Record Breaking Crowds at MN State Fair, and we were there!

Quote of the Day:  It's the great Minnesota get-together. MN State Fair motto. And, boy, were we a large crowd last Sunday!

Small glimpse at the sea of humanity at the MN State Fair!

It's hard to know which way to look with so many folks milling about!

The Midway

Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Dairy Princess, was nearby taking photos.

I don't know the woman and child in the picture.

Behind them is the cooler with the princess's heads carved in butter.

Nordy, MN Wild Hockey team mascot, paused for a photo op.

Thanks, Nordy!

Minnesota is the birthplace of Spam. I know, what a claim to fame!

We did not have the spamburger.

In fact, we barely ate anything because it was so crowded.

It was the first day that it wasn't so horribly hot, plus a Sunday, plus people just wanted to get together!

The only building I really wanted to go into was the Fine Arts building.

This motorcycle is made out of folded paper!

It was behind glass for a good reason.

I thought this sculpture was so cool.

The fine arts building is on the opposite end of the Midway, so when the boys called my cellphone to say they were out of money, I said, "Go to the milk stand, and if you have a dollar, you can have all the milk you can drink."

I don't think they went. They just stood by the sling shot ride watching the throngs of people.

It is kind of cool to be part of history. This was the largest Sunday crowd at the State Fair and the highest number of any day of the fair for 2013, at 236,197 people!

And, now, another school year has begun.

Go. Create. Inspire!

If you're looking for some fun art, music, and drama classes, check out our Primo Art Spa. This Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10:00-noon, we'll have Puppets, Pottery, and Pastries. Come on over!

Journaling Prompt:  When have you felt like you were part of history? How's the new school year going for you and your students? Are you a student this year?

Fall is My New Year

Quote of the Day:  Though I have seen the oceans and mountains, though I have read great books and seen great works of art...there is nothing greater or more beautiful than those people I love. - Christopher De Vinck

Our Second First Day of School

Bobby, the senior, stayed home on the official first day of school (district policy).

Our last First Day of School with Bobby, the senior.

Sigh, you can't stop the river of life from flowing.

The Fall of the year is my New Year. It is the start of a new school year. I have a senior, an 8th grader, and two 6th graders. Marking the growth of children is an excellent way to prove that nothing stays the same. I don't want them to grow up and leave me, and yet, I can't help but celebrate with them as they reach new heights, learn and grow, and seek their own adventures.

The Fall of the year is also my birthday, Sept. 6, this year, the first day of school. What a celebration it is! I started celebrating last Thurs. by going to the movies with a friend and watching The Help. It's an excellent movie. It translates well from book to silver screen, and so well cast, acted, and filmed.

Over the weekend, I saw family. My mom baked my favorite birthday cake, German chocolate with the coconut/nutty frosting, and I stayed overnight at my sister's house. Monday, I had lunch with my best writer-mama-pal, Roxane, in Fargo. Tuesday, I sent the younger boys off to school then joined many mothers and others at the coffee shop.

Erika, Mary, Lisa, JeMA

I had lunch with my big boy, the senior.  The food was delicious, and the company was delightful. My big boy wants to be some kind of engineer. He's a techie, creative, and kind. We had a great conversation. He even asked me what I thought I might do once all the kids graduate. (I don't even like thinking about it, but I know I have lots of options.)

The boys had a great first day of school. We went out for supper (no kitchen duties for this birthday girl), and hit sack early.

Today, my group power class will enjoy my "Birthday Track" and later in the week, one more birthday lunch with a friend. I think everyone needs a week-long birthday celebration, don't you?

Go. Create. Inspire! And, fill your days with those people you love.

Journaling Prompt:  If you were free from social and family obligations, where would you go? What would you do?

Muffins, Brothers, and the First Day of School

Quote of the Day:  And let me tell you, you boys of America, that there is no higher inspiration to any man to be a good man, a good citizen, and a good son, brother, or father, than the knowledge that you come from honest blood. - John Sergeant Wise

 
This is actually our second "First Day" of School.  The oldest, Bobby, didn't go on the first "First Day" because he's a junior and the juniors and seniors get the first day off so that the sophomores have a day in the high school for orientation.
 
So, on our second "First Day" of School, I made the traditional blueberry muffins.  As I explained to my guys, "Eating blueberry muffins on the first day of school is a tradition that goes back for generations in the Aalgaard family."  Then, I told them about walking the long driveway to the mailbox on my parents' farm to wait for the bus.  When it was really cold out, my dad would stand by the window and watch for the bus lights, then holler, "The bus is coming!"  When it flooded, we walked to the bridge over our big ditch in big rubber boots, or if it was really deep, Dad would drive us up the road on his tractor.
 

 
 

My boys have their own wheels.

The big one drives.

The three younger ones bike to the middle school, nearby.  No more stops at the elementary school for me.  My babies are growing up...sigh.

Today, I will claim my creative space.  I'm wearing my Scriptfrenzy t-shirt and I'm off to The Coco Moon to write Act 3 of my drama, Coffee Shop Confessions.

We all have learning and work to do.

Go, Create, Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a school memory.  Where did you go?  Were you ever the new kid?  What mode of transportation got you there?  Did you have a unique experience like tutoring, home-schooling on the road, or study abroad?