Green Thumb?

Our Sunday started with a trip to Home Depot to pick up the necessities for the yard. While we pushed our carts full of mulch, top soil, plants, etc. something sparked inside of me. I've never had a green thumb or really cared too much about what happened out in the yard. That's been Mark's baby since moving in five years ago.
However, today felt different. It started with finding my favorite "purple flowers" that I see around the neighborhood and then stopping in front of some beautiful hydrangeas, which were right by my all-time favorite calla lilies. As we picked out our tomato plants and seed for our experiment of a garden I started believing that perhaps I could join Mark out in the yard. Perhaps I, too, could create beautiful gardens and enjoy doing so.
This revelation is quite interesting/a bit hilarious to me, though. I grew up surrounded by gardens - vegetables and flowers - and never showed any interest. Why now?
Part of it might be coming from our sharing of a CSA (community supported agriculture) for the first time this summer. On Thursday we received our first of many deliveries. We've already enjoyed the asparagus, eggs and green onions and are looking forward to a summer full of fresh and local food.
Whatever the reason is today I spent the entire day out in the yard with Mark and surprised myself with how much fun I had. Maybe a green thumb really can be cultivated in your thirties?

Our annual flower bed is being transformed into a vegetable garden this year. We both have no clue what we're really doing; however, we're looking forward to experimenting and hopefully getting some food to enjoy.

The flower pot is getting it's annual make over.
While I was pulling weeds and watering I came across this bird hanging out. I was completely fixated on my new little friend and was amazed I could get so close. He just watched me and didn't seem worried at all about my proximity.

The oak and maple trees out front are finally growing! I was surprised by how large they have gotten and am excited to see them mature through the years.
The final creation is done and I actually did it on my own! (Yes, I realize this isn't hard to do, but I was surprised how easy it was to create and that it was fun to do.)
The dead, or so we though, lilac bush made a resurgence this spring. Beautiful!
Here's my little friend again. I found out he was hurt and then I was overly worried about him. He stuck around the whole afternoon, but when I went to check out him before supper he had left. Of course I was bummed and hoped he was safe; Mark was thinking I was a little nuts... Anyone know what kind of bird this is?
The garden is coming along....
We quickly found out that a tiller would be needed so Mark made a trip to Big Lake to rent one for a few hours. We also realized that we would need more black dirt before we planted anything as well as a little fence/barrier. I have a feeling Zoey will find her way into the garden no matter what, though.

Today really was a great day being out in the backyard and enjoying our home. I'm excited for our vegetable garden and for our plans for a perennial flower bed. It will be nice to get back out there and finish up; luckily tomorrow is another day off!

Take me out to the ball game

In true fashion we were able to get together with the Lefebvres to celebrate Erin's birthday. For the past couple of years we've typically gotten together and have had a great time as always. This year our destination was Target Field and I couldn't have been happier since we weren't planning a trip to the new ball park this summer. TC's new home is amazing plus it was great to have an afternoon chatting with my oldest and dearest friend.

We decided to try out the new Northstar line, which boards in Big Lake and brings you right to Target Field. It turned out to be a great option and one we're looking forward to taking Anthony on soon. He will absolutely love the train.
The highlight of the ride there was a talkative nine year old who was asking several questions and telling us her life story to her dad's chagrin. At one point she interrupted our conversation to ask us if we were brother and sister. I burst out laughing and couldn't stop. I guess that's what happens when two blondes with the last names of Hanson and Johnson get married.

This picture really doesn't do the new stadium justice. Our seats were amazing, the view was spectacular and I think I've become a believer. I thought I would really miss the dome, but outdoor baseball (sun, sweat and all) was a great experience.

Charlie and Mark enjoying the game.

The birthday girl!
Happy 33rd, Erin.

Hello Summer!

It's so good to see you again.
These warm days have me looking forward to calling it a year
and spending our days outdoors together.
Bring on the sunshine, sunscreen and lots of time with family and friends!

Cool green shades

Lounging in the pool

Taking a break from swimming

Dinner outside

Spending time with friends

Enjoying a beautiful sunset

Alive?

Inevitably if I'm having a busy day and unable to email Mark I will eventually receive an email from him with this in the subject line. Naturally he's concerned and just wants to make sure everything is going okay.
I'm sure none of you have been worried, but you have been checking in only to find nothing new since early May. From the moment I accidentally left my camera up north combined with trying to wrap up another year of school (and correcting) the blog has been put at the very bottom of the to do list. (Well this and cleaning the house...)

The biggest, and greatest, news is that Anthony DID qualify to receive special education services for preschool starting next year. Since I last blogged we wrapped up the assessment piece, received notification, went through his IEP/created a plan and signed the paperwork. It was really nice to see the classroom he will be in next year and know that it will be the best possible setting for him. He will be riding a bus four afternoons a week to spend time with Amy and the rest of the kids in her classroom. Right now I feel relieved and so grateful that everything worked out. I'm sure by the end of the summer I'll be a bit worried and overcome with how-did-my-baby-get-to-be-so-big emotions.

The Feierabends had their annual spring BBQ party and, as always, it was a great time with great friends. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera, but Jenn had hers and did a great job capturing our time together.

Laura is PREGNANT and starting to show! We are beyond excited for "Monster Mike and Lola" (Anthony's nicknames) and cannot wait to meet Baby Selly in the fall.

Chow time. The kids all play so well together and have a great time.

Miss Adele is cute.
Seriously cute.
I am completely in love.

The night was topped off with a bonfire and s'mores.

Hopefully as the school year ends and summer officially gets started there won't be too many long pauses for The Hat Trick. Our summer is already looking busy and I'm looking forward to every moment of spending time together and with our family and friends. We're planning a get away to a cabin in July along with some camping trips, swimming lessons, Wednesday morning movies and community ed classes. The best part will be putting my professional life on hold for three months and just concentrate on being Anthony's mommy. I'll be sure to have my camera with me and capture our adventures.

It's Official

This is the face of Reactive Attachment Disorder.

This is the face of Sensory Processing Disorder.

This is the face of a kid who has been hurt and continues to hurt each and everyday.

Today the second part, the home visit, of Anthony's special education assessment was completed. It took over three hours and now I am left waiting, wondering and hoping. I know our A doesn't look like he's any of those three; for the most part he comes across as a kid who is enjoying life. But the hurt is undoubtedly there, which causes behavior that is harmful and hurtful to himself and others. He needs help and will continue to need help as he enters into preschool next year. Whatever happens is now out of my control. I pray that whatever is best for Anthony will transpire so we know what direction to take for this next step in his life.

Water Park Weekend

Anthony, Ella (4 and a half), Lucy (19 months),
Clara (almost 6) and Samuel (27 months)

Let the fun begin!
The jumping from bed to bed...
Going down water slides...
Playing hide and seek...
Eating lots of hot dogs and chips...
Giggling, laughing, squealing, screaming fun!

This weekend we traveled to Alexandria to meet up with the Arlts and Paulsruds at Arrowwood Resort. The kids had a great time at the water park and playing together while the adults were able to catch up and spend some much needed time together. Molly and Rachel were great roommates in college and have evolved into amazing, life time, forever friends. It's so great to have little get aways together and be able to see all of our kids enjoying their time together too.

Miss Clara
I'm still amazed that she'll be turning six in just ten days.
Where does the time go?

Of course the chain saw goggles needed to make their appearance at the water park! He wore them the entire trip to Alex on Saturday and then sporadically throughout our time there.
Ella and Anthony getting ready to hit the slides again.

Pure joy!
After having to count down the days starting at two weeks A was beyond excited to finally have a weekend with his friends at the water park.

What happened to Baby Lucy and who's this big girl?

Finally after lots of play time, rounds of hide and seek, coloring and watching a movie the kids were asleep and the adults had some time to chat, laugh and enjoy each other's company.

Mol and Dana

Drinking buddies
Jeremy had lots of good stories throughout the night, but the best one probably involved LeRoy or his need for a hair cut or the Mexican restaurant.
While the kids slept we drank, talked and continued to laugh our way through the night.
Fun times!

Here's my absolute favorite photo of the weekend.
Obviously when you play hard you sleep even harder!
Somehow Ella's leg ended up on Anthony and not once did he wake up or notice what was going on. They were all just O-U-T.

Thanks for a fun weekend, Mol, Rach and family!
We love you all and are so thankful you are a part of our lives.

His Future is Bright

Asher John is growing like a weed (16 pounds!) and is already five months old. We love every chance we get to spend time with him and his parents. Luckily we were able to do just that last Sunday. What a cutie pie in his shades!