McDonalds?

It's been quite a while since we have been able to get out and go to the park, aside from sledding. It's probably about time to show off the boys' haircuts anyway.

Here's some pictures Joshua took.

Afterwards I took the kids to McDonalds for ice cream since Grandma gave them gift certificates for Valentines Day. At least I think it was McDonalds. We haven't been there in a year or 3 The outside looks the same but inside there are major changes. Gone is the cheery face of The Hamburgular. There's no big plastic Ronald or even bright yellow & red colors. It's all been replaced with fireplaces and a sort of euro-cafe styling with muted green and gray tones. Is this a national phenomenon? I will say that even though the fake cheery facade is gone it still smelled exactly the same as I remember it.

Another "great" idea

The other day the kids were tracing letters in cornmeal. Everything started out so well...



Caleb made a smiley face



Let the chaos begin. Oh! Wouldn't it be fun to drive our cars through and make tracks and build bunkers and dig trenches and turn the table into a war zone! It really was inevitable and oh so much fun to clean up.

Realization

Since we just recently took a trip back to Nebraska I've really started thinking about some of the differences between Colorado and Nebraska. Now I'm not going to talk about how flat and boring Nebraska is and how the landscape just goes on and on and on and on for hundreds of miles and the only difference in the scenery is if you're looking at cows or pasture. No, no I'm not going to talk about how hard it is to drive in Nebraska because the monotony of it practically lulls you to sleep.

Instead, I'm going to point out the differences in the seasons.

First up, Colorado:

1. Tourist Season - This is when the weather is beautiful and everyone comes to hike, kayak, fish and be a minor nuisance to the locals.





2. Fire Season - Yup, not just a California thing. Things get real dry, real fast and people get pissed off that they can't light up huge bricks of firecrackers.




3. Bear & Mountain Lion Season - We're in their territory so let's face it, they're going to be around. Really the only inconveniences are the people who don't secure their trash and the lovely, huge piles of poop that they leave on my front porch for me to clean up.




4. Ski Season - This is pretty much just like Tourist Season accept with a few feet of snow on the ground.

Now Nebraska:

1. Freaking Hot Season - This is when every day is like 104 degrees with, oh I don't know, 80% humidity and all you do is fight with other members of your family over who gets to either stand in front of the fan or sit on the air conditioner vent. This season is also sometimes referred to as Tornado Season - when everyone in Nebraska remembers why they pay for insurance.





2. Freaking Cold Season - Yes it is insanely cold in Nebraska. In my opinion it's much colder than here in Colorado, go figure. And most of the time Nebraskans don't get the benifit of nice snowfall. It's either just cold or you get dumped with 4 feet all at once.





3. Freaking Windy Season - Okay this one is a little tricky because it's just windy all the time. It usually pairs up with season 1 or 2 (mainly 2) to really drive people crazy and have you so cold that you have that burning & stinging feeling on every bit of exposed skin whenever you step outside.





4. Football Season - You had to know this was coming. Undoubtedly the most popular & well-liked season in Nebraska. Really It's a wonder any businesses are open, outside of Lincoln, on a football Saturday. It's a great day when drunk college kids can put a corn cob on their heads and try to tell coach Pelini how to do his job. Go Huskers!




I hope all my relatives still living in Nebraska will forgive me for these ramblings. If you live there, you know it's true and that I'm pretty much right.

Best idea - ever

I thought this was a fantastic idea. I could bring snow inside for the kids to play with and I wouldn't have to mess with snowsuits and everything else. As you can see the twins didn't quite get it and still felt the need to be totally decked out in snow gear, inside the house - complete with snow boots!


They did have alot of fun and did an excellent job of attempting to turn my living room into a swimming pool.

School This Week

We did alot this week & I am really trying to do things with the younger kids that involve Caleb more. He has done very well & feels like a "big boy" now.


This is his favorite thing to do. Numbers with Hershey's kisses because he gets to eat one when they're all done.

And now for something completely different...

Even if you've never heard of the Snuggie or seen the comercials I still hope you'll find this funny.

I'm thinking of all the crazy things you could do with your Snuggie - maybe I'll buy one....or not. Hmmm, maybe give a couple to Kim & Steve for Christmas and see what great pictures they can take for next years family calendar.