Theme Song

If you have audio on your computer, you have likely noticed music with the blog! Toward the bottom of the page you will see a "play list" of some of Collin's favorite songs of the last year...

He enjoys sports, but music still remains important too. He got a new and improved (more sturdy) drumset for his birthday to replace the one that has met its demise since Christmas a couple years ago. (Rocking out in his tough guy pirate pajamas...)We had conferences tonight with his teachers for both pre-school and daycare this evening and his love for music is evident there too. So, it seems appropriate for us to share with you all as well.

The songs will play as you read the blog, or else feel free to click on the ones that interest you most. For now it will always start with his current favorite "Stuck like Glue" but eventually I will modify it so it skips.

Enjoy!

So late it's scary?

Yes, I am posting about Halloween just shortly before Thanksgiving...So late, its scary....right?


This year our little man dressed as "Iron Man." I have to admit I am not entirely sure how that came about. Since right after last Halloween, the plan was to be a mummy this year. When the time came to get a costume, however, Iron Man was the clear favorite. I even got into the spirit of things (pun intended) and dug out my old witch hat and broom. No matter what Doug may tell you, that is not my normal state of being...



We then ventured back to Silver Lake, MN to do some trick or treating with Collin's cousins. This is the town where Doug grew up and roamed the streets himself as a child. I am guessing tricks were not uncommon in that town in those days....



We also went to a Halloween event at the Anoka County fairgrounds earlier in the month. Collin painted a pumpkin, got unlimited time in bounce houses (which I think he likes better than candy) and we got to make our own scarecrow, which is now living outside our front door (left, in the photo of Collin and I at the top of the page). Doug and Collin baked a pumpkin pie from scratch (real pumpkins, a home made crust...the real deal) and I baked some deliciously salty pumpkin seeds!

We hope that you all had a sweet Halloween too!

Happy Birthday, Collin!

It has been quite some time since our last post, but we could not let this important occasion go without a posting. Happy Birthday, Collin!

We continued to be very busy throughout the summer. Ideally there will eventually be posts to update you on outings to the Vikings game, the Renaissance, and just the general day to day fun and activities of our family.

Right now, the season of fall is in full swing and right now for the Rosenau family this means school! Doug is completing the last few months of his MBA program at Concordia, St. Paul. Michelle just began the MA Counseling Psychology program at Bethel in St. Paul. And yet another sign that our little boy is quickly growing up, Collin began pre-school at St. Stephen's in Anoka, MN earlier this month!

In any case, we hope to continue blogging here and there about our life, but be patient as we get into the groove of having three students in the family!

We spent today celebrating with 6 of Collin's friends and their parents from the Bartsch, Callison, Hammill and Neumann families. Happy Birthday, Collin! We love you and are so proud of you!

Out to the ball game

Some time ago I promised an update on our first trip to the new Twins stadium. Better late than never...

We were all smiles on the way to the stadium. It was Collin's first baseball game ever and only mom's second. Going to the new outdoor Target Field stadium was a first for Collin, mom and dad!

The fun started even before we got through the doors! Collin wore his jersey and borrowed one of dad's hats to get into the spirit.

Once we were there, we hit the souvenir stand...Dad's hat was really just too big for sharing.

Then we found our seats. Not a bad view!

The it was time for a hotdog! Nothing else would do at a ballgame....

And Collin was gracious enough to pose for a picture with mom to commemorate the occasion.

Finally it was time to watch the game...pretty intently. We made it without too much restlessness. I think Collin watched more of the game than mom did, actually.

But, despite our cheers, the Twins lost to the Braves. Better luck next time!

Hangin' with Chuck E.

This afternoon we spent some time at a birthday party for Collin's friend, Bryce (photo-right). Although we have been there once or twice before, it was the first Chuck E. Cheese experience for Collin since he has really been old enough to participate in the activities there.

He enjoyed the pizza and the games, and surprisingly enough, also meeting "Chuck E." For the most part, Collin has not been a fan of life size characters (giant Easter bunnies, Santa, etc. etc.) but he warmed up to Chuck E. pretty quickly. I suppose that has something to do with the other party goers, but I suspect it is also a sign of growing up. Check out the jam session above!

I personally went to the party with one thing on my mind...the "drawing" photo booth. I absolutely adore those..I am a total junkie and I knew they had one there. I love the black and white style photo and was so excited that Collin was willing to sit down with me long enough to pose for this picture!

Happy Birthday, Bryce! Thank you for a wonderful afternoon!

America's pastime...

Each year, Collin's daycare center holds a T-ball tournament that is followed by a small carnival for the community later in the evening. This year Collin was again in the spirit of the game and loved every minute of it.

He enjoyed the game last year, and this year he had already been showing an increased interest in baseball/t-ball overall, thanks to the movie "The Sandlot." As a surprise, he got his very first real baseball glove just in time for the game. After that, it was all business!










When it was his team's turn up to bat, he volunteered to be first. Perhaps I should say that he could not have been stopped from being first up to bat..He was very excited, and as none of the other kids seemed too willing to step up to the plate it was an easy call to make. He swung, hit the ball, and off he ran. A Home Run!

It was probably one of those things you had to be there for, but it was hysterically funny. He ran as fast as he could-he was very serious about it yet, dare I say, he had a little bit of a cocky swagger to his gait! All the kids in the outfield would stumble over the ball, eventually lay hands on it and then throw as hard as they could. Given the age group of the kids, this gave our little self-proclaimed All Star plenty of time to round all the bases. The parents were laughing so hard they were in tears and it was a great way to start the game!

Collin was very proud, but not surprised---he often runs the bases at that very park when we play there as a family. He was actually more surprised his next time at bat when he had to stop to wait at first base and could not just keep going!

All of this baseball excitement translated into a spur of the moment trip the following Sunday to see a real Twin's game at the new Stadium...more posts to come!

Hoppin' back to Easter

Yes, I realize that Easter has long since passed. Nonetheless, here is a glimpse of how we spent it...

We started the weekend out at home...an early morning Easter Egg hunt left us with all sorts of sweet goodies that included the traditional chocolate bunny and a book I found about the real meaning of Easter.

Of course, coloring Easter Eggs was also on the "to do" list. Collin got a chance to show off his inner artist with some of his Cousins.

What a master piece!

Then later when the whole family slowly trickled in to the festivities at Grandma Nola's, a big outdoor Easter Egg hunt began..that's about 3 acres of hunting ground if I am estimating correctly...and that darn Easter Bunny hid nests of goodies around the whole place!

Nourished by the candy and treats they found, an impromptu football game broke out to celebrate the unseasonably warm weather. Players included aunts, uncles and cousins of all ages. You will notice that even the frills and lace of Easter finery could not get in the way of this game! Please excuse the very shaky camera work...it was windy and I was giggling way too much to stay still.