Nanny Daddy

I had last week off for Thanksgiving and spent it with the girls. Since I was on vacation, that meant they got to go to a bunch of coffee shops with me. We went to a new one every day...sometimes two. I had a blast and it was the best time off I have had in a long time. They were great for me and it was alot of fun bringing them to new places and keeping them busy. We would run around in the morning, go out for lunch and then come home for LW's nap time. One of the afternoons NW thought it would be funny to start calling me Nanny Daddy. Needless to say, the nickname stuck and she called me that all week. I've been called worse.
It was tough going back to work this morning. I got used to changing diapers, making mac and cheese and doing crafts. I was really turning into Nanny Daddy. 

Day 2 - 5 Watt Coffee. Sitting at the bar eating cookies and talking to anyone that would listen.

Day 3 - Empire Coffee. Not very kid friendly.. we ate our cookies and we were gone. Coffee was just OK too.

NW started talking to a guy at 5 Watt coffee and he owned this restaurant. He told us to come and check it out. So we did. It was super busy the first time and we left without ordering.

So we came back on Saturday morning, but this time the whole crew came along. We were there at around 8:00 so there wasn't a line. Everyone was gone for the holiday or still sleeping.

Highly recommend this place for an amazing waffle and a cup of coffee.

The Flu

The flu is making its way though the household. NW was under the weather last weekend and mommy was down and out most of the week. The only people left are LW and dear old dad. We are on drugs, but it seems like an uphill battle.
Earlier in the week we didnt want to expose nanny Anna to the sickness. So I stayed home with the girls and mom stayed in bed all day. LW and I did alot of running around while NW was at school. One stop included coffee and cookies of course.

We went to Bull Run for this one. She told the barista that she wanted a huge cookie and she showed how big with her hands. The barista gave her a cup of frothed milk with sprinkles too. She wasnt amused and didnt even touch it. She did say thank you though, so at least she was polite.

I want to drive a Zamboni!

Last weekend NW and I went to a coffee competition. We went to watch, not compete. These guys had real skills, not some clown with an espresso machine in his kitchen. These were baristas from all over the country and they came to mpls for a few days. Since it was a coffee event, most of the coffee shops around town had special events to show off their space and product. The roastery that NW and I visited was Dogwood in NE Mpls. They had an open house so you could tour the roastery and get a cup of coffee. They even had a special drink called an Apple Dumpling Gang latte. Made with bitters and caramel. Dogwood also has a Zamboni cold press. So they had a Zamboni at the roastery directing people in. 

When I told NW that I wanted her to take my picture driving it, she said no. So here are pics of her driving it, but not me.

I Love Lucy!!

LW turned 2 last week. We had a family birthday party for her. Everyone showed up. The theme this year was I Love Lucy. The invitation looked like an old TV show, everything was polka dotted and we dressed LW up like Lucille Ball. That might seem a little cruel to dress her up, but she looked pretty cute in her dress. So it's not as bad as it sounds. She loved it and she I think she realized that the day was all about her.

AW made the cake and did all the decorating. Check it out.

She wasn't too sure about the candle. NW ended up blowing it out.

Uncle Bruce came through with a bag of cheese balls. I forgot how much she like these things.

Three at a time. If her hands were bigger she could eat them faster.

Not sure why, but she insisted on lifting her new suitcase over her head. Showing off how strong she is I guess.

Gotta have some NW stuff on here too. So here she is.

More Pre-Halloween Stuff

I dont remember Halloween lasting for weeks when I was a kid. Now there are events for the kids every weekend leading up to the big day. Last weekend we went to a party at the Landmark Center in St Paul. It was great, not much candy and tons of crafts for the kids to do.

A little pre-event running at a park.

It is amazing how they can both never look at the camera at the same time. Or have their eyes open.

Face painting at the Landmark Center. LW wouldnt let her face get painted, so had a pumpkin painted on her hand. She's happy, I'm happy.

Afterwards they had a costume parade where everyone came up on stage and got to speak into the microphone and tell everyone who they were dressed up as. There were 5 Elsa's and I know I'm biased, but NW's was the best. She didnt win and it really bothered her. When we got home she told me that she really wanted the books (the books were the prize for winning). I was so happy that she was only concerned with the books that we ended up going to get books after dinner.

Lucy's First Haircut!!

This happened a while back, but I didnt put the pics up.It was the first haircut for LW. Her hair was getting a little out of hand and needed to be cleaned up. It's amazing what a difference a haircut does. She looks like a big girl now that here hair is done.

She looks pretty serious, but from what I understand the haircut went pretty well.

Busytown the Musical

Big night for NW. She was whisked away for dinner and a musical by aunt Anna and uncle Brad. The musical was Busytown and it was at the Children's Theater in Minneapolis. For those of you that don't have a 2 or a 4 year old, Busytown is a TV show about a cat named Huckle that solves mysteries with the help of his friends. His friends are Lowly Worm, Sally Cat, Hilda Hippo plus Pig Will and Pig Won't. As far as TV shows go, this is one that actually teaches her something.

Pizza, pretzels and chocolate milk for dinner.

Hamming it up in front of the theater.