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.

Prayers for some friends, please

Our friends, the Callison family, are in need of all your thoughts and prayers right now. Their youngest daughter, Lynnea, has struggled with serious cardiac issues her entire life. Her condition is at a critical point right now and they can use all of the strength, support and prayers we can offer. You can find details at the link on our page to the right for The Callison Chronicles, or simply say a word to God for little Lynnea, her big sister Ashlyn, Mommy Tina and Daddy Corey.

Splish Splash

Earlier this summer we had a chance to play at a swimming pool with our niece Kalie and our nephew Riley. Collin enjoyed it a lot and has grown increasingly brave each time we go swimming.



Collin, Riley and Kalie
(left to right)

A jump from the side of the pool definitely makes a splash!

This week Collin is starting his second round of swimming lessons. He had the parent/child lessons last year through Community Education at Roosevelt Pool and this year we have decided to go with lessons at the Anoka Aquatic Center. We swam in the pool there earlier this week and he loved the zero depth entry and warmer water temperature. Since he is very comfortable in the water, he will be in the "tadpole" class--still very basic, but no parents in the water...though I can guarantee you we will be taking pictures from the lounge chairs nearby!

More splishing and splashing to come!

Finally cured of Spring Fever

It seemed like it took forever for the weather to turn pleasant in any sort of predictable way....the Rosenau family caught a pretty bad case of spring fever early on this year...


We tried diligently to make the best of what remained of the winter season. Another round of skating lessons got the whole family up on skates this time and we were able to spend some time enjoying the more moderate temperatures on an outdoor rink.

But even time outdoors shooting the puck around did not make up for the fact that it was still not really spring! So, to bring a taste of the tropics to Ramsey, a coconut just had to do!

And then, just when we could not wait any longer...look out...it was Spring. Fore!

Finally the grass began to turn green and the threat of snow was gone. And as the golf courses began to open, we were fortunate enough to find one near our home that is very family friendly...and I just happen to know a pre-schooler who loves to golf...

Welcome Spring and look out Summer...here we come!

New tricks for an old dog...

As you can tell, the Rosenau's have been absent from the blog world for quite some time. It is not that I don't have plenty of photos and stories from our latest family adventures to share with you.

Instead, I think that after taking a few weeks off during some particularly busy periods in our life, I simply fell out of the habit of blogging. I have never been a technology/gadget fan, so being away from the computer (outside of work, of course) is not something abnormal for me. So, although well intentioned, I seem to be struggling to get back into the groove of it all....Perhaps you can't teach an old dog new tricks?...

Well, perhaps not "old" yet, but definitely older...I celebrated my thirty-abcd birthday on April 22

(Oh, gee...did my fingers slip while I was typing?...that's odd...oh well...).

As that was a Thursday night, and we have now established that I am not as young as I used to be, you can imagine that the festivities the night of my actual birthday were pretty tame. Later in the month, however, we were fortunate enough to have a chance to celebrate with our friends Katie and Darin Bartsch. A pretty sudden and unexpected offer by Collin's Aunt, Uncle and Cousin's for an overnight visit with them left us free for a night on the town. (Side note: Collin also had a blast...he was able to attend his cousin's hockey tournament.)

Suddenly and unexpectedly we were able to call the Bartsch's who miraculously were able to find someone to watch their two kids and...presto! Dinner for four at Nectar!

Katie, Darin and I are all friends from our years at St. Thomas (and Doug was no stranger to that campus either...). Katie and I were actually roommates and together we all had plenty of memorable times...as well as some we may have forgotten because of too much fun....

Nonetheless, celebrating with old friends makes getting older seem almost worth it!

Thanks to everyone who called or wrote, etc. to wish me a happy birthday! You are all appreciated! And I promise to get back to blogging and keeping you all more up to date!