Week Thirty: Cramming

This summer is flying by. Flying. There is still so much I want to do, and not enough time to do it. I think that's the case with anyone who has a summer break though.

One of the things on our summer bucket list was to head down to Mankato for a no-other-obligations-visit with Mike's family. It seems like most of the time when we go down there it is for a wedding or some other event. This weekend we headed there just because, and it was pretty lovely.

One of the highlights from the trip, by far, was a trip to Sibley Park in Mankato. Now, years and years and years ago when Mike and I were just starting to get serious he took me to Mankato to meet his family. One of the things he and I did was visit the Sibley Park "Zoo". It has been a running joke ever since because it was such a sad excuse for a zoo. There were a couple cages of chickens and I think prairie dogs..? Anyhow- it was a joke. 

When we were planning this little weekend visit Mike's mom suggested Sibley Park and he and I died laughing. Of course we said yes, telling ourselves it was important for O to get experience our little inside joke as well. 

We got there and the place had been totally redone and it was awesome. Seriously. So cute and SO fun--everything was farm themed. There were three separate climbing/slide structures, big animal statues to climb on, and then a separate area with big red barns and actual animals. O got to meet goats, chickens, calves, and {his favorite} little pot belly pigs! It was adorable. 

Here are some photos of our adventure. Can't wait to visit next time we go visit!

Barn playground! See the chickens? So cute. 

Weeeee!

I think Mike had as much fun playing as O did. 

Mooooo!

Ok, ok. I know no one looks all that impressed in this photo, but I wanted to capture how far up O got all by himself on the "hay" bails!

Grandpa, O, Daddy, and a goat. 

O was so excited about the pigs and kept making his snorting noise. 

Touching the little pig's nose! {Not pictured: the little pig's tails wagging like crazy!}

O loves steering wheels!

Daddy and O driving a tractor.

Another area of the playground-- check out those bean stalks to climb on over to the left!

Another look at the playground-- pig statues in the pig pen!