Duluth and Gooseberry Falls

Fun times for B in northern Minnesota...

Let the tears begin...

Today B left in the morning with her friend B who brought her to Duluth for the day to see Lake Superior and do some hiking at Gooseberry Falls. I was so happy she was going up there as it was one trip I wanted her to make and we just never got around to it. Time always gets away from us! She came to give J a hug and tell him goodbye as she won't be seeing him again before she leaves on Wednesday and she told him goodbye and to be good and it made me so sad that tears just immediately sprung to my eyes - I couldn't hold them in. I took little t in the kitchen as I didn't want to cry in front of her, J and her friend but they all saw anyway. I'm going to be a wreck on Wednesday when I bring her to the airport.

Bowling with B

Saturday was a day of fun for B. We went bowling in the morning. T promised $5 to whoever could beat him and even though he's really no better than any of us, he really was better than all of us and he didn't have to pay out any money for the two games with played. Afterward we went out for lunch and then had to get home to put little man down for a nap.

It's great now that he's on these almost 3 hour afternoon naps because I can get a lot more done than I used to be able to. We all pitched in and cleaned up the house (except J as his face was buried in the computer playing video games like normal). Around dinner time our family started to arrive for a going away party for B. My parents, brother R and his girlfriend S and my SIL and BIL and nephews all came over. My MIL and FIL are in Arizona for a bit so they had to miss and my other brother and his family are on a road trip out to Washington DC so they had to miss as well. We had lots of food and many drinks throughout the night. We played some cards (Black Jack and Texas Hold 'Em Poker) and just spent the evening talking and laughing with each other. It was a really great night and I'm so happy we were able to pull something together quickly for B (we weren't sure if anyone could make it as it seemed everyone had something going on initially when I asked) to send her off in style.

ไข้ยัดไส้ [Stuffed Nutria’s Omelets]

This is the beginning of a very sad week - our last with B. The year has flown by and I can't believe our time with her is almost up. We are so grateful to have had B live in our home and become part of our family. She will forever hold a special place in our heart as she took such excellent care of our little man. B was always smiling and cheerful during her year. She had some rough times with things that happened back home in Thailand but got through them and is stronger for that. B is a funny girl with a great sense of humor and she really fit in well with me, T, J and little t. She also fit in well with our extended families. We will most definitely miss her and her smiling face (and her delicious cooking) but are thankful for the digital age which will make keeping in touch that much easier. And we look forward to the day our little family can pack up and travel to Thailand to visit her and meet her family and eat more Thai food.

Did I mention Thai food? Oh yes, twice. Well, last week B set about teaching me how to make one of my favorite dishes. It's basically an omelet with a twist. It's filled with pork, onions, carrots, tomato and various sauces and served over rice. Here are my step-by-step photos if you feel the inclination to try and make it at home. Or stop over and I'll make it for you!

State Fair Part 2

B came with me and my family on our annual trip to the Great Minnesota Get Together - the MN State Fair. We went after lunchtime and stayed until it just started to get dark. Any later and I wouldn't have wanted to walk to my car alone so I was grateful we had each other to watch over us and little man. I wanted to park on the street in the neighborhood close by to save $13 or whatever it costs now to park at the fairgrounds. On my first drive through I couldn't find a spot so I decided to park in the fair lots. Unfortunately they wouldn't let me turn into them the direction I was going so we drove all the way around back to where we started from. I took the turn off into the neighborhood again and thought I'd pay to park in one of the areas that other people are offering for cheaper but by that time they were all full and luckily for us as I turned the corner there was an open spot! Closest I've ever gotten for free - major score on my part. We went in and met my family - mom, brothers, SIL and nieces. We visited the Luminarium (disappointment) and walked around doing and seeing many other things. My brother, SIL and their girls branched off from us to do some of their own family time and we met up with my aunt, cousin and her son and daughter. We went through the Miracle of Birth Center, down the giant slide and to Heritage Square. Mainly we just walked and walked and walked. There was a nice two hour break in the middle when it was hot and we all needed a rest (and t was napping) so we relaxed in what I've determined to be the only patch of undisturbed grass on the fairgrounds.

Last Au Pair Meeting in Minnesota

B attended her very last au pair meeting in Minnesota in September. The group went on a boat cruise in Stillwater on the St. Croix river. Her friend B drove her there and as they got there early they did a little sightseeing around Stillwater and she made him take her across the river into Wisconsin so she could get her photo taken by the welcome to Wisconsin sign. In addition to all the au pairs, B had the good fortune (joke) of being on the boat with a bunch of women from the Red Hat Society. She didn't care for the food served on board (not surprising as B only really likes Thai food and my spaghetti) but she said she ate a lot (also not surprising as B loves to eat)!

State Fair Parts 1 and 3

B got to go to the fair with her friend B - not once, but twice! They went the first weekend it was open and then again the following Friday to see a concert. She had fun at the midway but did NOT enjoy the ride she went on. Those rides at the State Fair midway are pretty intense. The one she went on made her cry because she was so scared. Poor girl. On her 2nd trip there with B she finally got the turkey leg she had been wanting although she didn't listen to me and get the best one ever from Turkey-to-go. She got one that was bigger and cheaper (although I'm sure not as tasty)! B also got some kettle corn from Heritage Square which reminded her of the popcorn in Thailand.