Minneapolis Excursion

This weekend we met Grandma and Grandpa K in the Twin Cities for our final outing of the summer. Our agenda was as follows:

Day 1: Departed after Daddy finished morning walk-in clinic. Arrived around 1:30PM at our hotel in Eden Prairie. G and G arrived about an hour later. We then carpooled to the Mall of America where we hopped the light rail train. The kids hadn't ridden on a life-sized train before. Going through the tunnel under the international airport was extremely thrilling. Evan wanted to do the "monkey bars"- the handles dangling from the ceiling for standing passengers to grab. We got off the train at the 50th St. /Minnehaha Station and walked into Minnehaha Park. We viewed the falls and then boarded a double surrey for a VERY eventful cycling experience. Cami got strapped into a baby seat on the front of the surrey. Craig and I pedaled while the boys tried to "help." Cami dropped her sippy cup on the ground and we rode over the top of it. Evan's shoe fell off and he had to run back and get it. Evan almost fell under the surrey and had to be strapped in like his sister. We had to get out and push the thing up the hill a few times. We had to yell at an innocent family to get out of the way when we were careening down a hill and didn't know how to stop. We then had to profusely apologize to this family and explain that we didn't know what we were doing. We walked through the Pergola and Longfellow Gardens. We ate at a delicious fish restaurant in the park. Collin actually consumed fish (there was nothing else on the menu) for the first time in his life. After supper, we boarded the train again for the trip back. We were thankful to be headed in the opposite direction as the loads of Vikings fans going to the Metrodome. The cars heading in the opposite direction contained a sea of purple.

Day 2: Went to Como Park in St. Paul. Rode every ride possible at Como Town. Almost every ride is age-appropriate for preschoolers. Talked with a mom who had a daughter Cami's age adopted from Guatemala. Instant connection. Her daughter didn't sleep for a year, either. Hit a few parts of the zoo. Returned to the hotel in hopes of resting. Kids weren't interested in resting. Went to eat at Romano's Macaroni Grill in Edina. The kids were able to sit in a viewing area and watch the culinary events in the kitchen. Took a walk behind the restaurant and accidentally stumbled on a free hidden gem: Centennial Park. Gorgeous! And I didn't have my camera!!! All seven of us paraded through a sidewalk maze while being stared at by an elderly couple. Went through fabulous formal gardens, swung on grown-up swing, saw a wedding, saw model boat from a miniature yacht club on a lake, listened to classical music piped in via a sound system, walked under and over arched bridges. Walked around three small lakes connected by a stream. If you ever head to the Twin Cities in the summer, you MUST see this park!!!

Day 3: Went to church. Parted ways with my parents who were going to the Renaissance Festival. Went to the free Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Amazingly, we found it very easily off I-394. ( I was prepared for much arguing and getting lost in the van.) Craig carried a whining Evan on his shoulders the whole time. Left after an hour and headed home.