Quaking Bog with Brad

So we introduced Brad to the Bog this weekend. And, I got us lost again (there was no main map and the signage was not only obscure but also absurd -- like a 4-inch square sign which said "One Way" with two white arrows over-lapping each other pointing up and to the right). And after we decided to just give up and enjoy being in the woods as a family, we found it! It is like some kind of metaphysical reality habitat. Or something.

 

These tiny fairy vignettes are found everywhere in this glade. If there hadn't been so many mosquitoes I would have lingered in wonder for hours (oh, and that I had five other people with me).

This one I took 30 photos of but couldn't capture why it was so beautiful -- The mushroom was glistening with rainbow colors. The edges variegated inward and then burst into scarlet. The best I could get was with my flash but this isn't it at all.

Some of Thea Belle's "Pancake" mushrooms...

At the end of the trail...Atticus wanted a group shot. Dietrich was parentally threatened in order to get him into the picture.

Dressing Up and Dressing Down and Everywhere In-Between

Okay, so I have never had a girl do dress-up before -- It is pretty. It is fun. And though most of the time she still prefers to put on super capes and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes because that is what her brothers are doing, after she received some girl costumes for her birthday, I have had the pleasure, giddy pleasure of seeing scenes like these. Hooray! I love pretty princess costumes and fairy wings. Really!! Though I am not a make-up and high-heels girl I so very much love being a girl! It is fun to have another girl in my home!

Lincoln in between couch gymnastic feats

Dietrich looking like his nearly-clothe-less crazy self

Atticus laying looks and identities. He had the mask down when he walked in -- and said he was dressed as a Evil Flying Robot Rabbit.

Visit with My Aunt Donna!

Two weekends ago my Aunt Donna was up here in Minneapolis (from Illinois) for a nursing convention. She was able to stay a half day longer and go to the arboretum with us Saturday morning.I get to see my Aunt maybe once a year so I was pretty excited that this worked out. (Missed you, Uncle Danny -- Maybe you could break your "50-Mile" rule next year and come up. I'll make you good coffee and keep your itinerary flexible and spontaneous, just the way you like it! (-:)

Aren't these Clematis so neat? I love how they leave these whorls when they are done blooming.

 

I love how I've been seeing people use plants that I wouldn't have thought of for flower beds -- like this pretty cotton plant, or near our house, red cabbages or chives or clovers. The Como Zoo this year even had an entire exhibit that was about using vegetables and herbs to create pretty landscaped beds around your house.

Got 'em trapped all together...

One Week Down...

Atticus is a first grader!

First Day -- Last Monday!

Some of the kids from our block who ride the bus together!