the dells

This year we changes things up and headed to the Dells a couple days before Minocqua. The girls had never been in a hotel or to a waterpark. Eeks!

Love this selfie of Scott and Bea.

Not too many pictures of Cordelia. She was all over the place or in odd places.

Fell asleep eating a nectarine. Fun fact: all the ladies wore the same dress for dayzzz.

 We stayed at the Kalahari. So much to do that you never had to leave. The girls even loved acting like puppies in the corridor connecting to some restaurants. 

I slept in the same bed with Cordelia and it was delightful. Such a cozy little cream puff.

In the lobby they had a different baby exotic animal every day. It wasn't loose mind you. But in that little hut to the right. You could pay to hold it and get your picture taken. Unnecessary. 

"mom take a picture of me with this here lollipop and mint". There was a candy store/counter in the lobby of the hotel as well. 

This was the biggest slide the girls went down. And in was inside. Scott and I would take turns going down a handful of the big guys while the other stayed with the kids. 

There was also an amusement park and arcade deal with mini golf and bumper boats. Lots to do.  We did venture out a few times. It felt like the Vegas of Wisconsin. Huge ridiculous theme resorts. The strip down down. Bachelorette parties. Fun had by all.

square roots fest

Square Roots Fest is one of my favs. Especially this year. Great food options and excellent beer choices. Once we secured our first teensy cups of beer, we let the ladies loose.

A big attraction was the drum kit swings for the kids. Every pump of the swing brought new waves of beats. 

The Redmoon DJ Bubble contraption was also a big hit. 

Coco circled twice before she found the knob that all the other kids turned. Over and over. So pleased thinking she may pull this whole thing apart. 

Not pleased to have me take a front picture of her on the drum swings.

Puppet bike is back!

who is this lady?

4th of july

The forth was really low-key. Some of us went to my parents for a casual get together. Maeve was telling me how she just wanted to relax after a rough week. Just sit on my bike. Just relax.

Cordelia has other plans.

We made it back home before the fireworks and had a great view of some organized and not-so-organized 

wendy's renaissance faire wedding

We were lucky enough to be invited as a family to my co-worker wendy's wedding - at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. None of us has ever been and boy were we in for a treat!

As we approached the entrance, I had no idea what we were in store for. 

Bea and Cordelia has no problem fitting the part. Subtle crows and princess gowns.

We walked through the grounds and village until we came to Cotswold Commons. Wendy made a castle for their wedding cards and banners for every table. 

And of course we were pink unicorns!

Instead of flowers there were little terrariums with knights.

While waiting for the festivities to begin, Coco wanted to take some selfies. I love love love her face when she sees herself. 

Finally the Lord and Lady arrive and exchange vows.

Here is Lord Mark. They designed their own costumes. Layers and Layers. Extreme attention to detail.

And the blushing bride, Lady Wendlyn. Her costume was insane. Black velvet, silver damask, satin, a peacock fan!

Mark carried a sword that went into the cake.

The ladies were drawn to the harpist. 

Cordelia was done. And we had hours to go. 

The Queen made her rounds. Everyone was in character. It was nearly impossible to tell who worked there and who was visiting. I felt foolish not asking where the privy was. Or saying hiya in repsonse to a "good day m'lady".

A cannon went off went the queen passed. The wedding ceremony and reception were short so that everyone could go out into the fair. 

We went over to the kid's kingdom so that they could ride on this butter fly ride. 

In the kid's kingdom they had story time on one of the five stages. Bea took it upon herself to sit in the throne while the crowd gathered. Apparently no one is allowed to wear purple in the Queen's kingdom, except the Queen and her choosing. And this kind pheasant woman came over to make sure Princess Beatrix had what she needed. 

Another young princess felt it was also her right to sit in the throne. Beatrix asked her some questions. 

She checked out the craftsmanship of Bea's crown. 

The bonded. 

Speaking on bonding. There were roaming bands of Death Dancers. They made no noise and moved gracefully and swiftly throughout the grounds. Cordelia bonded with one of them. She bonded with a Death Dancer.

She let the DD hold her hands silently, for what seemed like a hour. A crowd gathered at the contrast of the two and couldn't believe she wasn't scared. 

Bea didn't give a hooey cuz she was getting her face paint on. 

When Cordelia let the DD loosen her grip, she also got a painting. Just a teeny one on her arm.

D.O.N.E.