Would You Rather...?

Cate was working through a kid's menu while we waited for our food. Any of you who know Cate are quite aware that she is not a fruit eater.

Here you can see her answer on one of the "would you rather" questions. When asked why she chose the apple over chocolate cake, she replied, "I know that's how I should answer the question because an apple is healthier than chocolate cake."

A future politician perhaps?

Yet another classic fashionista ensemble

Can you tell which of these two kids proudly picked out his / her own outfit?

The kids get a haircut

I have to say I am SO relieved that our kids actually look forward to getting their hair cut. We take them to Kids' Hair which , obviously by the name, caters solely on kids' haircuts.

Since it was a light evening in the shop, the stylist provided a little extra pizzazz to the final style for both kids. Cate got gold glitter hairspray with a purple srtipe down one section of her locks. Max got his front gelled up and sprayed with silver glitter and blue tips.

Max couldn't wait to check his newly coiffed hair out at home. Once he saw himself in the hand mirror I gave him, he sighed satisfactorily, "I look SO pretty!"

Very mch worth the $16.50 haircut charge.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and General Lee

I was out with Jen and Jessica this afternoon on the most perfect of all Minnesota days--blue skies, 70s, sun. After we took our walk around the grounds--gorgeous!--we decided to drive along the 3-Mile Road. Who, or what, we should encounter is the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard. Who knew such a car was into trolling through perfectly groomed gardens? I think the driver knew we were stalking him because I tried for at least one of the three miles of the 3-Mile Road to get a shot, so he stopped on the side, so I could get a more close up shot.

We then reminisced back to the days when we watched Dukes of Hazzard and CHiPs and how we pretended to be married to Bo or Luke, John or Ponch. Ahh, those were the days!

Sick Cate

You would think since Spring is here, no one would get sick. But then along came the H1N1 flu. Not that H1N1 has anything to do with Cate being home ill today, but it's all still very much a drag to be sick when it's so dang nice outside.

My guess is that the seasonal blooming is aggravating Cate's allergies which is escalating her bronchial issues. The nebulizer has made its return to our night-time routine. She woke up with a nasty cough and an even nastier temperament. She didn't want to go to school today. Rather, she wanted to go to Grandma and Grandpa's because she wasn't feeling well. In the midst of trying to explain her options to her, she ended up in the naughty corner four times because she was having a fit, which caused her to puke. Gr-e-at.

I knew if I sent her to the Jensens, in short order she would be bouncing around and playing. So I kept her home with me, while I telecommuted for work today. In order to ensure this doesn't become a regular habit, I enforced a no TV, no Gameboy, no movie, no playing downstairs day. She was free to color, read books or whatever other quiet thing she could think of doing that kept her preoccupied while I worked.

Mission accomplished. I am pretty darn sure this is the most time she has ever spent with her nose in books. Shoot, she even set up her own camp. It looks quite cozy, don't you think?

Happy 3rd Birthday, Max (like-a-week-and-a-half-ago)

So the wee little one turned three on April 26. We had a great day, despite the rain. It was alright because we had not planned on eating our meal outside, but I was a bit concerned Kyle would be stuck grilling while getting drenched. Grandparents, Godmother Jolene and Great Uncle Cliff came to celebrate with us. We served brats, hamburgers, potato salad, fruit salad, pickles and chips.After singing "Happy Birthday" it was time for Max to blow out the candles. It took him four or five attempts and a little help from Cate to get all three candles out. We cheered him on when the flames were no longer. I baked a chocolate cake which I decided to forego my sloppy writing decoration and settled for doodles instead. Regardless, it tasted Pillsbury fresh.



When time came for opening gifts, Cate was clearly more eager than Max to move on to the next gift. He took his sweet time opening the envelopes, listening to the messages, unwrapping the gift and really take what he received. He enjoyed each and every one of his gifts. Our kids are so lucky.


His favorite gifts, by far, are his plush Wall*E doll--from his favorite movie--and his very own light saber. Now he joins the ranks of his big sister and Daddy wielding a light saber. It's been heard more than once around here that Cate thinks I should have a green light saber for Mother's day. Who knows?