A place for everything

A couple weird things I noticed the other day:

No, Elin doesn't really drink coffee.

And we definitely won't be using these sprinkles on Christmas cookies.

On or Off

Viggo came home from school the other day with a little number game printed out on a worksheet. You need something small, like checkers, to play the game. You shake them in a cup and then count where they fall - on or off the paper. The game is called "On or Off."

It's a highly sophisticated and technical game.

But of course we couldn't use boring old checkers! Nate and Viggo disappeared into the basement to make little - well, I don't know what to call them.

Little whatchamacallits.

Dad's workshop is one of the best places on earth.

They cut up a dowel and sanded all the little whatchamacallits smooth.

Time to play! It's a great game - counting and sorting is one of Viggo's favorite things to do.

She's crazy!

Svea has been spending a lot of time on the kitchen counter lately.

And she loves being silly there.

Not to mention when you sit on the counter you get to play with the Star Wars magnets. Perks!

Sometimes she even sounds like a Wookie. Too bad we don't have a Chewbacca magnet!

I don't get a lot done when she's hanging out on the counter, but it sure is fun to have her there!

An evening stroll

The other night Viggo reminded me it had been awhile since we went on a walk. I decided to put Elin in the stroller for the first time.

Initially she wasn't too tickled about that. Once we got outside and started moving she immediately fell asleep.
I love walks!

Viggo and Svea, walking by one of their favorite houses (because it has lots of lawn ornaments!).

We always have to check for the Baby Fairy. We spotted her under some hydrangeas that are still hanging onto a little color.

All snoozy back at home! I'm so glad that she is big enough to ride in the stroller. She did a great job!

This week in photos . . .

The Tooth Fairy Problem

Well, yesterday night we were eating dinner when Viggo lost a tooth! We didn't even know he had a loose tooth. "Because I wanted to surprise you!" he said. That funny guy. We were surprised!

So Viggo carefully put his tooth into a folded tissue and put it next to his bed. For the Tooth Fairy.

Well.

This morning he woke up and it was STILL THERE.

That scatterbrained Tooth Fairy FORGOT TO COME!

Whoops.

We think the Tooth Fairy didn't come because Nate was up late watching the Twins game that he had taped and watched when he came home from work. Nate must have scared the Tooth Fairy away!

So tonight we are going to bed early.

We are going to give the Tooth Fairy a second chance. Hopefully she won't mess it up again . . .

Svea had to have a picture of her teeth taken too. They're all still there. She just wanted to join in the fun!

We Love Minnesota

Elin and I traveled to Minnesota to visit some special friends.

Stuck in Milwaukee. It's a good thing I had a cute baby to keep me company!

We decided to don our disguises.

No one knew it was us. We could sneak around Minnesota.

But this one attracted a lot of attention. So as not to embarrass her, we decided it was better to just go out in public like normal people, and ditched the sunglasses and alien antennae.

She got plenty of good Minnesota lovin'.

So sleepy after a long trip from the coast.

It had been two long years since I had my favorite, the Campfire Mocha. And after an unexpected six-hour layover the night before, it tasted better than ever! I think I burned off every milligram of caffeine in about half an hour.

More kisses!

I kind of wanted to keep this cute, funny guy.

But his mom wouldn't let me.

The last of the season's geraniums.

There's always time for a silly photo.

We spent lots of time with this little mommy. She took good care of baby Elin!

Thanks for sharing a weekend with us, sweet family!

Time with friends.

They're all so cute! Thanks for hanging out, ladies!

I miss these people.

I miss this one, too.

We even had some Lake Beauty friends stop by!

Elin made so many new friends.

We had a great time. We will try to come back soon! We love you, wonderful Minnesota people!