Two birthday parties this week-end. Not meaning to be churlish about my child's popularity, but I am a teensy-weensy bit "over" parties now. Some of the mums, indeed, were chundering about how everyone's seems to have to be invited, and how the kids just get spaced out by the presents (although Frederique has the right idea - after Theo's party she let him open just one present each day....but only if he had been good. I wondered why he came up to T. a few days afterwards and enthused over her pressie....he could actually remember it).
One party was a mad free for-all at one of the kids play-centres. The other was a bit more sedate at the Children's museum, for just 10 children, and the chance to make an ocean in a test-tube and slime.
Yesterday was a sparkly Christmas card sort of day, so we went to check out the skating at Centennial lakes. Strangely, you have to go underneath this shopping centre, but, at the other side is this small river network, which, obviously, is now iced-over. In the evenings, they turn on the flood-lights and the classical music is cranked up. Skates are available to hire (plus zimmer-frames for those of us a bit more doddery on our ice-bound pins, and sledges for the kids). The warming house (a necessity) is a huge Victorian looking barn, with three fires (although only one was burning), and snacks....we think we'll go next week once T. and I have had our lessons.
Afterwards, we went to Minnetonka and DROVE ON THE ICE. Bear in mind that the ice here is actually extremely deep indeed (no chance of this before January, although there's always one). People drive out, set up their fishing huts and sit out there for hours. Completely bonkers. It's great.
One party was a mad free for-all at one of the kids play-centres. The other was a bit more sedate at the Children's museum, for just 10 children, and the chance to make an ocean in a test-tube and slime.
Yesterday was a sparkly Christmas card sort of day, so we went to check out the skating at Centennial lakes. Strangely, you have to go underneath this shopping centre, but, at the other side is this small river network, which, obviously, is now iced-over. In the evenings, they turn on the flood-lights and the classical music is cranked up. Skates are available to hire (plus zimmer-frames for those of us a bit more doddery on our ice-bound pins, and sledges for the kids). The warming house (a necessity) is a huge Victorian looking barn, with three fires (although only one was burning), and snacks....we think we'll go next week once T. and I have had our lessons.
Afterwards, we went to Minnetonka and DROVE ON THE ICE. Bear in mind that the ice here is actually extremely deep indeed (no chance of this before January, although there's always one). People drive out, set up their fishing huts and sit out there for hours. Completely bonkers. It's great.
Here's a pic from another web-site of Lake Minnetonka: (http://www.toprankblog.com/)
Note that these fishing huts have satellite TV.
And another of the cars, just as proof (the more eagle-eyed of you will see that these are from Russia - I didn't have my camera with me....) -
It's weird driving along with the GPS on, looking either side of the road and seeing the cars parked on these vast expanses of white, with the sheds out, and looking at the screen and seeing the familiar blue of lakes either side.
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