Heart to Home | Happy 4th of July!

We had a fun day at Heart to Home!  We spent a great deal of time outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather and celebrating the 4th of July.  Yesterday one of our residents helped picked out some small fireworks from the local Target.  And today we put on a fun firework show!  It brought back many memories of summers in Minnesota...  Fireworks, warm weather, lunch outdoors...  Lots of smiles as we reminisced about cabins, warm weather, fishing, fireworks, cookouts, etc...  To top it off we enjoyed happy hour and cookie decorating!

 

 The start of the firework show for everyone at Mendota Manor.  Of course we were clapping after each firework :)

Nick providing a sparkler dance for everyone... Bravo!

Lunch outside today was absolutely beautiful.  We will take all the 75 degree and sunny days we can get!

The firework spread... All ready to go.

Our giant sunflowers are on the rise... An annual Heart to Home tradition.

Our veggie garden is coming in nicely!

I had to add a few photos of the front garden at Mendakota Manor, it looks so beautiful this year.

The residents of Mendakota Manor preparing for the big firework show!

After a fun day outside it was time for a quick nap, followed by happy hour and cookie decorating!

 

Heart to Home | Walk to the Lake

We enjoyed a nice walk to the lake this past week at Mendakota Manor... Some gorgeous weather!  Also, we are re-programming our care homes and revamping "Cherished Moments Memory Care".  More details to follow!

 

Heart to Home | Flower Arranging & Walking to the Park

Here are a few photos from a recent flower arranging activity and walk down to our favorite look-out spot at Mendakota Manor.  Our look-out spot is beautiful.  It's a small walking bridge overlooking two ponds.  Plenty of ducks, sunshine and trees!

 

Heart to Home | High School Volunteer at Mendakota Manor

We enjoyed a fun afternoon with our high school volunteer at Mendakota Manor.  We worked on homemade bird feeders.  We followed a recipe that called for the following:

-  Plain gelatin (2 packets)
-  2/3 cup hot water
-  Birdseed (2 cups)
-  String to hang the feeders
-  Wax paper

We mixed up the ingredients and made some beautiful feeders that will look great in our backyard at Heart to Home.  To make different shapes we used cookie cutters to mold the birdseed.  A fun activity to make and a fun one to enjoy; bird watching!

 

Heart to Home | Sensory Stimulation

Today we worked on some sensory items including rice and small objects in a bowl.  This was a big hit at Mendota Manor!





Heart to Home | Unique Pet Visitor

We had a fun and unique pet visitor this past week.  Meet Alfred the friendly and curious Bearded Dragon (Lizard)!  One of our residents quickly bonded with her scaly friend as they spent the afternoon enjoying the sunshine.

Heart to Home | Como Zoo Outing Round 2!

Another beautiful day for a Como Zoo and Conservatory outing!  This time we brought the residents from Mendakota Manor on the outing.  We started the day indoors as it was a bit chillier in the morning, followed by a tour of the outdoor animals.  The seals and polar bears put on the best show, but we enjoyed them all!  (Some photos are edited to protect the privacy of residents)

An impressive array of fish...

We enjoyed lounging among the giant palm trees.  The tropical feel was much appreciated after Minnesota's 2013-2014 winter.

Beautiful view of the Spring Flower Show at the Como Conservatory...

Another lazy day for the lions...

The polar bears were showing off their Michael Phelp's type swimming skills!

The playful seals were enjoying watching us as much as we enjoyed watching them!

The seals loved posing for photos... Say cheese!