Where to start.....

Where to start with this update is the question! We left last Tuesday afternoon for the farm and returned yesterday (Tuesday) just in time for our goddaughter's third birthday party. Whew! In between we packed as much as our little family of three could into a week! Miss Mouse spent most of last week with Grammy, as Mommy Mouse was working on her crafts for the Pride of Dakota debute at the ND State Fair in Minot. Miss Mouse did not mind one bit. She enjoyed spending time with the sheep, the cats, the horses, and the rabbits. One day she was obviously trying to get Grammy and me to realize something. She was getting frustrated, so she grabbed Grammy's hand, grabbed my hand, walked us out to the entryway, and said "Baaa!!!". It couldn't have been much clearer that she wanted to go see the sheep that morning! Friday evening was Mommy Mouse's 10-year class reunion (how did that happen?). Miss Mouse attended the family barbecue until about 7:30 at which time Grammy and Great Grammy came to rescue, er, take her home. We actually all had a really great time visiting with classmates and meeting everyone's children and spouses. Saturday morning came very early for Daddy Mouse. He biked in the "Bike to the Bee" event, biking from 35 miles out of Crosby into town with a group of about 16 other riders. They had a good time, although they all turned out to be too shy to ride in the Threshing Bee Parade. After completing the 5K run in the morning (Miss Mouse slept through it at the farm), I (thanks to the "shuttle service" of Grandpa Bob) managed to make it back to the farm, clean myself, and return with the entire group to the Threshing Bee in order to ride in the parade in our "Old Chevy". Papa had the car restored for Auntie Laura and me, so that makes it even more special when we get to "show it off". Miss Mouse rode with Grandpa Bob and me. She waved the whole way, and she had the entire crowd waving right back at her! She had a glorious time with everyone looking at her and actually waving back! The rest of the afternoon was spent in Great Grammy's motorhome. What a relief to have that right at the Threshing Bee grounds so that Miss Mouse could nap while I visited with a good friend and spent some quality time with her (adorable) new baby girl. That evening, after a quick practice session, Grandpa Bob, Auntie Laura, and I performed in the Threshing Bee talent show. Auntie Laura is sort of always the "star" at the end of the show, closing off the show with her traditional rendition of "The Orange Blossom Special". It's hard not to have her #1 fan in the audience anymore (Great Grandpa Don - front and center, or at least front, every year since she started), but the performance went well. And it was really an honor to be included in their group this year. Miss Mouse loved the show, though she did take a break with Grammy to ride the "kiddie train" around the Threshing Bee grounds. After the talent show came the dance (to 'old time music'). Grammy and Miss Mouse danced while Daddy Mouse and I had some time to dance together. As we were leaving, another little toddler (a boy) came over and asked Miss Mouse to dance. The other mother and I were able to coax the little ones out on the dance floor as they held hands and swayed together. At one point, Miss Mouse pulled away, so the little boy leaned over and gave her a kiss. So sweet!! The other mother was more prepared (and technological) and took a picture on her cell phone. I have no pictures other than the memory. It doesn't get much cuter! With that full day, we missed the class reunion activities on Saturday. I was happy to spend the afternoon chatting with my friend, and we had a great time at the Threshing Bee, though. Sunday, Grammy, Miss Mouse, and I headed back into the Threshing Bee to tie up some "loose ends" that we hadn't had time to do on Saturday. Great Grammy headed home to Williston after many kisses from Miss Mouse (I'm sure she cannot wait until she gets more!). At the Threshing Bee we visited the Laura Ingall's Wilder exhibit and bought Miss Mouse a "Little House on the Prairie" bonnet. Very cute, but it nearly fits me. Yes, we have small heads. Back to the "Bee". We also rode on the "kiddie train" again since I hadn't had a chance to experience it on Saturday. Miss Mouse enjoyed saying "whee" as we hit the bumps and took the corners. She hung on to both me (or Grammy) and the side the whole time (and didn't mind that we hung onto her!). Miss Mouse also had a grand new experience with horses! She fed grass/hay treats to a couple of young fjord horses that belong to a good friend of Auntie Laura's. The horses weren't terribly hungry, but she was happy to pet their manes (they're different than typical quarter-horse manes) and have them sniff at her. Then, Auntie Laura's friend found a horse for Miss Mouse to ride!!! I sat her up on the horse (a paint named "Pickles"), and she gave us the biggest, proudest grin she could! She stayed up for a respectable amount of time, but then she was "all done". She "rode" another horse, too (this one was a smaller horse named "Candy"), but she didn't enjoy her as much as Pickles. Auntie Laura's same friend (don't get any ideas, anyone, he's in his 60s) also graciously gave us a ride on his wagon, pulled by a beautiful team of fjords. We were getting close to parade time again, so the wagon needed to be decorated. But Lloyd wouldn't pass up the chance to give Laura's niece a wagon ride with us sitting right up front before the parade. Miss Mouse even got to hold a rein for a bit (don't worry, Lloyd had them, too). I was so proud of the "youngest driver" of the weekend! After our ride, we headed home and had good naps. Monday, Daddy Mouse and I took off early to the ND State Fair. Miss Mouse arrived after her afternoon nap (which happened during the trip to Minot) with the grandparents and Auntie Laura. She got tours of the animal barns and commercial buildings as well as watching a herding dog demonstration. She was excited the whole time we were watching because the two little herding dogs were herding sheep. Everyone around us was treated to continual "baaing" (from our daughter; the sheep were quite quiet). The day was a success (I sold several items), but we were all completely tuckered out. We started for home yesterday around 12:30 and, as I said before, arrived just in time for our goddaughter's third birthday party. It was a wonderful party, but we bowed out early rather than falling asleep with our heads in the cake. What a week! I'll post pictures later, although most of them are on cameras other than mine, unfortunately. I'll post what I can, though.