With the kids finishing up school we had to treat them to Sushi Train. They picked the downtown location, which meant a family bike ride.  Theo asked why we don't go to this location anymore. The other location is more convenient but we agreed to go the one downtown this time.  I swear we did in fact eat sushi. We seem to always miss strawberry picking season. This year I was determined to go. Afton Apple was the first place I found that was open for the season.  One of their old fields that they were ready to retire was producing a lot of fruit this year. 

Love my porch breakfasts.  One of our neighbors had put out a notice that they'd be cleaning up the boulevard in the morning and anyone could join. I was delighted to see so many neighbors come out to help. Even met some new people after 4 years of living here. 

  Today was the day for our first rummage sale. Earlier in the week I messaged our tenant to let her know we were doing this. She responded letting us know she also signed up.  It was fun hanging out with Izzy while we waited for some customers. Theo tried to lure in customers like he worked at Little Ceasars. The kids made chocolate chip cookies and homemade lemonade. I think the kids were making more money than us.  We actually sold quite a bit. The kids made money on all the clothes and toys they sold. Everyone made a decent chuck of change.

I had two days planned for Doors Open. Scott wasn't feeling great on Saturday so we did what we could on Sunday.  Meadow was too busy crafting to join us.  I did teach her to make matcha before we left.  Our first stop was the Groveland Gallery. I was more curious to see the inside of the house after learning about it on my  1970's walking tour . You could only see the first floor. It had been a gallery so long that you could hardly tell it was once a home. There was a lot of traffic at the Sculpture Garden. We thought we'd go check out what was going on.

Hey it's the weekend of the year in Minneapolis! It's Mayday weekend. Another smiley breakfast to start the day. I think it's obvious who uses the living room the most in this family. Since we are replacing our sink with a pedestal sink I found us a cabinet to go over our toilet. Our bathroom is really looking good. It's not perfect, but it's a definite improvement from how it looked a month ago. Theo always tries to get a swing in before we go anywhere. Always fun to see a bike traffic jam on Blaisdell. Theo graduated to a bigger bike this year. He's still a little hesitant on his bike and unsure what to do with the gears. I'm pretty sure I had a simple single speed, back peddle braking bike at his age. In fact I was in second grade when I learned to bike.    Meadow with her new helmet. I've wanted to get one of these helmets (well not in pink), but now Brooke and Meadow have them. I guess I waited too long.

I had to travel to St. Croix Falls over in Wisconsin and then all the way across Minnesota in Fergus Falls to shoot a couple of hotels. After my second hotel shoot I stopped by Dairyland before heading home. This was the correct choice. I even got a little tour of the place from the owner. Pretty cool to see the old radio switch board from when they were a proper drive-in.

Today we had the last hockey game of the season over at North Commons back in our old Minneapolis neighborhood. Before Theo's game we got ourselves all packed for our trip to Japan next week.  This is everything I'm bringing in my suitcase. Three outfits, pouch for my phone charger and headphones, my travel hair straightener and toiletries.  Then there are the Japan specific items: plastic bags to carry our garbage since there aren't a ton of public garbage cans, a coin purse to carry all of our coins and a hand towel with paper soap since some public restrooms only have a sink. I will also pack a backpack in my suitcase.  Then extra items in my fanny pack for the plane ride. A blow up neck pillow, eye mask, Delta headphones, ear plugs, wallet, Tokyo guide book, Theo's chopsticks and extra utensils, Kleenex and our passports.  And just like that it was already Theo's last game. 

I don't know how parents have multiple kids in sports. Two practices and one game a week already feels like a lot.  Theo's game this week was at the Northeast Ice Arena . One of my favorite things about Minneapolis are all of the indoor and outdoor ice rinks. Theo is doing so much better from when he started. Though he does like to go out whenever there is a line change. 

St. Nick came! St Nick is the best. Just ask Theo. It definitely shows in his face.  And Meadow! Theo got Christmas pajamas, a mini Transformer, a penguin ornament, Andes Mints and another Dog Man book.

My new thing this year has been taking a walk as soon as I wake up. Most people including the dog walkers aren't out yet. And I don't have to worry the rest of the day if I'll get my steps in. Somehow I did not know. Ha. Well, probably cause I was sleeping. Theo is invited to a birthday party next week so we went to our favorite toy store, Pinwheel, to find a gift. We got a gift and the kids split their money to buy a butter shaped squishy. Since we were going to be in Linden Hills, I brought along our bocce ball set to play at the Linden Hills Park.

It was good to be back home for nearly a full week for a change. I always love to see what Theo builds with his magna tiles. That's a good skittle. I'm not sure why he looks so serious. When we all dressed up as M&M's a few years back we got tons of M&M's. Theo's hoping if he's a Skittle he'll get lots of Skittles.  Again a serious Skittle.  Meadow dressed as Kanao.