Hot Summer in the City

It was hot. Our condo was going to be a sauna. So, we spent the whole day out in the cities.

We bought a new reading light for Meadow's room. I like that she woke up and immediately went to reading her books.

We also finally got room darkening shades up in her room. I guess it was too dark for her to read without the light.

We had a simple yogurt and granola breakfast before heading out for the day.

Theo has been better about tummy time, especially now that he can hold his head up well. He likes to watch Meadow play.

Library to start our day.

Miss Meadow has decided she wants to grow out her bangs because princesses don't have bangs. 

Princesses have bad taste.

The other day I got an email saying Ikea family members get 40% at the Sea Life Aquarium. Theo loved the aquarium at the MN Zoo, so we thought we would head to the mall for the day. There was also a heat warning so we wanted to get out of the apartment anyway.

Hot summer and frigid winter days are best spent in monoliths dedicated to capitalism.

This is always Meadow's favorite except she's too scared to touch anything. You can actually come to this part anytime. They don't collect tickets until after this room.

Theo kept screaming until I took him out of the Ergo and turned him around.

Can you blame the kid.

Everyone's favorite part.

Theo thought this was a good way to spend  a hot summer day.

Theo doesn't always nurse well when there's a lot of noise. We found a quiet place on the 4th floor away from the crowds.

"Papa take my picture by the big crayon!"

"If you must," I thought.

Then we headed across the way to Ikea to get some room darkening shades for our bedroom. We stopped for ice cream on the way out.

It's not quite at Costco cafeteria level, but it'll do.

When we got home, we decided to take a walk to the beach. Since it was hot I thought I'd push the little ones to the beach. 

Little buddy only likes being in the stroller for short periods.

He was okay once Meadow put her arm around him.

We hadn't had dinner and it was too hot to cook at home so we stopped at Bread and Pickle. 

I stood in line while Brooke and the kiddos got a head start on beach time.

Of course we got a hot dog for Meadow.

Grilled cheese for mom and a burger for me. Plus some really good fries.

I can't wait until he can sit on his own.

So far he doesn't mind the water.

We stayed until the sun set.

 I tried fishing from the shore and everyone else swam. I had just been here a few days earlier, so I was all swam out.

The next morning we headed to our neighborhood farmers market. I have to admit I don't mind that we have been sticking around the city this summer. With a new neighborhood to explore we have been having lots of fun being tourists in our own city.

 I think I'd just call it getting back to normal city life. We can walk anywhere we'd like at any time since so many things are in walking distance.

Once we can bike with Theo we will only need our car for road trips.

There were a lot more options for vegetables this week.

I always want to go in the neighboring record store, but never quite step inside.

I love the old storefronts, now homes you find mixed in Minneapolis neighborhoods.

Meadow snacked on her cucumber from the market when we got home.

Then we packed up some lunch and our hammock and walked back to Lake Harriet.

It was father's day and I could choose whatever I wanted to do. I just wanted to spend another day at Lake Harriet with the family. And do a little fishing.

Yup I've become a 'mocker. Don't mock it until you try it.

That's what the local Nextdoor folks call hammock enthusiasts.

We had tofu and mayo at home already. So, when we were at the farmers market I picked up cucumbers, lettuce and french bread for bahn mis. 

Little buddy liked the hammock and fresh air.

This group of trees is always full of hammocks.

Lot's of lounging around.

I relaxed with the kids while Scott went to the lake to fish.

I caught a bass, shared a reel with some kids from Montana and enjoyed the lake views.

Theo eventuallly napped in the hammock.

We would've stayed longer, but Meadow had an accident. It was also time to make dinner.

I made some fish tacos with my catch from our last cottage visit.

I read books to the kids while Scott cooked. Theo will finally sit through a few before getting antsy.

We put Theo in the Bumbo chair so he could sit with us at dinner. He thought it was the coolest thing.

He indeed is a cool dude.