Copper Hen

We stumbled upon this little ditty the other night. Holy Jesus, my gut hates me. But my tastebuds love me. After striking out on finding reservations at nearby restaurants, we found Copper Hen had a table available so we thought we'd give it a try. This is a farm-to-table restaurant with tons of great items on their menu.

I'll start by saying that this place is not really kid-friendly. There are no kids menus or coloring pages to entertain them while you wait for the food. Luckily, we managed to keep them entertained with their amazing display of desserts located at the front entrance. The boys took trips back and forth trying to decide what dessert they were going to have after dinner. You guys, the selection of cupcakes, cookies, and pastries was to die for. There were sprinkles, fruit, and chocolate morsels covering every crafted dessert. 

The menu is meat-heavy so, as pescatarians, we found the dinner choices slightly limiting. We started out with the soft pretzels which come with warm house-made ale cheese "whiz". Yum #1. The pretzels were so warm and gooey and, although the cheese looks like that pumped nacho cheese, it's not. It was homemade deliciousness. 

We ordered the baked macaroni and cheese for the boys, which came in a small cast iron skillet and was topped with pretzel bread crumbs. Jason and I shared the fish special and the lobster loaded farmer fries. Holy glutton party! 

As delicious as these items were, I'm hoping to see more vegetarian and kid-friendly items on their menu in the future. 

The boys didn't eat much of their mac-n-cheese since they filled up on pretzels and cheese. 

Contact
612-872-2221
2515 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
info@copperhenkitchen.com

Hours
Tue-Thur 11 am – 10 pm
Fri 9 am –11 pm
Sat 8 am – 11 pm
Sun 8 am – 9 pm

LGBTQ & Nontraditional Family Books

Many of our choices below come from public library recommendations as well as books recommend by The Conscious Kid. The Conscious Kid is a great resource for children's books. Their mission is to reduce bias and promote positive identity development in youth by promoting "access to children’s books centering underrepresented and oppressed groups" (https://www.theconsciouskid.org). 

Daddy, Papa, and Me by Lesléa Newman

Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its daddies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together. Share the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.

Mommy, Mama, and Me by Lesléa Newman

Rhythmic text and illustrations with universal appeal show a toddler spending the day with its mommies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, then bath time and a kiss goodnight, there's no limit to what a loving family can do together. Shares the loving bond between same-sex parents and their children.

Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian

When a worm meets a special worm and they fall in love, you know what happens next: They get married! But their friends want to know—who will wear the dress? And who will wear the tux? The answer is: It doesn't matter. Because worm loves worm.

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino

Morris is a little boy who loves using his imagination. But most of all, Morris loves wearing the tangerine dress in his classroom’s dress-up center. The children in Morris’s class don’t understand. Dresses, they say, are for girls. And Morris certainly isn’t welcome in the spaceship some of his classmates are building. Astronauts, they say, don’t wear dresses. One day when Morris feels all alone and sick from their taunts, his mother lets him stay home from school. Morris dreams of a fantastic space adventure with his cat, Moo. Inspired by his dream, Morris paints the incredible scene he saw and brings it with him to school. He builds his own spaceship, hangs his painting on the front of it and takes two of his classmates on an outer space adventure. With warm, dreamy illustrations, Isabelle Malenfant perfectly captures Morris’s vulnerability and the vibrancy of his imagination.

Uncle Bobby's Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen

Bobby and Jamie are getting married, but Bobby's niece Chloe is worried that she won't be his favorite person anymore. Will Uncle Bobby still think she is special. Sarah Brannen's warm story is set in an alternative family as Uncle Bobby marries his boyfriend. Uncle Bobby's Wedding embraces Bobby's relationship with Jamie, but keeps its focus where it truly belongs: on an uncle and niece's love for each other.

10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert

Every night, Bailey dreams about magical dresses: dresses made of crystals and rainbows, dresses made of flowers, dresses made of windows. . . . Unfortunately, when Bailey's awake, no one wants to hear about these beautiful dreams. Quite the contrary. "You're a BOY!" Mother and Father tell Bailey. "You shouldn't be thinking about dresses at all." Then Bailey meets Laurel, an older girl who is touched and inspired by Bailey's imagination and courage. In friendship, the two of them begin making dresses together. And Bailey's dreams come true! This gorgeous picture book—a modern fairy tale about becoming the person you feel you are inside—will delight people of all ages.

Molly's Family by Nancy Garden

What makes a family? The members of Ms. Marston's kindergarten class are cleaning and decorating their room for the upcoming Open School Night. Molly and Tommy work on drawing pictures to put on the walls. Molly draws her family: Mommy, Mama Lu, and her puppy, Sam. But when Tommy looks at her picture, he tells her it's not of a family. "You can't have a mommy and a mama," he says. Molly doesn't know what to think; no one else in her class has two mothers. She isn't sure she wants her picture to be on the wall for Open School Night.

King & King by Lind de Haan

The story of a prince who is set to marry a princess, except he's not in love with the princess, he's in love with another prince. 

Jacob's New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman

Jacob loves playing dress-up, when he can be anything he wants to be. Some kids at school say he can't wear "girl" clothes, but Jacob wants to wear a dress to school. Can he convince his parents to let him wear what he wants? This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenges faced by boys who don't identify with traditional gender roles.

My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis

Dyson loves pink, sparkly things. Sometimes he wears dresses. Sometimes he wears jeans. He likes to wear his princess tiara, even when climbing trees. He's a Princess Boy. Inspired by the author's son, and by her own initial struggles to understand, this is a heart-warming book about unconditional love and one remarkable family. It is also a call for tolerance and an end to bullying and judgments. The world is a brighter place when we accept everyone for who they are.

Real Sisters Pretend by Megan Dowd Lambert

This warm, engaging story, which unfolds entirely through the conversation of two adopted sisters, was inspired by the author's own daughters, whom she overheard talking about how adoption made them "real sisters" even though they have different birth parents and do not look alike.

Families, Families, Families! by Suzane Lang & Max Lang

No matter your size, shape, or pedigree--if you love each other, you are a family! Moms, dads, sisters, brothers — and even Great Aunt Sue — appear in dozens of combinations, demonstrating all kinds of nontraditional families! Silly animals are cleverly depicted in framed portraits, and offer a warm celebration of family love.
 

Donovan's Big Day by Lesléa Newman

Donovan's two moms are getting married, and he can't wait for the celebration to begin. After all, as ringbearer, he has a very important job to do. Any boy or girl with same-sex parents—or who knows a same-sex couple—will appreciate this picture book about love, family, and marriage.  The story captures the joy and excitement of a wedding day while the illustrations show the happy occasion from a child's point of view.

The Family Book by Todd Parr

The Family Book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Whether you have two moms or two dads, a big family or a small family, a clean family or a messy one, Todd Parr assures readers that no matter what kind of family you have, every family is special in its own unique way.

Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman

Heather’s favorite number is two. She has two arms, two legs, and two pets. And she also has two mommies. When Heather goes to school for the first time, someone asks her about her daddy, but Heather doesn’t have a daddy. Then something interesting happens. When Heather and her classmates all draw pictures of their families, not one drawing is the same. It doesn’t matter who makes up a family, the teacher says, because “the most important thing about a family is that all the people in it love one another.”

A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager

The story of a little girl talking with her friends about her two daddies and the roles they play in her life. 

A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager

A Tale of Two Mommies is a beach conversation among three children. One boy asks another boy about having two mommies. A young girl listening in asks some questions too.
True to a child’s curiosity, practical questions follow. “Which mom is there when you want to go fishing? / Which mom helps out when Kitty goes missing?” To which he answers: “Mommy helps when I want to go fishing. / Both Mommies help when Kitty goes missing.”

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman

In a wildly whimsical, validating, and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, This Day In Junewelcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united. Also included is a Reading Guide chock-full of facts about LGBT history and culture, as well as a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways. This Day In June is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance, and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders

In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world. Award-winning author Rob Sanders's stirring text, and acclaimed illustrator Steven Salerno's evocative images, combine to tell this remarkable - and undertold - story. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride.

Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.

The Boy & The Bindi by Vivek Shraya

In this beautiful children’s picture book by Vivek Shraya, author of the acclaimed God Loves Hair, a five-year-old South Asian boy becomes fascinated with his mother’s bindi, the red dot commonly worn by Hindu women to indicate the point at which creation begins, and wishes to have one of his own. Rather than chastise her son, she agrees to it, and teaches him about its cultural significance, allowing the boy to discover the magic of the bindi, which in turn gives him permission to be more fully himself.

When You Look Out the Window: How Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin Built a Community by Gayle E. Pitman

This is a picture book about Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, one of San Francisco’s most well-known and politically active lesbian couples. In this story, Phyllis and Del point out landmarks through the city that can be seen out their window. The “Reader’s Note” describes how Phyllis and Del left their mark on each of these sites. This is a unique way to introduce children to untold stories in history while also being a clever tribute to two notable women.

I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings

From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz's story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

The heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family is now available in a sturdy board book edition. At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own.

From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom

In the magical time between night and day, when both the sun and the moon are in the sky, a child is born in a little blue house on a hill. And Miu Lan is not just any child, but one who can change into any shape they can imagine. The only problem is they can’t decide what to be: A boy or a girl? A bird
or a fish? A flower or a shooting star? At school, though, they must endure inquisitive looks and difficult questions from the other children, and they have trouble finding friends who will accept them for who they are. But they find comfort in the loving arms of their mother, who always offers them the same loving refrain: “whatever you dream of / i believe you can be / from the stars in the sky to the fish in the sea.” In this captivating, beautifully imagined picture book about gender, identity, and the acceptance of the differences between us, Miu Lan faces many questions about who they are and who they may be. But one thing’s for sure: no matter what this child becomes, their mother will love them just the same.

They She He Me, Free to Be! by Maya & Matthew Gonzales

How do you daily confirm and celebrate gender fluidity when the 'he' and 'she' binary is so prevalent in EVERYTHING, everywhere, all the time!? Pronouns serve as a familiar starting point for kids and grown-ups to expand ideas about gender and celebrate personal expression with fun imagery that provides a place to meet and play. Award winning children’s book author and artist Maya Gonzalez is joined by her partner, Matthew, in their first children’s book together. With virtually no reflection for different gender presentations in children’s books available, together they created a book to do just that. They She He Me, Free to Be shows many gender presentations under each pronoun and invites even more. A go-to place to help keep the conversations alive, break down assumptions of who is “she” or “he” and expand beyond the binary to include “they” and more. The back offers a playful narrative about pronouns, inviting kids to know themselves inside and out, claim the pronouns that express the spirit of who they are and respect that in others. Also included is some discussion for grown-ups on how to hold a supportive space for kids (and for themselves).

Pink is for Boys by Rob Pearlman

Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! This timely and beautiful picture book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids-and their grown-ups-to express themselves in every color of the rainbow. Featuring a diverse group of relatable characters, Pink Is for Boys invites and encourages girls and boys to enjoy what they love to do, whether it's racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up. Vibrant illustrations help children learn and identify the myriad colors that surround them every day, from the orange of a popsicle, to the green of a grassy field, all the way up to the wonder of a multicolored rainbow. 

George by Alex Gino

George joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content! When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl. George thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. George really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part . . . because she's a boy. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte -- but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.

In Our Mother's House by Patricia Polacco

Marmee, Meema, and the kids are just like any other family on the block. In their beautiful house, they cook dinner together, they laugh together, and they dance together. But some of the other families don?t accept them. They say they are different. How can a family have two moms and no dad? But Marmee and Meema?s house is full of love. And they teach their children that different doesn?t mean wrong. And no matter how many moms or dads they have, they are everything a family is meant to be. Here is a true Polacco story of a family, living by their own rules, and the strength they gain by the love they feel.

Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer

Stella's class is having a Mother's Day celebration, but what's a girl with two daddies to do? It's not that she doesn't have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn't have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family.

One Family by George Shannon

Just how many things can "one" be? One box of crayons. One batch of cookies. One world. One family. From veteran picture book author George Shannon and up-and-coming artist Blanca Gomez comes a playful, interactive book that shows how a family can be big or small and comprised of people of a range of genders and races.

My Two Uncles by Judith Vigna

Plans for Elly's grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary party are upset when Grampy refuses to invite Elly's Uncle Phil and his friend, Ned, who are gay. By the author-illustrator of Saying Goodbye to Daddy.

Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton

Errol and his teddy, Thomas, are best friends who do everything together. Whether it's riding a bike, playing in the tree house, having a tea party, or all of the above, every day holds something fun to do. One sunny day, Errol finds that Thomas is sad, even when they are playing in their favorite ways. Errol can't figure out why, until Thomas finally tells Errol what the teddy has been afraid to say: “In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas.” And Errol says, “I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend.” Introducing Teddy introduces the youngest readers to understanding gender identity and transition in an accessible and heart-warming story about being true to yourself and being a good friend.

Home at Last by Vera B. Williams

A poignant, timely, and universal picture book about fear, adoption, family, and the joy of fatherhood, written by beloved and award-winning author Vera B. Williams and illustrated by the author in collaboration with two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka. After Lester is adopted by Daddy Albert and Daddy Rich, he develops a big problem—he can't fall asleep. Night after night he creeps into his parents' room and attempts to crawl in between his two daddies, confident that if he's with them and their dog, Wincka, nothing bad will happen to him ever again. But every night, Lester's new dads walk him back to his own room, hoping that eventually Lester will get used to the new house and his new family and feel as though he belongs. They buy him a bike and take him for ice cream. They make cocoa and introduce him to his cousins. But no matter how happy Lester seems during the day, he still gets scared and worried at night! It's the sweet dog Wincka who finally solves the problem when she climbs into Lester's bed and promptly falls asleep, serving as both his pillow and his protector. Lester feels home at last.

I am Jazz! by Jessica Hershel and Jazz Jennings

"This is an essential tool for parents and teachers to share with children whether those kids identify as trans or not. I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid struggling with gender identity questions. I found it deeply moving in its simplicity and honesty."—Laverne Cox (who plays Sophia in “Orange Is the New Black”). From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz's story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.

This is My Family by Pat Thomas

This new title in Barron's A First Look At series encourages kids of preschool through early school age to understand and overcome problems that might trouble them in social and family relationships. Written by an experienced psychotherapist and counselor on a level that is always understandable to younger children, this book seeks to promote positive interactions among children, parents, and teachers. Thoughtful text is supplemented with child-friendly color illustrations on every page. A two-page How to Use This Book section for parents and teachers appears at the back of each book. This is My Family takes a child's point of view in its discussion of same-sex marriage. Its message is intended both for children of gay or lesbian parents, as well as for the kids and parents of the children's friends and playmates.

History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera:

When Griffin’s first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he’s been imagining for himself has gone far off course. To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin’s downward spiral continues. He’s losing himself in his obsessive compulsions and destructive choices, and the secrets he’s been keeping are tearing him apart. If Griffin is ever to rebuild his future, he must first confront his history, every last heartbreaking piece in the puzzle of his life.

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met. Incredibly funny and poignant, this twenty-first-century coming-of-age, coming out story—wrapped in a geek romance—is a knockout of a debut novel by Becky Albertalli.

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Alice had her whole summer planned. Nonstop all-you-can-eat buffets while marathoning her favorite TV shows (best friends totally included) with the smallest dash of adulting―working at the library to pay her share of the rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she's asexual). Alice is done with dating―no thank you, do not pass go, stick a fork in her, done. But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom com-grade romance feels she did not ask for (uncertainty, butterflies, and swoons, oh my!). When her blissful summer takes an unexpected turn and Takumi becomes her knight with a shiny library-employee badge (close enough), Alice has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a love that might not be reciprocated―or understood. Claire Kann’s debut novel Let’s Talk About Love, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads, gracefully explores the struggle with emerging adulthood and the complicated line between friendship and what it might mean to be something more. 

Being Jazz: My Life as a Transgender Teen by Jazz Jennings

Jazz Jennings is one of the youngest and most prominent voices in the national discussion about gender identity. At the age of five, Jazz transitioned to life as a girl, with the support of her parents. A year later, her parents allowed her to share her incredible journey in her first Barbara Walters interview, aired at a time when the public was much less knowledgeable or accepting of the transgender community. This groundbreaking interview was followed over the years by other high-profile interviews, a documentary, the launch of her YouTube channel, a picture book, and her own reality TV series--I Am Jazz--making her one of the most recognizable activists for transgender teens, children, and adults.

In her remarkable memoir, Jazz reflects on these very public experiences and how they have helped shape the mainstream attitude toward the transgender community. But it hasn't all been easy. Jazz has faced many challenges, bullying, discrimination, and rejection, yet she perseveres as she educates others about her life as a transgender teen. Through it all, her family has been beside her on this journey, standing together against those who don't understand the true meaning of tolerance and unconditional love. Now Jazz must learn to navigate the physical, social, and emotional upheavals of adolescence--particularly high school--complicated by the unique challenges of being a transgender teen. Making the journey from girl to woman is never easy--especially when you began your life in a boy's body. See Jazz's story come to life with two inserts featuring personal photos.
 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

This Printz Honor Book is a “tender, honest exploration of identity” (Publishers Weekly) that distills lyrical truths about family and friendship. Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister by Charlotte Agell

Fourth grade is a year of changes, challenges, and ordinary joys for India McAllister. She lives in Maine with her artist mom and their dog, Tofu. Her father lives in the next town over with his new partner, Richard and their bird, Beatrice Strawberry. India – named for the ink, not the subcontinent – was adopted from China as a baby. Being the only Chinese girl in her small town fuels India's search for identity. India reports in her own words and drawings about life, adventures (many with her good friend Colby) and all things annoying as well as what makes her happy. First three on the happy list: Tofu, Bird, and Colby!

The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

"My name is Liv (Not Olivia)... I'm not technically a girl. I'm Transgender. Which is a bit like being a transformer. Only not quite as cool because I probably won't get to save the world one day." Liv knows he was always meant to be a boy, but with his new school's terrible dress code, he can't even wear pants. Only skirts. Operation: Pants Project begins! The only way for Liv to get what he wants is to go after it himself. But to Liv, this isn't just a mission to change the policy―it's a mission to change his life. And that's a pretty big deal.

Star-Crossed by Barbara Dee

Twelve-year-old Mattie wrestles with her crush on Gemma as they participate in their school production of Romeo and Juliet in what School Library Journal calls “a fine choice for middle school libraries in need of an accessible LGBTQ stories.” Twelve-year-old Mattie is thrilled when she learns the eighth grade play will be Romeo and Juliet. In particular, she can’t wait to share the stage with Gemma Braithwaite, who has been cast as Juliet. Gemma is brilliant, pretty—and British!—and Mattie starts to see her as more than just a friend. But Mattie has also had an on/off crush on her classmate Elijah since, well, forever. Is it possible to have a crush on both boys AND girls? If that wasn’t enough to deal with, things offstage are beginning to resemble their own Shakespearean drama: the cast is fighting, and the boy playing Romeo may not be up to the challenge of the role. And due to a last-minute emergency, Mattie is asked to step up and take over the leading role—opposite Gemma’s Juliet—just as Mattie’s secret crush starts to become not-so-secret in her group of friends. In this funny, sweet, and clever look at the complicated nature of middle school romance, Mattie learns how to become a lead player in her own life.

Lily and Duncan by Donna Gephart

Lily Jo McGrother, born Timothy McGrother, is a girl. But being a girl is not so easy when you look like a boy. Especially when you’re in the eighth grade. Dunkin Dorfman, birth name Norbert Dorfman, is dealing with bipolar disorder and has just moved from the New Jersey town he’s called home for the past thirteen years. This would be hard enough, but the fact that he is also hiding from a painful secret makes it even worse.  

The Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey

A beautifully heartfelt story about one boy’s journey toward acceptance. A book that Jill Soloway, the award-winning creator of Transparent, called “a terrific read for all ages” and Ami Polonsky, author of Gracefully Grayson, called “an emotionally complex and achingly real read.” Twelve-year-old Shane Woods is just a regular boy. He loves pitching for his baseball team, working on his graphic novel, and hanging out with his best friend, Josh. But Shane is keeping something private, something that might make a difference to his friends and teammates, even Josh. And when a classmate threatens to reveal his secret, Shane’s whole world comes crashing down. It will take a lot of courage for Shane to ignore the hate and show the world that he’s still the same boy he was before. And in the end, those who stand beside him may surprise everyone, including Shane.

 

ALL BOOK SUMMARIES and photos are credited to Amazon. 

Wood Lake Nature Center

Stumbled upon this little gem yesterday while on our way to the grocery store. Who knew that Richfield had a 150-acre cattail marsh in the middle of the city? We decided we needed to stop and check this place out. Nestled between 35W and Lyndale Ave, this nature center is home to migrating birds and waterfowl, includes 3 miles of walking trails, and a boardwalk through the marsh. 

You can visit the nature center Monday-Saturday: 8:30 am-5:00 pm and Sunday: 12:00-5:00 pm. The trails are open daily from sunrise to 11:00 pm. We started our visit by walking through the main building which has all kinds of taxidermied animals native to this area. There are also some tanks filled with turtles and salamanders for kids to observe. There are a few interactive spaces for kids to learn about animal habitats, sounds, and body structures. 

After about 20 minutes in the main building, we headed out to the marsh trails. There are a few routes you can take to explore the grounds that extend from 0.1 miles up to 1.8 miles. We took the Boardwalk Trail (0.8 miles) that takes you along the wooden path over the marsh waters. As you walk along the boardwalk you can look for birds, turtles, fish, and salamanders. Teddy thought it was so cool to be walking on a floating path across the water. We watched the fish swimming in the water and laughed as the geese ran across our path. I highly recommend a visit!

6710 Lake Shore Drive
Richfield, MN 55423
612-861-9365

Cost: Free

Super Sneakers - WIN!

I brought Junie to Nordstrom on Friday afternoon to get a pair of summer sneakers -- like tough athletic shoes that she could use for soccer, t-ball, hikes, playground, etc.  Instead, somehow, we came home with these. 

Bright pink hearts.  Glitter.  Rhinestones.  Flashing lights.  Giant metallic wings.  You know, just the basics.  

It happened because I was not prepared for negotiation.  I'm just not used to bringing her clothes shopping with me.  I buy almost everything online, or on quick errands by myself during the workday.  (And now I remember why I do that.)  

These shoes are too expensive for what they are, and too ridiculous, and she won't be able to use them for actual sports.  But she was just so cute and so excited.  I could not say no to pure four-year-old joy. 

It was worth it.      

F*ck Button- FAIL!

Another stop on our LA adventure over Christmas break was Ooga Twooga, an art gallery in the warehouse district. This was not a good place for kids, but I didn't care. I was still riding the pre-kids memory train. 

While we walked around the store, the boys meandered around looking at the art and books on the shelves. They were surprisingly quiet and seemed to be entertained. As I'm flipping through zines by local artists, Dexter walks over and asks me to read his new button. Um... It read, "Don't Fuck With Us, Don't Fuck Without Us". While this was a pretty awesome button, it surely wasn't meant for a 6 year old. 

Meanwhile, I find Teddy standing in front of the desk where the young gallery girl is working. You can tell she's slightly uncomfortable with his presence and doesn't really know what to do or say. He has picked up a Lazy Mom bumper sticker (I shit you not-way to be ironic kid) and is aiming a handheld motorized fan at the young woman. Obviously Jason is still enveloped in his art search, unaware of that fact that our kids are fashioning sex awareness buttons and taunting the employees with battery operated devices. I kind of liked it. I liked the fact that this 20-somthing got a taste of what kids are like. I enjoyed the fact that she was uncomfortable and hopefully appreciated her freedom a little more. She was probably counting the minutes before we left.

Being back in LA made me feel like I was living my pre-kids life again. I kept feeling myself zoning out into my own world and thinking about my own wants and needs. It was kinda nice being selfish for a few hours as we explored the hidden art galleries around town.

MLK Day-FAIL!

We had parent-teacher conferences the other day and while waiting in the locker-lined hallways for our turn to sit with the teacher, my husband and I noticed a display of MLK Jr. posters on display. The kids must have learned about his accomplishments and honorable contributions to our society. Then they created a bust of his imagine with a cute portrait of his smiling face and a trifold shirt that opened up to a writing space. A tie down the middle split the space into two different writing topics. The first required the kids to list Mr. Luther King Jr.'s dream and the second column asking for a dream of their own. Most kids' ideas centered around King's dream of bringing freedom, equal rights, and peaceful change to the world. Dexter noted King's desire to end segregation. Nice job kid- that's right! 

Reading their answers to the second column made us feel hopeful and proud of the how first and second graders see the world. Most students wrote about their wish for world peace, kindness, and empathy. Then we noticed Dex's... WTF kid? Really?! Yours is about wanting one hundred dollars? It seems as though you've missed the entire point of this project. To be fair, one other kid wrote about his dream for a tv. But of the two kids who wish for material things when compared to the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., MY kid is one of those. 

I especially love how he wrote his name on the last line of the right column. Typically, you write your name on the top of an assignment right? So clearly there was some thought put into this placement. Like, hmmm, looks like they gave us all this room to thoughtfully write ideas about MLK Jr. Day and I only needed three lines to express my need for more money. Maybe if I write my name down here it will help fill up this space. 

Minnesota Indie Bookstores

The Midwest Independent Booksellers Association has put together a list of all the indie bookstores located across Minnesota. We took that pamphlet and put it into a little map for ya. Figured you might be more interested in accessing this list on your phone rather than carrying around the pamphlet. Yer welcome. 

Why shop at the indie bookstores? 

1. Your supporting your local community. Spend $100 at a local and $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43 (https://www.indiebound.org/indiebound-faq).

2. Smaller carbon footprint. Shopping locally means less transportation and packaging materials. 

3. Independent bookstores offer more selection than the big chain bookstores. Find out about new and upcoming authors that you may not see in larger retailers. 

4. Service and ambiance is often better. Lots of local shops have animals to pet, well-displayed books that follow a theme, and cozy reading nooks to cuddle up with a good read. 

5. Children's story times that often include local authors and illustrators. 

Airplane Seatbelt

I'm always hearing parents ask about airline travel tips for their little ones, so I thought I needed to share my favorite restraining device* for babies and toddlers on flights. We used this Kids Fly Safe airplane seatbelt for our kids. Once my kids could sit in their own seat I knew I had to find something to restrain them. Eh-hem, I mean keep them safely seated for the duration of the flight.  I didn't want to lug a carseat onto the plane and they could easily undo the plane's belt buckle, so we found this alternative. The seatbelt has a lap belt and two shoulder straps that clasp along the chest. My kids could not get out of this and the shoulder straps helped keep their squirmy little bodies from escaping their seat during take-off, landing, or turbulence. 

To install the seatbelt you basically wrap the belt around your child's seat and tighten the straps. This can get a little awkward as you have to ask the person behind them to lower their tray table so you can get the strap behind it. Once the seatbelt is in place the tray table can go back to its regular position and it doesn't affect its use.

In my opinion, this seatbelt is way over-priced, but it held up really well over 4 years and close to 25 flights. I think my husband bought this directly from the seller ($75) but I've seen them on Amazon for a little bit cheaper. We ended up selling ours on Craigslist for around $45, so you may be able to find sellers there too. To me, this is the best alternative to lugging a carseat on the plane or relying on those easy-to-unlatch, might-as-well-just-be-a-toy, lap belts from the airplane seats.

*I mean seat belt.  

Minneapolis Bouldering Project Parents Night Out

I'm hesitant to give away this secret I've found, because I don't want it to get too overcrowded. However, I also want to tell everyone because it's so awesome and everyone should try it. My husband belongs to the Minneapolis Boulder Project gym which is a huge, modern climbing gym for everyone from the novice climber to the most advanced climber.

On Friday nights they have Parents Night out event. For $15 you can drop your child off at the gym from 6-9pm so you can go have a nice, quiet dinner alone. Or whatever it is you like to do without your kids. For three hours your kids will do crafts, build giant forts, and learn to rock climb like a pro. They get cute little rock climbing shoes when they get there too. 

My kids LOVED this event! They did not want to go home. The teachers who ran the evening were so nice and wanted to do everything to help the kids enjoy climbing. Dex described some of the activities in the car on the way home. He said they did a blindfold challenge in which the kids had to help each other climb using correct lingo and directions. They also did an activity where they were given clues to find stuffed animals around the climbing course. When I picked them up, the kids were sitting in a circle sharing what they learned and enjoyed about the night. So cute!

Added bonus- you also get two free drink tokens for the Pryes Brewing Company located right next-door. We stopped in for a beer on our night out and it seemed like a pretty chill place. There's lots of big communal tables to sit and enjoy a good beer and the food looks tasty. While we never ordered any food, we saw a few orders of epic nachos that looked amazing. Most of their food is street tacos, quesadillas, and taco salads. This brewery also had a built-in feather bowling field.  

All in all, this was a great experience for all of us. The kids got to have a fun night out learning how to rock climb, and we got a nice, quiet dinner together, alone. I highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity, but reserve early spaces do fill up quickly. 

Yet Another Bathroom Situation - FAIL!

You know those nightmare scenarios where you can see that something terrible is about to happen, but you're powerless to stop it? 

The other day I had both girls at Junie's ballet school.  Both Junie and I had to pee before her class, so we went into the family bathroom.  She went first, of course, and we went through all of the usual public bathroom stuff -- "Don't touch anything.  Please don't touch anything.  Oh my God, do you really have to hold onto the seat?  I don't think you're going to fall in.  Are you done?  Okay.  Wash your hands.  Please use soap.  Here are the paper towels.  Good job!"

Then it was my turn. I was mid-pee when I looked over and noticed Junie fiddling with the locked door.  This has happened once or twice in a bathroom stall, but normally it takes her long enough to figure out how to unlock it that I can finish and it doesn't matter.  Also, it's usually a STALL, within a bathroom full of women.  This was a stand alone bathroom that opened into the lobby of her dance studio.  So I started asking, ordering, pleading: "Do not open the door.  Do you hear me?  Do not open the door.  Please don't open the door.  DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR." 

But she's a four year old, and she wanted to peek into the lobby, and didn't understand why I cared so much.  Of course she opened the door.  When I saw that it was inevitable, I just hoped there would be no one in the immediate sight line of the toilet.  But of course there was.  I made direct eye contact with a dance dad who was sitting on the couch right outside.  While I was sitting on the fucking toilet.  He looked away, probably more embarrassed than I was, as I struggled to get over to the door and slam it shut.  

So that was cool.  Thanks, girl!  

Egg-Mazing Egg Decorator

This year, while scouting out egg decorating ideas, I came across the Egg Mazing Egg Decorator. I'm a sucker for holiday traditions so decorating eggs for Easter is a must. However, I'm also a neat-freak who loses interest in an activity if it could lead to a mess. The Egg Mazing Egg Decorator seemed like the perfect alternative to watching my kids attempt to lower their hard boiled eggs into a cup of colored vinegar using a wobbly wire spoon, that is better suited for bubble blowing, only to tip the cup over with their tiny little wrist and then cry about it for the next 17 minutes while I clean it up and cross my fingers that this dye will come out of my new dish towels. 

So I'm obsessed with this machine. You simply put a hard boiled egg in the egg-shaped holder, turn on the machine which rotates the egg, and color your spinning egg with a marker. What I love most about this is that the colors are really bright and vibrant and there is virtually no mess. I thought the color might be wet when the boys pulled their eggs out of the machine, but it was dry in seconds. 

The boys created really cute designs and learned how to do thick and thin stripes. They also experimented with running the marker along the egg slowly and quickly to see what happens. Jason and I even got into it this year. 

The one downfall to this machine, is that the colors tend to rub off on the wheels that rotate the egg. It can leave a faint smudge on your eggs which is visible if you're trying to leave some white space in places. A quick wipe with rubbing alcohol will remove the leftover marker, but it's something you have to do repeatedly. If you're just making solid colored eggs you won't notice the faint streak. 

Bathroom Vocals-FAIL!

Over the holiday break our family took a trip to San Diego to visit my mother-in-law for Christmas. It was perfect timing. We got out of a below-zero cold spell in Minneapolis and landed in sunny, 70 degree temps in San Diego. After the new year, we decided to drive up to LA and revisit our old neighborhood. 

Jason and I lived in Santa Monica for about 5 years after college. This is where we really started our life together. We rented our first home as a couple, began our careers, enjoyed the young 20s lifestyle, got engaged and married along the cliffs of Santa Monica. It was so wonderful to be back reminiscing about the pre-kids days. 

One of our first stops was the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). We could spend hours walking around the museum, sipping fancy, over-priced coffee in the atrium, and convincing each other we needed that new Eames sculpture from the gift shop. Knowing that the boys would not be cool with this plan, we added a stop to the LaBrea Tar Pits next door. 

Before leaving the museum Teddy needed to use the bathroom. I brought him into the girls restrooms with me and decided I'd better change my tampon in case we weren't near another restroom for a while. I thought I could distract him enough so he wouldn't notice what I was doing, Hey Teddy, how many screws did it take them to put this door up? What's that on the ceiling? Do you want to play on my phone? None of those works. Teddy heard the tampon wrapper like an owl hears a mouse and assumed I was passing out treats while on the toilet. Because obviously. The bathroom is always a good place to sneak a treat, right? Fearing he'd miss the opportunity for sugar, he watched me like a hawk. Knowing there was a huge line for the three stalled bathroom, I knew I needed to hurry. I decided to just do my business as fast as possible. Teddy caught a glimpse of the pink plastic as I moved and shouted (Seriously. SHOUTED), "Are you putting medicine in your tushy mommy?" 

Now just imagine an art gallery bathroom. Modern and clean, lined with tile, metal, and cement from floor to ceiling. Forget the Swiss Alps, film your Ricola commercial in here, that shit will reverberate. The thought of how many people had heard what Teddy just said made my face cherry red with embarrassment. My mind was racing with questions. What did they think was happening here? What image was running through their mind about me possibly putting medicine in my ass? In public. With my kid in the stall. How do I answer his question? It felt like the entire museum had stopped in their tracks in shock. Their eyes wide open, mouth agape, waiting to hear my response. 

I said nothing. 

Bakken Museum

The Bakken Museum, located along lake Bda Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun), was founded by a Minnesota native, Earl Bakken, co-founder of Medtronic. The building, which was once a private residence, was acquired by Bakken in 1976. Over the years the location has expanded to allow for Bakken's growing wishes to spread scientific knowledge to others. As described on their site, "...The Bakken Museum offers dynamic exhibit experiences and industry-leading STEM-focused education programs.  Our experiences focus on the history and nature of electricity and magnetism, Minnesota’s medical technology industry and, of course, Frankenstein!" 

Not only is the museum a beautiful site to see, it also hosts some very interesting scientific idea from past to present. The boys were very interested in seeing the old contraptions and devices used to cure common illnesses in the past. For instance, there is a giant metal sphere once thought to cure obesity and the common cold. 

Beyond the displays, there are plenty of hands-on experiences for kids to explore. Dexter spent a lot of time wiring the lights to a model city while Teddy experimented with the power of electricity passed through metal objects. They also got to test their patience while competing again their great-grandfather in a game of concentration. While donning sensor-lined headbands they used their relaxed minds to control the movement of a ball rolling between them. A very cool experiment! 

This is a small museum so you can get through it all in about an hour. We visited during the winter, but I'm sure the gardens and outside grounds are beautiful to walk through in the summer.  

MUSEUM HOURS

Monday: Closed
Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Call (612) 926-3878 for information

SPECIAL HOURS

Monday, February 19th (Presidents Day): Open
Saturday, February 24th: Closed for Private Event

GETTING HERE

The Bakken Museum
3537 Zenith Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55416

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults$10.00

Seniors$8.00

Young People 13-24$8.00

Children 5-12$5.00

Children 4 and underFree

MembersFree

Favorite Read Alouds

Jessa's Picks:

I am always on the hunt for fun books to read aloud with my boys. I love good flow and maybe a little rhyming here and there. I also need comedy. The funnier the book, the more theatrical I get with reading it. Here are my all-time favorite read aloud books:

 

Peek-a-Who? by Nina Laden. The biggest reason I love this book is because both my boys loved this book as babies. The simple words and pictures along with the mirror page at the end for the "Peek a WHO?" sold it for them. I have fond memories snuggling up in their rocking chair and reading this book to their smiling, little faces. Oh how I wish they were little again.

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo. One day while at the zoo, Elliot asks his dad for money to buy a penguin. Sorely mistaken, his father assumes Elliot wants to buy a stuffed penguin from a vending machine. The rest of the story is how Elliot takes care of a real life penguin in his upstairs bedroom. His father is oblivious to the fact until a bathroom mishap. I love how this story has underlying humor. Did you catch it?

The Day the Crayons Quit & The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers. My husband and I take turns doing the voices for the crayons and I think we end up laughing more than the kids do. These books are hysterical and hint on adult humor, which I appreciate. Both books have connections with the crayon characters you meet which makes it even more fun to read. 

The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord. I could read this book every day with my kids and not get sick of it. It's a cute story about a town with a bee problem who decides to build a giant jam sandwich to get rid of them. The flow of the words and rhyming patterns are what really do it for me. It's also filled with fun alliteration and onomatopoeia.   

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae. Awesome flow and rhyming. It also has a sweet message about reaching your potential. Gerald is a giraffe who is sad because his size and stature holds him back from groovin'. But thanks to a little inspiration from some jungle friends, he finds his dancing legs and surprises his skeptics. 

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt. This story is about how the game we all know and love came to be. Three battle warriors, who are bored of defeat, finally find their match. Rock is victorious against his yard enemies, while scissors is unstoppable against office supplies. Soon they meet paper. Hysterical! 

Journey, Return, and Quest by Aaron Becker. These three picture books have no words and tell the story of how a child's creativity is brought to life with crayon drawings. The illustrations are beautiful and include so many small features and details. It's inspiring to see a child's creative mind come to life. The author and illustrator, Aaron Beck, also has a great blog with more info about his writing, resources for educators, and a shop where you can buy prints of his work. Very cool! And sparks so much creative thinking. 

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle. Another wordless book that tells the tale of a girl's playful interaction with a flamingo. Some of the pages open up to create a more 3D experience. I just love the colors in the book and the playfulness of these characters. There are a few other books in this series in which Flora meets Peacocks,  a Penguin, an Ostrich, and some Chicks. 

Ball! by Mary Sullivan. There is only word in this entire book: ball. From the mindset of a dog waiting for his human to return, this book tells the tale of a lonesome pup just wanting to toss his favorite ball around. With no one willing to play he waits for his best friend to come home and play ball. 

Press Here & Mix it Up by Herve Tullet. My boys love these books no matter how old they get. They love to play with the story by mixing, shaking, and tapping new colors onto the pages. 

There is also a Press Here Game. It's kinda cute and kinda lame. There's a lot of creative freedom which makes it an easy game to play with kids of all ages. 

My Teacher is a Monster by Peter Brown. This is a great story about the importance and benefits of getting to know someone better. Bobby, the class clown and Ms. Kirby, a grumpy teacher, accidentally meet at the park one afternoon. Their initial uneasiness turns into a friendship as they begin to learn more about each other. 

This is a Moose by Richard T. Morris. I LOVE THIS BOOK!. It's so funny to read in character voices. A moose is being filmed for a documentary but he has bigger aspirations than depicting the typical life of a moose. The entire animal cast has funny quirks and sayings that crack us up!

Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth. Stillwater the Bear uses ancient Zen tales to teach important lessons to 3 siblings. This book is actually three short stories with wonderful life lessons taught in kid language and understanding. While I haven't read his other books, Muth has a few more Zen stories: Zen Ties, Zen Ghosts, and Zen Socks, and Stone Soup. 

Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem by Mac Barnett. Billy Twitters' mom is fed up so she threatens to deliver a Blue Whale for Billy to take care of. When the whale arrives, Billy realizes he is responsible for taking care of this beast of an animal as he goes to school. This story follows Billy's day taking care of the whale and includes lots of facts about blue whales along the way. 

The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone. This was one of my childhood favorites so I'm excited to share it with my boys. Dexter pretends that he's too old for the silliness of Grover thinking there's a monster at the end of the book, but every time I see him crack a laugh or two as Grover attempts to convince us not to turn another page for fear of spotting this monster. 

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson. As a mouse is walking through the woods he comes across some enemies and makes up stories about his meeting with a Grufflo who would eat them up. The predators run away in fear and the mouse thinks he has tricked his way to freedom. Until he meets the beast he's been describing. There is also a video on Netflix of this book which I find so relaxing. It's basically someone reading the book aloud with a cartoon version of the book, but the guy's voice is so soothing. 

Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty. I love this story because it portrays the creative struggles a little girl faces as her mind explores the word around her. She is inquisitive and curious and wants to know more about the world in a scientific way. As you follow her journey you learn about the scientific method and how Ada was able to explore her passion. The book is written in rhyme which makes it fun to read. Beaty has other books with a similar theme: Rosie Revere, Engineer, and Iggy Peck, Architect.

I Don't Want to be a Frog by Dev Petty. The old saying goes, "The grass is always greener on the other side." A frog who doesn't love the frog life learns about why being a frog might just be the best. A cute story with lots of funny anecdotes. 

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Another favorite read aloud from my childhood. My kids don't really like this book, but I think it has such a sweet message about the power of love and reliance. Someday, when my kids are not so egotistical, they will recognize and appreciate that message. Right? 

Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak. This book is hilarious. The whole point of the book is that the person reading the book has to say the words. And you end up saying some pretty embarrassing things about yourself. When I read this with the boys I act super confused and embarrassed like someone is making me talk. They laugh so hard and totally fall for it. 

 

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Author Crushes:

Jon Klassen:

I Want My Hat Back- This is first book of read of Klassen's and I fell in love immediately. I read this book really slowly and with a deep, sad voice. I've read this to my toddler and my sixth grade students, and there's something about this quiet pace that keeps the kids intrigued. They're just not sure where the book is going and that makes them (and me!) laugh. 

This is Not My Hat-  Another hat problem? You don't say.  A fish finds a hat that does not belong to him knowing that there is another fish looking for such a hat. 

We Found a Hat- One hat, two turtles. They both like the hat. The hat looks good on both of them. But who will get the hat? I love the simplicity of these books. I love to read them really slowly and in a deep voice just to boost suspense. 

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole- by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen. Sam and Dave spend the digging a hole and narrowly missing treasures along the way. 

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David Wiesner:

Tuesday by David Wiesner. This is a picture book that tells a story about how frogs flew through the sky on lily pads one Tuesday night. The pictures are awesome and tell the whole story. The best part is that my kids do the reading. They make the sound and describe what's happening. They loved to find little funny details in the pictures too. 

Mr. Wuffles This story is written from the perspective of aliens living inside of a spaceship cat toy. Written like a graphic novel, this story follows the hardships the aliens face attempting their escape mission. They meet fellow cat foes and work together to create the perfect plan. 

Flotsam The story of a boy exploring the beach and all its wonders. The usual suspects wash ashore but it's not until the barnacle-crusted camera floats ashore that things really start getting interesting. 

The Three Pigs This is a different take on the story of the Three Little Pigs. Same tale of a wolf chasing three little piglets, but their attempt at escape goes beyond the pages of the book. It's a clever twist and a fun read for kids. The animals come to life and interact with the book itself. 

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Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express A Christmas classic. We love to read this book all through December. I love the illustrations- the expression on those kids' faces! If you're not familiar with this story, it's about a boy who gets to travel to the North Pole on the Polar Express. There, he meets Santa and receives a bell from his sleigh. On his way back home, the boy notices the bell is lost. His final discovery hints at the magic of Christmas. 

Two Bad Ants  A cute story about an ants discovery of a "crystal". He brings it back to his family and they all decide to go out for more of these amazing crystals. They venture out on a treacherous route and come across a whole bowl of crystals. Excited to bring them home to the hive, the ants do not notice a giant spoon about to scoop them up. What do you think the magic crystals are?

Jumanji Perfect timing for this classic fantasy story. I'm excited for my kids to watch the movie, but they're probably a little young yet. The book is a great intro. And, as always, Van Allsburg creates beautiful pictures to tell the story. 

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick While this is not a book, but rather a collection of black and white photos, the pictures tell amazing stories in your mind. Each carefully drawn picture elicits a world of imagination in your child's mind. The stories they come up with are phenomenal. You can each take turns telling a tale of what you think is happening in the story. So much fun!

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Other Books My Kids Love

(but I don't necessarily love reading aloud to them)

There's a Mouse About the House by Richard Fowler. This is a fun one for the kids to read together. The book comes with a laminated paper mouse that kids can slide in and out of the pages to follow a mouse on a mission for cheese. I don't love it as a read aloud because I don't love story and my kids fight over who gets to be the mouse. 

The Captain Underpants Series by Dev Pilkey. As an adult, it's sometimes hard understand the humor behind some children's books. As goofy as these books are, I appreciate how much my kids think they are hysterical. Pilkey understands the humor of six and three year old. My boys will be belly laughing as the stinky toilet monsters are attacking the school or when Captain Underpants is running around in his underwear attempting to save the world. I don't get the humor, but to watch my kids nearly in tears from laughing, it's worth it.  

The Harry Potter Series: Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling. Did you know there are illustrated versions of these book?! Exciting! And the pictures are gorgeous. I know, you're wondering how this isn't in the Favorite Read Alouds sections. Let me explain. When I bought these books I was so excited to read them to my boys because they had pictures to help illustrate Harry's adventure. However, they are still too young for these books. There's a lot of background knowledge they're missing and I have to stop every other paragraph to summarize what is happening and why. In a few years we'll revisit these books and I hope to put them into my favorites category. 

Dragons Love Tacos & Dragons Love Tacos 2 by Adam Rubin. These books just aren't funny to me. Dragons love taco, but just not anything spicy? Ok. The boys are always asking me to read these books and they laugh the whole time, but I just don't get it. 

Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds. This story is so dumb. It's about a boy rabbit who gets a new pair of glow in the dark undies that are creepy. The bunny tries to get rid of the underwear but they just keep showing back up again. Eventually the bunny appreciates the undies because there're like a nightlight for him. I don't get it. My boys get it. They love it. I don't. 

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Nonfiction

I'm a big believer in exposing kids to as much non-fiction as possible because it sparks curiosity and opens them up to new learning. What I've found over the years is that even though they can't read, the boys love looking at the pictures in the book like National Geographic Kids. There's a hug assortment of themes for kids to explore like space, animals, and weather. Smithsonian also has a selection of books on science projects, the human body, history, and much more. 

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Magazines

Every year for Christmas my grandmother gives the boys a subscription to Highlights magazines. I love that they have a range of magazines depending on age. My boys love getting mail and these subscriptions make it extra special.

The Hello books (ages 0-2) are small, durable books with just a few pages of simple stories, songs, and pictures. They do a nice job of incorporating various cultures and the pictures depict children of all nationalities. When my kids were little they liked looking at these on their own because they were small enough for them to handle and the pictures told a story on their own. 

Once our oldest turned 3 my Gma started ordering the High five magazines for the boys. These are typical magazine size and include a lot more content than the Hello books. You still get the poems, songs, and stories, but they're longer and more suited to older kids' interests. Some of the characters that repeated in each magazine so the kids get to know them a bit. There's usually a life lesson that goes along with the stories as well. At the end of the magazine is a game or mini-book the kids can cut-out and play with. There's also quick activities like recipes and crafts.  There is a bilingual version available as well. 

Now that our oldest is 6, we order the Highlights magazine. This is much like the Hive Five magazine, but with even more content and greater vocabulary. 

The Works Museum

Recently, Teddy had a day off of school so I decided to take him down to the Works Museum in Bloomington. Right when we walked in the door we spotted a massive Rube Goldburg-like sculpture made of more than 100,000 K'Nex pieces. The 2-story tall structure, designed by a University of Minnesota student, is carefully designed to deliver balls throughout it's mazed design. Teddy was mesmerized watching the marbles being elevated, rolled, turned, and dropped throughout the engineering masterpiece. 

There was one large space on the main floor filled with various engineering activities for kids to explore. Teddy designed a racecar and tested its speed down an elevated ramp. He become a stealth ninja while navigating his way through a sensor-lined maze. He experimented with lights and mirrors and a giant kaleidoscope. He traversed his way along the small tables filled with blocks and magnetic tiles, attempting each guided challenge along the way. Teddy spent a good deal of time playing in the brick building area. Hundreds of Styrofoam bricks were available for kids to build huts, forts, and towers. 

Upstairs was a workshop area with table activities like catapults and toothpick towers. They offer a wide range of family classes in this space for kids ages 9 and up. The classes seems pretty cool and include some impressive skill lessons such as soldering, stop motion animation, and pottery. 

Hours and Admission

School Year Hours

Through 6/10/18

Monday, Thursday, Friday – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday – 12 p.m.– 5 p.m.

Holidays and Special Dates

Monday – Thursday, 3/26-3/30 – Extended Hours – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 4/1 – Closed for Holiday
Monday – Thursday, 4/2-4/6 – Extended Hours – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, 5/28 – Closed for Holiday

Admission

Admission is $8.50 per person for adults and children. The Experience Gallery, Pop-Up Engineering, and Explore It! monthly events, are included in your admission. Children two and under are free.

We offer a military discount of $2 per family member off admission with a military ID.

In the Heart of the Beast

In the Heart of the Beast is a puppet theater company located in the Avalon theater in Powerhorn. The company describes their mission of using "water, flour, newspaper, paint, and unlimited imagination to tell stories that explore the struggles and celebrations of human existence. Drawing inspiration from the world's traditions of puppet and mask theatre and its lively roots in transformative ritual and street theatre, HOBT creates vital, poetic theater for all ages and backgrounds". 

On Saturdays from January through March they host puppetry matinees for kids at 10am and noon. These are reasonably priced ($7 suggested donation, $2 suggested donation for residents of Powderhorn and Phillips Neighborhoods) shows that are presented in English or Spanish. In between the shows they offer a puppet making workshop where kids can make a puppet based on that week's puppet show theme ($5 Children, $3 Adults). 

Carrie and I took the kids to their Book Worm Tales show last weekend and it was...odd. Firstly it was hard to locate. Besides the Avalon theater, there really isn’t any signage that would guide you in to the show. For some reason all the doors were locked even though we arrived only 15 minutes before the show. Luckily one of the actors (the sound guy) was nearby and let us in. We immediately entered into a small theater entrance and stood in line to buy our tickets. They had a few puppets on display that were pretty cool. Huge, detailed bird heads lined the entrance. This made me a little excited about seeing a puppet show in such a quaint, little space. 

We waited in line behind two other families and for 10 minutes the line did not move. I watched as 10-15 more families scrunched into the tiny entrance and attempted to keep in a line. As we waited, a young girl walked through the line asking patrons to fill out an info card. Confused as to why we would have to fill out a 10-question info card, and having nothing to write on, I did my best to ignore the young woman in hopes that she’d skip me. No such luck. Once I finally reached the counter, I was able to buy our tickets and had space to fill out my info card. I knew the show was just about to start and there were still multiple families waiting to get in, so I rushed through the form, leaving quite a few blanks. 

I was able to snag 4 folding chairs in the 10 x 50 ft room for our group to sit. There were benches up front for the kids to get a closer shot of the skit but only our oldest kids were brave enough to sit up front. I say this because the play was about 3 pigeons who explore books from little free libraries and the puppets were, let’s just say, creepy. They were basically sock puppets with plastic beaks. 

The show was about 30 minutes which just about matched our kids’ attention span for a creepy puppet show. 

While I probably will not be returning to the weekend puppet shows, I do love this company’s creative intention and commitment to homemade puppetry and theater. We will definitely be checking out the May Day parade. Look for our review of this parade in early May. 

Fig + Farro

This recently-opened Uptown joint has a small but delicious menu of vegetarian comfort food.  And, more importantly, they have an excellent play area to keep kids entertained while you're waiting for a table or eating (or both).  Like, really top-notch as far as restaurant play areas go.  There is a two-story wooden A-frame playhouse that our kids loved.  There is no railing on the second level, but it's only about four feet off the ground, which presents only a minimal-to-moderate risk of injury so long as your kids are...say...three or older.  Chalkboard walls with lots of colored chalk, a cozy reading corner, and a giant stuffed tiger are among the offerings of this creative play space. 

The warm shabby-chic decor and young hipster-y staff, along with the aforementioned play area, give this place a very different vibe from Figlio, the beloved, bustling, quasi-Italian institution that long occupied the current Fig + Farro space.  (Side note: Walking into this place made me feel nostalgic and old, because I have very specific memories of going to Figlio in high school, and feeling so grown up--being in a loud, cool, Uptown restaurant without my parents, ordering "tortellini alfredo" or whatever.)  

Anyway, the food at Fig + Farro is very good!  Maple-glazed brussels sprouts were predictably delicious, as was the shepherd's pie, stuffed with a savory mixture of potatoes, carrots and other vegetables.  And, in my opinion, it's hard to go wrong with shakshuka (a North African dish featuring eggs poached in a mixture of tomatoes, peppers, onions and spices). 

I hope the menu will continue to expand and shift, as the chef and owners find their groove.  They do not have a kid-specific menu, for instance.  Not that it's necessary in order to feed kids at a restaurant, but the regular menu only has a few options that most people would consider kids-friendly, e.g., macaroni and vegan "cheese", raw veggies and hummus, and couscous.  This seems like something they might want to modify if they are courting families as a customer base--which it seems like they are, given the lovely play space. 

Nonetheless, they are off to a great start.  Our visit was very enjoyable, to the extent eating in a restaurant with a four-year old and a one-year old can ever be considered "enjoyable."  You should go!  

https://www.figandfarro.com/

Calhoun Square
(Lake + Hennepin, street level)
3001 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
hello@figandfarro.com
612.208.0609

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Common Roots

Grab a quick bite with your little one at Common Roots Cafe. Located in the Uptown neighborhood, this coffee shop focuses on making food with organic, locally grown ingredients. They estimate that about 50% of their menu items are made from ingredients grown within 250 miles of the shop. Check our their values page to read more about how awesome they are. 

The menu includes an array of breakfast items from sweet to savory. After 11am they start serving lunch which includes soups, sandwiches, and small "noshes". Dinner is served at 4pm and happy hours goes from 4:30 to 6:00 daily with $2 off cocktails, beer, wine & noshes. 

The kid's meals are all made from the same local and organic ingredients and include a side of fruit. I love the wide range of choices for all types of eaters. 

2558 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls MN | (612) 871-2360

HOURS:

Monday - Friday
7 am - 9 pm

Saturday & Sunday
8 am - 9 pm

HAPPY HOUR:

4:30 to 6p daily
$2 off all beer, wine, cocktails, and noshes!

HOLIDAY HOURS:

July 4th: 8a-2p
Thanksgiving: Closed
Christmas Eve: 8a-2p
Christmas Day: Closed
New Years Eve: 8a-2p
New Years Day: Closed

Just Leave Me Alone

Do you ever have one of those days (or weeks, let's be real here) when you want to just hide in your room with the dog and hope the kids can't find you for at least 48 hours? Both of my kids were sick back-to-back for three weeks straight and I thought I was going to lose my shit. Or I did. I did lose my shit. Seeing this on Instagram made my day. I hope you find this useful.

Photo Credit: @chrissimpsonsartist

Cloth Diapers

So I'm totally obsessed with cloth diapers and I think ANYONE can do it. I used solely cloth diapers on our oldest son. We used cloth for the first few months with our youngest, but I switched to disposable because I was having a tough year and, honestly, I needed to focus my energy on other things. Thinking back on it, I wish I had stuck with cloth for Teddy. Cloth diapers are so easy and so much better for our environment. And they're so damn cute you guys!  But they’re so expensive! Okay, okay, I know they're pricey, BUT... you shell out the money up front (around $400-$600) and then you never buy another diaper. Trust me, I've calculated, you save thousands!

My hope is that this advice can help anyone who’s considering the cloth diaper route. It’s a routine that comes with a lot of questions and if you can talk to someone who has done it before, I think it helps. 

Here's my take on those commonly asked questions: 

Cloth diapers are so dirty and messy though. Why would you use those?: News flash- kids are dirty and messy no matter what type of diaper you use. Having used both cloth and disposable, I can also say that the disposables leaked WAY more often than our cloth diapers. I get it though, you're grossed out by having to wash the diapers in the same washing machine that washes your clothes. With the tricks I used, we never had stool-soiled diapers in the laundry, just pee. 

What kind of diapers should I use?: Cloth diapers these days are just like the disposable ones. Erase the idea from your mind that you have to wrap your babies in cotton towels with huge pins. Reusables come as an all-in-one diaper with a secure fit (Velcro or buttons) and are super absorbent. The coolest thing is that the diapers grow with your baby!  You buy one set and that's it!  These diapers have adjustable buttons that you adjust as your baby grows. Seriously- you can use the same diapers from birth to potty training. 

Here are some of my favorite bands:

• Bummis

• BumGenius

• GroVia

Where to buy: I've found that The Diaper Junction has the widest variety of cloth diaper choices. 

What about reusable wipes?:We used Baby Kicks reusable wipes and they were great! Since they're cloth, they're very strong and can clean up big messes. I bought about 40 of them and they lasted for the entirety of Dexter's diapering life. If we'd continued with Teddy, I'm sure they would have held up. When changing a diaper you simply grab a wipe and spray it until 1/2 soaked. The soiled wipe can go right into the diaper pail laundry. Typically, I used 1 or 2 wipes per changing. 

I also made my own diaper spray that was baby-friendly and smelled amazing. I loved that I knew the all the natural ingredients that went into it and it seemed to reduce diaper rash outbreaks. Each bottle lasted me about a month. 

Here's the recipe:

1. 1c Distilled Water

2. 1 tbsp Dr. Bronner's Soap in the light blue bottle, usually in the baby section (I bought a big bottle at Whole foods for $9.99 and it will probably last for a year or two)

3. 1 tbsp olive oil

4. 2 drops of essential oils (I used lavender). You can find these at any natural food grocer. They're around $10/each, but will last you years.

5. 2 drops tea tree oil

6. Using a funnel, pour all ingredients into a spray bottle (I used a cheap Target brand bottle) and shake to combine.

**You''ll need to buy a diaper rash cream that is cloth diaper safe. 

Where does all that poop go? They make spray devices that attach to your toilet, but we avoided that whole scene.  Instead we used diaper liners. You lay the liner inside of each diaper and if your kid poops the liner catches it all and you can throw this directly into the toilet. They're super thin and your kid will never notice the addition. Pro tip: Make sure the liner is entirely tucked into the diaper or you could get leaks. 

How do you wash your diapers?: There are plenty of diaper washing service companies out there, but I'm too cheap to pay someone else when I can do it at home myself. Here's the run-down on diaper laundry: 

1. Wash your diapers at least every 2 or 3 days. The longer you let them sit in the diaper bin, the more likely they are to smell. Plus, washing them regularly helps to keep their whites bright.

2. Cold pre-wash/spin, hot/cold wash cycle, extra wash with cold water then dry on medium heat. If you notice some stains you can put a wet diaper out in the sun for a few hours and they disappear. It's amazing.

3. I've tested a ridiculous amount of laundry detergents and found that the Rockin' Green brand is, hands-down, the best detergent for cloth diapers. They make a few different scents, but my favorite is their Classic Rock powder.

How do they hold all that pee?: Cloth diapers are surprisingly absorbent, but if you're still getting leaks, look into getting a microfiber or hemp insert for added absorbency. These inserts give your baby a Kardasian ass, but they do the trick. We used them at night when our kids were peeing buckets. I’ll admit that the diaper can get crazy large with all the inserts for added absorbancy, but my kids never seemed to notice. 

How do you store the soiled diapers?: We used a cheap, tall white trash can with a lid and a Planet Wise washable pail liner (buy 2 so you can have a back up while the other one is in the wash). The smell wasn’t noticeable unless we waited too long to do a load of laundry. 

My kid goes to daycare, how can I continue to use cloth diapers?: Talk to your daycare provider. Once they understand how easy it is to change a cloth diaper, they're happy to do it. A few mentioned that cloth diapers did not follow health code, but after some research we found that they were wrong. As long as they didn’t have to dump the poop at school (they’d keep it in the diaper and then we’d dump it at home-no biggie), it was within the health code regulations. Most of our kids teachers were surprised how easy it was. We would send a travel dry/wet bag to school every day along with 5 or 6 diapers. I obviously didn't send my reusable wipes/spray, but rather sent in a box of disposable wipes. 

What do you use for swimming?: Reusable swim diapers are just as cute and SO much cheaper than those overpriced Dora-themed swim diapers. We use iplay diapers but there are tons of options out there. 
 

How do you travel with cloth diapers?:  A lot of people switch to disposables when they travel, but we've always stuck with the cloth diapers.  If there's a washing machine you can use when you travel and you’re up for doing some laundry on vacation, then stick to your same routine. If your hosts are not too keen on you washing soiled diapers in their machine then you'll need to get disposables. I'll admit that while we did travel with cloth diapers, it was kind of a pain. They took up a lot of room in our suitcases and we had to stay on top of laundry while on vacation. Lame. Do what works best for you and your travel needs.
 

Just like any new habit, it takes time to get used to cloth diapering. But I promise it's something anyone can do. Here are some of the bebnefits I found:

1. It's cheaper in the long run.

2. My kids had an all-natural product (usually hemp or bamboo) against their skin all day.

3. They come is really cute designs. Seriously ya’ll!

4. It felt good not to throw 6-12 diapers in trash everyday.