Clara Visits William Mitchell

Yesterday, Clara made her first trip across the river to visit Julie's colleagues at William Mitchell. She saw Kendra again and met Emily, Lauren (pictured here with Clara), Sally, Patty, Bridgid, Karen, Annie, and Work Joe (so called to distinguish him from Our Hero)--one of seemingly five males that work on Mitchell's staff. Clara snoozed through it all, despite some valiant efforts to wake her up. Julie pointed out that once woken, she would undoubtedly cry and everyone would then scatter, but Clara's new friends would not be deterred. But, neither would Clara who refused to wake up. Shocking, we know.

Ice Cream Social

Today, we went to the St. Louis Park Ice Cream Social. Marco's parents e-mailed us with the idea to meet up there. We didn't know what to expect, but thought it would be a small deal with a place to get ice cream. Well, the whole town showed up for it! They had our favorite ice cream purveyor, Sebastian Joe's, giving out free cones. They had a separate tent for each flavor--probably ten tents in all. The lines for popular flavors like Oreo were really long, so we settled for peach, which was just peachy with us. Joe was not in a good mood and refused the ice cream for a while until he saw Marco eating his. After that, Joe stood in one spot holding the cone with two hands savoring his ice cream. He didn't get the concept of eating the cone (he must have thought it was just a funny shaped bowl) so he carried that cone around with melting ice cream it it, occasionally slurping at it. Here he is much later holding a soccer ball and the beloved cone. We were thrilled he finally gave up the cone because it was dripping all over everything. After ice cream, Joe and Marco got to see in a police car that was on display (Marco was enjoying being in the car, while Joe looked at it from the outside--good instincts, Joe.), and then played in the sand at the volley ball court. Clara Jane slept through the whole thing. Can you believe that?!?!

Fun with Grandpa Tom

We said goodbye to Grandpa Tom on Saturday, but not without having lots of fun first! Clara Jane got to bask in the sun with Grandpa for a while, and Joe played telephone with him. Grandpa also took us to Chipotle for lunch and afterward we got a photo op in front of the house before he left. Come again soon, Grandpa!

A Lake Harriet Walk

Grandpa Tom arrived yesterday! He was correctly identified by Joe, who has been practicing with Grandpa Tom's picture on the refrigerator. Today, Joe was off to school, and Grandpa Tom, Ted, Julie, and Clara Jane were off for a walk around Lake Harriet. That was the plan anyway. We had to fuel up first though so we headed into Linden Hills for an early lunch, followed by a milkshake for Julie and an ice cream cone for Ted. Grandpa Tom abstained. By the time we'd walked back to the lake, it was nearly time for Clara to nurse again, and all thought a nap might be in order for her and Julie. It was a perfect spring day after a long week of rainy cold weather. Perfect walking weather, perfect napping weather.

Jane

Here is Clara Jane looking at the world with her mama, and in the background is the painting by her grandmother Jane.