institute

Sean has the wonkiest schedule which is usually annoying but it does sometimes have it's benefits. Such as the time Sean was home on a particular weekday and we took the younger kids to the American Swedish Institute.

It's a castle! Built by Swedish immigrants, later turned into a museum. During this family event, there was a fun storytime (although, my kids never seem to last too long during those) with themed activities.


For instance, one book featured someone traveling on a paper airplane. After the book was finished, the kids got to look all around the mansion for hidden airplanes, putting a sticker on their paper for each one (or on daddy's shoe, if you please).

As we searched, we also got to see the museum's treasures:











Once through with the activities, we crafted a kite like we read about in another book.


Finally, to the top floor that had a bunch of kid play areas. You should have seen Grey zip around there, he just loves the freedom to roam!

P.S. Wren was there but never pictured. Such is the fate of the baby when the photographer and the baby carrier are the same person.

Maple Tapping

We've gone every year to the wild rice festival at the Harriet Alexander Nature Center (and I always end up saying Harriet Tubman any time I talk about the place) and I saw that they were having a Maple Tapping event. Hey, I like maple syrup, I thought. So we went!

It was a cold day, though, so we didn't spend a ton of time by the tapped trees. Inside, we did some maple related crafts.


The boys got to make a "paper birch basket" out of paper that Native Americans would use to collect sap.


Here, Wren's snacking on a leaf rubbing.


Everyone took some time to admire all the animal skulls.


Grey liked to look at the reptiles while his brothers did projects.


Wren getting friendly with Sir Turtle.

We did bundle up and take a stroll around the boardwalk. Take a gander at the photos to finish out this post.

Easter Eggs 2016

Another Easter, another batch of eggs. The boys are getting old enough that there were no big spills, no stained hands, not even any big egg breaks. And Wren had a good time trying to bite through the egg shell.








Let's not forget the great hunt! It was a cold day so we snuck outside real quick to find those ovoid treasures.







This was our last Easter in Minnesota. Oh my.