Minnesota

As promised, here are the rest of the photos from our weekend home in Minnesota. There's a ton of 'em- consider yourself warned! 

Calvin fell in love with the rocks outside Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Although the start of the weekend was a bit chilly, we were happy just to be outside on a sunny day after a long 7 hour drive in the car from Chicago.

We spent a little time with Great Grandma in her new home. Calvin loved high-fiving all of the residents and playing with crushing the two small dogs that live in house with Grandma and her new fiends. I love visiting my Grandma when we are home. And while my heart hurts every time I hug her and she looks at me with that who are you? look- I can't help but smile watching her light up when she interacts with a child. There is so much love there still. Those happy moments will forever outweigh the hard ones.

After my at-home "haircut" (which was more of an awkward trim that left Cal with an odd mullety whispy mess of a do) we decided that a professional haircut was in order.

Cal survived with only a little intervention required to get him to sit still for the seven minute haircut. And by little, I mean it took one toy truck, two colorful combs, a episode of Elmo's World, a little bubble blowing, and countless "Yaaaaays!!".

After the whole shebang was over and my boy was looking six months older, he was rewarded with a sticker and his very first lollipop! I'm sure you can guess what happened when I took the lollipop away after a few minutes. I know, I'm awful for not letting him climb a mall jungle gym with a lollipop in his mouth.

The following day, we visited the Wild Rumpus. Aka: the cutest bookstore in the world! 

While the rats, birds, mice, ferrets, guinea pigs and tarantulas live behind bars, the cats and ROOSTER are free to roam about as they please. A rooster who loves toddlers?! What??

(Ferdinand the ferret was Cal's favorite.) 

 There was even a adorable door for the kids to use. So cute. We will definitely be going back!

After the bookstore, we headed down the street with Grandma and Grandpa for a little homemade ice cream on the first 70 degree day of the year. The perfect afternoon in so many ways.

(Showing off his mad balancing skills.)

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing on the patio in the hot, glorious sun. Our trip to Minnesota could not have been more perfect as we arrived with snow on the ground, enjoyed a few hot days, and left just before the snow fell some more! Ugh. 

 Snow aside, summer is on it's way and will be here before we know it.

In the meantime, I'm off to find my umbrella.