Fall 2023

I was planning meals last night, and trying to go through the deep recesses of our chest freezer (in fact, we dragged a huge cooler’s worth of items to our new home, because I couldn’t empty it fast enough for the move). Anyway, all that to say that I reached in and pulled out a quart of frozen tomato soup dated October 2023. So it only seems fitting to get this post up today.

This is what I remember of this time period in 2023 – we took our Michigan vacation, but very late in the summer, think late-August. So by the time we got back, it was just a little over a week until school started. So we were immediately off to the races, so to speak, and most of it was a blur of activity.

Hal appreciation bathroom window art 4ever, we all still draw Hal on the mirrors after an extra steamy shower.

As soon as we got back from Michigan (like, the next day…) we headed up to the middle school to get Pete’s locker set up and run through his schedule. I loved this school and am kinda bummed Linus won’t get to attend – it was fairly new (finished in 2016), an easy walk down the street (also accessible via a lovely walk through the Conservancy by our house). Lovely architecture, really integrated with the surrounding nature, all the latest tech. It was on the bigger side with 1,200 students, so I loved that it wasn’t limiting in size/cliques. Pete always found a way to fit in as there were so many different activities and groups.

Anyway. We didn’t know we were moving at this point, so Linus tagged along with Pete and I so he could get a personal, low-stress tour from his brother, as he would have started here in fall 2024.

All the rooms facing west (into the Conservancy) were floor-to-ceiling windows.

Siiiigh – loved that school. Duluth schools are good, but Middleton was top-tier so I kinda miss that wealthy-suburban money (we were not uhhhhh, anywhere near the income level of most of our neighbors, we lucked out with our place there, but we certainly enjoyed the benefits!).

I don’t post enough cat content so here’s Mei Mei napping with her most beloved type of toy – my hair ties.

So! After spending a whirlwind week getting back on track after vacation, buying All The School Supplies, getting lockers/schedules settled – we celebrated the last holiday weekend before school starts (aka Labor Day weekend) by hopping over to a nearby town for a quickie trip. We went about an hour west of us, deep into the driftless to first explore a cave.

We had not visited Cave of the Mounds in over a decade, the last time we visited as a family was shortly after moving to the area when Pete was a wee pup, so we were way overdue a visit.

Back then, they had tour guides that took you through the cave. Post-COVID: you’re on yer own (!). Self-guided tours, with manned stops strategically placed to learn more about certain areas. The site recommended bringing flashlights, which we actually remembered to do. And away we went! Honestly I think we got more time in the cave being able to wander on our own, and the boys loved acting as explorers.

Sheepy tagged along with Linus.

They jumped on the “let’s take your picture at the start and sell it to you at the end” trend. And once again we were suckers and bought that thing.

We booked a night at a hotel nearby – a very strange sorta place, older but kept in good shape, in the middle of nowhere, with weird room layouts and a bizarrely huge water play area (that was the real reason for booking).

The kids enjoyed the pool but Linus was more interested in chilling in the hotel room. We booked a 2 Queen room, the layout was very long and narrow, with a bed on each end and the bathroom in the middle dividing the room (with a narrow hall in-between). The hall included a pull-out couch, in case Pete wanted his own sleeping area. Also each bed area had its own TV, too.. Overall a strange layout, but also kinda nice!

Our little weekend adventure ended much too soon, and then it was time for the school year to start back up. Last year of elementary in Wisconsin, so it was our final year at Elm Lawn for Linus. Pete, too, was in his final year at his middle school. Time flies!

Dance also started up in September, Linus wanted to try something new so it was Musical Theater for him, and he LOVED IT.

On to October! Usually I do some of these as separate posts but in the interest of time – we’re just smooshing it all into one, babes.

Winters are long it the north, usually snow/ice accumulates early and we just don’t feel like taking long trips in that weather. So: we pack in as much as we can before winter shows up, and that includes some weekend trips for birthdays, long breaks, and early wintertime holidays before we’re sticking close to home for 4 months.

All that to say – we tried traveling for Pete’s birthday in the past but the timing is too insane, unfortunately (end of school stuff + dance performances + work travel + summer visitor season gearing up for us). But we still try to make a mini trip for Linus’ birthday, because winter she is a’coming.

He is very much a creature of habit, so we do the same thing every year: a trip to the Dells. And we always kick it off with a celebratory dinner at Buffalo Phils – here he is, admiring the gummy-candy garnish from his special birthday cocktail.

Buffalo Phil’s is (conveniently) connected to that huge arcade known as Knuckleheads, which recently added a fancy new putt-putt course, so of course we had to give it a spin before heading out.

Next up: a few rounds at some of the 5-buck attractions. There are several of these themed walk-through buildings in the Dells; the tickets are cheap (that’s right, 5 bucks!) and it takes maybe 20-30 minutes to walk through the crazy labyrinth of exhibits inside. Super touristy but the kids love it so who am I to judge.

Didn’t stop here today, I just took a photo outside the car window, but it’s one of Linus’ favorite arcades on the strip so you’ll see more of it later, trust.

Eventually we went back to the hotel for the night. Breakfast birthday donuts were in order the next day. (BTW, he’s wearing a Pusheen onesie thing he received for his birthday and he loves it so much that he still wears it regularly as PJs, even 18 months and two zipper repairs later).

Back to Knuckleheads, and back to the putt-putt course.

They got the full package, which includes an arcade pass and all the fun activities, such as this go-kart track (our kids were the only ones running the track when we were there and lemme tell ya, it was strange seeing my boys driving).

And that’s where the Moose birthday photos end! I have about 50 more but I don’t mean to bore you to death, so just know we had a wonderful time at the two arcades of choice, and had a nice lunch (Buffalo Phils again!) before zipping back to Madison.

And finally, that takes us to… Halloween time!

(Actually there’s a little River Road trip in the middle there but – another time, another post. Too many pictures, y’all.)

So! First up – our annual trip to Waldvogel’s. What I love about this place is that there is SO MUCH to do, that truly as the boys get older they still love going, as there’s new things they’ve aged into as they age out of other things.

Like this Haunted House thing.

And the Haunted Trail.

Also never too old for the kitschy “haunted” train ride.

They took a spin through the yards, skipping most of it to only give the ole Giant Slide a go.

Not yet too old for the corn pit. (Only because there are hay bails to climb.)

New for them, we finally tried out the apple launcher. They still talk about this thing.

And that’s that for Waldvogel’s. Final Boss: Halloween.

Halloween 2023 was the first year we weren’t all walking as a family! Pete grew up, he decided in 2023 he’d rather stay home and hand out candy. Except: his buddies texted to ask if he wanted to come meet them at Owen’s house, so they could all trick-or-treat together. So he threw together a last-minute lumberjack costume and Scottie took him over to Owen’s.

I donned my signature alien antennae and away Linus and I went – he wore his Pusheen onesie to trick-or-treat as Pusheen because, again: obsessed.

Kinda weird just being the two of us!

Front yard decor, for posterity.

The lumberjack!

And finally: some polaroids.

Woohoo, we made it, and I got this thing out the door sooner than the soup could thaw, so I consider it a win 🙂