27 June 2011

Happy 3rd Birthday, Aidan!






And a very big THANK YOU to Marina and Theo for the car, and Grace from Coldstone in Hudson for the cake. We collected a ton of food for the Food Shelf, which we will deliver tomorrow, on Aidan's actual birthday. Thanks to everyone who shared in our special day!

24 June 2011

Well done, NY!


From:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/25/nyregion/gay-marriage-approved-by-new-york-senate.html?_r=2&hp

But Mr. Grisanti, a Buffalo Republican who opposed gay marriage when he ran for election last year, said he had studied the issue closely, agonized over his responsibility as a lawmaker, and concluded he could not vote against the bill. Mr. Grisanti voted yes. "I apologize for those who feel offended," he said. "I cannot deny, a person, a human being, a taxpayer, a worker, the people of my district and across this state, the State of New York, and those people who make this the great state that it is, the same rights that I have with my wife."

And that, my friends, is the very point. If we truly believe, as is written in our Constitution, in the separation of Church and State, the way forward is clear. Baring one section of the population the right to marry while allowing it for another is no different than denying women the right to vote due to their gender, or African Americans due to their race. We gave all citizens over the age of 18 - regardless of race or gender - the right to vote a long time ago.
Now, it is time to let them marry whom they wish. While it is well within the rights of the Church to bar the sacrament of marriage to whomever they deem unfit (for whatever reason and however distasteful I find it), it is not a power the state should have.

I can only hope all states follow what Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, DC, and now NY have started. I've been happily married to my husband for nearly 6 years, and I cannot imagine a life in which the government prevented our union. I am thankful for him every day, and hope this new bill in NY paves the way the happiness of many other couples.

18 June 2011

I've always wanted lakefront property...







It should go without saying that we didn't make it to circus school today :-(

Also, why is it every time we start a landscaping project, Mother Nature sees fit to destroy it (at least) once? That's $50 of new wood chip floating away! Boo!

15 June 2011

Circus at Home, and Circus Abroad for a Good Cause

As I've mentioned, my son attends a circus class for kids ages 3-4 in St. Paul, MN. Circus Juventas has been wonderful to us, and Aidan always has a great time in class. I wanted to share two recent videos.

The first (pardon the orientation) is Aidan's first attempt at the Spanish Web.

(Note: Anyone know an easy way to flip this video?)

Spanish Web was, coincidentally, my main act when I did circus at French Woods Festival. Here's a photo my dad took of me c1998. The white on some of my fingertips are bandages from some of the nastiest rope burn you've ever seen.



Anyway, the second video is Aidan's first go at Low Casting - a low to the ground, half flying trapeze aparatus if you will. For not even being 3 yet, I think he did a great job giving it a go - what a brave boy!




Like what you see? Find out more:
Circus Juventas, St. Paul, MN: http://www.circusjuventas.org/
French Woods Festival, Hancock, NY: http://www.frenchwoods.com/


I also wanted to briefly mention a benefit one of Aidan's coaches, Chimgee, is having for her Mission Manduhai: she's working to raise money to help stop domestic abuse in her home country of Mongolia.

Sunday, June 26th

4 p.m. Tickets $20 each

at The Celtic Junction

836 Prior Ave, St. Paul, MN-55104

More about Circus Manduhai: http://www.circusmanduhai.com/www.circusmanduhai.com/Welcome.html
More about Mission Manduhai: http://www.circusmanduhai.com/www.circusmanduhai.com/Fundraiser.html

You can also make a tax-deductible donation: checks can be written to: “Heritage and Traditions” with “Mission Manduhai” in the memo line. Mail to 5509 28th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55417

01 June 2011

Morning at Lake Harriet

Chad, Aidan, and I spent the morning in Minneapolis today. First stop was 46 Patisserie where we had some delicious food. We spent the rest of the morning walking/biking around Lake Harriet, and playing on the beach and in the water. For my part, I did *not* partake in the icy cold water, nor did Chad venture passed his ankles. Aidan, seemingly impervious to the cold, splashed around up to his armpits.

I near died and went to heaven with these.

I paid dearly for eating this one, but it was sooo worth it!

Ice cold water

Preparing a "Drippy-Wet" sand castle

Aidan spies a pretty girl!



Chad's first "drippy wet" sand castle.



Beautiful Lake Harriet

Chad's second "Drippy Wet" sand castle, right before Aidan destroys it :-).

Aidan-zilla!

Chad the tree-hugger.