Meadow's 3rd Birthday Party with Special Guests Mr. Mike and G.G.

My parents called the day before they arrived saying that they were coming for the weekend. My mom had to work late on Friday so they left early Saturday. This weekend turned out to be super humid and hot. As soon as they arrived I suggested we go to the Science Museum.

Mr. Mike was astounded by the the museum.

Partway through our visit we took a break to see a national parks documentary in the Omnitheater. This was Meadow's first movie. 

I was surprised to see a lowly midwest locale featured. At one point in the film they went ice climbing at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. So cool.

There was so much to see here that we didn't quite get to everything.

And this is the second time we've been here in the past few months.

 It was actually less busy on a Saturday than during the week when school groups are here.

As we were trying to leave we kept finding more things to do.

I had a chance to see space.

You look astounded. Must be a Romenesko thing.

 We stopped for dinner at Shamrock's as it was well past dinner time and getting dark.

I wanted to go to the original the Nook, but you always get a seat at this location. G.G. was impressed by all the celebs who've stopped by to have a Jucy Lucy.

We all got burgers, which are probably the best you can get in Twin Cities. Meadow got mac and cheese AND ice cream with her meal. Lucky duck.

Sunday

We got up early to prep for Meadow's party. Since most of Meadow's friends still nap I scheduled the party early at 11am. I don't think I'll do that again. We were rushing in the morning to get everything done. 

This year we chose the splash pad at Manor Park for her birthday. She's so lucky to have a summer birthday.

Hey it's the Brauch-Sapps. 

Anna and Aaron brought along Aaron's kite. I guess they keep their's in their car.

Davin keeps his in the car too.

We really need to keep Meadow's kite in our car.

Davin totally agrees.

This year we made veggie sushi and no cook tomato and mozzarella pasta for our guests.

The dad's were having more fun in the splash pad than the kids.

I needed to cool off. I'm not meant to be in a city without lake effect temperatures. I yearn for "cooler by the lake."

Meadow is still chicken and won't go near the water.


Brooke didn't even bring a swim suit. Looks like you're the chicken.

Meadow requested a cake with pink sauce this year. One day at work I found a recipe for a pink castle cake. I used the Fairy Tale Cottage pan with the intention of making a strawberry cake and outlining the details with strawberry frosting.

 I randomly picked a strawberry pound cake recipe and while making it, it seemed...wrong. It had no liquid ingredients except for the strawberries. I made it anyway because it was 10:30 at night and I had no choice. The cake didn't rise at all and the outside was super hard. I debated on remaking in the morning and gave up. Instead I covered the cake in frosting and added fruit for decoration.

Ahem...those were my ideas.

I was worried the cake would be horrible, but it actually tasted really good.

A piñata. Again. 

It's kind of our thing.

The kids kept on trying...

...and trying..

...but this thing was built like a tank.

I probably should have gotten one of the piñatas that you pull to open. Piñatas are hard to break open.

I can't remember any being this hard.

Eventually Anna took over and broke it open.

Then Meadow opened gifts.

A Thomas & Friends puzzle in a cool lunch box. Perfect!

She also got some more play-doh and bubbles. Good picks, friends.

Then it was time to part ways.

We probably would've have stayed around the park longer, but we had a boat to catch. While at the Science Museum we noticed the paddle boats on the river. My dad really wanted to go on one, the last ride was an hour after Meadow's party.

I didn't realize how many people take their boats out on the river.

The ride was supposed to be a history tour. There really wasn't much history to be told. We mostly saw the woods. I was hoping it would at least go to the dam. It was still fun none-the-less.

Afterwards we walked around Harriet Island.

Meanwhile I spent the rest of the afternoon photographing the Northside Greenway Demonstration opening.

This is somehow controversial. Parking!!!!

Despite the emo anti-everything folks it was a fun event.

Back at home Scott made one of my favorite dinners.

Korean rice bowl with steak, asparagus and eggs.

Then Meadow got to open her gift from my parents.

That's her grandparents.

Roller skates! She was so excited.

We let her open one of our gifts. A picnic Duplo set.

Meadow's feet are too small for the skates so she has to wear her biggest shoes, her rain boots.

Lucky kid and her real birthday wasn't for a few more days.