Kyria's Visit

We had a great time with Kyria last weekend! We hadn't seen each other in over 3 years but we have the kind of friendship where you pick up where you left off! She landed on Friday night and Paul came with me to pick her up from the airport since he was so excited about our visitor! We had take-and-bake pizza when we got home from the airport. I stayed up a little bit past my bedtime since we were having so much fun catching up after the boys were in bed. 

On Saturday morning, we headed to the zoo. We had tickets to the dolphin show at 10:30. Paul has been talking about it for weeks so he was especially excited. He had fun showing Kyria around the zoo. Will was even interested in holding Kyria's hand at one point. 

Waiting for the dolphin show to start.

The dolphin show completely exceeded my expectations. The dolphins were so very adorable and they did lots of different tricks for us. I would like to go again and get better seats. We couldn't get there too early as I knew Will would be very squirmy so next time I'd like to go on my own with Paul. 

Phil made a Spanish tortilla for lunch. Once we'd digested our lunch, we headed out for a 4 mile run and then hung out at home for the rest of the day. I made chicken tikka masala with cauliflower and peas for dinner that night. 

Reading books with Kyria

We had a slow morning on Sunday since we didn't need to leave until around 9am for our snowshoe race. Kyria ended up doing a 4 mile run before the race (she has a marathon next month so needed some extra miles). The snowshoe race was really well organized and the weather was very nice for Minnesota! Our snowshoes were not designed to be run in so we mostly walked. The course was really pretty - we crossed a lake and walked through a big nature preserve area. We talked the whole time, especially about careers/work topics! We work in similar industries so really understand what each other does. 

Walking across a lake at the start of the race

On the way home from the race we stopped at a new-to-me GF bakery for some lattes and treats and then had a quiet afternoon/evening at home. I made seared ahi tuna, asparagus, and Asian rice for dinner. 

Monday was my birthday! After sending the kids off to school with Phil, Kyria worked for a bit while I read in front of the fire in my bedroom. It was so cozy and delightful! 

My shins/calves were very sore from snowshoeing - it definitely used different muscles! So we did a shorter run that morning that ended at Starbucks so I could get my birthday latte which I enjoyed on the walk back to the house. For lunch, Kyria treated me to a meal from this cool food hall that has lots of different places to order from. We shared a grain bowl, a dosa from an Indian place, and kimchi coleslaw from an Asian place. Then I dropped her off at the airport and got a massage at a lovely spa by my house. 

The boys got home around 5. I had thought about getting Indian take out but decided to have it belatedly next weekend since I had lunch out earlier in the day (eating out twice in the same day is a bit much for me). We had leftovers for dinner and I enjoyed a bowl of ice cream for my birthday treat. 

Now we need to visit Kyria - maybe next spring or summer! The last time we visited her was 2016 so we are overdue for a trip out west to visit her! But I'm grateful that she was willing to come to us, especially during our cold winter season! Having her around made my birthday weekend extra fun and festive!