Your moment of Zen

Check out this picture of Spaz I took this week with my new digital SLR camera. Despite my limited knowledge of photography, I think this is a very good photograph. It gives me confidence that I will continue to get better at taking pictures.

Serious Vikings Fans

We had some friends over to watch the Vikings play for a chance at the SuperBowl on Sunday night. Sula and Hannah are becoming great friends, it is so much fun to watch them be silly together.

Video:

Sunday night football BEFORE half-time (the kid friendly version of the night before things got ugly).

Rock the Cradle

Last Sunday we went to Rock the Cradle at the Children's Theatre Company/Minneapolis Institute of Arts (2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis). For those not familiar, it is a family event sponsored by 89.3 the current (Minnesota Public Radio) that includes activities, such as, story time with The Current DJs, kids disco, and a musical instrument petting zoo.

First thing Sunday morning was a stop at our favorite breakfast joint, Blackbird Cafe. Sula enjoyed coloring with papa as we waited for our pancakes and french toast.

Listening to Jeremy Messersmith sing silly kid songs.

One of mama's favorite paintings at MIA.

Disco dancing.

Sula is a great percussionist.

Purple Reign Punch- bring on the party

Celebrating MLK today alone at home. I am starting to organize our storage closet in the basement and go through all those papers that get put away to deal with another day. One thing I found was a recipe for a yummy punch that I made this past summer for the annual Blizz Birthday BBQ. With the Vikings playing the New Orleans Saints next weekend, maybe one of our blog fans would appreciate an amazing punch recipe.

Party On!

Purple Reign Punch

Adapted from Marie Claire Magazine, May 2009

1 bottle Cachaca

3 16-oz packs of frozen strawberries

4 cups limeade

8 limes juiced

1 bunch of basil

1/2 cup of high quality Balsamic Vinegar (sounds strange but this is critical)

1.5 cups raw sugar

Thaw strawberries, place in a bowl with raw sugar and basil, and muddle. Add limeade, lime juice, Cachaca and balsamic vinegar, and stir until all ingredients are blended. Transfer to a punch bowl and add enough ice to cover all the liquid. Stir to cool, then add more ice.

Serves 15.

AMAZING!

Back at the Children's Museum

More fun this morning at the St. Paul Children's Museum. Sula seems to be more engaged with the exhibits and interested in exploring unique spaces with every visit. Today she really enjoyed exploring the tunnels in the Habitot room. We also spent a significant amount of time playing with other kids at the pretend asian kitchen/ restaurant.

First molars are coming!

Here come Sula's first molars, ouch! It all makes sense now.

I am learning that parenting involves a lot of deductive reasoning. This past week Sula has not been sleeping well and was generally not acting "normal." For the past month I have been checking her gums for new teeth, anticipating their arrival. I think her molars broke through this weekend. I can feel a new tooth on the left back side but not on the right. They usually come in pairs so it won't be long before the right molar breaks through.

If you are curious to learn more about primary teeth development check out this resource: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-health-your-childs-teeth

Birthday fun

Yesterday we celebrated our friend Isaac's first birthday. It was fun to watch Sula interact with the younger babies.