Theo Turns 7 and the Grandparents Come to Visit

Instead of going to the cottage for President's day weekend, I talked my parents into coming to visit us. I wanted them to try our ice rink before the season was over.

Theo and I really wanted to go to the cottage, but it was fun to have the in-laws check out the rink.

As it was Valentine's day, the kids get spoiled with treats.

We got cake from the nearby Mexican market and the grandparents got the kiddos candies.

We wanted to show my dad the Wirth Lake ice trail. Of course it started snowing heavily on our drive there.

Meadow wasn't interested in coming. At least Theo was open to checking it out.

A lone skier was traversing the lake trails with his dogs.

The full trail hadn't been shoveled after the last big snowfall. Only about a quarter of it was skateable.

Theo was loving skating the big trail.

It was a winter wonderland.

Another great day skating.

We did a few laps before calling it quits.

Since it was nearby, we headed over to Utepils. Theo was happy that he got root beer and Meadow missed out.

Utepils is still my favorite brewery in the Twin Cities.

They had the fire going in the beer garden, we could have sat outside.

Meadow had wanted to play checkers with her Gigi but was too afraid to ask her. She had the game all set up when we got home too.

I made special heart shaped pizzas for Valentine's.

Theo and grandpa played some board games after dinner.

Another weekend of snow. Theo got right to work clearing the rink.

He cleared off a huge chunk of the ice and then we all helped him.

These kids are very competitive hockey players.

I wasn't feeling great suddenly. Sadly I wouldn't be going along for many adventures the rest of the weekend.

I had to take my dad to the new claw machine arcade in Eagan.

This place was a mad house. I later learned that after they opened they sold out of inventory faster than they thought and had to close until they replenished. Today was the reopening.

They make it fairly easy for you to win.

They even had some food items. Theo loves these gummy kits.

The kids made out pretty well. You can also trade in your items for other items. Like what's on the shelves behind Meadow. We were going to trade in Theo's winnings for a Kirby, but as you can see he had had enough at this point. It was so hot and loud with all the people.

Looks intense.

Meadow's winnings.

Once it got dark out we went on a luminary walk at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

I scrounged up enough energy to tag along.

Inside they had hot cocoa and exhibits.

My little guy.

My dad asked if there was anything going on at the convention center. This weekend was the RV show and it was free. We were all excited to go.

I'm missing out on all the fun things.

I think Theo had the most fun. He climbed into every bed.

And drove every RV.

My dad found his trailer.

Not enough storage for your mom.

The kids loved the lofted beds.

That's insane.

This one had it's own children's wing.

In no way am I thinking of getting a trailer. But this brand was more my vibe compared to the others.

A yearly campervan or small RV relocation is fine by me.

Every year for Theo's birthday we got to Sushi Train.

Oh, I'm really sad I missed this.

I was worried there wouldn't be anything my dad would eat. He found something, not exactly what he thought it would be.

I think that's the exact opposite of finding something. Like the time I was in Paris and ordered some kind of raw cured meat and then steak tartare.