Boatin' Boy

We took Gavin for his first boat ride this year in Minnesota. The smallest life jackets we found were for 30-50 pounds. Gavin weighs 23 pounds, so his jacket was a little too big. He was all smiles when we got into the boat to let him sit for a cellphone picture to send to family and friends.

Then, we decided to put on the life jacket and take a short ride.

Dad, are you sure this is how we go?

Still uncomfortable with the life vest poking into his cheeks.

Midway through, we let him change and sit with Mama. Gavin really didn't mind being in the boat. The life jacket just made him uncomfortable. But, when we got ashore, he didn't want to take it off.

I tried to push down on it as much as possible to keep him comfortable.

Since the first boat ride was a success, we went out one more time during the trip.

Bye-bye GrandBob.

Next year, maybe he'll be big enough to put a fishin' pole in his hands to let him catch little pan fish.

Miranda's Fishing Report

After procuring our fishing licenses, we hit the water to fish a bit. It was sunny and warm. We both wore shorts and got a bit of sun on the tops of our knees. Fishing was a bit slow. But Dave finally landed a Northern.

Then, the wind blew my hat off, so he netted a hat.Then, he caught another Northern and started feeling bad that I hadn't caught anything and was having issues with my reel. We had forgotten that it was giving me issues last year, despite the fact that it's only a few years old. So, he offered to switch rods with me.

When I handed him my Ugly Stick and AbuGarcia reel, I said, "You know you're going to catch a fish on that now. Don't you?" Sure enough. He did. A nice, big walleye. The fight was enhanced by the crappy condition of my reel that was taking in about six inches of line for every twenty turns.

After landing that fish. Dave gave me my choice of rod. I think I went back to mine. I really don't remember. He caught another Northern, and we headed in.

Dave's big walleye. I forgot to mention that he said he hated to keep such a big beautiful fish. He seriously contemplated throwing it back. With my mouth already watering at the thought of the delicious taste of walleye, I threatened to throw him over it the fish went over.

Man. These fish have feriocious teeth.

Of course, catching fish, means cleaning fish. And without the fish cleaning board, it's back-breaking work on this short table. Dave's ready for the new shed and new fish cleaning board.
Friday we went back out. I had to try out my new Daiwa reel. I still cling to the close faced reel. I can fish with an open-faced reel. But, I have to think when I cast. I know with practice, I wouldn't have to think as much, but I'm just not ready to make the change. If this reel dies on me in a few years, then I will change to an open-faced reel.

I caught this humongous perch with my Lazy Ike. I have to admit I am losing my love of the double-jointed creek chub. I didn't catch anything on it this year. Daredevils were good. Leeches and worms were also hits with the fish.

Then, I finally caught a Northern. I hated touching it, but it had to be done before it was thrown back.

We headed to the other side of the lake to fish a bit, but just as we got a nibble, I saw lightening across the lake. We reeled in and took off. All the other boats headed for shore, too. They all beat us.

The clouds in Minnesota are always different. Typically, it's as if they are perfectly flat on the bottom and extend in puffs upward, as if there is some glass ceiling there they are pressing upon. These storm clouds look very ominious.

We got in just as it started to rain. It rained for a bit. Then quit. Then it rained again, with hail in the storm. It was an odd weather day.

Dave and Bob did some more fishing. They had a bucket of pan fish for dinner. Then Bob caught a walleye on Monday. A miscommunication resulted in that fish being left on the cleaning table for 2+ hours while we went to Itasca. Needless to say, we didn't eat that fish.

I told Dave that he could do his own fishing post. He said that I should just summarize with, "It was a slow week."

Little Red Cart

After arriving in Minneapolis, we were picked up at the airport by GrandBob and Grandma. Our first stop was Once Upon a Child for a few toys for Gavin. We were thrilled to find a life jacket for the little guy, too. After looking over the store, we decided to purchase a tool bench, a pull toy elephant, a small dump truck, and a little red push cart. Gavin loves to push things around.

When Thursday morning rolled around, Dave and I went to Bemidji to hit Wal-Mart for diapers, wipes, and baby snacks. Grandma and GrandBob distracted Gavin with picking up sticks while we snuck away.

As the morning progressed, it was time to go check the mail. GrandBob didn't want to wait for Gavin to push the cart all the way up the driveway, so he put a string on the handle, converting the push cart into a wagon. A perfect wagon. Gavin fit in snug as a bug. They checked the mail (that day and every other that we were there).

Then it was time just to be pulled around the yard. Everyone had their chance to pull Gavin through the yard. By the second day, he could get into the wagon by himself. He would then sit there, with the string in hand, grunting as if to say, "Come on. Don't you want to pull me around?"

Grandma took him down the steep side of the hill.
"Aw. Come on Mama. Pull me please."

He only crashed 3 times. Each time, there was no sobbing from him. He got up, dusted off his hands (like I've been teaching him to do), and got right back in ready for more. During the first crash, I was driving, when was time to go down the hill, I decided that we weren't lined up just right, so I pulled on the string to stop him. Stop him, I did. The next thing he saw was the blue sky, as he lay on his back. He got a bruise on his back from that wreck.

The second crash occurred when GrandBob took a corner too sharply. Gavin crashed over on his side. He got a little dirt in his ear, but said only, "Uh oh" before climbing back in. I think GrandBob was the driver for the third crash as well, but I'm not positive. I'm sure he'll let me know.

Gavin did eventually, push the cart again, but not very often, and only after we all ignored his grunted requests for a ride.

It is amazing that the wheels didn't fall off. Gavin went on rides up and down the Paul Bunyan Trail in the cart, as well as around and around the yard.

Dada even made a modification to the cart, adding a beverage holder for Gavin's sippy cup. It's amazing that he knew to stick the cup in there.

And to pull it out when he needed a swig of refreshment after all that riding.

Ah, if only we could have packed the wagon in our checked baggage and brought it home. On second thought, scratch that.

I can already envision what Gavin will do with the cart next year. I see him standing in it using it as a scooter. I suppose time will tell.

The Headwaters of the Mississippi River

The Mighty Mississipp' begins its journey to the Gulf of Mexico in Northern Minnesota, in Itasca State Park. Last year, we took Gavin there to dip his toes in the water. Just as a point of reference, here's how small he was last year. . . sniff.

Gavin loves the water, so we knew we needed to take him back this year and let him splash around.

First, we had to pose for a few pictures with the sign.

Gavin was more interested in looking around than in being photographed.

Then it was time for the fun. The wading out started innocently enough.But, then there was a stumble, so Gavin was all wet.

One more picture, then the short wade down the river could begin.

Waving bye-bye.
Then, Gavin and Dave disappeared while they waded down the humble beginnings of the river.

Finally, they appeared around the bend.

After exiting the waters, Gavin was superexcited. He was walking on a wooden footbridge and stumbled, causing this scratch and bump to appear. Grandma went to the snack stand stat and got ice.

Gavin cried for about 45 seconds. We got him dried off and in dry clothes, then administered a little parking lot Rx.

All better. Let me check out that icepack.

Minnesota 2010

We're back from the cabin in Minnesota. The cool weather there made me never want to leave (and the live-in babysitters were nice, too). I'll work to update the blog over the next couple of days. But here are a few cute pictures of Gavin. (There might be one decent picture of me, but I'm holding a fish.)

Gavin took two boat rides. The life vest is a bit big and uncomfortable.

Gavin picked fish out of a bucket before they could be cleaned for dinner. The boy has no fear.

Just too cute in his jeans and hat.

Dave had to be towed up the lake by the Hubbard Co. Sheriff's patrol due to engine failure.

Gavin rode miles in this push cart/wagon we picked up at Once Upon a Child. (Notice the string pull and cup holder modifications made by Dada and GrandBob.

Dave caught a big walleye on Thursday. It was a delicious dinner.

More to come . . . but I also need to do laundry, unpack, read my book . . .

Home-grown Tomatoes

Yes, for a country girl, it's cliche, but there's nothing better than a home-grown tomato. Dave agrees. For years, we've tried to grow these delicious red orbs. A few years ago, we rented a tiller, dug up the ground, spent countless dollars and hours, for naught. So, we took a hiatus from gardening for a couple of years. I figured we'd save money buying tomatoes at the farmer's market versus trying to grow them.

But as it got warm, Dave got the itch again. This time, he planted his tomatoes in pots, using Miracle Grow potting soil. By using the pots, he was able to figure out where to position them for good sunlight. And, with the pots, it's easy to remember to water them.

I think he's on to something. The plants are huge. And, they're producing delicious tomatoes.

The jungle isn't pretty, but Mason and Gavin don't mind. We decided to get two late plants going. We'll see how they do.

Matt and Lindsey share our affinity for tomatoes, so we've given them a plant of their own to care for. And, we're entrusting them to water and harvest ours while we're out of town. Lindsey should get a bumper crop. The plants seem to be peaking now, with 3 or 4 tomatoes ripening each day. Some of them are small, but boy do they taste good. Last week we had a lot of rain, so many of them also have splits from all of the water at once. But that hasn't affected the taste. And for me, the taste is all that matters.