The cousins invade St. Peter, Cousins part 1

I don't know where to begin with the August Cousin Reunion. So much went on that it's all a swirl of color and noise in my head right now. I'll work at this over the next several days, but for now let's try some not-on-the-couch-this-time cousin group pictures!

The cousins from two angles...#1

#2

Hannah and Ira

Owen

Ethan

Miles

Vivian

 Photo bombers interrupt portrait session

A pause for silliness

Westy finally gets his turn!

And now it's August

It felt like August today, warm and a little bit humid. Just right for swimming.

One kid was lucky enough to get a ride around the pool from his auntie.

 Two more kids were busy hunting for sharks.

It wasn't long before they found a Great White and a 

Mama Shark swimming dangerously close!

These two escaped from the predators and got out 

of the water to pose under the beautiful August sky.

 

 Later, all four boys celebrated surviving the dangers of swimming in 

shark-infested waters with a toast of fizzy water, followed by DQ treats.

 

Note the unusual perspective with Owen standing on a step!

Art Fair

Miles called earlier in the week to invite us to the Kids' Korner summer program art fair. The fair was this afternoon, and it was fun and interesting. 

His teacher, Mr. Jason, does a terrific job of teaching the kids about a variety of artists-- VanGogh, Michaelangelo and the other Ninja Turtles, Jackson Pollock, and more. The art work is varied, too -- spatter painting, papier-mâché (too squishy and slimy for Miles), use of texture, paper weaving, mixed media (lots of toilet paper rolls in the kids' pieces!) to name a few. Kids also worked together to make a stacked-cup sculpture, and in partners to create Lego scenes.

Here's Miles, explaining some of the art pieces.

After viewing the work students had on display, we went to Miles' and Westy's house where Miles gave us a home version of the patriotic music concert his summer program friends sang for the 4th of July. He knows lots of great songs. My favorite line is from "America, the Beautiful". It goes something like this:

Oh beautiful, for spaceship skies,

for emperor waves of grain...

When Tanner and Annie came home from work, we went to Faribault to the Depot Bar and Grill for supper. Good food, including AYCE walleye, which Tanner ordered. Not one of us had heard of AYCE walleye, so we had to ask. 

The Depot is located next to the railroad tracks and Heritage Park, which has a neat fountain and an historical statue. Westy took the opportunity to swish his fingers in the water and cool off before getting into the car and heading home.

 

Annie reminded us that the next time we see Miles, he will be cast-free. That event should take place on Tuesday.Thanks for a fun afternoon and evening, Miles and Westy!