Marina's Twin Cities Birthday Weekend

Our niece Marina was turing 11 and had one request: a weekend in Minneapolis with her favorite cousin, Meadow.

Marina made these masks for them. You know this cat lover was excited.

We walked over to Kiniko Kids and they had a Ghibli cookbook.

Meadow wanted this mushroom hat.

Since ice skating season ended early we still wanted to get one last skate in.

Theo tried out his new skates, which needed some adjustments.

I had always wanted to come for their open skates.

Marina did not want her picture taken. But I'm Uncle Picturetaker!

You cannot escape the camera man.

We walked over to Ramen Kazama for a late lunch/dinner, but found out it was closed for a few hours midday. Instead we waited for Meadow to get a boba tea next door at Ichigo Tokyo Crepes.

We debated between happy hour at Kyatchi and pizza at Boludo. Marina picked pizza. I forget how freaking good this place is.

We have a lot of great restaurants within walking distance.

Even Marina liked it.

Theo and I worked on his math activity book that he got for his birthday. I am always blown away when he knows an answer.

Is Theo going to be a Mathelete?

Marina wanted a dragon cake for her birthday this year. We settled on a cookie cake with a dragon on top.

Brittany had a dragon stencil made and painted it with edible paint.

Her one request for her birthday was go to go to the American mall. She got quite a bit of cash to spend.

We didn't have enough butter for frosting but we made do. Not too bad.

Cool cake, Marina.

Then it was Mall of America time. We went into all their favorite stores.

So much shopping.

Apparently this was Jeff's first time at MOA.

We gave each kid $20 to spend. Meadow got this fancy hair clip at Hot Topic.

We then took a lunch break at the newish food court.

Marina's Hot Topic purchase.

Marina also found new charms for her Crocs.

Sorry guys, I had to take this picture.

It's a good one, nice job Uncle Picturetaker.

More Croc charms.

We finished up our day at Mall of America with some treats at Dairy Queen. Well Brooke and Meadow got boba tea.

We ended their visit with dinner to go at La Casa Market but apparently forgot to document it.

Happy Birthday Marina! Come visit us again!

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