Thank goodness for weather-watching kiddos!

I got off to a bit of a slow start this morning and when I got up, Ian informed me that something was wrong with our outdoor thermometer because it was reading "Lo" and not an actual temperature. Alas, it is too cold here for it to register (and that, my friends, is wrong on so many levels). In any event, the wise 10-year-old-to-be suggests that Maybe we turn on the news to see if there will be a two-hour delay. I told him I had my doubts but low and behold, not only is there no dealy, but there is no school! This is certainly a record for our school district. It's our third no-school day this school year. I just had to laugh though because I told Rich it was a good thing Ian was alert because otherwise I would have been sending him out to wait for the bus! Now, what are we goint to do today . . .

C'mon, people!

We live in WISCONSIN! Are we afraid of a little snow? Heck no!

I ventured out this morning to do my regular Monday grocery shopping for the week. Now, the meterologists are predicting a big snow storm that is supposed to begin sometime today and go through Wednesday morning. You would think by the way people were stocking their carts that the world as we know it is coming to an end! Now, I can't say that the prospect of 14+ inches of snow thrills me, but it's not scaring me one bit!

A Big League Weekend

Wow! That was a busy weekend! It began with Relay for Life on Friday night. It was very tiring, but I am so glad to have been able to participate. Of course, I spent most of Saturday recovering from the lack of sleep. Then, on Saturday evening, Ian played in his baseball league's championship game. They were playing the one team that they have not beaten all season (and said team was also undefeated). Unfortunately, they couldn't get their bats going and lost but they came in second place during the regular season and second place in the tournament and therefore got two trophies for their efforts! Rich says Ian now has more trophies than he ever received in his lifetime.

Sunday, however, was the BIG day. Ian's coach entered the team in a lottery to be able to play a game at Helfaer Field. They were selected and it was such a neat experience for everyone involved. We started at 10:00 a.m. with a caravan to Miller Park and a pre-gam tailgate party. Kyra was mesmerized by the stadium but it wasn't until we entered the gates that we realized she was looking for the "park" (i.e., slides, swings, etc.). Oh well! We had great seats overlooking left field with a great view of Bernie the Brewer who was of great assistance keeping Kyra occupied throughout the game. Rich "almost" caught a ball thrown by the Brewers left fielder but it got knocked out of his glove and into the lap of one of Ian's teammate's grandmas. The Brewers did end up losing, but we still had fun.

After the post-game/pre-game tailgate party (can you see a theme here?), we headed over to the field for warm-ups and the game. The boys were so excited and they played a great game! Ian ended up getting hit twice while at bat, grounded out (but drove in a run) and played one inning at second base where he made the final out to end the inning. They ended up winning 8-0.

So, now that I have bored you with the details, here are some pictures of the festivities:



For those of you non-Wisconsinites, this is the "world famous" Sausage Race.
(by the way, Chorizo won)

Seriously? This is June!

Aaah, tomorrow is the last day of school! Time to don our shorts and begin a carefree summer vacation. Yeah, I forgot, this is northeast Wisconsin!

Tonight Ian had another baseball game at one of the parks nearest the lake. It eerily resembled a scene from a Steven King novel. We had mist. We had fog. We had seeping into your bones cold! I'm still trying to warm up!

Will it ever stop snowing?

Yes, I know I live in Wisconsin.
Yes, I know it is cold here.
Yes, I know it is supposed to snow here.

BUT I AM SICK OF SNOW!!!!!

Thank you for reading my whine.

Snow, snow go away!

When we moved to Wisconsin in 2003, we were actually kind of sad that we didn't get more snow. We always pictured it as a Currier and Ives winter wonderland. Even when we moved to NE Wisconsin last year, I was surprised we didn't get more "lake effect" snow. Well, I am hereby placing everyone on notice that I AM SICK OF SNOW!!!!

Bring it on, spring!

Bring it on, Winter!

Today is really the first day I have to acknowledge that perhaps winter is finally coming to northeast Wisconsin. The temperature in the car read 39 degrees shortly before noon today so I doubt it will be getting much warmer. I even saw a flurry or two in the air this morning. But, one thing that makes me incredibly happy despite the colkd and thoughts of snow is the fact that Starbucks has brought out their holiday drinks and my favorite from last season, the gingerbread latte, is not only back, but available in a sugar free version!

So today Kyra and I stopped in for my morning protein "snack". Hey, it may be coffee, but it's made with milk! I was almost, but not quite yet, ready to hear some Christmas carols in the background.

The cows did it!

Today we went back to Madison to visit some old friends. On the drive home tonight, I chose the backroads because I like driving up the lake. Of course, being the dairy state, there are quite a few cows and well, on a hot day, cows stink! The kids and I had a few laughs about it being "stinky" and the typical 8-year old boy bathroom humor.

We got home around 8:15 and when I pulled Kyra out of the car seat, I could definitely tell she needed a diaper change. When I asked her if she made stinky, she looked at me with that cute smile and curly head of hair and said "cows!" I've never laughed so hard!

How do you explain this to a 17 month old?

Yesterday we were blessed with an absolutely gorgeous day for March in Wisconsin. It was bright and sunny with temperatures in the upper 70s. We spent a good majority of our day outside checking out the community park and then going for walks around the neighborhood. Kyra even decided that it would be a good idea to see what dirt tastes like.

What a difference a day makes! The wind is really blowing hard and it is cool and grey. Now, I am thankful it isn't the freezing weather that we've had for the past few months, but I feel so teased! Kyra keeps standing by the doors waiting to go outside. Spring fever has officially hit our house!