Labor Day Weekend and The First Day of School

What could be more appropriate on Labor Day Weekend than the Birthing Center at the Minnesota State Fair?  Warning:  graphic pictures are coming.

My youngest and I stayed back, while the other two headed to the fair.  We've had such a dry August, and wouldn't you know it- they encountered pouring rain while they were there.

The highlight was watching a cow give birth.  It was pretty amazing.  I am telling the story as my daughter told it to me:

The poor mother cow had been in labor for hours and nothing was happening.  So they reached into her body and attached a chain to the baby and pulled it out!

That is what this picture is.  You have to really study it.  Look for the legs and head coming out of the mother cow:

The baby was covered in something gooey.  

I love this picture.  A lot of action going on with the vets and the cameras and they started feeding her pretty quickly.  And not to gross anyone out, because it really it is the most natural thing in the world…. the umbilical cord hanging from the mother still.  That means the placenta hadn't come out yet.

We dedided to spend the last day of summer with a bike ride around Lake Calhoon in Minneapolis.  It was kind of quiet there because everyone was at the fair and it was a little chilly.  But we had fun renting bikes and then stopping at the greatest ice cream ever at Sebastian Joe's.


Planking- the girls said this is not "in" anymore.

I sure was thinking back on our entire summer on Labor Day as we were getting ready for school to start.  I had that gut wrenching "You love your kids so much it hurts" feeling all night.  Motherhood brings so many emotions:

--I am so ready for them to go back to school and get on a routine.

--I am really going to miss them.

--We have been so blessed with wonderful teachers and friends and education.

--I have to share them with others, why can't I have them to myself?

--We reached all of our summer goals!  Everything from hiking in the mountains to trips Up North and summer camp, etc.

--Everytime I learn something new in motherhood, there is something new I realize I need to learn.  Somethings get easier, some things get harder.

--I am not alone-- a lot of my friends are going through the same emotions.

--Allow yourself to feel the sadness of having them grow up, because you will discover that everyting has it's opposite, and you will realize that behind the sadness there is joy.

--My oldest is a senior, it is going to be an emotional year!

Here they are…. can you tell which one is excited and which one feels a little overwhelmed?

Excited!  Seniors rule!

I am a freshman…. ug!

Being with my friends makes it all better!

Here is to a great year for both of my girls.  We are so thankful for a wonderful summer and the joy you bring to our home.  We love you and are excited for the growth and experiences and learning to come this year!