Quick Trip to Minneapolis

I was largely sick from our trip to Colorado until just before Valentines day, so not a of documenting happened around here other than extensive coughing. Thankfully the coughing became slightly controlled before our trip to Minneapolis last weekend for The Banana to participate in all-state orchestra. I literally worried for weeks that I wouldn’t be able to go to her concert because I was coughing so much!

Mr. TOF had an important swim meet and was not able to come along, which was sad because he would have loved the concert. Peanut Maximus had a sleepover with his friend because this was not a place we could take a toddler. The Banana, Dr. Peds and I drove to the City. It’s not very often that the middle of middles gets to pretend to be an only child!

We dropped the Banana off at the hotel next to orchestra all for her day of rehearsing, and then Dr. Peds and I ate lunch at the Hen House, and decided to visit the American Swedish Institute. We didn’t really know what to expect at the American Swedish Institute, and it was not what we envisioned, but it was terrific! We loved exploring the Turnblad mansion, first on our own and then on a little tour, that ended up being just the two of us, so we could ask all sorts of questions. It was fantastically interesting. I love a good historical mansion. My brain always just goes whirling with imagination about the people who built it, lived in it, and worked there.

Then we met up with the Devious Snail, who wasn’t expecting us! We took him to Costco to buy groceries, and then dropped him off at the bus station where Aumnee was about to arrive. He and Aumnee got tickets so they could go to The Banana’s concert on Saturday as well. I got a little tour of his campus apartment, which I had not seen.

After checking into the hotel where The Banana was rehearsing, we took off our shoes, and Dr. Peds discovered that the Minnesota Orchestra was actually playing at Orchestra Hall (connected to us by a skywalk) in 90 minutes, and there were still tickets available. We decided that there would never be a better opportunity! I had not ever seen the Minnesota Orchestra, and it has been on my list of important things to do for many years. We snatched up tickets, and The Banana even got to go for free! Orchestra Hall had the most amazing acoustics! I heard instruments like I had never heard them before within the texture of the orchestra, and of course, they were all expertly played. Just being in the building was a treat. The level of musicianship was astounding. It was so great! The Banana was super tired after her rehearsing and actually not entirely sure she wanted to go. but I think she really enjoyed it once we got there. The violin soloist was really fun to watch.

The next morning The Banana headed to her rehearsal again, and then Dr. Peds and I ate breakfast at the Hen House. We ended up sitting right at the same table as the day before, which was a little crazy! We brought back leftovers for The Banana when she was done with her rehearsal, and I waited in the lobby with her at the hotel while Dr. Peds collected the Devious Snail and Aumnee.

After the all-state concert, which I will write about in an upcoming post, all the teenagers involved declared themselves famished, so we fed them pizza and dropped the Devious Snail and Aumnee back at the campus apartment and then started to drive back home to collect Peanut Maximus, who had a great time playing with his friend for two days straight. Mr. TOF had even cleared the driveway and sidewalks for us by the time we got back! Yay!