The Fair

On Saturday we got a baby sitter for Harrison and went to the fair. We usually go to Roseville High School and park and ride, but they were full (at 11:30 am). So we were directed to another one about 5 minutes away. Definitely not as good a park and ride. The buses were infrequent and very full. But we made it there and began our journey of food. Here are the things we ate (not in any particular order and not necessarily enjoyed by all of us):

Roasted Corn
Spaghetti and Meatballs on a stick
Grilled Chocolate Sandwhich (surprisingly very good!)
Cheese Curds
Scotch Egg
Bull Bites
Turkey Sandwich
Root Beer Float
Apple Carmel Malted
Root Beer
Lemonade
Sweet Martha's Cookies
Taffy
Cotton Candy

We also went and saw the cows, the giant pumpkins and vegetables, rode the ferris wheel, played games (where I won Harrison a giant Nemo), rode the go carts (only Brad and Merryl) and stopped at the DFL booth. It was a great day.

Here comes the bride....

While we were watching movies, Merryl asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. She didn't just ask, she gave me a very beautiful and moving card and a small gift. There was a book of chocolate recipes and a box of paper flowers called "For my Sister". I just loved it. It was a much nicer way of asking someone to be in your wedding than just calling them up, like I did. Brad also asked Cliff to be a groomsman and Harrison will be a ring bearer. We are very excited and can't wait.

Brad and Merryl come for a visit

On Thursday night my brother Brad and his fiance Merryl came to visit us. We had a great visit with them. But it didn't start out too good. We hadn't eaten dinner so Cliff stopped off at Grand Shanghi on the way home from the airport to pick up dinner. Where Brad had promptly threw up on the curb. He says it was the turkey sandwich he ate earlier that day. But he threw up again later that evening during our dinner.

On friday we decided to take Harrison to the Como Zoo. It wasn't very crowded which was nice. The first thing we did was to see the monkeys. Harrison loved it. He kept saying "Hi Monkey" "Hi Gorilla". They were all out and not sleeping. Every other time we go there the animals are sleeping. We then walked over to see the giraffes and the zebra. Harrison loves these animals also. We caught the end of the Sparky show. Harrison loved watching Sparky do all of his tricks. He kept pointing at him and saying "Seal...arr arr arr". Then it started to rain. We ran to see the lions and tigers. Another of Harrison's favorites. As we were watching them, Cliff decided to tell me that my hair was looking rather frizzy. Not "Monica" frizzy. (Monica from the show Friends - where they got to the bahamas and her hair goes crazy). He thought I should know. It was very nice of him to look our for me. We didn't want to continue to walk around in the rain so we headed over to the carousel, making a pit stop at the gift shop. If you know Brad at all, you know that he can't resist a good gift shop. We bought Harrison some animals that he didn't have (a seal, turtle, sheep and gorilla). He just loves the turtle. Brad bought Harrison a stuffed animal zebra and a zen sand thing.

At the carousel we all went for a ride. Harrison did well, for about 3 minutes. Then he didn't want to be on the ride any more. I held him for the rest. I later figured out why, he was very tired. As soon as we got back to the car he fell asleep.

We then went to the Mall of America and had lunch. We ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp. Ken and Shannon had been there and they liked it so I thought it would be kid friendly and fun. I think everyone enjoyed what they got. But I wasn't too thrilled. I thought it was very expensive for what you got. We then shopped and walked around, we were on a mission to find Brad and Merryl new sneakers. Merryl found sneakers at DSW. I really liked them but Brad didn't. He found sneakers at Champs. Cliff was on his own mission, to find all of the establishments that have free food. His favorite is Rybicki's. They have free cheese. The also found Williams Sonoma- free bread with Oil. His mission continues whereever he can find it.

That night Brad and Cliff went to the Vikings game while Merryl and I watched movies and ate sushi. We watched Hitch. Loved it! It was very funny, just what we wanted.

New Furniture

On Tuesday we got new furniture delivered. We ordered it from a place called Newport Furnishings, www.newportfurnishings.com. They are located in Golden Valley. I can't be happier with them. We got a new Couch and chair. We also got a leather ottoman/coffee table but that hasn't come in yet. I had it delivered and they had a hard time getting the sofa in. We had to take the front door off of its hinges. But it is in. It is so deep and comfortable. We used to have 2 leather love seats in our living room so we gave them to Ken and Shannon who needed more seating in their living room. The couch is a cranberry red and the chair is a light mustard yellow with very think stripes in cranberry, orange and brown. It is really nice. I can't wait for the ottoman to come in.

Yummy Yummy

For those of you who know me very well you may think I am going to write about Harrison's Wiggles DVD Yummy Yummy. But I am not. On Sunday we went to the MPLS farmer's market. We just love it there. For some reason this was the first time we were able to get there this summer. We got lots of good things.

Things we ate there:
Grilled Sausage Brat
Muffin
Roasted Corn
M&M Cookie (for Harrison)
Pickle

Things we bought:
Corn
Heirloom Tomatoes
Basil
Pickles
Anaheim Peppers
Green Beans
Garlic

Things we wanted to buy but couldn't find:
Cheese Curds

Out very late

On Saturday we were invited to a pool party at one of my friends from law school, Kristi and her husband Chris's home. Several of my other friends from law school and their families also came. It was a beautiful day for the party. One of our friends, Elizabeth, and her family drove in from Milwaukee also. We got there around noon and just sat by the pool. Harrison was of course leery of the pool so I didn't force it. I didn't even have him in a swim suit. I didn't think he would go in. About an hour later my friend Julie arrived with her 2 kids. John, who is 3 immediately wanted to go into the pool. Harrison just loved John. He followed him everywhere and was laughing and talking to him. It was great. But I soon was noticing that Harrison wanted to go into the pool with John. So we all changed into our bathing suits and Harrison played on the pool steps for a very long time. It was great. He was also running around the pool, following and chasing John so I thought for sure that he would fall in. But he didn't.

Later, Chris fired up the grill and made some great burgers, brats and hot dogs. Kristi had quite a spread at the house. Harrison ate his hot dog and the biggest grapes I have ever seen. He also had bites of our hamburgers. Which was great because he never wants to eat hamburgers.

Harrison then played some more until we put Harrison down for a nap. We brought the pack n play so it was really easy. He slept for about 2 hours. When he got up John had gone home so he played with Anthony, Elizabeth's son. They played outside for a while, back in the pool but then stayed inside for the remainder of the day. Anthony brought a lot of his toys and they played together quite nicely. Especially with the french doors in Kristi's basement, that is until Harrison scrapped his foot and we needed a band aid. That was the end of the door man game.

I was thinking we would be going home soon after this as it was 5:00. We went out to see the guys who were playing bocce ball. Their game wasn't over and Kristi invited us to stay for dinner. So we did. Harrison was in a great mood and we could put him to sleep at his regular bed time.

We had happy hour, Cosmo's and wine at their bar in the lower level. Then Chris made BBQ chicken. It was a great dinner. After dinner we sat around the outdoor fireplace and snuggled under towels. It was just so perfect...Until...I looked at my watch and saw that it was 10:00 and we hadn't been home since 11:00 am and we forgot all about Brady. So we then left to let Brady out and feed him. Poor Brady.

It was a great day with friends I spend way too little time with and Cliff and Harrison who I think had a great time making new friends.

Garage Woes

This morning we were all up and ready to leave the house on time. A rare feet for us but somehow we did it. Cliff was especially anxious to get going because he had a very busy morning. Well, when we got out to the garage it wasn't open. Which was a little weird because I could have sworn that I opened it up from the house but not that weird becasue that has happened before. So we just tried our very tempermental keypad. That didn't work. So Cliff went back into the house, muttering something like "he didn't need this, not this morning of all mornings". He tried the remote again, no luck. Meanwhile, Harrison and I were just standing out in front of the garage door waiting. Cliff came back and said that the circuit breaker was fine and he didn't know what was wrong. By this time we was very upset. We all went back into the house to figure out our next step because we were definitely not getting into the garage. I told Cliff to call one of his co-workers and catch a ride. He did that. I then decided that I was going to be the one who had to take care of this problem. First thing on my agenda, get Harrison to day care. Luckily it is just 4-5 blocks away. But alas, I do not have the stroller or the wagon as they are all in the garage. So I told my 21 month old that we will be walking to Carol's and that he would have to hold my hand the whole way. I was a bit leery that this would work but we were going to try. He did it. Harrison walked the whole way to Carol's holding my hand and never stopped once to try and let go or run from me or anything, it was great! When I got back home we called the company who installed our garage door 2 years ago, All Style Garage. They were amazing. He said he could come by at 10:00 and sure enought he was there just after 10. When he got the garage open I found a box of books and cd's and tapes that I stored there after our garage sale had tipped over. We also discovered that when they fell they flipped the electric disconnect switch, essentially a light switch. Well we put it back on and he installed a new manual lock on the door in case power goes out again we could get into the garage. I would highly recommend this company should you ever need servicing of your garage door.

Our Vacation

We had a great vacation. We spent the week out east with my Mom and Eddie. We arrived after a typical move of Northwest airlines, they cancelled the great flight we had that left at 5:00 and arrived in NY at 8:30 and put us on a fight that left at 6:45 and arrived at 10:30. Way past Harrison's bed time. But luckily I think Harrison was excited to see his Aboo so he was really good on the plane. The next day we got up bright and early and loaded up the car and headed up to Massachusetts to the Birkshires where Mom and Eddie have a house. We stopped on the way and picked up some fresh corn and tomatoes at a roadside stand. Harrison watched the Wiggles about 3 times before he fell asleep. We got there around 1:00 and off went Harrison. He absolutely loved the country. At the house he immediately ran to the screened in porch and hung out in there opening and closing the screen door to the rest of the house. He was in heaven. (As he loves opening and closing doors and drawers). Brad and Merryl soon joined us. We then ate lunch and headed to the playground. Harrison couldn't get enough of the corkscrew slide. I think he went down it about 100 times. He then wanted to go to the lake. Right next to the playground was the lake/beach. Of course, since it was 5:00 pm, I didn't have Harrison in a bathing suit and he went straight into the water. I really didn't care. He was having a blast. ON Sunday we went to the beach again and this time we were prepared with chairs, towels and swim suits. Harrison again had a blast. He even learned how to skip rocks. We then went to the playground until my Aunt Toni and Uncle Mitchell came over with my cousin Emily. They were in the Birkshires that weekend because my cousin Ian was at Tanglewood for the summer. So we had a bar-b-que with them. On Monday we went to Connecticut to Eddie'e Nephew's Mark and his wife Marsha's house for a bris for their son. They have a beautiful house. I took Harrison immediately to the play room with all of the other kids. He was a bit shy at first but he was then lured by all of the toys and played. THey also have one of the huge rainbow systems in teh backyard so Harrison played on that for a while. The brunch that they had was really deliciious. We left around 1:00 and got back to Otis by 2:30. We stayed at the house for the rest of the day. On Tuesday, we decided to take a walk around Great Barrington. We first ate lunch at a great little diner. Then we went shopping but the only one to get anything was Harrison who made out like a bandit with a ton of new toys (which we had to box up and ship home because I couldn't fit it in my suitcase). That night my cousin Ian was playing in a concert in Lenox so we went to that. Harrison wouldn't be quiet so Cliff took him outside while Ian was playing. I then joined them and we got to watch more of the Wiggles as I set up a mini picnic with snacks and movies for Harrison. We then took Ian out for dinner. We ate at a great place, I think it was called the California Grill. We ate outside and got eaten alive by the mosquitoes. Harrison who I thought would be a complete nightmare, because it ws 8:30 and way past his bed time, was really good. He ate a huge, and I mean huge by an adult size portion, bowl of buttered noodles. When he was done I turned on a movie on the portable DVD and he was in Heaven. I really don't know what parents did with out these portable DVD's. Oh yeah, I know what they did, they didn't go anywhere with their kids. On Wednesday and Thursday Cliff and I left Harrison with Mom and Eddie and went to Boston. We stayed at a beautiful hotel called the Park Plaza. We first went to see the Old State House. Then walked over to the Old South Meeting place. We then walked over to Fanueil Hall and Quincey Market where we had lunch. We ate at a great place called Durgin Park. I had Lobster...YUM!!!! We both shared Oysters...more YUM!!!. We then walked over to Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church. It was all very interesting. We then went back to the hotel and showered and got ready because we had Red Sox tickets that night. The game was great. George and Barbara Bush were there. This ws the first time Cliff had ever been to a Major League outdoor stadium. The next day we went to Boston Common to look at the ducks, then make our way to the USS Constitution and finally Harvard. Meanwhile, back in Otis, Harrison played in the lake and Playground and the pool and went to a goat farm and a regular farm to see the animals. We all then met up a the outlets and did some shopping. On Friday we packed up and left for NY. We spend the rest of Friday and Saturday in NY visiting with Popper and Adele and Hilary. It was a great trip! Oh, I forgot to mention, Harrison was teething. It started on Wednesday and didn't stop. He was so cranky. We all had frayed nerves. On Saturday when I saw Hilary I asked if I could up his dose of Ibuprofin and she said yes, we could give him a whole teaspoon. It was like the heavens opened..because after that, Mr. Crank Pants left and Harrison came back. So the story comes back to Northwest airlines, boy do I hate them. Well they didn't cancel our flight but they did change our seats, for no good reason, to the last row. I hate the last row. And to top it all off, we sat on the plane for 2 hours because of "weather". We were supposed to get home, again at an amazing time, 5:30 but instead we got in at 7:00 and home by 8:00. What snipets do I remember about the trip:

Eating TONS of bagels
Harrison's look of sheer joy going down the corkscrew slide
Harrison learning to skip rocks.
Boston Red Sox
Sweating alot
Ian's Concert
and spending a great week with Mom and Eddie

We can't wait for next year!

Vacation

Today we are all going on vacation. I can't wait. We are going to visit my mom and Eddie in NY then we will be spending the week up in the Birkshires. I hope the weather will be nice. Last year when we went it was raining and cold. Harrison is very excited to go. We have been telling him he will be going on an airplane and every day he tells us "Harrison Airplane, Mommy Airplane, Daddy Airplane, Abu Airplane". Then yesterday he started saying "Harrison sky". He can spot airplane's from miles away. He really likes looking for them in the sky. On Wednesday and Thrusday Cliff and I going to Boston . Harrison will stay with Mom and Eddie. This will be the first overnight we have been alone since Harrison was born. I am really looking forward to the trip. Brad and Merryl will be there for the first weekend. On Sunday my Uncle Mitchell, Aunt Toni and cousin's Ian and Emily will be coming over for a bar-b-que. Then we are going to Marc and Marsha's for their baby son's bris. We will be spending alot of time at the beach/lake and at the playground. I don't know if Harrison will like the pool because it is not a kiddy pool and he will have to be held, but we will try, plus it is not heated so if it has been chilly up there then it will be cold. Either way, it will be fun.

My new favorite song

Last night while I was watching Harrison finish up his dinner he started singing me a song. At first I couldn't quite make out the words. I thought he was trying to sing one of the songs from gymboree but then I realized, no this wasn't a gymboree song, this was a Harrison original. It goes something like this:

I love you
I love youuuuu
I love you (with a little higher voice)
I love youuuu

It was the best song that I have ever heard. I clapped and cheered so loudly and hugged him. He loved this reaction so much that he kept singing it for me all night and I felt like I was a teenage girl at an Elvis concert. I could not get enough. I think I can listen to this song forever!

Vacuum

I have discovered recently that Harrison is terrified of Vacuums. Not just when they are on and you are using it, but if they are just sitting out. He hides in a corner and just wimpers..."Vacuum...bye bye vacuum". I don't know what caused this fear. I know that when he was a baby I really never vacuumed in front of him because I always did it when he was asleep, that is when I had time to do it. I know he probably won't have this fear for the rest of his life, but I really don't want him to be scared of anything. I know this, when we have another baby, I will be vacuuming in front of him all the time!

I think I smell poop

Last night it is 2:45 am and I am in a deep slumber when I am awoken by Cliff announcing that he smells poop. I tell him it was probably the fish smell from our dinner. He then replies, no not the fish smell....poop. I think Brady pooped somewhere. I told him he could look for it because I didn't smell anything. So Cliff, on poop patrol went to investigate the smell. Sure enough Brady had a major accident on the carpet. I don't know why dogs always have to go on the carpet especially when there is hard wood floors near by. So we both spent the next 1/2 hour cleaning up the poop and the carpet. That was really unpleasant.

My Summer Reading List

I have been a big reader this summer. I think so far I have read 8 books and I am still going. Since I graduated from Law School I really don't read for pleasure much, but I do get into these spurts and read a ton then don't read much for a year or 2. So here are the books I have read:

Save Karyn - Excellent - true story - woman who started asking for donations to get out of debt
Sammy's Hill - Chic Lit - Enjoyed every word!!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Amazing but it was slow in the middle
Can You Keep a Secret - Chic Lit - I really love this author and have read almost all of her stuff
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - AMAZING!!!!
I don't Know How She Does It - Chic Lit - liked it.
The Nanny Diaries - reading now - so far I really like it
Good in Bed - next up

Reality update

Big Brother is getting really good. They kicked out Eric and I was so happy about that. He was so annoying. And all of his cronies are like...."boo hoo...what am I going to do without Eric in the house, he was my rock" I wanted to scream you just met him and you are competing against him for $500,000, you idiot. Anyway, he is gone and I hope Ivette is not far behind. But unfortunately Maggie won HOH and nominated my favorite, Kaysar. He is the best Big Brother player yet. I really hope he pulls some great strategy out of his hat and ends up staying. Another show that I watch ended last night, Hell's Kitchen. I really liked that one because it involved competing to become a head chef and I secretely want to be a chef so this was a good one. And for the first time the person I felt should win, actually won. Tuesday night is usually a big night for my reality TV watching. Big Brother is on, but I think all of the others have ended. That is ok, because I am reading a good book and I can spend more time doing that.

Back at the Pool

This weekend we were back at the pool. I knew we were in for it because Harrison seemed a bit tired all morning. So when we got there he really didn't want to go in the water. He mainly wanted to walk us around the pool and play in the sand box, which we could have done at the park for free. But we did spend some time in the water and I got to work on my tan if only for 2 hours. Cliff's parents joined us at the pool but they didn't bring their bathing suits so they just stood or knelt at the edge of the water watching Harrison not play in the water and sit on my lap. We all then decided to have lunch and Harrison ate really well....he absolutely loves Dippin' Dots...well who doesn't love Dippin Dots...Ice Cream frozen by way of nitrogen..yum....I actually really love it and Harrison does also. He ate a whole cup full to himself, along with a whole hot dog and cookies. We left early because Harrison wasn't being cooperative and wouldn't you know it, 3 minutes later, he was sleeping in the car. When we got home he played with his Grandma and Grandpa for an hour or so and then went right to sleep for a few hours. It must be hard being 1.