A Spring Weekend

By Allan Olson

Why is it that two weekend days always disappear faster than a single work day? This weekend seemed to go by in a flash, even though we managed to find time for both fun and work.

Saturday morning was spent with our puppy Bob getting the first shot of his life. He didn’t even flinch, and took it like a trooper.

The afternoon found me back in town with all of the kids at the free program about pet care sponsored by Leech Lake Legacy, the group that was in town helping with vaccinations and surgeries clinic for the local pets. The kids learned about responsible pet care and even took home a goody-bag from the event filled with treasures (yeah! more stuff to collect in their bedroom). Hopefully, they learned something from the program and will put their newfound knowledge to good use.

After “wasting” half of the day, it was time to get to work. Our garage has taken a turn for the worse, with junk collecting all winter long, and so was in great need of re-organization – not always my strong suit. Regardless, it needed a spring cleaning, and so I got started.

First on the agenda was a scattering of boards and wall trim from the prior winter’s painting. During the process of straightening them up, I asked my wife why she wanted to keep the trim boards. She didn’t remember wanting them, and they were in mostly poor condition. Good. An easy project for the kids, I thought.

I loaded the pieces onto their little red wagons, and they were responsible for getting them to the fire pit without getting poked by the nails. Several trips later and no injuries, mission accomplished.

I kept myself busy by picking up some garbage that had failed to find a home in a bag, started a pile of other junk for a future dump run, and straightened up some good boards that were worth keeping.

After a portion of the garage was cleaned, it was time for a blaze.

The kids had managed to get all the scrap pieces together in roughly the same spot; all I had to do was reorganize and break them into more manageable chunks.

With a fire roaring and the garden hose nearby, the kids and I enjoyed a nice warm fire in the cool evening breeze.

Sunday went by just as fast. We lazed around in the early morning, and then I brought my wife to help a friend with some painting at their new dwelling.

The kids and I ventured westward to Shevlin, where we viewed a free exhibit about electricity. While there, we toured the rest of the buildings on the small but well-kept grounds of the history museum. The kids enjoyed the outside area of the museum the most, as they were able to run around and wear off some energy after being in a no-touch zone and putting up with Dad trying to fill their little brains with a little knowledge.

The next stop was at a former co-worker’s place, which I hadn’t navigated to in over five years. Amazingly, I was able to find the farm with no problem. However, she didn’t appear to be home, so we left. We learned about an hour later that she was there, but didn’t hear or see us. Maybe another time.

Our next wayward stop was at another former co-worker’s house. I hadn’t been there in nearly two years, and took a couple wrong turns this time. But I did make it without calling.

Luckily, they were home. The kids called out “Hi, Crazy Carol!” and piled out of the van.

We spent the next hour and perhaps more visiting outside and the kids enjoyed hand feeding their horses some treats. They thought that was a blast. We got a tour of their horse trailer, and the kids enjoyed climbing on and around it like it was a jungle gym. The kids all said they can’t wait to go back again.

It was soon time to move on. I called my wife. She had more work to do and wasn’t going to ride back with us, so the kids and I headed for home. They soon passed out (even Abigail), and I slowed my speed to make the trip last a few minutes longer.

At home, it was time to work again.

I cleaned Bob’s room while the kid’s played outside.

Later I put them to work emptying the dishwasher, straightening shoes and folding some laundry. Largely, they all complied. Of course, it was either help or go to bed, and they chose the more logical answer.

Soon mom came home. Then it was time for supper (leftovers always a good solution for Sunday) and showers.

Marcus was the first in the shower and the last for nearly two hours, as he used all the hot water – again.

Nikolai said as he was going to bed, “I had fun today.”

That was my weekend in a nutshell – I hope you had fun as well.

Thanks for reading, and have a great week. Remember – watch out for school buses on the road. For more of my columns visit: http://allan-crazykids.blogspot.com.