While Jason was off enjoying the fun and sun of the French Riviera, my mom and I decided we would go on an adventure of our own to Wisconsin. My great aunt Elaine's health is slowly declining and she has received the unfortunate news that she would lose all of her eyesight within the next year. Understandably, she is taking this news very hard and requested that she get to meet Henry and "see" Amelia one more time. So, off we headed to rural, chilly Wisconsin.
In the past, we have driven north to see Elaine. It's an "easy" 9 hour drive and the route goes directly through one of my all-time favorite cities--Madison, WI. But, unlike in the past, we had two kids' needs to consider this time. So, we decided to give flying a try. The closest airport to my aunt's house is Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN. From there, it is a 2 hour drive to her house. The good news is that both kids got to add a new state to their list of those visited. I think Henry is up to 10 now and Amelia has been to 14.
Henry--being a seasoned traveler by now--didn't mind the airplane too much. And he LOVED the airport. He could have watched all of those little people and vehicles zooming about all afternoon. I eventually had to take him away from the window, however, because his excited screeching became so loud, I am pretty sure I saw a few fellow passengers head to the desk in an attempt to change their flight.
Okay, so maybe I am exaggerating a
little. But, it is no secret that my boy has some serious lung power and is not afraid to use it. The flight/car rental/drive to my aunt's progression went surprisingly well. Way better than I would have ever imagined, in fact.
And Amelia was shy for about 4 seconds before inviting aunt Elaine to read with her. And color with her. And play on the floor with her.
She enjoyed playing with my aunt's two canes: Rose (the pink on) and Fred (the black one named after my late uncle). Amelia was very specific about which cane my aunt should use when. Mostly, she liked to match the cane to whatever outfit my aunt was wearing. But to Amelia, pink matches everything!
After getting a good night's rest, we headed out for lunch at a fabulous restaurant in town. I could seriously eat there everyday! Amelia was less impressed with the food and more impressed with the indoor fountain.
Then we were off to see Paul and Babe. No trip to Eleva is complete without a visit with these two. Unfortunately, the logger's museum was closed for the season. Amelia has really missed her friends!
Henry had his first exposure to Paul and Babe although he seemed pretty underwhelmed by the whole thing.
As I said, the museum was closed, but while investigating its status, we came upon a sign that we had never noticed before:
I guess someone (my mom) should have told me to move over a bit more to cover up the "S". Nevertheless, it's my little Henry O with a sign that says as much.
After our visit with our favorite tall tale characters, we introduced my 90 year old aunt to Starbucks! Later that afternoon (buzzing no caffeine), we headed to my aunt's sister's organic dairy farm. They have a small barn filled with calves under two weeks old. My aunt thought we might like to observe their feeding time and we did indeed. Although, Henry was the one who seemed to enjoy it the most. He just laughed and squealed the whole time while watching the calves.
My aunt's niece, Becky, cares for the calves and she showed Amelia how the calves will suck on your finger if you stick it near there mouths. Amelia was having none of it, so I decided to show her how its done. It was interesting, but incredibly gross at the same time (particularly the foam that was produced from the suction). In the end, Amelia STILL didn't do it.
Amelia seemed to like the experience nonetheless, although I think my little lady is definitely a city slicker at heart.
She was pretty insistent about having her picture taken with the calf that was born that morning! They average one birth a day at this farm!
Becky, Elaine, GG, and Henry
Henry enjoyed the spa-like accommodations at my aunt's house.
The next day, it was off to the Norske Nook for authentic Norwegian food and pies. Amelia has a great liking for this creature outside of the shop.
And then it was back to Minneapolis before we knew it. We stayed the night in a hotel in MN before leaving in the morning. We didn't get to the hotel until after 7 pm and no one had eaten dinner yet. As we were pulling up to the hotel, we saw that it was within walking distance to both the Mall of America AND Ikea. Big sigh.
Bright and early we headed to the airport. I have to say that I was impressed with Minneapolis-St. Paul airport and the TWO children areas they had set up. It kept Amelia pretty busy until it was time to board.
It was a short and sweet trip, but an important one nonetheless. We've already promised to visit my aunt when she gets settled in her new assisted living facility and is feeling up for visitors. Of course, maybe I will send Jason and the kids up north while I go hang out in France for a bit...
and I'll be sure to send him pictures like this.
