Kids at Play

Our spring has been unreal. Usually over 10 inches of snow...not a flake. Average highs in the 20s and 30s...ours have been in the 40s, and we've had several 60+ degree days. Couldn't ask for more! With that, we've already hit several nearby parks for some much needed outside exercise and fun in the sun!

Even Bella thought it was warm enough to venture out for a walk!!! That's when you really know spring is here! : )

The Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone! We definitely had the "green" theme going today (we are the KELLY's afterall)! I suprised the girls this morning by making them green eggs and green pancakes. Maggie declared "the green eggs taste just the same as the yellow ones!". They thought the green was pretty cool.

Just before lunchtime we packed up and headed out with Paula and the kids (the O'Loughlin's) to the St. Patty's Day parade in downtown St. Paul. The kids sported green hats and beads, since it was a little chilly and we had to cover up the green shirts under coats and sweatshirts.

Really it was like nothing I've ever seen. There was green everywhere. The people watching was really great!

The parade got underway with of course Irish bagpipes. Overall the parade was pretty boring. Most of it consisted of groups of Irish families holding a big family name sign and a bunch of people walking behind it. Once in a while a piece of candy or a string beads flew our way. There were some interesting people though...

(This guy was one of my favorites. Very distinguished looking older guy...black cordoroy pants with green shamrocks all over them!)

(Yup, green dogs too!)

Lots of Irish Wolf Hounds. They were HUGE!

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

And last but not least, the bouncing leprechaun!!!!

Spring has Sprung!

Spring is here! I think that is. It could very well be a teaser and we could have a giant snow storm by the end of the week, but we'll take it while we have it. : ) The weather has been in the 40s and 50s, the snow is melting and the kids have been able to play outside...in mid-March! I know, that is a shocker around here, but it has been SOOOOO nice!

Yesterday afternoon Maggie and I went out for a little exercise. I ran and she biked around Markgrafs lake. It was about 2.5 miles or so and there was a little complaining towards the end, but Mags made it all the way without having to take a break. It felt great to get off the treadmill and get outside. While Mags and I were out, Aaron and Maya went down to the basement and created this masterpiece!

Isn't that awesome! And yes, thats a swimsuit she's wearing. The girls talked me into new suits the other day while we were at Target. It was now or later for the suits so it was ok. When we got back we all headed outside. It was cloudy, but warm for us. Maggie got out the chalk and got right to work.

Maya jump roping.

Maya riding her bike.

Maggie on her scooter.

Hopscotch.

This picture is from yesterday. All the snow was gone except for the last little bit right out by the bottom of the driveway.

Today the last of it melted! It was 61 degrees here today!!!!! We played outside for 5 hours and it was warm, warm, warm! Coats were tucked inside and one of the neighbor kids got really ahead of herself and had on shorts and a tank top! Only in Minnesota. : ) Maggie rolled up her pants and managed to sneak out some flip flops. This is so unusual for this time of year. March is usually one of our snowiest months, but not this one (knock on wood). We're supposed to be in the 50s for about the rest of the week too. Can't wait!

My little Picasso's

The other day was an inside kind of day and we were in desperate need of a project. Sooooo, that meant painting. I made the girls strip down to pants only so to limit the need for an immediate load of laundry. They had a big piece of paper and lots of colors (in keeping with the rainbow theme) and went to town.

The masterpieces!!!