Celebrating the birthday of Lemonade

Supposedly today is the the 380th birthday of Lemonade - of course different sources claim differently but for me I'm going to celebrate it today.

Lemonade is a great summer beverage. I remember all those Country Time Lemonade TV spots and the idyllic settings that they portrayed. Simpler times meant peaceful laid back times in those spots.

And when I think of Lemonade it does take me back to my childhood. It was the beverage of choice that my Mom would offer instead of a soda. Even though there can be more sugar in lemonade than some sodas - because it said "Lemon" it must have been healthier.

My belief is that anything that takes you back to your childhood summers is a good thing. Lots of outside play time and no school. Growing up in North Dakota our summers were pretty carefree - swimming pool and playing outside games in the neighborhood. My kids got to enjoy that last weekend. We had no Internet and I got them to stay away from the TV. They read and played games in the park with their cousins and walked uptown to my brother's Variety Store. They love that and can spend lots of time looking at all the toys and candy. Of course a few free samples from Wayne's bulk candy always makes a day better.

This year they really got to experience a few summer days like I did growing up. Simpler times and they had a blast. My son always say I love going to North Dakota because all our cousins just come over to Grandma's house - we don't have to set up "get together" dates with our friends. How true, how true.

So as I sit here today and think back on those fun childhood times I'm glad a glass of Lemonade can bring back a cascade of great memories. Have a glass today and savor the last few weeks of the summer of 2010. Enjoy.

An empty household

On Monday morning we packed up our two kids and they headed off to two different camps in central Minnesota. They were nervous with excitement and wondering what the next week held in store for them. Hey, it's camp, it's a nice warm summer in Minnesota and they get to be surrounded by beautiful lakes what's not to like.

Meanwhile my wife and I were about to experience something that we hadn't since July of 1998. An empty household. Yes for the first time in 12 years we were going to be spending a week at our house with no children. What are we going to do?

We of course had grand plans for dining out every night at restaurants with white table cloths and evenings of summer leisure time. Oh the wonderful times that lay ahead.

So far we have experienced cooking a meal for a teenage safe house on Monday evening. And then we had to spend some time on the phone and on the Internet trying to rustle up some additional players for our daughter's soccer team for this fall since they were very short of players. So the first night of leisure time slipped away very quickly.

Last night we did sneak in a nice dinner at Kozy's in Edina. But then after that we had birthday shopping to do for Anders. Barnes & Noble, Old Navy and Target. My Foursquare account was hitting the jackpot with all these new places in Edina. We were then trapped in the Target given the torrential downpour that occurred last night. We eventually got home and had to deal with water seepage in one of our windows.

The grand plans really haven't taken the initial shape that we had. So after two evenings at home with no kids we haven't really relaxed. And tonight we need to do some major cleaning and prepping for an out of town wedding.

So our one week as "empty nesters" has really turned out to be quite busy and not so relaxing. And yes we miss the kids. They bring a level of excitement and energy to our house each and every day. We feel blessed to have them. Quiet peaceful nights at home can wait, at least for me.

What a great Ballpark

Our family recently took a trip to Washington D.C. While we of course took in all the sights of D.C. we also took in a game at the Nationals Stadium. Every summer trip usually means a stop in a MLB stadium or a Minor League park somewhere.

We were totally impressed with the game experience at the Nationals Stadium. From the minute we ordered tickets on-line to the game to the post game email asking us about our experience this was customer service as it should be. If all sports venue treated their fans like this we would all go to more events.

The staff at the stadium was attentive and all the stuff going on before the game on their center field plaza from bands playing, having the four Presidents from Mount Rushmore in costume and dancing on the party plaza - it was a party atmosphere. The Philadelphia Phillies were in town and they brought a lot of fans with which created almost a play-off like atmosphere.

Our kids got their pictures taken with all the Presidents and Screech the Nationals mascot and we even got a free bobble head of Nyjer Morgan as the game giveaway.

I had a "Half-Smoke" from Ben's Chili Bowl a D.C. legendary eatery and it was tasty.

The stadium is laid out perfectly with a huge entry point in center field and this is only one block from the Metro (their subway). Easy to get to and love the accessibility.

Oh yes and it was a great game as the Nationals won 7-5 with a 3 run walk off home run by Ryan Zimmerman. A perfect summer night watching baseball at the perfect baseball park. Great job by the Nationals. If you're a baseball fan you will love this park.