Cyclone Rake!

Nate and I just cracked up when an infomercial for this thing came on last night.  I think they accidentally hired the SNL commercial guys to write it.  It's as easy as falling off a log!

something old, something new(er)

On Saturday we traded in our really old Windstar for a slightly less old Grand Caravan.  Oh, the excitement.  The Windstar wasn't on it's last legs just yet, but we got six years out of it, and figured we'd ditch it before it fizzled & croaked. 

berserk birds

Still waiting for the darn poinsettia to die.  We're more than halfway through Lent, for Pete's sake.  I'm tired of (barely) nurturing it.  Figures, 'cuz if I actually try to keep a plant alive?  Yep, deadsville...via drowning or crispy crinkledom.

So spring sprung.  Birds are chirping madly.  70's and even some 80's in March?  Yes please.  It's nice to be pleasantly surprised when you open the gas bill.  And unless we get a big freak snowfall soon, we've escaped the winter of 2011/12 without a single Big Snow Event in the metro.  The kids have spring break this week, ergo it's rainy and cooler than last week, but we'll take it.  The ducks are back on the pond, the grass is greening up, and it's fun to watch Felix catch and eat the pesky boxelder bugs scampering around the house.

Nicky the 8 year old

Nicky's eighth b-day was Monday.  That's enough candles to light up the room pretty well!

musical kids

Adrienne played in the Jubilee Band concert on Sunday.  All 5th graders, 8th, and the FHS Wind Ensemble took part.  She's coming along on the clarinet pretty nicely.  Not going through reeds so quickly any more.

She's in the front left w/her hair pulled back.  Notice the director's arms waving magically.  Meanwhile Michael is making some interesting music of his own with his voice, which has been cracking Peter Brady style for a month or so.  "When it's time to change, you've got to re-ar-aaange!"

Why are Catholics cranky and weird now?

Because it's Lent.  Explanation here.

not your typical red carpet walker

Nate pointed me to this story.  Pretty cool.

edumacation is fun

Took the kids to the MN History Center last weekend 'cuz Nate got a good deal on membership from Groupon.  It was packed with people seeing some 1960's exhibit and/or movie.  Baby boomers were everywhere.  Some of them were still wearing their clothes from '68.  We didn't bring the kids to the museum to see smelly old hippies, so we didn't stay long.  Their Minnesota's Greatest Generation exhibit was kind of cool.  Saw some WWII stuff, including some grenades in a glass case.  Adrienne wanted to know what they were.  After I explained, she said, "Ooooh, now I get the song Grenade."  You know, that Bruno Mars one where he sings about all the freaky morbid ways he'd die for his girl and can't figure out why she's creeped out.  Anyway, this is A with Zach in the Grainland play area-

Speaking of educational activities and family togetherness, I recently finished reading Horton Halfpott to the kids.  We tried to figure out what to read next and I suggested Old Yeller.  Adrienne thought that was a boring horrible idea.  She said, "What's next, are you going to read the dictionary?"  She was being more funny than snarky, so it's okay.  And it turns out Old Yeller fell apart and went missing a long time ago.  'Prolly will go with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory soon, but maybe will find something Lent-y first.

slow poke

Some b-day pics a bit late.  Nate's cake was good!

Adrienne was in a cool 5th grade African Drum presentation at school last week.  A man from Ghana had spent several hours teaching each class.  No pics or video of that, though, 'cuz I forgot the darn cameras.  I do, however, have a picture of this giant chocolate fish I got for my b-day.

And a weird cat in a box.

yea or nay?

The Giants won.  Yea?  I 'spose.  Weren't gonna cheer for them cheatin' Pats anyway.  The kids had looked forward to the Super Bowl for weeks 'cuz we planned a junk food party.  They couldn't remember which sport was going to be glorified, but dangit, they'd get to drink pop.  Had to quit watching at halftime though, for kiddo bath time and then Downton Abbey.

Lovin' this wimpy winter. Yea.

Nate's in the kitchen baking me a chocolate b-day cake.  Yea!

Guess I don't have a nay yet.  Maybe Adrienne's despair at today's commencement of a 2 week square dancing unit at school.  She wasn't pleased to be partnered with the boy in her class who talks about alien abduction obsessively.