syttende mai parade, birthday sleepover, thatcher hike

 last tuesday was a big day in our neighborhood. it was the first syttende mai parade since 2019. it is such a fun tradition here and our neighborhood goes all out, so needless to say everyone was very excited that it was happening once again. the parade actually stages right on our street, so that was fun to see. then we walked over to 24th ave to watch it with a ton of families from the kids' school. there are over 65 floats and it lasts about 90 minutes. it's the biggest syttende mai parade outside of norway. i didn't realize how much i missed this! 

 

people stake out their spots in the morning, which cracks me up.

 

a convertible getting staged at the end of our driveway.

the rest of the week was classroom volunteering, baseball practice, work, errands etc. thursday evening ashford's friend arlo came over for dinner, which is something we haven't done much of with the kids' friends yet, but i'm looking forward to doing it more. friday night we stayed in, made dinner, and watched a movie with the kids. 

we had the most beautiful weather over the weekend. in the words of lizzo, it's about damn time ;) saturday azalea and i took a trip to the library and thatcher and i spent lots of time on the deck. in the afternoon i took ashford to discovery park for a playdate with his friend cameron. they went inside the visitor building and wanted pictures in the octopus cut out. 

we got home just in time for ashford to change and all head to his baseball game. they won their game and he got a kid out at 1st base and later in the game, a kid out at 2nd base. it was so fun to watch! he asked if his friend fritz could come over for dinner and video games (are we seeing a pattern here?). so fritz came over and i picked up burgers and shakes from scooters for dinner. the nice weather and end of the school year turns me into an extra fun mom ;) after dinner, it was time for azalea to get dropped off at simone's for her birthday slumber party with a small group of girls. azalea was so excited for it. the rest of the night thatcher, ashford, and i watched a movie together. it felt so weird to have azalea gone! simone's mom sent this cute picture: 

sunday morning thatcher was up bright and early to do a hike with friends. azalea was gone for much of the day because simone's mom was taking them to do an escape room. 

ashford and i had a nice day together. it was over 70 degrees for only the second time this year. he biked at the park with his friends and i hung out with the moms. he played lots of video games and i spent a lot of time on the deck reading. thatcher had a great hike and is very sore today ;) 

the final month of school is in full swing. we have field day on friday (for the first time in 3 years!), the kids have some field trips in june as well as the school carnival and of course azalea's graduation. i guess i better hold on for the ride!