North Shore 2011

For the 4th year in a row, we made our way to the North Shore for our annual family trip. The first year was my sister's wedding. Lila was just 2 months old, and Elsa had just turned 2. The next year Lila was 1 and Elsa was 3... you get the picture. We've always stayed at Gooseberry Park Cabins in Castle Danger, just north of Two Harbors. It's a great area, right next to Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, and Tettegouche State Park.

Friday, Day 1: Arrived and went down by the beach. First order of business: find the perfect stick!


The kids had fun doing what they did last year on the rocky shore: "stirring the soup" in potholes filled with water. Elsa got some lake scum on her stir stick and thought it was pretty neat/gross.


We ate at the cabin and then headed to Betty's Pies for dessert.


Saturday, Day 2:
The sunrise from our cabin window.


We ate breakfast across the street at the Rustic Inn, then headed back to cabin #4 (straight ahead). You can just barely see where water meets the sky.


The kids posed for pictures down by the beach.


Elsa loved watching the waves crash against the rocks.


We usually go to Gooseberry and Split Rock, but this year we ventured a bit further and went to Tettegouche State Park. The kids are hit or miss when it comes to having energy for long walks, but surprisingly they took a 3+ mile hike with us this day! Lila only had to be carried some of the time. They loved walking through the woods and exploring. Every time Lila heard a tree rustle, she thought for sure it was the waterfall we'd been waiting to see.


Finally, the waterfall!


The bouncy cable bridge.




Lila takes a rest while Tim and Elsa play around on the rocks in the river.


Not long after this photo, Tim fell into the water. About ten minutes later I asked how wet his shoes were, and he said he was fine... except for this. He held up his hand, and even with the sun in my eyes I could see it was covered in red. The rocks had sliced his hand pretty badly as he was trying to catch his balance! Elsa said,"I don't like blood, especially on my D!" Not a good injury for someone who works with his hands all the time. :(

I captured this photo just as Elsa tripped over a piece of driftwood! Not doing too well with the injuries on this vacation...


We got home and Tim took a nap while the we put together a 55 piece puzzle.


Next we went to the Two Harbors farmers market and got some sides for dinner: corn, tomatoes, and green beans. Of course that was followed by S'mores and a campfire down by the lake.




But, back to Two Harbors... where is the Voyageur outside the Voyageur Motel?! Don't mess with my landmarks, people!


Whew, we found him, completely refurbished and sitting in front of another tiny motel on the Expressway just before Two Harbors. Not quite the same thing, but I'll take it.


Sunday, Day 3:
It rained all day, but luckily it stopped for a bit while we took our usual walk at Silver Creek Cliff.

First day of Kindergarten, Preschool, and Dance!

Kindergarten started last Wednesday. Elsa goes M, W, and every-other Friday, from 9:15-3:30. It started out a little rocky... she got a fever on Sunday of almost 102, and had it until the early morning hours of Wednesday. I was so nervous she'd miss the first day - how terrible would that be? When she woke up it was gone so I sent her anyway. I told her teacher about it and she kept on eye on her, but I never got a call. When she came home she had her fever again, plus a headache, and was miserable and exhausted. Luckily we have a day of rest in between, and she was fine on Friday. It was tough on her, but I'm glad we sent her that first day. She already seemed to have learned a lot as far as the way they do things in school. They got a tour of the library, gym, playground, lunch room, computer lab, etc. They did a few worksheets, watched two videos on the Smart Boards, and met some of the other teachers. She would have missed a lot, and I'm glad she didn't!

Our new house is in the Chisago Lakes district, but we Open Enrolled to stay in Forest Lake. That means the bus won't pick her up at our driveway. The closest bus stop just happens to be on Grandma and Grandpa's road, so we'll have to drive her there every day. Here's the bus stop crew. The younger girl is in her class, and her older sister helps make sure they get off the bus at the right stop, find their classroom, etc. Works out great!


A HUGE goodbye hug for Lila!


Finally home at 4:00 pm - a very long day for a kid who isn't used to being away from home, not to mention a full day of learning and activities! She was so exhausted, you can just see it in her eyes. She really loves it, though! This week was much easier.


Oops, the flash was a little bright for this one. Last week Grandma Karen brought over a special picnic lunch, with all the things that Mickey and Minnie ate at their picnic (in the book, pictured), including a big chocolate cake! We all thought it was a really cool idea. The kids loved having lemonade out of jars, and the cake knife that was taped to the bottom of the cake pan - all just like in the book.


This is Lila's first drawing of a person that I've ever seen. At first she had the two blue legs, but later added the white line in the middle, saying it was the butt. I think Elsa did the same thing when she was little! Funny kids.


Lila started Preschool this week. I stay with her for half the time on Mondays, then we separate. Wednesdays I drop her off and she's on her own the whole time. She did great! Here she is, standing very proud by her locker.


The weather is suddenly in the 50's and cold! It's hard to believe how hot it was only 5 days ago. I'm sure it'll be the last swimsuit picture of the year.


Today was the first day of dance. Elsa lectured her the whole way there, telling her she had to listen, she couldn't just run around all wild. When the class was over, the first thing Elsa said was, "Mom, Lila actually did really good!" She did throw a fit when it was time to leave, but hey, at least that means she likes the class!


Tomorrow we leave for our annual family trip to the North Shore. Can't wait!