A Birthday Surprise

Taylor Swift is coming to town in June!!! What perfect timing with my baby girl turning six on June 25th. I bought tickets for us to go with my girlfriend Amanda. Our seats were the best I could get. Of course anything but touching the stage opens room for improvement.

I made a shirt that said "I love Taylor Swift" and "K102 Rocks" on the back. This was in hopes that someone from the radio station would see her all cute in her country gear and upgrade our seats. No such luck! I bought Sam new cowgirl boots to wear, she put on her jean skirt with camo ruffles around the bottom and a zip up jacket until I was ready to give her the shirt that gave away the surprise. I asked where she thought we were going in her cowgirl outfit and she thought for a moment... "Cowboy Dan's!" she shouted out with confidence. No honey... Mall of America? Chuckie Cheese? House of Coates? nope, nope and nope. As we turned on Amanda's street I looked back to see...

We made it to the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul and there was Taylor gear galore. Sam still had no idea. Then we sat down and she saw the stage. I didn't get the reaction I was hoping for but she was still very happy. About half way through Taylor's performance she passed out. It was about 9:15pm. I tried my best to wake her up but no luck. Out cold! Until of course it was time to leave - then she woke up and thankfully walked herself to the truck with her new shirt in hand.

 

 

 

Some details about Taylor Swift...

Born December 13, 1989

Released her first single at age 17

She has been nominated 146 times and has won 82 awards

including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Top New Female Vocalist

kids will be... cats

It isn't very common in our house to have both Seth and Sam in a good playful mood. Usually one of them didn't get the sleep they needed and are a little less than cooperative. This morning was an unusual one. They were both happy as can be and hyper as can be as well.

They closed my bedroom door, the spare bedroom door, the door that leads to the living room and the bathroom door (where I was still getting ready for work). They were now in a dark hallway and I could hear a lot of noices. A meow, a hiss, and something that sounded like a purr. I opened the bathroom door and found this...

Two new cats in my house snuggling on the ground.

Everytime I walked out of the bathroom and had to open another door I would get hissed at. Thankfully these cats know better than to scratch or bite.

Thumbs Up

It is pretty normal for us to switch kids every Wednesday with the Taylor's. Today was Seth's day to go home with Josh, and JoHanna came home with Sam. Around 8pm I brought JoHanna home. It is never as simple as saying goodbye to one child and having my own hop in the vehicle to head home. We pull up and the moment all four get together, craziness breaks out. Before I know it, the time is 9:15pm.

Sam wanted to drive the red quad before the new owners picked it up. That gave the boys extra time to finish their 300 lap race. Seth stopped in the middle of the track and put his hand out to tell all to stop. "It is picture time!" Nobody else seemed as excited for picture time as Seth did. They wanted to keep going!

I love seeing them riding but sometimes they give me a heart attack. The track comes close to the back deck, the garage and on the other side of the pine trees that line the back yard is Cty Rd 88 which has a speed limit of 55 MPH. Seth approaches the bend in the track without slowing down too much. He has already crashed into their garage last year without being harmed. A mother's worst fear - a broken neck! "Slow Down" I yell out as he passes. The girls can't go very fast to begin with so I'm never really concerned with them. The worst thing they can do is run over a small pine tree and become stuck.

We finally get them to park the quads and motor bike (according to Sam). Next thing we know they come running out with frozen treats and head to the trampoline. You focus on getting two ready, and the other two take off. Then you focus on getting the other two ready and the ones who were ready snuck back into the garage to get more frozen treats. A day at the Taylor's is definately a Thumbs Up.

My Diva

Grand Marais

July 2010

Sam's shirt was soaked and we weren't going back to our campgrounds for a while.

I found my bandana and whuala!

She hated it at first but then she was lovin' it!

A Necklace for Momma

I left Seth to work with his Grandpa Jim in the shop while Sam and I ran a few errands.

When we returned I was presented the most beautiful necklace ever!

So special that I don't dare wear it in public for fear of someone stealing it from me.
That or I could just hit them with it and run...

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Best Friends

Last year Seth met twins, Josh & JoHanna (JoJo) Taylor who were in his Kindergarten class with Mrs. Lau. JoHanna was a little shy with girls her age, and she likes to play with girls younger than her. JoHanna and Sam hit it off. This past summer we spent a weekend at the Taylor's lake property in Chetek, Wisconsin.

During the school year we have the kids swap houses every Wednesday. Girls at one house, boys at the other house. Josh has taught Seth how to ride a four wheeler and a dirt bike. Sam has ridden a four wheeler also but her turn kinda ended lodged in some brush and a bit tongue.

When the four are together, there is no such thing as quiet.



Seth, Josh, Sam and JoHanna collecting wood for the fire in Chetek (Sept '10)

Sam, JoJo, Seth and Josh going on a walk in Chetek (Sept 2010)

Moments later JoHanna goes to hold Seth's hand. So cute...

Josh, Seth, Sam and JoHanna after swimming lessons.
Dairy Queen, Rosemont, Minnesota (May 2011)



Road Hazard

Nick and I decided to take the bike to work on the weeks that the kids are with their dad. It costs us $8 per day in gas to drive the bike versus $25 per day in the Explorer. Today was our second day of Nick dropping me off at work around 8:30am and picking me up around 6:30pm. We made it half way up Highway 52 when the bike started feeling strange to us. We pulled over and this is what Nick pulled out of the tire.

We drive a narrow path down the road 

yet we hit this little thing

this little thing which requires a new back tire

for a mere $360