Spring break in Minnesota?

Perhaps not the best time to go north. It was "balmy" in Minneapolis-- a warm 47 and sunny on Friday. We'll take what we can get! Took a quick road trip to visit Philip and Molly in Eden Prairie over the kids' spring break. Mom and Dad went with us, but Stu had to stay at work. We did two days at the Mall of America, including one day riding rides at the Nickelodeon Universe. We saw a lot of Philip and watched KU play their first round NCAA game together as the only KU fans in the local Buffalo Wild Wings. We went to see Philip's school on Saturday and were impressed by the facilities. High schools have stepped up quite a bit since I was there 20 years ago! It was a short, but fun trip. Here are a few pictures!



The closest we got to an American Girl doll



At the aquarium



With my favorite cartoon character (ha)



Kate at the Lego store in a BIG lego



My Kansas kids in the ferris wheel



Waiting for the ride



Brown family required train station picture, in the mist



"Look, we're really happy about this. And freezing. So take the picture!"



A Princess Party

Kate's friend Addie always has picture-worthy birthday parties, and this year was no different. This year, Addie had a princess party and invited all of her princess friends to come dressed for a party. So, Kate donned her favorite princess dress and headed out. There were probably 20 princesses there from ages 2-5, and Kate had quite a big time. The hit of the day was a visit from the REAL Belle (Beauty and the Beast, for thsoe of you who aren't versed on all the princesses!) Belle gave them three tests to prove they are princesses, led a search for a treasure chest, and did the girls makeup and put glitter in their hair. Oh, it was pretty exciting stuff!

Kate, Addie and an extra princess



Belle and her happy princesses



Winter Program Pictures

It's been a quiet winter, really. I do have a few pictures from Sam's spring concert at school. He did a great job, as usual. The music teacher always picks really fun songs that the kids like to sing, and there are plenty of actions. Here are the pics!

Sam's desk



Sam and Mrs. Simons-- she's due in May, so we had to get a picture in while we still could!



Sam's classmates in their first-ever "party pic"



Kate with friends Mitch and Grant from Stepping Stones (their big sis is a K student)



Being silly before/after the singing



It's the flu

Had a big no no at school yesterday. Kate told me on the way to school that her tummy hurt. I joined her in a quick trip to the bathroom, and everything came out okay (ha), so I left her and went on my way. It was my school volunteer morning-- one hour in the library and one in class. I was about halfway through class duty and got a call over the intercom. Wow. I knew this was serious. Stepping Stones had been calling me for at least 45 minutes to tell me that Kate had thrown up and was running a fever. I turned my phone off when I went into the school because it doesn't ring at all in the library and shouldn't ring in class. So much for that.

The whole point of this is to say that Kate is sick. She threw up at school but then focused mostly on the opposite problem, if you know what I mean. Poor thing couldn't even get a nap because she was up so much. So, Kate's sitting on the potty and she says, "Mommy, I think I know what's wrong." Oh yeah, what's that? "Miss Cindy told me at school. It's the flu." Well, probably. But funnier than that was later when I said, "Did you have more stink?" and she responded "No mom, it's not stink! It's the FLU!"