Day three : entering complete exhaustion but not quite ready to give in...  Using all our magical powers on one more "just the kids" walk around the hotel, breakfast at the "best breakfast in Duluth" - for once Yelp! may have gotten it right. Playing at a super fancy park, searching for kid friendly, historical non-fiction Duluth literature, and settling for a replica of a ship and a mermaid figurine.  Rating 4/5 stars only because we are traveling with 2 train wrecks...

 Day two : Waking up the girl to begin our nature's excursions - Gooseberry Falls was a major success, we had to drag the kids out, promising to come back and camp in a tent (and AP had to take some big breaths as he watched his son hike on the "be careful!!!  Those are so slippery!!" rocks). State park #2 was Split Rock, and a bit underwhelming after the falls.  Next up, Superior Beach - 100* sand and 58* water.  Late late lunch with happy hour and back to the outdoor pool.  The mexican cantina and pizza for supper made this day 5/5 stars.

MN road trip!

Duluth : canal park shopping including matching bracelets, touring the William A Irivin - surprisingly fun and educational, arcade, swimming, mini golfing, rolling down the hill with new friend who was in town for a dog show, and a scenic bench view. 4.5/5 stars

The cheering section arrived for Bennett's baseball game tonight. The game started at 7pm, and papa and grandma rolled up at about 2pm. We got all caught up on the family and neighbors and lake/river traffic. Papa was able to help B warm up his arm,

and with no time to spare, we got to the field. The cheering section set up the chairs, and everyone was at the edge of their seat. (Ok, really just grandma. I wish I would have video taped her. It was the sweetest - although the loudest - cheering I have ever heard. Complete with clapping and hooting and 'rUNnnnnn!! GO GO GO GOooooo!'. Grandma Rita was on her feet each time a member of the gray team hit the ball, or made it to base and especially when they touched home plate. I did tell her that the teams don't actually keep score. To which she staunchly replied, "they don't need to. It's quite obvious B's team is winning." Best cheerleader ever. And, the look on #10's face, when he grinned at his cheering section was pure joy.

At one point, Rita grabbed Wes' hand and said "Papa, we are coming back every week."

And I think they just might...