Not exactly a Beach Boys fan...

...but it's cool that they're headlining the 2nd annual Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Concert.  Randy Travis did it last year.

Go away old man winter

This is gettin' ridiculous.  After lots of nice melting and getting woken up twice overnight recently by booming thunderstorms, it got cold enough to put a fresh layer of white everywhere.  Barf.

Average winter snowfall here is 55.9."  That sounds fabulous right about now.  With 84.7", we have now crept into the spot for 5th snowiest winter of all time (since record keeping began, anyway).  It's been 27 years since we had more snow than this year.

These stats are from Paul Douglas at the Star Trib:

84.6" snow so far this winter in the Twin Cities (average winter snowfall is 55.9").

4.5" official snowfall from our most recent storm at MSP International. Downtowns saw closer to 6".

5th snowiest winter season on record in the Twin Cities.

1983-84 the last winter we had more snow than we're having this winter.

4" on the ground as of Wednesday evening.

1.48" precipitation fell on the Twin Cities from March 22-23 (rain, ice and melted snow).

4.07" precipitation since January 1 (.94" more than average, to date).

March 29-30 (next Tuesday/Wednesday): projected NOAA crest of the Mississippi River in St. Paul (4 feet above major flood stage).

58 F. predicted high in the Twin Cities on Sunday, April 3.

On the other hand, here are the stats for the 10 least snowy winters.  Crazy how much it can vary year to year.  Lets have one 'o these next winter.  (courtesy of this site)

10 Least Snowy Winters in the Twin Cities
1930-31	14.2
1894-95	16.2
1986-87	17.4
1967-68	17.5
1958-59	19.1
1920-21	20.6
1980-81	21.1
1957-58	21.2
1901-02	22.4
1913-14	22.5

a b-day weekend

The kids had Friday off for a teacher workshop day or whatever they call it, so we hung out at MoA for Nicky's birthday.  But first I'll post a pick of Adrienne, who's 4th grade class had their "wax museum" presentation on Thursday before break.  They all dressed up as an important person in history and memorized a small speech.  The parents wandered around pushing kids' "buttons" to start their speeches.  Adrienne picked Harriet Tubman. 

It was kind of neat.  Einstein and George Washington had cool wigs.  But for the most part, I don't think the kids wanted you to pick them.  Especially the kid who mouthed "don't pick me don't pick me" as I walked by. 

So anyway, we milled around Legoland and Nick Universe for a while on Friday.  Michael was pretty smitten with the whole Lego scene.

I like Zach's goofy mouth.

We bought some of those darn expensive points to go on rides.  Nicky was all gung-ho and went on this mini version of Power Tower, got freaked out, and didn't go on any more.

Zach and A really liked the kid coaster:

Nicky chose Slime Cake for his birthday treat on Saturday.

Kid #3 is 7 years old...yowsa.

And finally, had to post this pick of Zach.  The goober slept in this morning and when I ran upstairs to check on him at about 8:15, I freaked out for a second 'cuz I didn't see him.  Then I saw the 'lil feet.

fish breath

The older I get, the more I enjoy lent.  Er, not enjoy exactly.  I just 'get it' more.  Time to work on being a less selfish oaf and be more charitable.  And filet-o-fishes ain't too bad once in a while (minus the cheese - eww).

Little Princess Bride revisited

Remember this?  It has over 4,000 views now.  Hmm, how can I get it to go viral and get on the Today Show like those other Minnesotans with their funky wedding entrance....?