The Longest Day Weekend

Very recently I learned of a newer event to raise money for Alzheimer's research called "The Longest Day".  You get a team together and do whatever you want to do on the longest day of the year... which was Saturday June, 21st, this year. 

So Knute, Ann, Britta and I signed up and filled all the hours with lots of things.  They did a race, I pulled some weeds, Knute went to Cabella's (really - do ANYTHING you want!) and Hana had a tea party.  We ended the evening together at our house for dinner, reflection and s'mores (and pie!) for dessert.  It was a nice day and we raised some money.  Next year, I hope to double the team size and amount of money raised.  Maybe Hana will have a lemonade stand or something?  We shall see!

Also, Hana was so tight in her carseat (which was "supposed" to last until she was 70 lbs!?!) that we went shopping for a new booster seat.  We went with seats that have backs (30-100 lbs, so they say) so we think that will be safe, but she gets to use "big people" seat belts, which she is very excited about!  She 2 lbs away from being able to use the backless kind, but I think we'll try to keep the back in for at least another year, because it helps position the seat belt properly.  Either way, she is thrilled and we're hoping she will kick and complain less!  :-)

Michigan Trip and New Cast

Hana and I recently went to Michigan.  The trip was mostly to visit my mom, whose dementia seems to be really taking strong hold of her, but also to see some close friends.

We had some really good visits with her and Hana was THRILLED when grandma gave her many necklaces.  She also enjoyed showing off her cast to all the residents at Bickford.

 



I also got to see quite a few old high school friends, which was really fun.  We met at Gippers and had dinner and stayed most of the night.  This was later, after probably half the people left already.  Really fun to see old faces.  Not that we're old!  ;-)

 

 



The rest of the time, we spent it with my friend Liz and her family.  Hana says Alexandra is her "most favorite friend in the world".  She said this to another friend on a play date when we returned.  Ouch to the other friend, who (I thought!) was her bestie from school.  Girls are so fickle!   We did SO many things!  Hana got to pet the horses and ponies.  We went to their lakehouse and went on 3 boat rides.  Alexandra and Hana played with her neighbor Bramm again (A's "boyfriend", she said!) and in his kiddie pool (careful to keep Hana's cast dry!)  We also went to a super cool little zoo in Alto.  The girls got to feed so many animals, including giraffes, kangaroos, goats, Nilgai Antelope and birds, which were Hana's favorite.  They had a great time!!  We also went to my favorite stops - Yesterdog (where Hana actually ate one this time!) and Jersey Junction for ice cream.  Note to self:  Never give a 4 year old with a broken arm an ice cream cone.  What a mess!  :-)  It's all good though!  The last night there, Liz took us girls on a (John Deere) "Gator" ride, which was a blast.  Hana loved that best, I think because it was like a roller coaster!  Liz was FAST!

 

 

After 4 weeks for big casts, Hana got a new, much smaller one yesterday.  She choose orange with yellow stripes this time and is happy that she can now bend her arm.  The other great thing about this cast is that she can get it wet!  We're all happy about that!