The Best Android App EVER!!!

A few days ago, I was browsing the Android Market on my LGAlly looking for an application that would give me some unique "live wallpapers". (That means an image on the main screen of my phone that changes throughout the day at set intervals.)

I came across this app and thought it looked cool. I'd love to travel more, but with my income and two kids, it'll be years before we get to go anywhere really impressive. The app, World Tour, takes pictures from various google cameras throughout the world. Every hour the image on my screen changes to one of about 75-100 locations.

Yesterday, we saw Times Square, the Vatican, Palm Springs, California, and a few other places. Today I saw the Eiffel Tower, Ground Zero, St. Peter Cathedral, San Diego, Seattle, and a few other places. Some of them are ordinary, like the giraffe exhibit at a zoo. Others are very cool, like a view of Earth divided into day and night.

The time stamp is on every image and so is location of each image. I've enjoyed my recent tour of the world; and so have the boys!

Surprise in the works...

Matt and I often do these "mystery trips" or as Max says, "We're goin' on a 'prise trip!"  Sometimes they are short; just up to the Dairy Queen for ice cream.  Other times they are bigger deals; Toledo Zoo or to visit family. 

This Thursday, we'll surprise them again with a bigger trip.  We've been planning it for awhile, and I hope I can keep it a secret a few more days!  I can't wait!!!  I know they will be so VERY excited!  Now...if I can pack their bags without them knowing...

Longest. Day. Ever.

**WARNING: This post may contain whining!**

Early this morning, the day was already slated to be a busy and chaotic one.  I knew I had a big event for the Scholastic Book Fair going on after school and I wanted to make it perfect.  Plus, I've been sick for the last 4-5 days.  I'm just feeling worn down.

But at 7:45am, the school's fire alarm went off.  So we had to evacuate the building.  It was 12 degrees outside.  Some of our students didn't have coats on because they were eating breakfast.  Without gloves, my fingers were REALLY REALLY cold.  I held students in my coat with me hoping to keep them as warm as possible.  In the end, we were able to get them into an administration building run by the city school district which is just across the street.  But we stood outside for at least 20 minutes!  BRRRRR...it was freezing!! 

The school day wasn't anything out of the ordinary, except setting up for the event.  But wow, was the set up after school a lot of work!  I had a great crew who was willing to help, thankfully.  But even when the event ended at 7:30pm, I had a lot of work just putting the finishing closing details together...with both my boys in tow. 

It's now 9:00pm.  The boys are finally asleep.  I am sipping a mug of tea and hoping that the pain relievers kick in soon.


My back hurts. 
My feet hurt.
And I think I'm still slightly frozen.

Snow, snow and more snow...

I think I'm done with Michigan. I would rather live somewhere where they get one big dump of snow, it lasts a few days or weeks even, and then it's gone. This year, it just keeps snowing...and snowing...and snowing. I don't remember the last time I saw the grass.

To at least make the most of the snow we have, Matt and I took the boys sledding today. I know Payton has been sledding before, but to the best of my recollection, Maxwell never has been. If he has, I don't have pictures of it anyway.

So off we went. We all bundled up...two shirts, pants, two pair of socks, snow pants, boots, coats, hats, hoods, and gloves. Getting dressed took just as long as sledding! But it was worth it. The boys had a great time. Matt and I kept them busy for over an hour. And they are tired enough they'll sleep well tonight!

Snow Day!

We did a little of this

Then a little of this

And a lot of this

And a lot of this

Even Ringo got in on the action

It was a good day...and it's not over.

Cabin Fever

Brrr it's been cold outside.  I guess what's what Winter in Michigan is all about.  Cold.  And snow.  Both of which I've had enough of.  Unfortunately for me, it's not over.  We're supposed to get at least a few inches of the white fluff on Tuesday night, possibly as much as a foot!

Soooo, that usually means snow day.  I'm planning my snow day now.  Is that bad?  I'm thinking cookie baking in the AM.  Make some of the yummy energy balls that the boys like around lunch time.  Some muffins in the afternoon...all while a crockpot cooks our dinner during the day.

Yeah.  It just might be a great week!