Clifton E. French Regional Park

Mom took me to a park called Clifton E. French Regional Park today. There's a large playground there, as well as a beach. Mom and I visited the park back in November when we traveled to Minnesota with Dad so he could interview for the job he has now. It looked a little different today than it did seven months ago.

There were pretty flowers in bloom.

The day was hot, and the water was warm, so we spent some time on the beach, something we didn't do the last time we visited.

A large group of school kids visited the park as well, I think for a field trip (whatever that is). I watched as some of the kids learned how to paddle in a canoe. 

I walked up and down the beach, feeling the sand between my toes.

I got wet.

And I made sure to dig around in the wet sand and get myself covered in it. 

I threw a tantrum, during which I lied face down in the sand, when Mom said it was time to go get some lunch. Mom had to carry me to my stroller, covering herself in the sand that was all over me. She swore next time to bring a towel and a change of clothes (for both her and me). 

Once I got settled in my stroller, I was over my tantrum. Besides, I realized I was really hungry. We ate lunch at the visitor center (and I donated a dollar to help fund a program to help get other kids out in the parks), then Mom let me run around a little bit more outside in the grass. She tried to take me to the playground, but it was so busy, I kept getting run over.

Before we left, she set up the camera and took a portrait of her and me. I think she did a pretty good job, since she manually focused the camera and had to use the timer.

Summer Flowers

Mom walked around the lake near our home with me today while Dad went for a run. Along the way, we spotted some new flowers.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Mom and Dad took me to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum yesterday. Anywhere outside where I can run and play is good for me. 

Dad spied a chipmunk hiding behind a tree. I'm still trying to figure out what chipmunks are so I know what to look for when I'm asked if I can see one.

These are new pine cones growing on a larch tree. Mom found them more interesting than I did.

"Hi!"

"Pretty flowers."

An artist named Patrick Dougherty built 'Uff da Palace,' a hut-like structure made of willow branches that sits just outside the entrance to the visitor center.

I napped while Dad drove us around the arboretum. At one stop, Mom found these flowers called Prairie Smoke. They were some of her favorites.

I woke up in time for a stop at the Maze Garden. I had fun following Mom and Dad while we worked our way through.

Before leaving the arboretum, we walked through the iris garden.

Mom and Dad thought after all the activity I would sleep all the way home. Nope. I sat in the backseat talking for a while. Eventually, I succumbed to sleep, but I put up a good fight.

Some Like it Hot

We had thunderstorms and pouring rain this morning. After they passed through, Mom took me out for a walk. She wanted to get out while it was still morning. It was already hot enough, and it was only going to get warmer as the day went on.

Mom bought me some new jelly shoes. She loves that they are back in style for kids. I loved wearing them today.

I refused to ride in my stroller for most of our walk.

The leaves and grass were such a bright green after all the rain.

On our way back to the car, I had to check out the birds flying around the boardwalk one last time.

When we got close to the car, Mom stopped the stroller to take a picture of me. I wasn't happy.

Then she said, "C'mon pretty girl. Just let me take your picture." Well, okay, if she'll call me a pretty girl I'll cooperate.

I started having fun, and even played a little Pat-a-Cake.

Then it was time to finish our walk. I helped pull the stroller while Mom pushed.

Splish Splash

"Jump!"

The water's cold? I don't even notice.

Drying off and lounging after my dip.

"Quit taking pictures Mom. I feel like I'm being followed by the paparazzi." 

Mom's Menu Review: Three Squares Restaurant and Freight House Restaurant

Over Memorial Day weekend we ate at two restaurants with our daughter. The first was Three Squares Restaurant in Maple Grove, MN.

There are various options available on the kid menu, most of which include a side with a vegetable (carrot sticks, buttered corn), or even a choice of applesauce. The only meals that do not include a vegetable are breakfast meals, such as french toast, pancakes, or waffles.

There are twelve menu options in all, that range from grilled cheese and chicken tenders, to fish and chips, to spaghetti, to the breakfast stuff. I was pleased with the main course options, and pleased with the side options. It was possible to order a meal that would include various food groups rather than mostly meat and foods high in carbohydrates.

The meal also included a cookie, which was homemade from a non-profit group called The Cookie Cart. According to their website, they "train and support North Minneapolis youth in their first paid job experience."I like that the restaurant has an organization that they support.

The second place was the Freight House in Stillwater, MN. We chose to sit out on the back deck. A live musician played music on the deck while we ate. We did have to specifically request a seat as far away from the speakers as possible (it didn't seem to occur to the host that we may not want our daughter to be close to loud music).

The menu options were more limited at this restaurant. They included chicken fingers, a grilled cheese sandwich, burger, mac and cheese, pizza, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. All meals included a pickle spear, fries, and a package of two Oreo cookies.

We ordered the chicken fingers for our daughter. The breading was quite thick and a bit tough, making them hard to chew. After a few bites our daughter became quite disinterested in the chicken, and I ended up sharing a bowl of soup with her. (The soup included wild rice and chicken, and it was delicious.) Our daughter was also disinterested in the pickle.

When we ordered our daughter's meal, we asked for a fruit cup on the side. The waiter asked if we would like the fruit cup as well as the fries, or if we would prefer to substitute it for the fries. I was pleased that it was easy to substitute out the fries and provide a healthier option for our daughter.

Overall, both dining experiences were pleasant. While the meals still aren't as healthy as I think they probably could be, I would choose to eat at either of these places with my daughter again.