Pretending we are Real Swedes

And not just the half Swedes we really are. Okay if you want to get technical and mathematical I'm the half Swede and the kiddos 1/4 and Drew..well I guess he's half Swedish by marriage? 

Anyway on Saturday we found ourselves in a mini blizzard (as opposed to last weekend when I wore a skirt. Colorado is kind of a B like that) and Jasper doesn't do to well with the 'hey lets just hang out inside all day and cuddle and watch movies' I had originally planned so it was obvious we needed to get OUT for all of our sanity. But there isn't a whole lot do in the middle of a blizzard. Denver drivers get ridiculous at the first sight of snow so I don't like to drive when it snows because of crazy/terrified drivers so driving anywhere was last option. 

So my brilliant plan was to walk 1.7 miles to panera for some broccoli cheddar soup and a sierra turkey sandwich. Brilliant right? 

Jasper was obviously on board and started getting his gear on the second I even mentioned it.

Drew on the other hand needed some convincing. But all I had to do was remind him that this was basically our life every day for three months while we were in Sweden. That, and Jasper's 6th meltdown in as many minutes (told ya he hates being cooped up) had him gearing up as well.

Being out in the snow walking around always reminds me of Sweden. It's sort of magical walking around the city with not another soul in sight. 

On our way to Panera we were in an alley behind Taco Bell. And once Drew smelled Taco Bell and realize Panera was still half a mile away there was no stopping him. So in we went. 

 Tindra would like you to know that it is very difficult to roll over in a snowsuit

It is also difficult to get your fingers in your mouth when your mom sticks your brothers old gloves on you. And yes those reach all the way up to her armpits. But her fingers stayed nice and toasty!

 "Give me a damn taco" 

 I promise I'm not married to a farmer. He just likes to dress like one. He's also not missing half of his finger like it looks like in this picture. 

 All of those tacos are for Drew. 

 Okay just kidding two of them are mine. 

 And this right here proves that we have the best baby in the world. I agreed to help Drew shovel on the condition that he would help me fold the 17 (I wish I was kidding) loads of laundry that I needed to do that night. I was thinking Tindra would freak out after 5 minutes me shoveling and I would have to head in with her. She totally screwed me over and just chilled on the sled for like 35 minutes! Seriously not a peep. Jasper went over and sang to her a few times, but she just laid there on her warm fake fur rug thing. Could be because she couldn't really move in her snowsuit, but she was happy as can be!

 And after spending three hours out walking around in the snow and then another 40 minutes shoveling you don't really feel like cooking. So you eat nachos, warm brie and bread and red velvet cookies. Oh and grapes, so that makes it semi healthy. 

 After we got home I calculated how far we walked, we ended up going to taco bell and then even farther by going to the store before heading home so it ended up being 3.1 miles round trip. That probably burned the calories for the 4 red velvet cookies I ate right?

 The kids stayed nice in warm in their Polarn o Pyret gear, some of it which they sent us back in November but some, like T's shirt and both of their gloves that we have bought ourselves because we are such  HUGE P.OP fans! 

And the winner is....

Grace Patton! (there's 79 comments but I only put in 78 because I had to remove a comment) Please email me your contact info so I can get it in to the awesome people over at Kiddy USA!

Last chance to enter to win amazing stroller!

Because I totally spaced it last night, you have one more chance to win THE awesome Kiddy City N'Move Stroller! So go HERE and enter! Giveaway will end tonight at 8 PM (Mountain Time) so get your last entries in!! 

1 year old birthday gift ideas! AKA Tindra's birthday wish list

Before having kids I never knew WHAT to get friends kids for birthdays, but luckily I was one of the first of my friends to have kids so I wasn't clueless for too long! Over the years I have come up with a few brands that Never disappoint! And of course spending all day with kids for the past 5 (almost 6!) years I have sort of figured out what they like. 

These are some of the things we plan on getting Tindra for her first birthday!

THIS water table. I always wanted a water table for Jasper when he was younger but since we lived in apartments for most of the time till he was 3.5 it never happened. This will be perfect for this summer! Major bonus, I just know Jasper will love playing with Tindra with this as well!

We saw These at a playdate a few weeks ago and I fell in love. How cute are these little guys? A banana with a face? Yes please.

I'm trying to talk myself out of THIS little guy since we have several ride on toys. But how cute is he? Plus, the other ones we use outside so he would be perfect for inside right? 

We love basically ANYTHING Melissa and Dough and I think these need to be added to our collection!

I've also been eyeing these guys at Ikea

Any other brilliant gift ideas for a 1 year old that need to be added to the list? 

Keurig giveaway!

Today I'm partnering with Chelsea and all these other lovely ladies to bring you this AMAZING prize! It's her birthday yet one of you guys will win this Keurig prize back (secretly hoping it's me!!) so good luck everyone! Thank you to each one of you ladies who contributed to this giveaway to make my birthday extra special! And thank you for all your sweet words as well: a Rafflecopter giveaway Small print: Winner will be notified via e-mail. Must respond to e-mail within 24 hours of receiving. Shipped to US only. Winner will receive this Keurig Platinum Series Quiet Brewer w/ 48 K-Cups & My K-Cup. Winner chooses color of the brewer.

My 5 year old the..kisser?

Today Jasper came home and told me right away he got in Red at school. Red is BAD. He has gotten in red once before when a kid pushed him down and Jasper decided to throw a rock at him. Like I said, it's reserved for BAD things.

So what did Jasper get in red for? Throwing a rock at a kid? Nope. Pushing a kid? Nope. He got in red for...wait for it. 

Kissing a girl. On the cheek. 

Obviously I'm upset with Jasper for getting in RED in school. It's not acceptable what so ever. But how do I 'punish' my kindergartner for kissing a girl? On the cheek? 

I told Jasper to go sit at the table with a snack and went and called Drew. Drew's reaction? He laughed. 

Men.

It's definitely Not funny. And needs to be address obviously. But punishing a 5 year old for something that isn't technically bad? Inappropriate? Yes. Especially if she didn't want him to. Which I'm having a hard time getting that part of the story out of them. I think he's confused. And embarrassed. And knows he did Something wrong. 

I've heard of other kids getting expelled for kissing at school. Which I personally think is way to far, for young kids. I'm not talking a high schooler kissing. These are children. 

So now I'm waiting on pins and needles wondering if I'm going to get a call from an upset parent. 

Am I underacting? Should I think this is a bigger deal that it is? I see it as an innocent (yet inappropriate) kiss on the cheek between friends. Something that needs to be calmly discussed with him. He needs to know (and has been told) this isn't something we do at school or with friends, and kisses gets reserved for family members. But putting him in 'red' reserved for BAD BAD actions, I personally think is a little much.

What do you guys think? Appropriate or an over reaction? 

Where to EAT in Denver: Jelly Cafe

I randomly get e-mails asking where to eat if visiting Denver, or where to take your kids, and other things to do so I'm going to start sharing some of the great 'to do's here! I tend to forget that I live in a place where a lot of people come just to vacation (hello, I'm from Iowa and people don't tend to go there for a hopping vacation) so if you are visiting Denver make sure to check out this series!

A couple of weeks ago Drew's brother was in town from Santa Barbara visiting his girlfriends family so Drew picked him up from the airport and we headed out to Brunch when they got back. 

I have been wanting to try out Jelly Cafe ever since they opened up near us a few blocks from Denver University. They serve breakfast all day- and since breakfast happens to be my favorite meal, I just knew I would love it.

And I did. 

The only negative is if you are going on a Saturday morning (or Sunday morning) you are probably going to have a bit of a wait, but it's most definitely worth it!

The decor is fun and cute, and workers all friendly. All important. But the food? Ahmaaazing.

Drew had the Reuben, and said it was decent but not the best he ever had. But the guy loves a Reuben and is probably a pretty harsh Reuben critic. Also, this place is KNOWN for their breakfast menu, so what he was doing ordering off the lunch menu (at 11:01) is beyond me anyway.

Jasper had the Frosted Flakes and Banana pancake (which I might have encouraged just so I could try it) and he loved it. And I Really freakin loved it. 

Will had the Biscuits and Gravy. He ate every single bite, so I'm taking that as a hell yeah? I started dating Drew when Will was like 12 I think and I believe he's a pretty picky eater, so him cleaning his plate up and loving all of our meals as well (he was the only one who tried every single dish we ordered) should tell ya something.

I ordered the Wisco scrambler, bacon with cheddar, swiss and brie. Two words. Mouth Watering. I'm seriously drooling a little bit thinking about just how amazing it was. I'm going to have a hard time trying something else next time I go back because it was So amazing, but there were a lot of other things I wanted to try on the menu so I guess I just have to go back like a dozen more times over the next month. 

We also ordered a large plate of donut bites to share, because hello, the place is called Jelly! We have to order Something with jelly in it!

We got one each and cut them up so we could try ALL the flavors. If I HAD to choose my favorites I would go with Maple Bacon or the Cinnamon Sugar, and Jasper absolutely LOVED the Chocolate Anglaise. But really, when I go back I'll probably just order the whole plate full again so I Don't have to choose. 

So there you have it, if you are visiting our great city and looking for an amazing brunch place, definitely try out Jelly Cafe.