We now return to your regular progamming

Enough about Evan's mom and dad: back to the true subject of this blog.

While mom and dad were livin' it up in Kansas City, Evan had a grand time at his aunt's house. With at least a foot of snow on the ground, this team built a snow fort, a snow man, and made snow angels. According to Evan, they feasted on a delectable meal of Kraft Mac 'n Cheese and topped off the night with a viewing of the animated movie "The Iron Giant." The following morning they had a leisurely breakfast before Evan went into to daycare. He was more than a little disappointed at having to go to school after a nearly 5 day weekend.

This week, we watched Evan and his classmates at their Tae Kwon Do class demonstration. His aunt came to watch, too. Pardon me for being immodest, but I think Evan was the star. He really has those moves down.

We also received Evan's third quarter report card and he's doing very well. A big milestone to report: he can now tie his shoes!

Rock on

Lest you think that Evan and his family have been snowed in and that's the reason for the lack of new postings, let me set you straight.

I'm glad to report that Evan's parents DID attend the Wilco concert last Tuesday in Kansas City. The snow let up that morning, Evan's aunt agreed to watch him earlier than originally planned, and the gravel road to the dog kennel was plowed (to Karma's dismay). We dropped off child and dog by 2:00 and headed for KC. Once we got out of the neighborhood side streets, the roads were perfectly clear and we arrived in KC at 5:00. That gave us time to check in to the motel, head to Westport for dinner at a McCoy’s Public House & Brewpub (where we spotted friends from Lincoln who were also in town for the show), and visit Streetside Records before the show.

Our motel was just five blocks from the Uptown Theater so we decided to park there and walk to the Uptown. Got there just after the doors opened at 7:00 and settled in to the balcony. We're too old to spend four hours standing in front of the stage and I'm too short to see over the taller folks. The only low point of the evening was the prices for a pint of Boulevard: 10 bucks! The Mess Hall, a two-piece band from Australia, opened the show with a loud, but decent set. Wilco played for a couple of hours -- a terrific show that I'm glad we didn't miss. Jeff Tweedy and Nels Cline were stellar. Evan's dad said it was one of the best shows he's seen in years, and that's high praise. If you're interested in reviews or set list from the show, check the Via Chicago site.

Strolled back to the motel at 11:30, grateful that we didn't have to drive home. The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast at The Classic Cup Cafe located in Kansas City's Country Club Plaza. Then, back home while listening to Wilco's live cd Kicking Television and reliving the concert.

I must mention that Evan's dad and I first got together almost exactly 25 years ago, at the U2 concert on April 1, 1981 at the Uptown Theatre. I don't recall how much a beer cost then, but it surely wasn't $10. I do recall that tickets for the show were $1.02. The local radio station 102 was sponsoring the show. Inflation.

Wilco or Won't Go?

Evan's Mom & Dad have tickets for tonight's Wilco performance at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City. The snow seems to be letting up this morning, but we're still on the fence as to whether we'll be able to make the trip or not.

Weather reports seem to indicate that the storm didn't affect the areas south of our city as much, but the roads are still snowy and icy around our area. Plus, there are the additional challenges of arrangements for Evan and Karma-dog. Evan had been looking forward to a sleepover at his aunt's house tonight and Karma was (probably not) looking forward to staying at Trude's Dog Motel on the northeast side of town. We'll have to see if all parties are still agreeable to watching these family members that don't have tickets to see the KC show and then navigate city streets and gravel roads to the kennel.

Still a lot up in the air (including more snowflakes). We'll watch the weather and road condition updates and make a decision midday.

Snow day!

Well, the spring monster storm that had been predicted has arrived in Lincoln. It teased us on Saturday and Sunday with snow but the streets stayed wet overall. However, the full brunt of it hit on Monday, ironically the first day of spring. Public schools are already closed for spring break this week, but the university, which was supposed to start up again today following last week's spring break, closed down for the day. Evan was delighted that his school shut down after lunch.


When you live in an agricultural state, you're well aware of drought issues, so we're all rejoicing the arrival the moisture after a dry, mild winter. And when you haven't been able to do much sledding or build a snowman, you're also filled with glee. On the other hand, Dad, who insists we don't need a snowblower, is probably not as thrilled with shoveling 14" of wet, heavy snow. Mom kept the fireplace going, worked on homework and income taxes, and supervised from inside the house.

Evan is wiped out after shoveling, building a snow fort, sculpting a snowman, and sledding on his own personal sled hill, created in his backyard! Don't worry, he was revivied by hot chocolate with marshmallows and cartoons.




I guess we'll need to cancel our plans for that barbeque on the patio.

Weird Nebraska

Evan wants me tell everyone, "Evan is a cool dude." Confidence issues? Nah.

Saturday morning, we woke to snow on the ground. Evan and his dad got an early start and headed out to Pioneers Park. Unfortunately, the snow was so wet and ground temperatures so warm that the sled hill wasn't an option. But they did have a nice nature hike with our dog, Karma.

During the afternoon we went to the Museum of Nebraska History. They have a really cool exhibit running until the end of 2006, titled "Weird Nebraska: Strange Stories and Amazing Facts." Not that we ever thought of Nebraska as normal. But there's a lot of cools stuff and stories on display: everything from a petrified man to the world's tallest man, to UFOs, crop circles, and sea monsters, fascinating outsider art, a basket made from armadillo skin, and much, much more! I really enjoyed the "Made in Nebraska" exhibit, featuring products such as Kool-Aid, Eskimo Pie and the Vise-Grip wrench. Evan gives the museum gift shop two thumbs up.

And to carry on with the weird Nebraska theme, as well as bygone days, we dined last night at Lee's Chicken, a Lincoln legacy for at least 60 years. The decor probably hasn't changed in the entire period, but it has a homey, cheesy charm. They still have piano player most evenings (although the blind organist is long gone) to complement the booths and wood paneling. Last night, there was a youngish hipster playing and we convince Evan to go up and ask him to play "Linus and Lucy." Brave, confident soul that he is, Evan persuaded the fellow, who was duly rewarded with a tip in the fishbowl.

At dinner, this was part of our conversation:

Evan: "Mom, what if boys acted like girls and girls acted like boys?"
Mom: "What do you mean by that?"
Evan: "Well, what if boys did the laundry and girls played Xbox?"

I had to break the news to him that boys DO laundry and girls DO play Xbox. Good lord, these stereotypes begin early.

Forts

Yesterday, as Evan and I were getting out of the car after work and school, he remarked, "Mom, your voice kinda sounds like a boy." When I asked him how so, he said "You have an accent like a boy."

Maybe, but I haven't yet learned to burp on command as have the males in my household.

Mom was very happy yesterday for two reasons: I learned I was accepted into the graduate school program to which I'd applied AND we had a new dishwasher installed. Who woulda thought that I could get so charged up about attending school (and paying tuition) and spending $$ on a new appliance. Your priorities sure change when you become an adult!

But for a five-year old, it's the simple things that bring joy. For example, Dad turning the dishwasher carton into a fort. Evan spent most of the evening making his fort homey: adding stuffed animals, light sabers, and a flashlight.

I wonder how long the fort will reside in our living room.

Friday show-and-tell

Every Friday in kindergarten, the students are asked to bring a show-and-tell item that begins with the letter they've studied that week. Today, it's the letter "K". Tougher than we thought. Oh, there's "kite" and "kitten" and "kazoo", but none of those were available to pack along to school this morning. Until I find out the secret word for today, here's a photo from Evan's first day of kindergarten.

"K" is for kindergarten!

Nada

I regret to report that Evan did absolutely nothing worth sharing yesterday. In the meantime, enjoy this picture.

Punk rock.

Let the good times roll

MAJOR NEWSFLASH!

Evan began riding his bike sans training wheels about a month ago. Recently, he completed his first long distance trek on the MoPac Trail from 84th Street to Walton and back, about 4 miles total.

As you can imagine, Dad is very pleased!

Welcome to Evan on Earth

This will be a place for family and friends to stay updated on the adventures of Evan. I'll try to regularly post photos, news, and amusing stories related to Evan and our family. Hope you'll visit Evan on Earth often!