A Much Needed Day Off

I've been looking for a reason to take a day off, so my nephew, Lucas' first birthday party in the Twin Cities sounded like a great reason.

We made the long drive up over the weekend and my son, Jacob, only asked about a million times "how much longer until we get there?"

I have three siblings in the Twin Cites, Heather, Joe and Sarah.  Along with their spouses, I also have 3 nieces and a nephew.

Jacob has cousins in Dubuque on my wife's side of the family, but none are as close in age, so it's tough for Jacob to have play-time with them as equals.

We made the trip over to the Mall of America.  I know the locals all roll their eyes when you say you'd like to visit, but you really have to admire the sheer size of this shopping complex.  It has a comedy club, movie theaters, mini golf course and amusement park... it's hard to beat.

We spent a good portion of Sunday on the rides and I got to take Jacob on his first roller coaster ride.  It was small by adult-standards, but big for an almost 5-year-old boy.

He loved it.

In fact, he loved it so much, he lay on the floor crying when I told him we had to leave.  I not only had to pick him up, I had to buy him 'Dippin Dots' to bribe him to leave.  (It is the ice cream of the future, after all.)

Vacations can be so much work.

Have a great week.

~CMF