Labour Day Weekend

On Friday I had a short day at work as it was the last public holiday of the summer on Monday - Labor Day and we had our next door neighbours, Mary and Wes, over and did a BBQ (what else) and the kids helped to make/eat brownies too (what else). This was our first BBQ for genuine Minnesotans so we were a little apprehensive, especially when we found out Wes does his Christmas Turkey on the BBQ! But it went well, even if I did overcook the steak a little.


What is Labor Day?

Well don't bother asking a native as the typical response is 'Well, I'm not sure (pause) I think it has something to do with the unions?' We're banking on Martin being able to tell us. Whatever the reason (Wikipedia: Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.') we were able to have a long weekend.

On Saturday we spent the morning changing the tyre of the Crapmobile - our super rental car #2 due to a huge gash in the sidewall of the tyre (spelt tire over here!) so we got off to a slow start.
Our verdict on the Chrysler Aspen - a single one of these cars contributes 11% of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions simply starting by starting the engine.

We then spent a few hours buying a car which we hopefully collect tomorrow - the strange thing is that buying a new car is actually more economical than buying a used one - assuming we can eventually sell it - as we've not been able to do with the Primera yet (sorry Denise and Bill) - anyone know anyone who needs a great car in the UK - 'I give you good price'.

We then found a new playground for the kids and did some more decorating - we've now done our bedroom and made a start on the dungeon (we call it the oubliette, it sounds more welcoming) as it has to be ready before Martin and Margaret get here- we're hoping to get the rats cleared out and put a sheet over the torture rack in time as well as carpet the stairs.


As you can see we've gone for the spartan look for the guest area - seriously though we do hope to get this spruced up for visitors.

On Sunday we went to the church we've been to a couple of times before, it was great again and this time we were offered a spare car if we needed one! Later that day we went to Minnehaha Falls in St Paul where we hired some pedal cars.



After a long hot cycle ride, we treated ourselves to a Dairy Queen ice-cream, which the kids were not too unhappy about
On Monday we went to Lake Harriet and Dan and Becky had a good play in the lake and the beach next to it. The weather was really hot, nearly 90 so it felt like being on holiday in Turkey.


Becky got to wear one of Dan's T-shirts and she couldn't stop grinning, I think its the most pleased she's ever been.

Later that day we had Debbie and Rob over for another BBQ, which also went well, (more BBQ experts, Debbie does pizza on the BBQ) so now I feel we've passed the tests and can BBQ for the natives with aplomb.