Catching Up with My Life.

You know when you get out of a pattern of regular blogging and things happen and you're like "I'll make sure I write about that." Then a lot of time passes and your list of things is long. And you think "I don't have time for that." But then almost a month passes and you realize that you haven't written a sentence about life except for linkups? 

So hold on to your hats for a brain dump post where I recap all the good stuff of August and the first 10 days of September. So I last left off at C’s first haircut. That was pretty great. Okay technically I left off at our 3 year anniversary. We went out to dinner just the two of us. That was snazzy, except Husband dropped his ring and it got so far under the booth our waitress had to come lay down and get it for us. His ring is too big. I bought him a new one this spring after he lost a bunch a weight but it looks like we’ll be getting another one. (Titanium can’t be sized.)

At home in August was filled with much playing and learning. Somewhere between July 26 and August 26 C exploded with the verbal and the listening and just all around grew up. He’s so big now. It was overnight, now nothing on the edge of the counters are safe! He's such a good little dude. And for what we lack in communication (because gosh while I'd love to understand all of his words they're still mostly gobbledygook to me) he more than makes up for in listening. He is a great listener. He follows instructions really well. I'm impressed. But I'm the momma so my standards are pretty low.

C and I spent a glorious 10 days in Minnesota to round up August. My broseph went to college! Which makes me old and sad. He is going to a great Catholic all boys school and there is a Priest on every floor of the dorms. And a Monastery right in the middle of campus. But while I am sure he’s having a great time at school my mom is an empty nester for the first time and since it was her birthday we went up to keep her company. Nothing like a running one year old to keep you occupied!

My good friend is having a baby on Friday! And her baby shower was while we in town too so that was a bonus. Living out of state just far enough that I don’t get to go to everything I missed her wedding shower and bachelorette party so I was happy to be there. We also got to go visit my Grandpa at his new digs in a senior living complex. It's like college basically. They all live on their own but there's activities and a dining hall where they do your dishes. I can't wait to move in!

C and I kept busy during the day while my parents worked. We went a big indoor playground with tunnels and things. C LOVED climbing and giggled his way down every single slide. He had a blast. I had fun too—it was definitely a workout. We also went to the zoo and it was perfect. We did most everything. We skipped the farm because my BIL has a farm and even though it’s not zoo-ified and cleanish C will have lots of access as he grows to actually experience farm life if he’d like.

It was hot that day so the bears were swimming.
Brown Bear is one of C's favorite books so we spent a long time waving to the bears.

Of all the gin joints… Hanson was going to be at the Minnesota State Fair. Twice. For Free. Let me repeat. Hanson. I know I’ve written about it before but I love them. They sing my favorite song. And I was going. (They were a contributing factor to going to Minnesota.) Okay so it wasn’t completely free, you had to pay for Fair admission. But $8 with an advanced ticket and the $5 bus ride (WAY cheaper and easier than parking) and that was the cost of the Hanson concert. It was so much fun. It was like 1997 all over again. As I am certain you can imaging most of the people in the bandshell area were about my age and female. Hanson was amazing and even though I didn’t get any MMMHops it was a great night. They have their own craft beer and it’s called MMMHops. It just doesn’t get any better. Except they sang my favorite song so it actually does. 

I got there an hour and a half early and this is all the closer I got. 

I also had an eye appointment. Yeah I know. How exciting. But it was. I was more than a little overdue for one and I need new contacts. As in the ones on my eye balls when I walked in were the last ones I had. At all. But I solved that problem, had the eye exam, ordered contacts and bonus--finally I'm got my free Firmoo glasses.

Then both of my brothers were home for Labor Day, which doesn’t happen all that often anymore. And it was my birthday! I went to the Mall of America and to Ikea. Which was fun. I didn’t get anything but it was fun to walk around. And Husband and I went back to the State Fair because I love it. It was glorious.

Monkeys are the very best. I know you know that.
We put a diaper on our Monkey friend. 

As far as the rest of September at home is concerned mostly we are just doing our normal things. C really enjoys cooking. He stands on his stool and “helps.” (Mostly just watches up close.) Lately he’s made bread, cookies, mac and cheese, cake and meatballs. In fact right this second I have banana bread to take out of the oven so I will go do that. This is basically what we’ve been up to lately.