I typically opt for a weekend getaway for Mother's Day weekend (Omaha, Wisconsin Dells, Chicago are among the most memorable getaways), but since we had spent the previous weekend in Minneapolis, there were things we needed to do around Des Moines. We began our weekend with pajama Friday (which continued into Friday night) and sugar cookie cake bars.
Saturday morning the minis and I dropped Hubs off at work and headed to the Des Moines Children's Museum for our volunteer shift. It had been a few weeks since we've had a Saturday morning shift. The minis loved the new toys and exhibits, while I got to put together a fairy garden. We all had a great time!
A quick run to the Theatrical Shop to pick up stage make up and new tights for the upcoming dance recital. We could spend hours in this costume shop, but we really had to get going this visit because....Mama had a concert to get to! When a friend called me a few weeks ago and asked if I wanted a spare ticket he had, I jumped at it. While I'm not a big Lauren Alaina, Luke Combs, or Jason Aldean fan, I do love a good concert. Plus, anytime I can drink from a mason jar (even if it was plastic) is an added bonus. It was such a fun night!
As much as I love busy weekends, it can get tricky being on the go for two days straight. I'm privileged enough to have my groceries delivered right to my kitchen once (or twice) a week. Sometimes finding the time to be home can be the struggle. Unfortunately for me that meant a delivery early Sunday morning and no one in our house stopped me from waking up. So, instead of sleeping in (which is kinda my favorite thing to do when I can), I was up bright and early. Thankfully I had these little faces and fresh coffee to help.
I surprised the minis with Ho Hos in the grocery delivery. A lunchbox staple in my day and this was the first time my (almost) ten year old had one. They were big fans.
Since I was up, I got some food prepping done for the week: cucumber salad, cookie sandwiches (for daycare birthday's), fruit salad, baked zucchini, and sweet potato and quinoa casserole. I love being able to open up the refrigerator and find healthy, ready to go sides and meals.
The one thing I really wanted to do for Mother's Day was go to Reiman Gardens in Ames, Ia to see the new Wind, Waves, and Light sculptures all around the gardens. Heavy rains and thunderstorms pushed back our visit until later in the afternoon, but it was nice to have some relaxing time on the couch reading. I love a good, spring time, Iowa thunderstorm!
Our first stop of the afternoon was a plant sale. We came home with various types of peppers for our vegetable garden and milkweed, wildflowers, and grasses for our butterfly and bee garden. I may have to try this out with an old pair of the mini's jeans because these were just the cutest!
We had my in-laws come with us for a fun Mother's Day outing! I can't believe we have never been to Reiman Gardens exploring before! I'll definitely be keeping an eye on their future exhibits and events because we had a wonderful afternoon.
The sculptures were so neat!
I had hoped for cute, or at least decent, photos of my minis and me together, but didn't exactly succeed....
Surfin'
Butt crack baby. I couldn't help but take this picture!
Elizabeth and Grandma Sheaffer
The gnome was kind of a highlight for these three.
I skipped out on the butterfly garden and hit up the gift shop instead. My finds included a few little toys for the minis, a flowerpot coffee mug, and a coffee smelling candle.
After Reiman Gardens, we stopped by to see my mom and snap a few pictures.
I love that it started as a cool, rainy day and ended warm and sunny. At the beginning of the day I had some crabby minis who were unhappy with me for waking up early because they didn't get to serve me breakfast in bed (oops), but by the end of the day they were happy and excited about where the day had taken us. We ended the day grilling on the patio.
While it wasn't a part of our epic road trips that I prefer, Mother's Day weekend was simple and nice.